Do you find yourself scratching your head as you try to decide on the best living room seating arrangement for your home? With so many considerations like the size of your living room and the main function of the space, it’s completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed. Make the choice much easier by exploring the most common family room layout ideas to see which ones are best for your decor needs!
Living Room Seating Arrangements
1. Think Circular
If you’re a fan of living room seating with chairs rather than sofas, the circular layout might be best for you. This arrangement is just as it sounds—seating arranged in a circular fashion. You’ll usually find that a round coffee table and rug can help ground the arrangement as well.
Unlike some other layouts, the circular layout is very versatile and has two functions. Because of its intimate nature, the circular layout can not only encourage conversation and interaction, it can also foster a calm, relaxing space meant for privacy.
While armchairs like Fusion’s Bates Nickle are the most ideal, you can create this arrangement with a curved sofa as well. If you need flexibility in your living space, the circular layout is the way to go because you can easily rearrange three or four chairs to prepare for your next dinner party or book club gathering.
2. Try Symmetrical & Parallel
For a classic approach to living room seating, try a symmetrical, parallel-style arrangement. This arrangement is characterized by perfectly mirrored groupings. Most often, you see two opposing sofas separated by a coffee table. However, you can create the same look with paired armchairs or chaises.
A symmetrical parallel living room layout is best if you want your space to feel more formal and dignified. If you love traditional-style homes and formal entertaining, you’ll fall in love with this seating idea.
Despite being asymmetrical, this living room seating arrangement is well-balanced and refined. It does have the potential to be slightly less formal, especially if you choose to include more casual furniture.
3. Don’t Forget Asymmetrical & Parallel
An asymmetrical parallel living room is similar to its symmetrical counterpart, but it does have one key distinction. The opposing furniture pieces are different (asymmetrical) rather than being a mirror image (symmetrical). It’s a good idea to use this particular arrangement in living rooms where extra pathways are important. It’s much easier to work your way around two armchairs than one large sofa, for example.
4. Make It Boxy
It might not be the most common living room seating arrangement, but the box-shaped layout is definitely a worthy option to consider. This arrangement provides a focus in your living room by turning conversation inward and creating a well-defined space for relaxing and entertaining. That’s why box-shaped layouts work so well for rooms without a focal point—the arrangement becomes the focal point.
When you choose this family room layout idea for your home, make sure you factor in the kind of furniture you plan to use. Box-shaped layouts look stunning with cohesive furniture collections that have similar colors, fabrics, and textures. A coffee table is essential as well.
5. Go for an L-Shape
Right angles are what it’s all about when it comes to L-shaped layouts. Whether you choose to include a single chair at one end of your sofa, use two sofas butted together, or keep it simple with an L-shaped sectional, the result is a casual arrangement perfect for relaxed conversation.
This living room seating arrangement is great for small rooms and corners because it doesn’t take up very much space. It also comes in handy for open floor plan homes too. The back of the sofa can be used to divide your space into two zones. A living room and dining room combo is just one example.
6. Opt for U-Shaped
Need ways to fill up space in a large living room? The U-shaped arrangement is just what you need. A variety of individual furniture pieces can achieve this layout. Here are a few ideas to try:
- A U-shaped sofa
- Two parallel sofas with armchairs or a bench at their head
- A sofa with two chairs at either side
U-shaped living room seating is extremely comfortable and ideal for large parties because it facilitates conversation and offers lots of seating for guests.
Tips for Creating the Ideal Living Room Arrangement
Focus on the View
One of the most important factors to consider when arranging your living room furniture is the focal point of the space. A focal point can be any standout feature in the room like a fireplace, bay window, or large art piece. As you choose your family room layout idea, make sure you orient the main furniture piece towards your space’s focal point and arrange the secondary pieces around that.
Be Strategic with Rugs
Area rugs are a stylish way to accent your living room furniture and they also help to unify seating groups. If you decide to incorporate a rug into your living room, it’s essential that all furniture pieces fit on top of it. If you have a rug that doesn’t quite hold the entire furniture arrangement, try to at least fit the front legs of all pieces on the rug.
Float Your Furniture
Fight against the urge to push furniture up against walls in small living rooms. While it may seem like the best solution, it actually creates an awkward space in the middle of the room and accentuates the small square footage. As an alternative, bring your furniture out towards the center of the room to create a more open, welcoming atmosphere.
Now that you know more about the most common family room layout ideas, take a look at Fusion Furniture’s collections to start furnishing your space!
