Key Measurements for the Perfect Living Room
Learn the numbers that will allow good circulation, flow and balance as you layout all your furnishing to create a stylish living room.
Whether you are laying out a living room for your first apartment or planning one for your new custom home, understanding the scale of furniture and its relationship to the room can help you create a comfortable and functional space. The first thing to keep in mind is that you want the proportions of the furniture to coordinate with the proportions of the room. Small-scale furniture can be just as comfortable as overstuffed upholstery if you shop wisely. A good rule of thumb is to buy the highest quality you can afford on things you use frequently, and save money on things you use less often.
This illustration shows several pieces of furniture commonly found in a living room. Your requirements will vary, but the principles are the same. You want the room to flow around the furniture for circulation and also have clear paths to the seating areas and exit points. Circulation paths need 30 to 36 in. (77 to 91 cm) of clear width. You can place coffee or cocktail tables as close as 12 in. (30 cm) from the edge of the seating. Other furnishings might need at least 24 in. (61 cm) between pieces for people to easily move about. Another important consideration is the conversation arc. Place furniture so that people can easily hear one another when seated. Eight feet (244 cm) is ideal; larger rooms may need to be broken into seating groups.
More key measurements to help you design your rooms
More key measurements to help you design your rooms
A sectional. The cousin to the sofa is the sectional, as seen in this small-scale room. Sectionals usually take up more space, but when placed carefully, they can be very cozy. Notice how the rich color of this sectional anchors the otherwise ethereal scheme. One modern metal chair placed in the opposite corner is an extra seat for when company drops by. Essentially made up of two sofas placed perpendicular to each other, sectionals add plenty of seating so that other upholstered furniture isn’t needed. As with sofas, sectionals come in various sizes. Two 84-in. (213-cm) sectional pieces together need a space that is 7 feet (213 cm) wide and 10 feet (305 cm) long, which is usually a significant portion of a room.
What to know before buying a sectional
What to know before buying a sectional
In minimalist fashion this curved contemporary sofa turns into itself, creating its own conversation arc. Sofas like this one, and other shaped sofas, usually take up more space than average. This example is about 11 feet (335 cm) long and needs a total depth of about 54 in. (137 cm). The Womb chair opposite it measures 40 in. (102 cm) wide and 34 in. (86 cm) deep, while its ottoman is 25½ in. (66 cm) wide and 20 in. (51 cm) deep. The nicely balanced furniture placement complements the off-center fireplace.
Brilliant Solution: The Curved Sofa
Brilliant Solution: The Curved Sofa
Multiple sofas. When space and budget allow, several sofas can be arranged around oversize cocktail tables, as has been done in this transitional space. Notice that the square table is centered between the two sofas opposite each other, while the narrow table serves the sofa opposite the stone fireplace. Though this space breaks out of the 8-foot conversation arc, each sofa is its own seating group. The lower ceiling maintains intimacy, and a generous circulation space around the room keeps each sofa’s seating area sufficiently private. A room needs to be at least 20 feet (610 cm) square for an arrangement like this.
See more photos of this room
See more photos of this room
Love seats. When you need a couple of extra seats or you just don’t have room for a sofa, consider a love seat. Love seats are usually around 5 feet (152 cm) long. The depth varies depending on the style, but plan on 38 to 40 in. (97 to 102 cm) at least. You can pair one with a sofa in the same design or set it alone, as has been done in this room.
Lounge chairs. Lounge chairs usually swivel, rock and lean back, so they need extra space. Notice that this beige leather lounger sits away from the wall so that it can function as intended. When you combine it with an ottoman, you will want to allow for the ottoman’s footprint as well as room for someone to walk around both pieces comfortably. Once again, sizes vary considerably, but plan to allow at least 66 in. (168 cm) from the back of the chair to the front of the ottoman and 36 to 40 in. (91 to 102 cm) of width.
Chairs. Two sets of chairs provide seating in this large room, along with a sofa. You will notice that the chairs in the foreground are placed so that you appreciate their sculptural form and so the view into the room is maintained. The upholstered chairs sit at the back, since they are larger and take up more pace. For upholstered chairs allow about 36 to 40 in. (91 to 102 cm) of width and 40 to 44 in. (102 to 112 cm) of depth. One could easily move around the classic bent-plywood Eames chairs here, which are trim at 22 in. (56 cm) wide and 24 in. (61 cm) deep.
