The basics of living room design

Find a focal point

Whether your living room is large or small, narrow or L-shaped, it should always have a focal point. This is the first thing people will see when they enter the room, and so is usually positioned opposite the door.

Exactly what your focal point is going to be will depend on the existing features in your home, and what you'll be using your living room for most of the time. For example, it could be the TV, a fireplace, some artwork, an accent wall, or a large window with a great view. You could even use a piece of furniture as the focal point: a statement armchair or Sofa in a bold colour or pattern can work very well, especially in a room with neutral décor.

Whatever you choose, be sure to factor the focal point into your eventual plan. The layouts we've shared below should give you a few ideas.

Find the centre point

Every living room needs a centre point. This is usually the point in the middle of the room where you'll find the Coffee Table or rug, which your seating is clustered around. This doesn't necessarily need to be exactly in the centre of the room, though: it may be slightly to one side, depending on the shape and size of your room. In a very large living space with more than one cluster of furniture, you may even have more than one centre point. Your seating will usually face inwards towards this point, so bear this in mind when designing your layout.

Allow a natural flow through the space

As we`ve mentioned, you don't want to leave a large expanse of free space in the middle of your living room. But, that doesn`t mean your space should be so crowded with furniture that you can't easily walk through it when you need to. You should leave a clear route through the room and, ideally, this will be a path that's at least two feet clear of any furniture. This is especially important if your living room connects two spaces, such as the kitchen and the garden.