How To Creatively Arrange Furniture To Maximize Your Living Space

Living Rooms

The living room is the most challenging room to design. It’s often the first space people see upon entering the house, so you want to make a strong impression. However, you also need to be careful about overcomplicating the layout. These three tips will help you keep things simple.

1. Try the Timeless Layouts First

If you’re struggling with design ideas, try some popular furniture layouts first. These layouts work in almost any living room, no matter the size or shape:

Symmetrical: Try a simple arrangement with two couches facing each other, a coffee table in the center and other matching features, such as bar stools or side chairs.
Floating: Move the furniture away from the walls to create a floating appearance. Mount the TV on the wall to give yourself extra space.
L-Shape: Arrange the furniture along two walls. The main couch goes on the longer wall, while the shorter wall should be for a smaller couch or chair. Both sofas should be within arm’s reach of the coffee table.
Zones: Rooms with irregular shapes often require a few furniture zones. Lie down a few area rugs and keep the furniture within these areas. The zones usually sit near the room’s corners and windows.

You shouldn’t feel pressured to make an utterly unique furniture arrangement — these layouts are popular because they’re functional and flexible. They provide clear traffic lanes and allow you to make small adjustments.

2. Establish a Focal Point

Every living room must have a focal point. Sometimes the focal point is already built into the home, such as a fireplace or large window. If you don’t have one of these standout features, you can create one yourself. A TV stand or coffee table are safe choices for smaller rooms.

You also have to add accessories to make the centerpiece pop. Include photos, books, magazines, houseplants and other small items to accentuate the stand or table. Make sure the rest of the furniture in the room faces toward it. You must give people direction and provide interesting reasons to gather around your chosen focal point.

3. Take Advantage Of Multipurpose Furniture

Everyone tries to fit all their favorite pieces into the living room, but it rarely works. If you want to fill your living room with lots of seating, you should take advantage of multipurpose furniture. This type of furniture folds into a smaller structure to provide more space when the house has more occupants than usual.

The main categories of multipurpose furniture are beds, sofas and tables. Pull-out couches and bunk beds are common examples. Some transforming tables can even double as dining tables and coffee tables. This unique furniture style gives you much more flexibility in arranging your living room.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are more straightforward. You only have two options for the bed’s placement — in the corner or against the middle of the wall. The bed is also the natural centerpiece of the room. Your responsibility is to add accessories that make the space more comfortable. These additions will make your home’s resting areas look and feel relaxing:

A nightstand
Extra throw pillows
Headboard artwork
A bench or small armchair
A desk or dressing table

Bedrooms with windows can be tricky because you need to ensure sunlight won’t interfere with the occupant’s sleep. Put the bed as far away from the window as possible without ruining the furniture layout.

If you have extra space, you should establish a hangout alcove in another corner of the room. A reading chair, bookshelf and standing lamp is a timeless trifecta. An exercise or meditation area is also a good option. Promoting healthy and productive activities is a part of interior home design that many new homeowners overlook.

Dining Rooms

Dining rooms should have buffet-style furniture arrangements with plenty of walking space around the table. Circular tables are better for smaller dining rooms, while rectangular tables are better for larger ones. The table should duplicate the room’s shape and proportions to organize the space — people don’t like to eat in a chaotic setting.

It’s also essential to occupy the wall with artwork, cabinets and bookshelves. Anything that makes the room look more sophisticated is a worthwhile addition. The only contrasting furniture should be the area rug, but make sure it clashes with the flooring to make the dining table pop.

You Know Your Home Best

Many new homeowners overthink their interior home designs. Creativity is important, but guests always know if it feels forced or inauthentic. You know your home best at the end of the day, so trust your instincts and follow these simple guidelines until you find the arrangements you like. All of the smaller details will fall into place.

About The Author:

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded, where he writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors and more. Check out @TModded for regular updates!

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