If there's one place in your home that really captures the essence of daily life, it’s undoubtedly the living room. It's where you unwind after a grueling day at work, where family movie marathons turn into cherished traditions, and where laughter and stories flow freely during weekend gatherings. With so much happening in this central space, getting the decor just right isn't just a luxury—it's a necessity. So, as you sit in your living room, does something feel slightly off, but you're not quite sure what? Or maybe you’re feeling pretty good about your setup but curious to see how it stacks up against some expert guidelines? Whether you’re in need of a quick refresh or just looking for a fun design challenge, this post is your guide. Think of these guidelines from Woodka Interiors as a friendly nudge rather than hard-and-fast rules. They’re here to help you navigate common design dilemmas: How do you find the perfect coffee table height? What size rug will make your living room feel complete? Where should your TV go for optimal viewing? And most importantly, is there enough seating for everyone to feel comfortable while still allowing easy movement? Ready to take your living room from "meh" to magnificent? Dive in and let’s explore how these principles can transform your space into the ultimate hub of comfort and style.
.
Let's Start with
A FLOOR PLAN
This simple square layout (above) will serve as our guide for demonstrating how to effectively arrange furniture and decor. Whether your living room is actually square or not, the principles we explore will be applicable to any shape or size.
A floor plan layout before decorating your space will help you make the best choices when it comes to the correct sizes and proportions of rugs, furniture pieces, and decor items to fit into your living space. When designing your room using the proper guidelines will play an important role in making the room feel balanced and in proportion to be decorated within a more manageable time frame and buying the correct pieces to fit into that particular space.
Maximize Your Focal Point To Draw the Eyes
If the fireplace is the focal point, use decor like artwork or a mirror above the mantel to draw attention to this frame. Angle two armchairs towards it with a small table for drinks between them. By complementing the front of the space with this setup, you’re ensuring that the room feels inviting and spacious, showcasing your beautifully curated furnishings in the best possible light.
If art is your passion, make it the highlight of your living room. Whether it’s a vintage portrait, a captivating seascape collection, or a striking handspun metal wall decor piece, highlighting your favorite artwork can turn it into the room's centerpiece. To make your chosen piece truly stand out, you have two exciting options: blend it seamlessly with your existing decor for a cohesive look or make a bold statement by contrasting it with your current style. Both approaches can beautifully showcase your unique taste! Enhance its visual impact with complementary lighting and thoughtful decor accents. Just make sure it’s near eye level, so it’s easy to notice. If it’s hanging too high it might get overlooked. Done right, it’ll really draw attention and add a lot of character to your room!
When you don't have any other choice and the TV is going up in the living room, (because most times the kids are taking over the pajama room) place it so it doesn't dominate the room. You can still draw attention to other features in the living room layout even if the TV is centered. For optimal viewing, avoid placing your TV directly across from a window, as reflections can be a nuisance. Additionally, ensure it's not mounted too high on the wall, which is typically around 100-115 cm from the floor keeping it at a comfortable eye level for a more enjoyable watching experience.
If you're struggling to find a focal point, create one— even your coffee table can serve as an excellent centerpiece focal point. Fill a tray with something fun pieces - or think marble noughts and crosses game and a unique candle holder— and layered plants, a fun collection of very curated pottery with minimal visual “clutter” still leaving some room for your teacups.
FURNITURE PLACEMENT
Always a fan of swivel chairs and this one is soft with a lot of give, plus it has such a pretty modern shape.
There’s a lot of beautiful furniture available, but when decorating this space ensure there's enough space to walk around it. For smaller rooms, consider choosing more compact, small-scale pieces to optimize seating (like a couple of swivel chairs seems like the obvious answer) without overcrowding the space. Giving enough space between pieces of furniture creates a well-balanced living room where you can fit a small side table in the middle of two living room accent chairs giving both an organized and comfortable appearance.
Is there enough seating and will we be able to move around with ease?
Ensure a walkway of 76-91 cm between large furniture pieces to prevent the space from feeling cluttered; if space is limited, aim for at least 46-61 cm for easy movement and maintain an open, airy feel in your living room. If possible, pull it out your sofa at least 8-13 cm from the wall so the room can feel less cramped, and give it some breathing room.
Scale Using Area Rugs, Lamps, and Decor Accessories
Decorate your living room with different shapes, heights, and sizes of furniture and textiles that will balance each other out. This will instantly bring a sense of proportion, interest, and drama to the living area. If everything is the same size, nothing will stand out. A great way to achieve this in design is by choosing one shade for the walls and the other complementary shades used in textiles, accessories, and furnishings. Tips for Scale and Balance
Layer Rugs for Proper Proportion in Your Space
Rugs add a lot of visual space to a room getting the right size rug is important. When your seating doesn't at least partially sit on the rug, it creates a sense that each piece is isolated, making the room feel disjointed and lacking in cohesiveness. Most living rooms need at least 240x300cm to larger to accommodate the room and have all the furniture floating around it. An area rug with a light color palette will open up your space and create an airy feel -while a rug with geometric patterns creates visual tricks, making the room appear longer.
Need some extra seating when guests come over, or a friend to pair up with your accent chairs, PROBLEM SOLVED this boulder stool/ottoman comes in many stylish colors like diesel pumice and forest. I think this could work in almost any home.
Make Sure Coffee Table is to Scale With Furniture
Are your coffee table proportions in harmony with your furniture? When bringing in a coffee table, scale is key to avoiding any awkward visuals when decorating the living room. You don’t want your coffee table so far from the sofa or having your coffee table too high like a barstool or too low that you would have to bend down to grab your teacup. Ensure that the coffee table is at least half of the size, no more than 10cm higher, around 40cm to 55cm in distance from your sofa so they look cohesive and belong together.
Work In Multiples With Lighting
Without great lighting, your living room might just feel a bit in the dark. Think beyond basics: a chic floor lamp in a corner, paired with a statement pendant can transform your space. Layered lighting not only brightens but adds depth and warmth, making your room shine. Remember, it's not just about function; it's about creating a vibe. With all those decor elements, gorgeous natural lighting, and that stylish rug, you're on your way to a very inviting, warm, and uber-stylish room.
Easy to Maintain Plants
Whether you’re a fan of faux greenery (and yes, I have a soft spot for artificial plants in all their forms) or you prefer the fresh touch of real plants, there’s no denying that adding a splash of green brings life to any room. Faux trees, vibrant greenery stems, charming topiaries, and cascading hanging plants can infuse your space with color and movement without the maintenance hassle. Plants in stylish vases on your coffee table or nestled in woven baskets in a cozy corner add a pop of green but also introduce wonderful texture and warmth to your living room. Don’t overlook the potential of artificial plants, they can truly elevate your space, giving it a lush, inviting feel that’s easy to maintain.