9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better (2024)

We expect a lot from our living rooms these days – it’s where we chill out, chat, watch TV and, often, eat. The clue is in the name, the living room is the space where we do a lot of our 'living' in the home. But sometimes those different functions can create conflict and stress in the home, which often stems from the layout.

For example, do you position your seating facing each other for easy conversation, or facing the TV? How do you ensure everyone has somewhere to put their cup of tea - slash - glass of wine? That coffee table stranded in the middle of the room can be a long way to reach.

Living room seating arrangements are often an easy fix to create a more harmonious and happy home. If your living room isn’t hitting the sweet spot, we've rounded up some top tips for creating a living room layout that will make you feel happier, and make life a little easier.

Living room layout fixes to make you feel happier

We asked interior designers, stylists and a feng shui expert for their hot tips to improve the layout of every type of living room for a calm and welcoming space. Whether you can't seem to get the flow around the room quite right or are struggling to create a connection in an awkward-shaped space, we have tips to help you.

1. Pull the furniture away from the walls

9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better (1)

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)

Of all the ways to make a small living room look bigger, this is our favourite. ‘Furniture lined up against the walls can make your room feel smaller,’ says interior designer Sophie Clemson. Try moving your sofa and armchairs at least 10cm away from the walls to give the illusion of more space and create a cosier and more sociable seating arrangement.’

Sophie Clemson

Sophie has worked as an interior designer for eight years. She is the co-founder and director of The Living House.

2. Arrange furniture for talking, not TV

9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better (2)

(Image credit: Future PLC/James French)

How to arrange living room furniture depends on how you prefer to use the space. Usually, the TV takes priority, but if you have more than one seating area, why not dedicate one to social time instead?

Interior designer Athina Bluff says, ‘Arrange furniture in a way that facilitates conversation. Instead of lining up all the furniture against the walls, pull it away to create conversational groupings. This is especially important if the room is large. So bring things into the centre of the room and create a flow of movement around it. Try a console table behind a sofa if you don't want to look at the back of the sofa when you enter. Also group armchairs in pairs.’

3. Avoid sha qi (harmful energy)

9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better (3)

(Image credit: Future PLC/Anna Stathaki)

Feng shui practitioner Ryan Terren explains, ‘Sha can be created in the home by sharp angles within the internal architecture, such as inward pointing corners in L-shaped rooms, sloping ceilings, etc.

'They are sometimes called “poisoned arrows” – feng shui language can be melodramatic sometimes, but it’s exaggerating the point to make it. They won’t kill you, but can unconsciously unsettle the mind, meaning that you can’t relax in the space properly. Sharp corners can be softened using things such as house plants, drapes, round tables, crystals or pottery. If you have vaulted ceilings, hang a globe-shaped pendant shade.’

Ryan Terren

Ryan graduated in geography from University College London and worked as an actor, maker and teacher in theatre and film. In 2015 he began training in internal arts with Lotus Nei Gong International and became a certified Qi Gong teacher in 2019. Alongside this, he began training in Ba Zi and Feng Shui. He has his own practice, LifeHouse Feng Shui, and continues to train with masters in the field. He is an accredited consultant with the Feng Shui Society.

4. Turn a knock-though into two zones

9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better (4)

(Image credit: Future PLC/James French)

How do you arrange your furniture across the two spaces without having everything lined up awkwardly around the edges of the new room like teenagers at a school disco?

Sophie Clemson from The Living House advises, ‘ With a knock-through it is important to give each area of the room a purpose and a function. This may be that half of the room is used as a dining area, playroom or home office.

‘Place a sofa across the width of the room to break up the long lines of the space. This will make it feel wider. Behind the sofa, place a console table or sideboard to act as a half-wall and divide the two areas. You could style it with table lamps to add a layer of cosy lighting. Rugs can create a link between the two parts while still giving them their own identity, but make sure you go for large rugs to really define each area.

5. Use symmetry for a tidier look

9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better (5)

(Image credit: Barker and Stonehouse)

A symmetrical arrangement of furniture is particularly effective for small living room ideas, which will benefit from a simple, balanced look to prevent visual overwhelm. Interiors stylist Sara Bird explains, ‘Symmetry in a living room is a classic interior design principle. If centrally positioned, a chimney breast or fireplace is a good place to start a mirror image setting. Other central features could be paintings, frames or a large item of furniture such as cabinetry or seating.’

‘Wall surfaces can help divide a room equally such as installing the same size and style of panelling, paint colours or pattern at either end of a room. Doubling up on accessories continues the look with pairs of side tables, lamps, armchairs and cushions.’

