Newsletters
Style
Decorating
Ideas & Inspiration
Living Room

Don’t Make These Mistakes When Arranging Your Living Room

Dabney Frake
Dabney Frake
Dabney is a Southern-born, New England-raised, current Midwesterner. Her dog Grim is part terrier, part basset hound, part dust mop.
 updatedNov 17, 2022
Save
pinterest
comments
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
Save Pin It Enter PrismSee More Images
(Image credit:Jacqueline Marque)

Have you ever felt that a room was just “off” somehow, but you just couldn’t place what it was?Living rooms are arguably the most used spaces in the home andneed a good layoutthat promotes good traffic flow.Furniture spacing and placement is key to comfort and function! Keep these tips in mind when you are moving in or get a sudden urge to rearrange one weekend.

Save Pin It Enter PrismSee More Images
Allison’s Silver Lake Charmer With a View(Image credit:Bethany Nauert)

Keep Entryways Clear

Make sure you have a lot of clearance when you first walk into a room. The last way you want to make an entrance is by having to walk into the back of a couch or having to fight through a large plant. This will make the room more welcoming to boot.

Save Pin It Enter PrismSee More Images
Erin’s Modern Loft(Image credit:Kim Lucian)

Don’t Forget the “3 Foot” Rule

You should have about 3 feet of walking space around the room. This is what you need to be comfortable without knocking into furniture and bumping into walls. Any type of furniture with doors or drawers also needs three feet of space to open properly.

Save Pin It Enter PrismSee More Images
Masha & Colin’s Worldly Abode(Image credit:Andie Powers)

Let Furniture Float

不要把所有的家具与墙. Pull your sofa (or other seating) out at least 12″ from the wall. That’s right; your couch doesn’t have to be against the wall. It will make the space seem more inviting and cozy instead of creating a big bunch of weird dead space in the middle.

Save Pin It Enter PrismSee More Images
(Image credit:Justice Darragh)

Mind the Rugs

If you have an area rug, situate all seating, so the legs are either completely on or completely off of it. Don’t let them wobble. Try not to position the rugs, so edges and corners are in the major walkways. It lessens the chance that people will trip as they walk around.

Save Pin It Enter PrismSee More Images
(Image credit:Lizzie Ford)

Watch Out for Lighting

If you have table lamps, make sure that the shades aren’t so large that they risk either poking someone in the eye or getting knocked over. It goes without saying that any electrical and extension cords should be placed so no one is going to trip over them on their way across the room.

What else do you think makes for good traffic flow in living rooms?

Additional Reading:

→Space Planning Secrets: 5 Ways to Love Your Living Room Layout

→Living Room Geometry: The Basics of a Well-Balanced Room

→最终的理想生活decorator的指南Room Layout Measurements

Re-edited from a post originally 2.15.15-NT

How-To Toolkits