Arranging your Furniture

• Whether your living room is large or small, you can create a comfortable environment. Before you decide where you want to place your furniture, make a sketch of the room. Measure how big your furniture pieces are, and then mark on your sketch where you want to place them. If you have a small room, a sofa, chair, television unit and coffee table may be all that will fit. A larger room could accommodate a sofa, two chairs, coffee table and an end table or two along with the television.
  
  If your living room also will serve as a game room or play room, arrange your furniture in a way so that the room appears divided. If you have the space, situate your sofa so the back faces a wall but is not pushed up against the wall. Store the kids' toys behind the sofa in toy chests. You also could place all living room furniture on one side of the room facing the television, and the games and pool table behind the furniture on the other side of the room.
  
  

Choose a Focal Point

• If you can't decide where to begin placing your furniture, choose a focal point in the room. Start at the top. If you have an element like a chandelier in the center of the room, arrange your furniture around that. The coffee table should be directly underneath, with your furniture placed around it. Make sure the sofas face the television, and any extra lighting you have should be placed in the corners of the room away from the chandelier focal point.
  
  If you don't have a ready-make focal point such as a chandelier or fireplace, and if your ceiling has detail that covers it completely, you can arrange your furniture anywhere in the room. Give your design meaning by arranging pieces near and around each other instead of spreading them around the room. Create a focal point by arranging part of your living room into a conversation area. Place two plush chairs in one corner of the room, away from the television and other rooms, then add a small table to put drinks on.
  
  

Area Rugs

• Whether you have wooden flooring or full carpeting, area rugs bring attention to a particular part of the room. If you're struggling to choose a focal point, use an intricate area rug and arrange your furniture around that.