5 Things You Need to Consider When Planning a Living Room Layout

Before you can start planning a living room layout, you need to decide its purpose. In a smaller home, a living room might double as a dining room, work-from-home space, and entertainment area. Understanding the function of your living room will help you plan a layout that’s fit for purpose. 

Who is going to be in your living room? If you have young kids, choosing darker furniture, like our khaki ‘Lorenza’ sofa, can be more fuss-free. If you love to host, your living room might double as an entertainment space for hosting friends. You’ll want to focus on creating a multi-functional space with furniture and a layout to match.

Every room has its own personality, even before you start painting it. Whether it’s a vaulted ceiling, bay window, or fireplace, these unique features are worth spotlighting in your living room layout.

Alcoves might seem awkward when first designing your living room, but these little nooks offer an opportunity to transform your space. An alcove is the perfect spot for a bespoke bookcase, like our ‘Tullio’ cabinet, to maximize your storage and display space. 

Don’t hide what makes your living room unique. Bespoke furniture makes it easy to use every inch of space in your home, from those awkward little corners to high ceilings worthy of a statement chandelier. 

Once you understand the purpose of your living room, it’s almost time to start shopping for your bespoke furniture. Before you start scrolling through Pinterest or exploring online lookbooks, it’s important to consider your floor plan. Not every piece of furniture will fit – or suit – your floor plan.

Understanding your floor plan will make it easier to determine what type of bespoke furniture you need. If you have a smaller floor plan, it might make more sense to have one sofa. By comparison, if you have an open-plan space and intend on hosting, you can incorporate multiple seating areas with statement pieces, like our ‘Roula’ armchair.

Starting with your floor plan will help you spot ways to maximise space, such as choosing to wall-mount a TV or having floating shelves instead of using a freestanding unit. 

Your living room layout should make sense – aesthetically and functionally. Think of how you’ll enter the room and use each part of your space. Most living rooms have a focal point, like our ‘Inaya’ coffee table, around which everything is designed. 

In most living rooms, your furniture will face towards the TV. However, if you’re planning on using your living room as a hosting space, go for a more circular flow by turning your furniture and seating inwards.

Now, you’re ready to start choosing your furniture! While you might be thinking about artwork and trinkets, prioritise selecting your larger pieces of furniture first. These key pieces will set the tone for the rest of your living room and determine its flow and functionality. Choose your seating options and storage, including bookcases and cabinets, before thinking of soft furnishings. 

Your living room layout acts as a blank canvas. Whether you’re renovating your home or bringing a new-build home to life, your living room is a focal point. Use our five tips above to start planning a living room layout that suits your lifestyle needs and incorporates your personality into your home. 

Whether you have your layout finalised or you’re still scrolling Pinterest for ideas, we’re here to help you create bespoke furniture, tailored to your needs. Explore our best-sellers for design inspiration or follow Siena Home on Instagram to discover the art of living.