Learn the numbers that will allow good circulation, flow and balance as you layout all your furnishing to create a stylish living room.

Whether you are laying out a living room for your first apartment or planning one for your new custom home, understanding the scale of furniture and its relationship to the room can help you create a comfortable and functional space. The first thing to keep in mind is that you want the proportions of the furniture to coordinate with the proportions of the room. Small-scale furniture can be just as comfortable as overstuffed upholstery if you shop wisely. A good rule of thumb is to buy the highest quality you can afford on things you use frequently, and save money on things you use less often.

• A single sofa. Sofas are used frequently in most households. Buy a good-quality one so that it holds up, feels comfortable and maintains its looks. On average sofas are about 84” (213 cm) long and 38” (98 cm) deep. Find a sofa that’s 72” (183 cm) long for a modest apartment and save the 96” (244 cm) overstuffed one for the bungalows.

What you need to know when buying a sofa

Your requirements will vary, but the principles are the same. You want the room to flow around the furniture for circulation and also have clear paths to the seating areas and exit points. Circulation paths need 30” to 36” (77 to 91 cm) of clear width. You can place coffee or cocktail tables as close as 12” (30 cm) from the edge of the seating. Other furnishings might need at least 24” (61 cm) between pieces for people to easily move about. Another important consideration is the conversation arc. Place furniture so that people can easily hear one another when seated. 8’-0” (244 cm) is ideal; larger rooms may need to be broken into seating groups.

More key measurements to help you design your rooms

• A sectional. Sectionals usually take up more space, but when placed carefully, they can be very cozy. Essentially made up of two sofas placed perpendicular to each other, sectionals add plenty of seating so that other upholstered furniture isn’t needed. As with sofas, sectionals come in various sizes. Two 84” (213 cm) sectional pieces together need a space that is 7’-0” (213 cm) wide and 10’-0” (305 cm) long, which is usually a significant portion of a room.

What to know before buying a sectional

• Multiple sofas. When space and budget allow, several sofas can be arranged around oversize cocktail tables.

• Love seats. When you need a couple of extra seats or you just don’t have room for a sofa, consider a love seat. Love seats are usually around 5’-0” (152 cm) long. The depth varies depending on the style, but plan on 38” to 40” (97 to 102 cm) at least.

• Lounge chairs. Lounge chairs usually swivel, rock and lean back, so they need extra space. When you combine it with an ottoman, you will want to allow for the ottoman’s footprint as well as room for someone to walk around both pieces comfortably. Once again, sizes vary considerably, but plan to allow at least 66” (168 cm) from the back of the chair to the front of the ottoman and 36” to 40” (91 to 102 cm) of width.

• Chairs. For upholstered chairs allow about 36” to 40” (91 to 102 cm) of width and 40 to 44 in. (102 to 112 cm) of depth. One could easily move around classic bent-plywood Eames chairs, which are trim at 22” (56 cm) wide and 24” (61 cm) deep.

• Stools and benches. When you want a decorative touch or when you will occasionally need an extra seat or ottoman, consider placing stools and benches in your layout. Stools may be 16” to 20” (41 to 51 cm) square; benches are around 14” to 18” (36 to 46 cm) deep and 36” to 60” (91 to 152 cm) long.

• Cocktail and coffee tables. Cocktail and coffee tables often are focal points, since they belong in the center of a room. Not only will you want them to look good, but you will also want them to function well. Round and oval-shaped ones can be easier to move around, but squares and rectangles will give you more surface area. As mentioned before, you can place them as close as 12” (30 cm) from your seating. Keep them less than 18” to 20” (46 to 51 cm) from the chairs and sofas so that you can easily reach items you set down. Allow at least 42” (107 cm) in length or radius for modest-size tables and as much as 66” to 72” (168 to 183 cm) for larger-scale furnishings.

• Televisions. Formal living rooms are frequently saved for entertaining guests; however, some people have only one living room and will want to place a television in it. Since televisions now come in a wide variety of sizes, arranging furniture for them depends on which TV is chosen and how it’s used. Considering that the average screen today is 42” to 50” (107 to 127 cm), you will want to keep your seating within 10’-0” (305 cm) of it. Also, carefully consider the height. Having the screen set 15” to 20” (38 to 51 cm) above the floor has always worked, but mounting it above a fireplace is becoming more common. In cases like this, the screen will be 48” to 60” (122 to 152 cm) above the floor, and you will be looking upward from your seating area to view it. It is best to place a TV out of a circulation route so that people don’t frequently walk in front of the set.

• Sofa tables. Larger spaces can accommodate sofa tables. Most sofa tables are 14” to 20” (36 to 51 cm) deep and 60” to 72” (152 to 183 cm) long. These are great for placing lamps upon and for giving balance to sofas that float in a room. Keep in mind that you will need to conceal electrical cords under rugs or have floor outlets for the lamps.

• End tables. When it comes to end tables, consider a mix of scales and finishes. Square and rectangular tables commonly range from 20” to 30” (51 to 76 cm) in either direction. If they are to hold table lamps, be certain that they are large enough for the scale of lamp that you choose and that they allow other items to be set around them (for example, coasters for drinking glasses).

• Artwork. Before committing to all of the furnishings that you wish to place in your living room, think about your artwork. Large paintings need generous wall space and ideally should be displayed farther from the entry points so that they can be seen by someone entering a room. A good tip is to hang them low enough so that the top is just above eye level. Sculptures as well need their own space and should be placed so that they can be viewed enjoyably. Allow floor space in proportion to the size of the sculpture. Pedestals should not be more than 16” (41 cm) in diameter, or should be square and have dimensions relative to the scale of the sculpture.