It can be difficult to arrange living room furniture around a TV. It is possible to fill an empty space in a way that is both practical and pleasing. Interior designers have discovered that there are several easy to apply principles which can make your TV appear attractive in your living area. Follow these simple rules and you will find furniture arrangement, with or without a television in the picture, isn’t as scary as it seems.

Consider Popular Furniture Layouts

Consider timeless layouts for living rooms that are used by designers to create the most beautiful spaces. These are some examples of living room furniture arrangements.

• Symmetrical Layout: Asymmetrical layouts work in any room size or shape because they visually balance the space. A symmetrical arrangement is two sofas facing each other separated by a small table. A sofa flanked by matching side chairs can be considered symmetrical.
• Layout floating: If your living room has many windows, but you don’t have enough wall space for anchoring furniture, consider a layout that uses floating furniture. Furniture can be positioned a few feet from the wall to create a central island with the TV on the opposite wall.
• L shaped layout: An awkward L-shaped combination of a living room and dining area is a space that presents its own challenges. For example, there’s less wall space to place furniture and TV. You can usually use two walls for TV and furniture placement. The sofa can sit on the long wall, and the TV on the wall directly behind the sofa.
• Layouts of irregularly shaped rooms: Narrow rooms, fireplaces at an angle, and spaces with nooks are all considered awkward rooms. To arrange furniture in awkward rooms, you need to create zones by placing furniture on area rugs. A dramatic floor lamp or a large statement piece can anchor a particular zone.
• Layouts of long, rectangular living rooms: You will have two long walls at your disposal, so you can place the sofa on one and the TV on another wall.

1. Select a focal point

Never underestimate the power a focal point can have in a space. You may find them naturally in a fireplace or prominent window, but you can also create one yourself with televisions and TV stands. Make a choice and stick to it. It’s important to place furniture as close as possible to the focal point.

2. Do not push furniture against the walls

Contrary to popular belief, pushing the furniture against the wall does not make a space feel larger. Give yourself some breathing space by pulling furniture away from walls.

You can arrange your furniture to create a conversation area in the middle of a large room. Just leave a few feet between the wall and the furniture. As shown above, creating walkways can make the room feel more spacious.

3. Find TV Position

You can determine the best place to put your TV by considering its size and other factors. Here are some tips:

• Place the TV in a part of your living area that will not be affected by sunlight, glare or any other type of lighting.
• Avoid placing your TV in high-traffic areas. It’s frustrating to try and watch TV when people walk past it.
• In general, the TV should face your seating area so that you can comfortably view it from your couch.
• The pros and cons of mounting a television above a fireplace are, but it is possible to free up space in a smaller living room.

4. Create Conversation Areas

It should be easy for people to communicate with each other, without needing to raise their voices or crane their necks. Place the sofas and chairs so that they face each other, not necessarily directly on but close enough to allow people to converse without raising voices. Create multiple areas for conversation if the room is large.

5. Finding Balance in Furniture Arrangement

Consider the placement and size of furniture to create balance. If you group all of the large or small pieces together, the room may feel unbalanced. Mix high and low, and small and large pieces. You can pair a round table with spindly feet with a couch with sturdy legs, and add a tall plant to the mix for a third layer.

6. Consider Traffic Flow

Traffic flow is one of the most crucial things to think about when arranging furniture. The furniture or other people in the room should not cause people to trip over each other. Be sure to leave a few feet (plus or minus a few inches), between the sofa and coffee table, and between the chairs. Create a path that allows people to walk easily from one side of the room into the other.

7. The Right Rug Size

You should place area rugs under all furniture, if possible. Choosing an Area Rug is important. It should be large enough to accommodate all furniture in the seating arrangement. You want at least the front legs of the large furniture to rest on the rug.

8. Buy a Big Coffee Table

In terms of choosing a coffee table the bigger the better. It is both functional and aesthetically pleasing to place a large coffee table at the center of a seating space. It creates a space where people can place drinks and you can display your favorite accessories. Large tables also make it easier to get around from the chairs surrounding them.

Leave enough space between the seating area and the coffee-table for people to walk by (about 18″). can be substituted by two smaller tables placed next to each other or a large ottoman on top of which is a tray.

9. Place tables at arm’s length

Each seat should be easily accessible to a side or coffee table. Avoid layouts which force people to leave their seats in order to retrieve or place their drinks. Table height is important.

• End or side tables Should be about the same height as nearby chair arms. If that is not possible, then lower would be better.
• The height of coffee tables should be at least the same as the seat heights on sofas and chairs.

10. Let there be Light

Use a mixture of overhead lighting, table lamps, and sconces (if possible). Floor lamps look great at the end or behind an accent piece of furniture. Table lamps are beautiful on shelves, side tables and mantels.

To achieve a balanced lighting, you need to use different fixtures at various levels.

11. Use the right-size artwork

The artwork that is hung in the living room, along with any mirrors or sculptures, should be placed in a strategic manner and proportionate to the furniture. Hanging a small photo on the back of a sofa is not advisable. Use a piece of art that measures approximately two thirds of the length of your sofa or a grouping.

If you are determined to use an art piece that is too small for your space, place it in a larger frame and add a matboard around it. This will allow it to stand out when placed near a large furniture piece.

12. Put It All Together

If you plan to buy new furniture or accessories, plan ahead. Use an floor planner, or graph paper to draw out the floor plan you want. This is the only way to be sure that everything will fit as you desire.