How to Arrange Living Room Furniture In A Rectangular Room

 The idea of setting your living room furniture in a long rectangular room can seem daunting. After all, you don’t want to make the mistake of crowding everything into a single spot, plus there’s always the question of where to set up the TV. Fret not, all it takes is a little bit of planning and imagination and you’ll be surprised by how amazing your living room can look.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to arrange living room furniture in a rectangular room:

Make a Plan

Think like a designer here. Planning ahead will ensure you’ve utilised your space in the best possible manner. If you’re intimidated by all the space, consider dividing the room into smaller sections. For instance, aside from your main living room area, you can also set up cosy reading nook.

Start by measuring the size of the room and the furniture you already have. Once you have taken care of the measurements, list down all the activities you are interested in. If you would like a reading nook, you can create a lovely space with rugs, lamps and tons of bookshelves. Of course, all this will depend on how much space you have to work with.

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Decide on a Focal Point

Your next step should be to examine the room for its focal point. As the term probably suggests, the focal point is the area that draws the most attention in the room. This could be a huge window or a fireplace along with any other architectural element that successfully stands out. This area will now serve as the anchor for your furniture arrangement.

Avoid Cramming on One Side

When working with wide living rooms, one may be tempted to cram all the furniture against the wall. Avoid doing so as you may end up with too much space in the middle and nobody wants that look. Spread the furniture over the entire space. If you are working with corners, make sure you have something placed in the middle such as a loveseat or a nice rug. This will divert the viewer’s attention and will allow the entire room to feel balanced and harmonious.

Start with the Primary Furniture

Start by placing the primary furniture in your room first. You will be better off if you measure the space and create a floor plan to allocate major furniture pieces. Start with the big pieces such as the couch, a large bookshelf or any other piece of furniture that does a good job in standing out.

Needless to say, the rest of your stuff will decorate or surround your primary furniture. Understand that you need to work with your instincts here. This is where you have to follow the rules of design. You can mix and match furniture according to functionality.

Arrange Secondary Furniture

Once you have arranged the primary pieces, you can continue designing your space based on the functionality of the room. Keep in mind that there should be sufficient foot space to move around comfortably. We suggest you keep a walkway room of about 90cms. Also, keep in mind that the door will also require a 100cm swing hence do not cram too many items in one place. Mapping down all the smaller pieces will automatically become easier once you have a proper floor plan.

Utilise Your Corner Sofa

If you’re lucky enough to have an L-shaped couch or a corner couch, use it to create a unique look in your room. The L-shaped couch can be the focal point of one side of the room while you can reserve the other side for pieces of furniture such as your living room table or reading area. Ensure the furniture arrangement runs smoothly and that you are comfortably able to walk in the room.

Consider Starting from the Middle

There’s no rule that says your room needs to be fully packed with items. Consider placing the couches in the middle, with the entertainment system facing the wall. It is perfectly fine to leave the sides open but do not leave too much space. For instance, you can place shelves on the wall or a nice vase. In this case, it is best if you create a symmetrical look. Aside from the entertainment system, you can also position the couch towards the fireplace or the window.

Arrange Some Furniture at an Angle

Create an interesting look by positioning some furniture at an angle. For instance, you can slightly tilt your couch instead of simply setting it straight. However, make sure it is facing something like an armchair or the fireplace. This will eliminate the feeling of tunnel vision.

Alternatively, you can also place furniture perpendicular to each other. Though this might not be a good option if your room is not narrow enough. Go with your instincts on what looks best according to the furniture and space you have available.

Create a Walkway

Granted that we are working with a rectangular room here, creating a walkway can be tricky. Creating a walkway will ensure you’re able to comfortably walk through the room without letting some piece of furniture block your way. Zigzag pathways are also a definite no since it might confuse guests or make the room seem part finished, as though you did not complete the arrangement. Focus on creating a cosier atmosphere, not a maze for people to walk through.

As an added tip, ensure all area rugs are placed in their appropriate spots so that you can either stay on the carpet or off it. Having one foot on and one foot off the rug can be annoying. To avoid such problems, you may have to invest in a custom-sized rug, but we are sure you’ll be happy with your purchase in the end if you invest in a piece that looks good, proportionally.

We hope you enjoyed our detailed guide on arranging living room furniture in a rectangular room. Is there something you’d like to add? Tell us about it in the comment’s section below 🙂