‘If a room has unequal proportions or features, it is possible to create symmetrical repeats. For example, matching a doorway shape and size at one end of a room with a shelving unit of the same dimensions at the other end. Accessories can also be used to make this impression such as a collection of prints arranged to match the size of one opposite picture.’

Sara Bird

Sara has worked in the interiors industry for more than 20 years as a stylist, art director, speaker and author. Her latest books are Home for the Soul and Gardens for the Soul (Ryland, Peters & Small).

6. Create Yin and Yang flow

9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better (6)

(Image credit: Sofa.com)

Ryan Terren says, ‘Yin and Yang flow is a simple enough concept to grasp and can be actioned without the fiddly calculations that more advanced Feng Shui requires. Basically, you identify areas on your floor plan which require Yang (movement) and those which require Yin (stillness) and make sure they are used appropriately.

'Yang spaces are those areas between doors and windows, doors and other doors, or other areas of activity such as the kitchen stove, for example. Yin areas are everywhere else – corners, areas beside walls.

'Sofas, dining tables, beds, etc, should be placed in yin spaces and yang spaces kept clear of heavy furniture. It’s not a hard and fast rule but obstructed yang spaces can have an adverse effect on body and mind over the long term.’

7. Get a bigger rug

9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better (7)

(Image credit: Future PLC)

There is a myriad of living room rug ideas. They’re the simplest, quickest way to add colour, texture and pattern to your room. However, size does matter.

Sophie Clemson says, ‘The rug being the wrong size is one of the most common mistakes we see, especially in living rooms. Always go large with your rug; otherwise, it can look like it's lost and floating in the middle of the room. If the rug is too small, it will make the room look smaller as it draws your eye inward. You want your rug to be large enough to fit under the front two feet of your sofa and to zone your seating area.’

8. Hang the TV on the wall

9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better (8)

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)

Interior designer Athina Bluff says, ‘The placement of the TV and the arrangement of furniture in a living room can significantly impact the overall design and functionality of the space. For a traditional living room setup where the primary purpose is TV watching, consider placing the TV on the largest wall, directly across from the main seating area.

'Don't worry about it being above a fireplace – try a Samsung Frame TV which can double up as art, if you don't want it to dominate the room. Consider room shape, too: in a square room, placing the TV in the centre of one of the walls may work well. In a long and narrow room, consider placing the TV on a shorter wall to maintain a balanced look.’

If you hate how the screen dominates your living space, there are various ways to hide your TV or minimise its impact.

Athina Bluff

Founder and designer at affordable interior design service Topology Interiors, Athina previously worked for Kelly Hoppen as a design consultant and in the luxury furniture industry. She runs her London-based design studio and writes an award-winning blog, and has worked with names such as Ikea and Habitat.

9. Use space-dividing furniture in an open-plan room

9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better (9)

(Image credit: Future PLC / David Giles)

That huge, multipurpose living-dining-cooking space has all kinds of benefits, but open-plan living can be dysfunctional if the arrangement of furniture isn’t optimised.

Cleo Allen, Design Account Director at Andrew Henry Interiors suggests, ‘Create “zones” with furniture. For example, a low-level sofa that keeps the space feeling open and free-standing storage furniture with open backing to act as a divider. Large rugs, feature walls, and sections of open-wall shelving can also serve to define separate spaces. It’s important to stick to the same style of furniture, for a cohesive effect.

‘Layer light differently in each zone, using both directed task lights and overall mood lighting for ambience, but creating a different vibe. For example, hang a low light over a dining table to visually “zone” it.

Cleo Allen

Cleo worked in sales for 10 years before joining Andrew Henry Interiors in 2021, where she helps clients to get the best results for their renovation projects.

FAQs

How can I make my living room a happy place?

Jean Whitehead, senior lecturer in interior design at Falmouth University says the key is to appeal to all the senses: ‘Interiors are so much more than a visual experience. Considering the five senses of touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste will always enhance our decorative decisions. The evocative potential of scent and its ability to conjure happy memories, the tactile nature or aural quality of a room all amplify our psychological sense of contentment.’

How can you use space to create a cosy feeling in a room?

Interior designer Juliette Thomas advises, ‘Start by choosing a focal point in your living room, such as a fireplace, and arrange your furniture around this to create a visually appealing and balanced scene.

'Position your furniture away from the walls and windows as this can help to create a cosy and cocooning effect while still allowing plenty of space to move around the room. For a more intimate setting, your sofa and armchairs should be in close proximity and facing towards one another to ensure social seating. Warm, ambient lighting is also integral and finishing touches such as cushions, blankets and a sumptuous rug offer softer and more comfortable textures.’

