Leaxpert Q&A: How to arrange living room furniture like a pro

May 23, 2022

When it comes to arranging living room furniture, the task at hand is easier than you might think. “It all starts with your seating strategy,” says Jeff Pike, manager at Florida Leather Gallery’s Tampa store. “Choose a sofa, sectional or some accent chairs, then introduce other elements like a coffee table or a console.”

With a bit of ingenuity and an inspired assortment in your arsenal, you can artfully arrange everything in the room to suit your space – and lifestyle – perfectly. Here are some expert tips to help you do just that.

Main Event

Begin by choosing the largest piece of furniture that will live in the room, typically a sofa or sectional. Then, direct it toward the most prominent feature, like a fireplace, bay window, bookcase or the media console that holds your television.

Depending on the placement of the focal point, position a pair of armchairs or a loveseat opposite or adjacent to your sofa. Fill in the blanks with accent pieces, like an ottoman and some side tables.

Pike suggests a sofa built with modern-day conveniences, like the Asher. This power reclining sofa features plush cushions and pillow-top arms, which are endlessly comfortable and full of function. The headrest, lumbar support
and footrest are all activated with a discreet switch. Wall-hugger technology allows for a full recline with as little as 4″ of wall clearance.

Asher leather sofa by Palliser Furniture

Conversation Starters

If you use your living room for entertaining or as a place to gather with family and friends, consider a furniture layout that keeps the conversation going. Place a sofa opposite a loveseat or a pair of chairs so that people can talk to each other at a comfortable angle.

For a visually soothing look, style with symmetry. Flank the fireplace with two sofas facing each other. With a low-slung profile and cloud-like cushions, the Connecticut sofa by Palliser Furniture fits the bill. Teardrop arms and block wood legs finished in espresso keep the look polished.

Go with the Flow

It’s important to consider traffic flow when choosing furniture. You want to make sure there are at least a few feet between the coffee table and the sofa or chairs for easy maneuvering. And you also need to create a clear footpath so you can walk from one area to another.

Sometimes, when space is at a premium, it’s better to forego a sofa in favor of a quartet of armchairs. Small in scale but big on style, the Destrezza chair from Natuzzi Editions looks just as good solo as arranged in multiples. A square back and seat cushions and slim track arms further enhance the retro-inspired design.

Leather Destrezza chair from Natuzzi Editions

Divide and Conquer

Strategically placed pieces of furniture can make a large living room feel more intimate and give it a sense of scale. They can also underscore the separation between distinct home areas, such as a living room and dining room combination.

A sectional sofa, like the Apex by Palliser Furniture, offers a fabulous way to divvy up an open floorplan. This smartly designed sectional features in-arm and seat storage to control the clutter. State-of the-art motion features, such as reclining corners, swivel bumpers and power headrests, provide unparalleled comfort. It also features USB portals to charge devices.

In Small Doses

“Smaller spaces can be more challenging, as there’s less real estate to work with,” notes Pike. “But the one thing you want to avoid is lining pieces of furniture up against a wall. This can leave an awkward space in the middle and work against making a room feel larger.”

Pike suggests pulling furniture in toward the center to create a more intimate conversation area, which will make the space feel more open.

He especially loves the streamlined aesthetic of the Destrezza Sofa by Natuzzi Editions. “This sofa’s mid-century modern style works beautifully in today’s contemporary home,” says Pike. The three-over-three cushion design, slim, square arms and rounded tapered legs keep the lines clean, making it an excellent choice for smaller spaces.”

Leather Destrezza sofa by Natuzzi Editions

United Front

Whether set atop hardwood or another floor covering, an area rug works wonders at unifying seating setups within a larger space by placing a visual frame around each piece of furniture. If the rug isn’t big enough to accommodate all of the key players, at a minimum, make sure at least the front legs of your sofa or armchairs rest on top of the rug.