The sofa is the largest piece of furniture in any living room, and it should be the first item to be placed. Sometimes, the right spot for the sofa seems obvious when walking into the room, but in other cases, it’s not so clear.

As a general rule, the sofa should face the focal point of the room, but what if there’s no natural focal point? Here are some tips to help figure out the perfect sofa placement.

Consider Balance

When arranging furniture, balance is key. If too many visually heavy elements are on one side of the room, the entire space will feel off-kilter. Since sofas are often large and take up a significant amount of visual space, they require something of equal weight across from them to create harmony in the room. This is why it’s common to see two chairs placed directly across from a sofa—together, the chairs help balance out the sofa’s size.

Consider Traffic Patterns

Sofas are big, so where they’re placed can impact the room’s traffic flow. It’s important to ensure people don’t have to awkwardly navigate around furniture to get from one side of the room to the other. There should be no tripping hazards. Leave at least 16 inches between the coffee table and the sofa, and between the sofa and any other chairs. A clear, unobstructed path will make the space more functional and accessible.

4 Furniture Ideas to Maximize Your Living Room Layout (PRO Space-Planning Tips!)

Video by Julie Khuu

Breathing Room

Many people have a tendency to push sofas up against the wall. While this may be necessary in some rooms with space limitations, most living rooms can benefit from pulling the sofa away from the wall. If space permits, try this arrangement and see how much better the room feels. It’s amazing how much of a difference it can make when the sofa has room to breathe.

Focal Points

When deciding where to place the sofa, consider the room’s focal point. If the room has one clear focal point, such as a TV or fireplace, positioning the sofa is relatively easy. However, if there are two focal points, you’ll need to figure out a way to see both from the couch. If it’s not possible to view both, prioritize the more important one. Additionally, if the sofa doesn’t fit near the focal point, you might need to move the focal point itself or rethink the entire room layout.

Ideal Placement

Here are some ideal sofa placement ideas to consider:

In Front of a Window

While blocking a window should be avoided, placing a sofa in front of a window can work beautifully, provided the back of the sofa is low. Leave a gap of about 10 to 12 inches between the sofa and the window to allow breathing space and accommodate window treatments.

Across From a Window

If there’s a large window at the front or back of the room, placing the sofa across from it allows you to take advantage of the view and the natural light it brings to the space.

Facing the Mantel

In rooms with a mantel, it typically serves as the focal point. Placing the sofa directly across from the mantel ensures that the sofa is facing the focal point, creating a natural and balanced arrangement.

Across From Another Sofa

When visual balance is crucial, the best placement for a sofa is often directly across from another, preferably matching, sofa. In smaller rooms, this may not be possible, but in larger spaces, this layout can work well to create symmetry.

In Front of a Door

While not recommended for design beginners, placing a sofa in front of a door can work if there’s enough space. This placement works best if the back of the sofa has appealing upholstery and the traffic path is wide enough to avoid blocking the door or causing visual obstructions.

In the Middle of the Room

Dear Lykkers! This layout is best suited for design professionals or those willing to take a design risk. In large rooms, a backless sofa or chaise can serve as an attractive way to divide the space and create cozy conversation areas.

About Sectionals

Sectional sofas can sometimes present challenges due to their shape, which often leads people to push them into corners. However, sectionals can work beautifully when pulled away from the walls. Since they offer ample seating, they don’t require much additional furniture, leaving plenty of space to experiment with different configurations. Sectionals can also be used as room dividers, creating a visual break between areas. Don’t limit your sectional to the corner—give it space to shine and function for your room.