A well thought out living room floor plan brings your dream home to life. With the right furniture and thoughtful placement, you can make this room welcoming, delightful and functional. Keep reading to discover six easy steps for designing a space that serves everyone’s needs.

Ask yourself, “How will I use my living room?”

This important first step is the foundation upon which the next five steps are based. Functionality relates to your life style. Brainstorm what the room’s main function will be and the type of atmosphere you want to create. Will it be casual, formal, traditional, modern or eclectic?

Several neutral and rustic furniture peices in a living room with lots of wood and country elements.
Sofa and Loveseat Sets

Family Time

An active family life calls for a more relaxed, traditional atmosphere―a room where everyone can comfortably enjoy daily activities. If the kids need a space to play and you have a large enough room, add in a play area.

Hint: A sofa can be used as a room divider.

Casual living room set with nailhead trim sofa, loveseat, and upholstered accent chairs
Milari Living Room

Hosting and Entertaining

If you host meetings and often entertain, you’ll need a more formal setting that will comfortably accommodate numerous guests.

If you throw lots of parties, you’ll need ample seating and lots of flat surfaces for plates and drinks.

Elegant Antique Black Leather Sofa and Soft Leather Arm Chair with Contemporary Patterned Accent Chair in the Faraday Collection
Living Room Sets

Consider Functionality

For all lifestyles, consider the types of functional furniture you’ll need. For example, if TV viewing is a must, be sure to include an entertainment center in your living room layout.

Kitchen cart or bar cart with kitchen utensils stored on it.
Black entertainment center staged with home decor pieces with drawers along the bottom in a room with a rug and a pouf

Ottomans:

Use for extra seating, more tabletop space, and storage.

multifunctional ottoman with additional sitting cubes and flip top cushions convert to trays

Benches:

Ideal for storage and additional seating.

dining room bench in light brown finish
Storage Bench

Nesting tables:

Use where additional flat surfaces are needed.

3 brown wooden end table in front of a window with a vase on top
Accent Tables

Take Measurements

Get out the tape measure. Before you start looking for living room furniture, you need to find out the amount of space you have to work with. This includes taking living room measurements and accounting for doors, windows, stairs and the fireplace.

Tip: Draw a sketch of the room that includes obstructions like windows, columns, half walls, eaves, vents and radiators.

Two roommates measuring with a measure tape in a wall helping each other while they are moving home

Choose A Focal Point

Determining the focal point of your living room is critical for making furniture layout decisions. You’re able to determine this element the moment you walk into the room. This is what catches your attention first, whether it be a fireplace, entertainment center, sofa, an amazing outside view or an architectural element.

unfurnished living room with a flyer place and yellow walls.
Black swivel chair in a small space with fluffy chairs on top.

If you have an obvious focal point like huge windows and a beautiful view or a huge fireplace, plan the room to make the most of it.

Hint: This is a perfect opportunity to include swivel chairs.

If your room has none of these focal points, use a large object like fish tank, TV, console table, painting, sculpture or bookcase to form a focal point.

fish tank at night in beautiful house
Dark brown wooden console table with global decor on top.

Create Your Living Room Floor Plan and Consider these Living Room Layout Ideas

Based on your measurements and focal point, put your ideas to paper. Keep in mind the traffic flow and make sure your design allows people to move easily into and out of the room without encountering barriers or extremely tight spaces.

Tip: On your sketch, highlight the most direct path from entry to exit and place furniture so there are no obstacles in that path. Brainstorm alternative plans to have a variety of options.

Top view of modern living room interior with sofa and armchairs 3d render

Account for room features and adjust your layout

Doorways

If there’s a doorway along a wall, group furniture opposite of that wall. If faced with two doors across from each other, the room can be divided into two separate areas. If there are several doorways, the room can be broken up into separate areas, each with its own function.

Natural Light

Note where the sun shines in the room and keep wood furnishings, artwork and upholstered furniture out of direct sunlight.

Electrical Outlets

Note where all of the room’s electrical outlets are located. For more flexibility, consider installing in-floor electric outlets for furniture arrangements that will be centered in the room away from the walls.

How to Plan Your Living Room Furniture

Once you’ve determined your living room floor plan, it’s time to decide what furniture to use. You may choose to just reshuffle what you have, incorporate new items, or start from scratch with all new furniture. If you plan to buy living room furniture and start with a clean slate, here are some pointers:

Think about the main furniture.

Entertainment centers and sectionals have the greatest impact on floor plans. Once these pieces have been selected, you have to be committed to your plan.

Don’t block your focal point.

For example, if you have low lying windows, look for low profile furniture, to minimize visual obstructions.

Plan seating for face-to-face conversations.

Keep seats no more than 8 feet apart. For example, face two sofas toward each other in large rooms and group chairs and side tables in separate conversation areas.

Consider the size of the room.

Look for living room furniture ideas that complement the scale of the room. Smaller furniture is ideal for smaller spaces, while big furniture fills in large spaces.

Hint: Create mock-ups of potential purchases by drawing the shape of the item to scale on newspaper or butcher’s paper. Place the paper on the floor where you envision placing those pieces and you’ll see if there’s enough space for them. Generally, you’ll want to allow 30 inches of space around the piece.

Sketch or drawing of a living room layout design.

If adding a coffee table, allow 14 to 18 inches between the coffee table and sofa.

Add bookcases, shelving or a desk similarly styled to your living room furniture to create cohesiveness.

Select Your Living Room Decor and Accessories

Poufs

Accessorize sofas and chairs with stylish pillows and blankets. One of the most useful living room accessories is a pouf. They are functional and easy to move around on a whim.

Lighting

Add floor lamps, table lamps and a chandelier for proper lighting.

Home Accents

Accent flat surfaces with plants, vases, candles, bowls, trays, sculptures and picture frames.

Over head shot of a flat surface with decor accents on top like candles, vases, greenery etc.

Wall Decor

Use living room wall decor such as wall art and mirrors to bring dimension to the room.


Use large potted plants, baskets, boxes and more to fill in empty spaces.

Tip: Avoid putting furniture, accents and plants too close to an entryway to keep the room easily accessible.

By creating a living room layout before purchasing furniture, you’ll overcome obstacles that you may have not even considered. You’ll be able to confidently choose furniture and accessories that will be enjoyed and admired for years to come.

If you recently reworked your living room, please share your ideas and experience. Hashtag #MyAshleyHome on Instagram.