Make Your Living Room More Welcoming
Our living rooms come in many shapes and sizes, and we all yearn for a welcoming, social space where we can unwind alone or gather with friends and family.Furniture position plays an important part in the feel of a living room, so check out these ways to get the right arrangement for you.
1. Use existing elements as a guide
Think in terms of placing, rather than putting, the furniture in the room. This means taking time to think about where exactly each piece should go and how it relates to the other elements in the space.
Using existing features, such as a fireplace or window, as organising tools or starting points will create a sense of order and calm. At a window, for instance, two chairs will block the light less than a sofa. A large rug and sofa placed symmetrically in front of a fireplace, meanwhile, will create a strong and inviting focal point.
Think in terms of placing, rather than putting, the furniture in the room. This means taking time to think about where exactly each piece should go and how it relates to the other elements in the space.
Using existing features, such as a fireplace or window, as organising tools or starting points will create a sense of order and calm. At a window, for instance, two chairs will block the light less than a sofa. A large rug and sofa placed symmetrically in front of a fireplace, meanwhile, will create a strong and inviting focal point.
2. Create conversation
Place the furniture in such a way that the pieces appear to ‘talk’ to one another, as seen in this arrangement of chairs and sofa, which point towards each other. In this way, they will invite you to join in the conversation.
Place the furniture in such a way that the pieces appear to ‘talk’ to one another, as seen in this arrangement of chairs and sofa, which point towards each other. In this way, they will invite you to join in the conversation.
3. Find a room’s ‘centre of gravity’
Think of the centre of gravity in a room as the place where the largest item of furniture wants to be. In the case of a living room, this piece will usually be the main sofa. Frequently, this will be happiest opposite or adjacent to a fireplace or stove, if there is one, or perhaps the window if not.
Think of the centre of gravity in a room as the place where the largest item of furniture wants to be. In the case of a living room, this piece will usually be the main sofa. Frequently, this will be happiest opposite or adjacent to a fireplace or stove, if there is one, or perhaps the window if not.
4. Pull furniture away from the walls
Avoid the temptation to push furniture against the walls. While pulling it away may seem counterintuitive, especially in smaller rooms, it will, in fact, improve the flow of both light and space. Just a few centimetres will suffice.
Avoid the temptation to push furniture against the walls. While pulling it away may seem counterintuitive, especially in smaller rooms, it will, in fact, improve the flow of both light and space. Just a few centimetres will suffice.
5. Unleash the power of the rug
A large rug will further anchor the main seating area, and also provide the opportunity to introduce texture and colour into the room. It works best to place the furniture either fully or partially on the rug rather than around it.
Consider also the shape of rug you choose. A rectangular one can have a huge impact on how you perceive the room, depending on which direction you lay it.
A large rug will further anchor the main seating area, and also provide the opportunity to introduce texture and colour into the room. It works best to place the furniture either fully or partially on the rug rather than around it.
Consider also the shape of rug you choose. A rectangular one can have a huge impact on how you perceive the room, depending on which direction you lay it.