Buzz
Your ideal home might not be without flaws, but nothing compares to the discomfort of a poorly designed living room. Fortunately, you can turn the odd shape of your living space into an advantage. Learn how to embrace L-shaped layouts, invigorate square designs, and make use of every nook and cranny.
Key Steps
Embracing the L-Shape
Create cohesion with your seating arrangement by centering them on a spacious rug. Lay a generous rug vertically along one of the rectangular sections of your L-shaped room. This will unify your sofas, armchairs, and loveseats. Position one sofa at the southern end of the rug and another on the western side, slightly southwards. Place a loveseat diagonally opposite, facing towards the center of the room.
- Enhance the corner between the two sofas with a tall potted plant, softening the sharp angle and adding visual interest.
- For an airier atmosphere, position one sofa at one end of the room and two armchairs at the opposite end.
Create focal points by grouping your furniture. Treat each arm of the L-shape as distinct spaces, like a living area and dining zone. Avoid scattering furniture randomly; ensure flow. Position living room furniture for easy conversation and minimize gaps between walls and furnishings to optimize space.
- If space behind the sofa needs increasing, employ a sofa table for separation, especially beneficial for tighter conversation areas.
- To unify the setup, introduce side and coffee tables that complement your furniture.
Orient furniture towards focal points, usually marked by rugs. Begin with larger pieces like sofas and loveseats, then integrate armchairs, chairs, coffee tables, and end tables.
- Place lamps on end tables to illuminate seating zones.
Match your dining table's size to the room's dimensions. Opt for an adjustable table to fit the long arm of the 'L,' addressing a common issue with this layout.
- A round table enhances flow in angular rooms.
- Position the table on a large rug to delineate from the living area.
- Add a china cabinet along the wall behind the table for vertical interest.
Use color to define distinct areas within the room. Assign each space a different color and connect them harmoniously, perhaps by painting a shared long wall.
- For instance, link coral and medium gray using pale gray accents. Incorporate solid gray drapes in the coral section and coral-themed cushions in the gray zone.
- If painting isn't desired, opt for matching flooring to visually tie both spaces together.
- Ensure colors complement rather than clash.
Introduce a movable partition perpendicular to bare walls. Placing a movable screen perpendicular to lengthy walls effectively fills space and enhances separation between dining and living areas.
- For example, if your couch rests against the southern living room wall and the dining table is to the east, position a screen between them to break the expanse and segment the space.
- Choose a screen taller than other elements for varied height, ensuring it suits the room's proportions.
- Enhance with plants on either side for added charm.
Optimize your living room entry with functional furniture. Choose pieces like benches, stools, and storage units that can adapt to various needs and activities.
- Utilize these pieces to organize coats, shoes, and accessories, keeping your main gathering areas clutter-free.
Elevating Square Designs
Segment focal points to diversify visual interest. In compact spaces, avoid clustering focal points like fireplaces and TV units together. Spread them out across different walls to balance attention.
- If space constraints force them onto the same wall, use plants or rugs to delineate each zone. For instance, a rug under the TV and a plant near the fireplace can visually separate them.
- Consider scaling down one feature to maintain focus.
Maintain 36 inches (91 cm) of clear walkway space. Keep pathways free from furniture to ensure smooth traffic flow towards key areas of the room.
- Prevent clutter in square-shaped living rooms, enabling easy navigation around conversation zones and focal points.
Create a cozy conversation nook at the heart of your space. Define the area with a square or rectangular rug, then arrange furniture around it, starting from the center. Avoid blocking views by distributing furniture evenly around multiple focal points.
- To avoid a boxed-in appearance, pull furniture away from walls and introduce an ottoman or coffee table at the room's center.
Utilize small furniture to occupy the corners of your central area. Place a loveseat diagonally across from the corner where your couches meet. Use end tables to furnish the remaining corners.
- Add a lamp on the end table between your couches for dual illumination, along with a small lamp table beside the loveseat.
- Position another end table behind one sofa to accommodate an extra lamp.
- To unify seating and prevent an open-ended layout, place an end table and ottoman on a corner of your central area rug, facing the conversation space.
- Consider adding a floor lamp or tall plant for additional fillers.
Create cozy seating areas in your living room corners with small tables. Utilize these corners to establish intimate conversation spots. Arrange a small table with two chairs around it, providing guests a quiet retreat from the main entertainment area.
- Avoid cluttering your layout with multiple seating areas; one is sufficient for a cohesive design.
- Utilize other corners for sideboards, slim bookcases, or console tables, ensuring they don't obstruct traffic flow.
Fulfilling Fragmented Spaces
Maximize small spaces with standalone bookshelves. Incorporate bookshelves to add vertical dimension and the illusion of spaciousness. These shelves also offer additional storage options.
- Consider wall-mounted units for added space, although they lack the spatial illusion of freestanding models.
- Explore alternative storage solutions like hutches or cabinets.
Utilize wall openings by placing a sofa table within. Optimize larger wall niches with a compact sofa table, complemented by a lamp for illumination. Pair with a couch positioned in front for a cohesive look.
- Alternatively, adorn the niche with a mirror for added dimension.
Transform a wall opening into a functional home office space. Install a compact desk to accommodate a computer setup, creating a convenient workspace within your living room. Consider painting the corner a distinct color to delineate the area.
- Explore inventive solutions—repurpose small bookcases as desks, and utilize wall-mounted shelves for storing office supplies.
- Maximize the often-overlooked nooks beside fireplaces, ideal for crafting a dedicated home office setup.
Reposition your seating away from fragmented wall openings. Excessive openings limit wall space for furniture placement. Instead, draw your seating closer together to foster a cozy atmosphere.
- Enhance a small wall with a chalkboard for added character and practicality, perfect for jotting down reminders and schedules.
Striking a Balance Between Function and Style in Room Design
Handy Tips
- Replace or discard outdated furniture that clashes with your color scheme and design preferences.
- Prioritize accurate measurements before investing in furniture or decor pieces.
- Define a cohesive color palette prior to selecting or arranging furnishings.
