Arranging Furniture

When arranging furniture in a living room, one easy way to begin is with the focal point. Think of it as an anchor for the room and place furniture directly in front of this important design element.

See the floorplan below and read our furniture placement tips to get ideas for arranging pieces in a multipurpose room.

1. Find a focal point -- a fireplace, a large window, or an entertainment center -- and build the furniture design around it. The focal point should be anchored to a wall. Move your furniture away from the walls to create an intimate grouping.
2. Place chairs no more than 8 feet apart to encourage conversation.
3. Position a table within reach of every seating piece. If possible, place a lamp near each seating area.
4. Allow ample legroom by placing the coffee table 14 to 18 inches from the sofa.
5. Choose side tables that are about as tall as the arm of the chair or sofa they are serving.
6. Create traffic lanes that are several feet wide to allow easy movement through the room.