Living Room Layout Ideas with Furniture

Living Room Layout Ideas with Furniture

Create a warm and cozy living room with these furniture layout ideas, color scheme suggestions, and decor ideas

That’s a wrap, the Upper Room living room area renovation is officially complete!

I have to admit when we first agreed to take on this renovation I knew figuring out a good layout for this space might be a little tricky…

The now living room used to be two small separate rooms. Even with the wall down nothing felt cohesive about this space. Thankfully we were able to create a cozy and warm living room layout through a few DIY projects and a well thought out furniture arrangement.

But I know designing a space and figuring out a layout can be daunting. So today I thought I would share my top living room layout tips and tricks.

Room Layout Ideas: Living Room

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How to Handle an Awkward Living Room Layout

A well-designed living room layout plays a crucial role in enhancing both functionality and aesthetics within a home. Functionality refers to how well the space serves its intended purpose, while aesthetics focus on the visual appeal and overall design of the room.

Because this Upper Room used to be two different rooms, even with the wall removed, it still feels like two separate spaces.

In order to help the flow of these spaces and make them feel like one cohesive room we decided to add faux wood beams to the ceiling. This not only made the ceiling look taller, but also made the separation seem like an architectural feature instead of a spot a wall used to be.

This faux beam DIY was budget friendly and we didn’t even have to make any complicated cuts which felt like a real win. The beams are stained in Dark Walnut by Varathane.

How to Make a Living Room Look Larger

Something I constantly hear about when talking to people about their home’s sore points is the size of certain rooms. Luckily there are a few tricks you can take advantage of to make the room look larger without doing any major demo.

The first thing we tackled in this renovation was the flooring. The old beat up tiles were not only an eyesore but the square pattern made the space feel choppy. 

We installed this beautiful laminate plank flooring to help the living room feel more cohesive and elongate the space. The color is not too light or dark, the perfect neutral oak tone. 

One of my other favorite tricks for making a room appear larger is to encase the windows with trim. The trimmed out window brings the eye upwards, making the ceiling appear to be taller than it is.

Usually when I do window trim projects I paint the trim. This time I opted to stain the window trim to keep the original architectural integrity of the space. There is just something about beautiful stained glass windows surrounded by rich wood trim that does it for me.

Choosing the Right Paint Colors for a Living Room Layout

Choosing the right paint color or colors for your living room is probably one of the most important factors in creating a cohesive and inviting space.

Start by choosing a color palette, select a primary color and one or two complementary colors to build your color scheme around. Consider the mood and style you want to convey in your living room.

Use the 60-30-10 Color Rule:

Divide your chosen colors into percentages: 60% for the dominant color, 30% for the secondary color, and 10% for accent colors. This will help maintain balance and harmony in your color scheme.

If you follow along with us and our own home’s renovation journey you know I am not afraid of color. I love bold color but there are certain rooms where I think choosing a neutral paint color as the primary color is the right choice.

The living room is one of those spaces where I find myself leaning towards white and creamy shades to serve as the primary color. Lighter paint can help a room feel brighter, airy, and larger, all good qualities to have in a living room. For this space I chose a creamy warm paint color called Muslin by Sherwin Williams.

This neutral color opened up the space and paired with our secondary color perfectly. For a bold pop of color I went with Foxhall Green by Sherwin Williams for the bookcase wall and long hallway. I also painted all the doors and trim in this secondary color.

The perfect green paint colors for any space

In this living room we utilized the stain on the faux beams and window trim to act as the accent color.

Big Tip: Before committing to a color scheme, test paint samples on your walls to see how they look in different lighting conditions. This will help you visualize how the colors will interact with each other in your space. These peel and stick paint samples are my favorite and you can order them online and get them delivered!

Creating Storage in a Living Room

A lot of life takes place in a living room so it needs to be designed and utilized in a way that meets all of your needs. 

Obviously the living room will need to have an inviting seating area and layout but it will also need to provide storage. 

My favorite way to create aesthetically pleasing storage is by building built-in bookcases and shelving. This project is always one of my favorites. It can be done on a budget and adds functionality to the room. 

