The living room is often considered the heart of the home, where the family gathers, guests are entertained and memories are made. When this space feels spacious and airy, you can instantly sink into relaxation, but when it feels cramped, crowded and cluttered, the space cannot be used to its fullest potential.
If you’re looking for ways to make your living room feel more spacious, furniture placement will inevitably play an essential role. To learn more, here is a comprehensive guide.
How to make a living room seem bigger with furniture
Strategic furniture placement in a living room is one of the simplest ways to make a space feel larger. Here are some key concepts to keep in mind when thinking about how to arrange your furniture:
- Create focal points — Establish a focal point, such as a fireplace, a beautifully made TV unit or a large window. With your furniture placements in relation to this focal point, the eye is drawn to it, and a sense of spatial harmony is achieved.
- Consider traffic flow — Ensure there are clear and unobstructed pathways for people to come and go into a given section of the living room. To display your decor, you can utilise storage solutions like hall tables and coffee tables.
- Use modular and sectional seating — Modular or sectional sofas and elegant armchairs are ideal because they can be freely positioned in a way that fits the shape of your space.
- Consider scale and proportion — The overall dimensions of your living room should determine your choice of the size of furniture you acquire. If you’re looking to make the space seem larger, opt for furniture that’s smaller in size.
The impact of colour
While furniture placement in your living room is important, other techniques can be used to make a room feel more spacious. Colour, for instance, plays a crucial role in influencing the perception of space. Light colours, such as white, cream, soft grey and pastels, allow light to reflect off of them, making the room feel brighter and more expansive. Sticking to a single colour family in varying shades can also create a harmonious and visually uncluttered look.
Keep in mind though that, while a neutral colour palette is ideal for creating the illusion of space, don’t be afraid to utilise a few well-placed colourful accents through cushions, artwork or accessories. These touches can add personality to the room without overwhelming it.
Where to put the couch
Usually, the couch is the largest piece of furniture in the living room. Given it takes up the most space, its placement deserves adequate thought. If you have a central focal point, like a TV or fireplace, it’s often best to place your couch facing it. This arrangement encourages a sense of unity and purpose in the room.
Placing the couch parallel to the longest wall in the room can make the space feel more open and organised, especially in narrow living rooms.
Other tips:
- Opt for furniture with visible legs — Furniture that’s slightly raised off the ground allows light and air to pass under and around the pieces — a simple trick that makes a room feel larger.
- Embrace multi-functionality — Less is more when making a small space appear larger. Opt for versatile furniture to achieve all the functions you want your living room to serve without occupying too much space.
- Keep furniture away from the walls — Contrary to popular belief, pushing all furniture against the walls doesn’t necessarily make a room feel larger. In fact, bringing furniture inward can create a more intimate and spacious feel by defining conversation areas within the room.
- Play with mirrors and lighting — Incorporating mirrors and lighting thoughtfully into your living room design can amplify the effects of your furniture placement and colour choices. Mirrors reflect light and create the illusion of more space, while strategic lighting from table lamps can brighten key elements of the room while still leaving enough shadows to add depth.
Oak Furniture — pieces that evolve with your space
Oak Furniture specialises in creating high-quality furniture, made with only the finest materials and superior craftsmanship, for the benefit of Australian homes. Utilising Scandinavian, modern and traditional influences, all our products are investments in sophisticated design, longevity and functionality.
Whether you’re looking for a leather couch or a natural oak TV unit, explore our collections and find the pieces you need to maximise your space. Do you have any questions about our range of living room furniture? Feel free to contact us and our customer care team will be happy to help you make the most informed choice.