Stools and benches. When you want a decorative touch or when you will occasionally need an extra seat or ottoman, consider placing stools and benches in your layout. Stools may be 16 to 20 in. (41 to 51 cm) square; benches are around 14 to 18 in. (36 to 46 cm) deep and 36 to 60 in. (91 to 152 cm) long. In this living room, two marvelously detailed stools complete a cleverly eclectic space with great finesse.
Cocktail and coffee tables. Cocktail and coffee tables often are focal points, since they belong in the center of a room. Not only will you want them to look good, but you will also want them to function well. Round and oval-shaped ones can be easier to move around, but squares and rectangles will give you more surface area. As mentioned before, you can place them as close as 12 in. (30 cm) from your seating. Keep them less than 18 to 20 in. (46 to 51 cm) from the chairs and sofas so that you can easily reach items you set down. Allow at least 42 in. (107 cm) in length or radius for modest-size tables and as much as 66 to 72 in. (168 to 183 cm) for larger-scale furnishings.
Televisions. Formal living rooms are frequently saved for entertaining guests; however, some people have only one living room and will want to place a television in it. Since televisions now come in a wide variety of sizes, arranging furniture for them depends on which TV is chosen and how it’s used. Considering that the average screen today is 42 to 50 in. (107 to 127 cm), you will want to keep your seating within 10 feet (305 cm) of it. Also, carefully consider the height. Having the screen set 15 to 20 in. (38 to 51 cm) above the floor has always worked, but mounting it above a fireplace is becoming more common, as has been done in this room. In cases like this, the screen will be 48 to 60 in. (122 to 152 cm) above the floor, and you will be looking upward from your seating area to view it. It is best to place a TV out of a circulation route so that people don’t frequently walk in front of the set.
Sofa tables. Larger spaces can accommodate sofa tables, as in this formal living room. Most sofa tables are 14 to 20 in. (36 to 51 cm) deep and 60 to 72 in. (152 to 183 cm) long. These are great for placing lamps upon and for giving balance to sofas that float in a room. Keep in mind that you will need to conceal electrical cords under rugs or have floor outlets for the lamps.
You will notice that this space has two seating groups and a variety of furniture shapes and sizes. The trend has been to match in pairs but not to have each table from the same line of furniture. Plan to mix and collect, waiting for that perfect coffee table to go on sale or finding an antique chest at a bargain price.
How to Furnish a Long, Narrow Living Room
You will notice that this space has two seating groups and a variety of furniture shapes and sizes. The trend has been to match in pairs but not to have each table from the same line of furniture. Plan to mix and collect, waiting for that perfect coffee table to go on sale or finding an antique chest at a bargain price.
How to Furnish a Long, Narrow Living Room
Floor lamps. Don’t forget about floor lamps. One or two of them will illuminate a room evenly. They also come in a great variety of sizes, and you will want to find one that coordinates with the finishes of your room and that complements the scale of your design. Their footprints are comparatively modest. Plan for a space that’s at least 10 to 12 in. (25 to 31 cm) in diameter and 54 to 84 in. (137 to 213 cm) in height.
End tables. When it comes to end tables, consider a mix of scales and finishes. This room has an extra punch of interest from the metal and glass tables, which measure about 18 in. (46 cm) in diameter. Square and rectangular tables commonly range from 20 to 30 in. (51 to 76 cm) in either direction. If they are to hold table lamps, be certain that they are large enough for the scale of lamp that you choose and that they allow other items to be set around them (for example, coasters for drinking glasses).
Pianos. Though pianos are less common than in the past, there is nothing like having a baby grand to make a living room feel more complete. If you don’t know how to play one, you can get the type that plays electronically. If you entertain lavishly or want to have lots of fun at your parties, this is the ticket. The smallest grand pianos are about 60 in. (152 cm) wide and 60 in. (60 cm) long. Larger ones are around 72 in. (183 cm) long. Allow for a bench that is about 20 in. (51 cm) wide and 42 in. (107 cm) long as well. Based on these dimensions, it is wise to allow a clear floor space that’s at least 7 feet (213 cm) wide and 10 feet (305 cm) long to accommodate a grand piano.
Artwork. Before committing to all of the furnishings that you wish to place in your living room, think about your artwork. Large paintings need generous wall space and ideally should be displayed farther from the entry points so that they can be seen by someone entering a room. A good tip is to hang them low enough so that the top is just above eye level. Sculptures as well need their own space and should be placed so that they can be viewed enjoyably. Allow floor space in proportion to the size of the sculpture. Pedestals should not be more than 16 in. (41 cm) in diameter, or should be square and have dimensions relative to the scale of the sculpture.
What you need to know when buying a sofa