Topics

Happy Home

9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better (2024)

FAQs

9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better? ›

Having “good flow” means that you can easily walk from one room to the next, navigate the furniture in a space, and pass by others without any awkward interaction (no shimmying!). The goal is to make it natural to move through and within a space, and having the right-sized passageways is the key!

How should a living room flow? ›

Having “good flow” means that you can easily walk from one room to the next, navigate the furniture in a space, and pass by others without any awkward interaction (no shimmying!). The goal is to make it natural to move through and within a space, and having the right-sized passageways is the key!

How do I optimize space in my living room? ›

The right color scheme will instantly make a small living room look larger. Since pale and cool colors reflect light, paint colors such as bright white and light blue can create the illusion of a bigger space. Painting woodwork, trim, and doors the same color as walls also helps them "disappear."

What can I do with weird space in my living room? ›

Break Up Space Into Zones

A simple way to approach an awkward living room layout is to divide the room into smaller zones that can be used for varying functions. “Creating two to three zones in a room can make an odd-shaped space more usable,” says interior designer Jessica Risko Smith of JRS ID.

What is the 2/3 rule sofa? ›

Follow the 2:3 Rule

“The 2:3 design rule suggests your sofa should be the equivalent of ⅔ the size of your room.” However, if your living room is also your dining room or home office, that may not be possible, explains the designer.

Should a couch be against a wall? ›

It's generally agreed by designers that sofas should not actually touch the wall. Even if they come close, you should leave at least a small gap between the couch and the wall. Whether you should arrange your furniture in the middle of the room or push it back closer to the walls can boil down to personal preference.

How do I rearrange my room to maximize space? ›

Float Furniture Away From The Walls

There's a temptation to set furniture flush against your walls to make the center of a room look bigger. However, it does the opposite — it makes it feel like the walls are closing in. By leaving some space between the walls and your furniture, you'll make the room feel more open.

How do I make my room feel like space? ›

10 Expert Tips to Make Your Room Feel Like a Spacious Sanctuary
  1. Embrace the Power of Light Colors. ...
  2. Mirrors: The Magic of Illusion. ...
  3. Stripes to the Rescue. ...
  4. Furniture: Think Smart, Buy Smart. ...
  5. Let There Be Light, Lots of It. ...
  6. De-Clutter Your Room. ...
  7. Go Big with Artwork. ...
  8. Use Transparent Furniture.
May 25, 2023

How do you create a positive living space? ›

By using colors to your advantage, clearing out clutter, letting in natural light, creating an exercise space, bringing nature indoors, optimizing your bedroom, and customizing your outdoor space, you can create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere in your home.

How do I fix an awkward living room layout? ›

One of the best interior design strategies for fixing an awkward living room layout is to use room dividers. By creating zones within a room, you separate areas that are meant for different purposes while still keeping them visually connected.

How do I maximize space in my living room? ›

Maximizing vertical space by installing tall shelves or floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, or drawing the eye upward by hanging a decorative chandelier or pendant light will give the room a sense of space by making the ceilings appear higher and adding visual interest without taking up much floor space.

What direction should your living room face? ›

The main living spaces such as living, family and dining rooms should be north facing where possible. North-facing rooms: have good daylight most of the day. have solar gain for most of the day throughout the year.

Is there an optimal way to arrange my living room furniture for airflow? ›

Placing Furniture in the Center of a Room

Try to orient all pieces away from exterior walls so that they do not interfere with incoming airflow through windows or doors and block other vents around them.

What is the ideal ratio for a living room? ›

To design a seating area according to the golden ratio, try to stick to a 2:3 ratio when sizing furniture and rugs. So, if you're placing a couch on a rug, the couch should be two thirds of the length of your rug, and your coffee table should be two thirds of the length of the couch.

What is the flow of rooms in a house? ›

Flow is important in a home because it affects how people use a space. A poorly designed flow can make it difficult to move from room to room, interrupt daily routines, and create a sense of clutter and chaos. On the flip side, a well-designed flow can make a home feel more spacious, organized, and welcoming.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Last Updated:

Views: 5861

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Birthday: 1992-08-21

Address: Apt. 237 662 Haag Mills, East Verenaport, MO 57071-5493

Phone: +331850833384

Job: District Real-Estate Architect

Hobby: Skateboarding, Taxidermy, Air sports, Painting, Knife making, Letterboxing, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.