For this living room’s storage area we utilized one of the main walls and built-in four individual bookcases. We also created a space in the middle that can be used as a desk or small beverage center.

The bookcases are perfect for displaying decor and storing all the living room necessities.

Other great options for creating storage in a living room are utilizing ottomans or coffee tables with storage underneath.

Living Room Focal Points

A well-designed living room layout incorporates focal points that draw the eye and create visual interest. This could be a fireplace, a piece of artwork, or a statement furniture piece. 

Focal points help anchor the room and add character to the space.

Even if your living room does not have a fireplace you can still create a focal point. 

In this room I DIY-ed this large wall art to serve as the focal point. The best part about this piece of wall art is that it is also a cork board so notes, calendars, or anything else could also be displayed here.

If you have a tv in your living room and don’t love it being the focal point you can DIY a frame around it and display artwork on it to help it feel less like an eyesore and more like fancy artwork. 

How To Layout Furniture in a Living Room

Here are some tips for creating a living room furniture layout that is both functional and inviting.

Create conversation areas: Arrange seating in a way that encourages interaction and socializing. Turn some of the furniture inwards to enable easy conversation.

One of my favorite ways to do this is to create a U with the living room furniture. The couch or largest piece is the anchor piece facing forward towards the focal point while the accent chairs, small pieces are turned to the inside of the U.

Balance the room: Distribute furniture evenly to create a sense of harmony and balance in the space. That is another reason why I like to use a U furniture layout opposed to an L layout.

Scale and proportion: Ensure that furniture pieces are appropriately sized for the room and don’t overwhelm the space.

Maintain traffic flow: Leave enough space between furniture pieces for easy movement throughout the room.

Add charm with different styles of furniture: Not only is the layout of furniture important but also the style you choose. I love when a living room feels collected and cozy by utilizing different colors and patterns in the furniture. An easy way to do this is to choose a neutral main piece, like a cream colored couch, then add color or pattern with the accent seating.

Luckily furniture isn’t nailed down to the floor (usually) so play around with different layouts until you find a flow that works for your living room furniture.

Incorporate Different Textures and Finishes

My favorite part of making over or decorating any space is adding the finishing touches. This is where I like to add interest and character to the room through using different textures of material, patterns, and finishes.

Here are some easy ways to incorporate different textures and finishes:

Choosing the right rug: The rug serves as a foundation for the living room’s design, tying together furniture pieces and adding warmth and texture to the overall aesthetic. When choosing a rug, considerations such as size, material, and pattern play a significant role in enhancing the room’s ambiance.

A larger rug can help define the seating area and anchor the furniture, while a smaller rug can be used to highlight a specific area or accent piece. The material of the rug should also complement the room’s style and functionality, whether it be a plush rug for comfort or a durable option for high-traffic areas.

The pattern of the rug can also add visual interest and personality to the space, whether through bold colors or subtle textures.

Utilize Curtains: Curtains are an easy way to add color or pattern to a living room. If they are hung correctly they can also help the ceilings look taller and the windows appear larger.

Here is a round up of my favorite budget friendly curtains

Use different material types: A great way to incorporate different material types is with pieces like curtain rods, coffee tables, cabinet hardware, and lamps. Mix and match the material that these items are made from to add interest to the living room design.

Add some greenery: Whether it’s faux or real, adding greenery makes a space feel alive and breathable. Greenery also adds color and a different type of texture to the living room.

Living Room Layout and Design

Hopefully those tips and tricks can help you create a timeless and cozy living room layout.

Before you start rearranging furniture and playing with color schemes, remember that the most important aspect of designing your living room layout is to create a space that feels like home.

Whether you’re a fan of minimalist chic or cozy clutter, make sure your living room reflects your personality and brings you joy every time you walk in.

So go ahead, experiment, have fun, and let your living room layout be a true expression of who you are.

Now that this Upper Room makeover is complete I am ready to tackle our next project! Follow along to see what home improvement project we take on next.

You Might Also Like:

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How to Choose the Best Curtains for Your Living Room

Budget-Friendly Living Room Makeover Ideas: Living Room Reveal

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