Laying out a living room feels like something that should be easy, but rarely is it a one-size-fits-all situation. Sometimes there’s only one logical option, but often there are a few, so it’s up to you to decide what will work best for you and your family (or you and your roommates, or just for YOU!) When we were shooting our sofa and chair collection, Room Service (AH! It’s still so exciting to say that), Emily thought we should do a “1 living room, 3 ways” post and shoot our furniture in three different layouts. It turned out so great, is visually super informative, and everything is from Wayfair, which makes it easy and accessible:) Ok, let’s look at the room:

While I don’t have exact measurements of this space, this is the general layout. It’s a classic rectangular living room, which does give them a lot of furniture configuration options. There is the focal point of the fireplace, which plays a huge factor and needs to be considered with all of the layouts.

Here are some standard living room rules to help you figure out your own living room!

• RULE: Give 30″ to 36″ of a walkway between large furniture pieces (if your living room allows for it) if not then at least 18″-24″.
• RULE: Make sure there is no less than 3.5′ and no more than 10′ of space between seating.
• RULE: If possible sofas should never be flush with a wall. Pull it out 3-5″ and give it some breathing room.
• RULE: Your coffee table should be at least half the length of your sofa.
• RULE: Your coffee table should be no more than 4″ higher or shorter than the top of your sofa seat cushions.
• RULE: Your area rug should be large enough for at least the front legs of the sofa and all chairs to rest on top of it.
• RULE: Allow about 24″ between the wall and the rug in a large living room, and between 10″ to 18″ in a smaller one.
• RULE: Make sure the shade of your floor lamp is covering the bulb when you are sitting down.
• RULE: Keep your side table close enough to set down a drink with ease. Which is typically 2-3″ from the height of the arm.

Let’s get into the first and simplest one…

The Classic Single Chaise Sectional

Easy peasy, right? One sectional, a coffee table, and one (or two if needed) side tables. It’s a great seating arrangement. Want to see it in real life??

Milo Sectional | Black Vase (in other room) | Table Lamp | Abstract Art 1 | Abstract Art 2 | Black Side Table | Lumbar Pillow | Tan Fringe Pillow | Rust Embroidered Pillow | Throw Blanket | Coffee Table | Black Vase | Wood Round Box | Floor Lamp | Rug

Here you go! Our Milo sectional is pretty perfect if I do say so myself. It’s a big boy, so for a longer room, it’s ideal. And the styling of this room is neutral but so alive with the quiet patterns and hits of black. I also just love that floor lamp so much. So yes, this is a great, classic layout that no one could complain about…unless they wanted a little more seating:)

Two Sofas Facing Each Other

For a room that doesn’t revolve around a TV and offers less “everyone snuggle on the same sofa” vibe, the two sofas facing each other is an incredibly elegant and equally as simple setup. Instead of 4+ people getting on the same sofa, this layout offers a bit more personal space and puts the attention on the people in the room. Y’all get to look at each other!

Alice Sofa in 72″ (also available in 96″) | Floor Lamp | Coffee Table | Marble Box | Ceramic “Planter” | Wood Round Box | Abstract Art | Rug | Brown Vases

Especially with a special sofa like Alice (those curves are so pretty in this photo and even more so in person), having two facing each other looks stunning. A big coffee table is important to balance out the scale. Also, don’t forget, at least, those front legs need to be ON the rug:)

Alice Sofa in 72″ (also available in 96″) | Floor Lamp | Coffee Table | Marble Box | Ceramic “Planter” | Wood Round Box | Abstract Art | Rug | Brown Vases

As you know, this is how Em’s living room is set up, and soon she will be getting her very own set of green Alice sofas (in the 96″ though:)) Another fun option is to mix up the sofa colors if you want to make a more eclectic statement! Let me show you in the next and final layout.

Two Sofas + Two Chairs

This one, of course, is amazing because you get THE MOST seating, you can still space out and interact with everyone in the room, as well as, have a comfortable little movie night since there’s a sofas facing where a TV would go (also in this example, our Suz chairs swivel, so they can also easily face the TV or fireplace).

Barb Sofa in 84″ (also in 96″) | Throw Blanket | Abstract Art | Green Pillow | Table Lamp | Oscar Sofa in 96″ (also in 84″) | Suz Swivel Chair | Coffee Table | Marble Box | Ceramic “Planter” | Rug

See the mix of colors?! All neutral in their own ways, but fun and vibrant. They also don’t all compete with each other. This kind of layout gives you such an opportunity for style mixing. The Barb sofa and the Suz chairs are a bit more inspired but playful.

Oscar Sofa in 96″ (also in 84″) | Green Pillow | Throw Blanket | Suz Swivel Chair | Table Lamp | Abstract Art 1 | Abstract Art 2 | Large Neutral Art (unavailable) | Blue Table Lamp | Side Table | Coffee Table | Marble Box | Ceramic “Planter” | Rug

While the Oscar sofa still has special details, but is a little cleaner and classic. They all play so well together and again, offers so much seating. Who wouldn’t want to sit in this room?! I also think that the cream rug lets the colorful furniture pieces shine. The balance is perfect.

So there you have it. You have options when it comes to laying out your living room, and above all else, it needs to work for your home and your life. Ask yourself, what do I want the main purpose of this living room to be? A TV room? A hang and talk room? How many people do I want to be able to seat comfortably? That’s how design should be – a room designed around how you actually live and not the other way around. And when you are ready to design your room, take a peek at Room Service and, of course, Wayfair because their catalogue of amazing pieces is a total one-stop shop for every style, and every home. Happy designing:)

Love you, mean it.

*Photos by Kaitlin Green