Have you ever sat in your living room and felt like something was off, but you couldn’t quite put your finger on it? If you’re unsure or confident about your living room setup, this post is for you. It outlines the “EHD’s Living Room Rules,” which are like the 10 Commandments of furniture arrangement, with a total of 22 rules. These guidelines will help you answer common questions like the ideal height of a coffee table, the right spacing between furniture pieces, and where to hang your TV.
If you’re looking for more design rules, you can also check out our Bedroom Design Rules and Dining Room Rules.
Today, we’ll delve into living room layout, planning rules, and the basics to help you create a cohesive and well-organized living space.
Furniture Placement
RULE: Give 30″ to 36″ of a walkway between large furniture pieces to avoid overcrowding your living room. In smaller rooms, opt for smaller scale furniture to create negative space.
RULE: Ensure there is no less than 3.5′ and no more than 10′ of space between seating for maximum comfort and functionality.
Sofa
RULE: Pull your sofa out 3-5″ from the wall to create a more spacious and less cramped feel in your living room.
Coffee Table
RULE: Ensure your coffee table is at least half the length of your sofa for a cohesive look.
RULE: Your coffee table should be no more than 4″ higher or shorter than the top of your sofa seat cushions to maintain visual balance.
RULE: Keep a distance of 16″ to 18” between the sofa and coffee table for ease of access and functionality.
Area Rug
RULE: Ensure your area rug is large enough for at least the front legs of the sofa and all chairs to rest on top of it for a cohesive look.
RULE: Allow about 24″ between the wall and the rug in a large living room, and between 10″ to 18″ in a smaller one to create negative space and a defined seating area.
Lighting
RULE: Ensure the shade of your floor lamp covers the bulb when seated to avoid harsh light in your eyes.
RULE: For a lamp on a side table, the bottom of the lamp shade should be at eye level for comfortable lighting.
Break Design GoTo Living Room Rules