We all start with a blank slate, but our living rooms are a place to showcase our personalities. As one of the main gathering spaces in your home, it pays to put some time into your living room design. Keep reading for tips on living room layout from the experts at our furniture store in Franklin.

Have A Plan

The first step in any good design is to start with a plan. The foundation of this plan should be utility. How would your living room get used? Is it more of a gathering place or where you relax and watch TV each evening? Do you want it to be full of energy or a calming environment? Should it be kid-friendly? Once you define how it will be used, think about the pieces that you want. Most living rooms have, at minimum, a couch, coffee table, and chairs.

Decide On A Focal Point

Your furniture should not necessarily be the focal point of your room. Instead, look for features that already exist, such as a fireplace or window. If you need to create your own focal point, consider utilizing textured or patterned wallpaper for an accent wall. You might also consider adding a large decorative mirror.

Know Your Scale

If you take a quick stroll through any furniture store, you will see that each staged area is balanced according to room size. If you have a large living room, you can get away with a deep-cushion sectional and a large coffee table. However, if you’re working with a small space, you may need something simple, such as a single sofa and set of small accent chairs. Don’t forget when you are buying your furniture that you also need to leave blank spaces on your walls and floors so that your room isn’t cluttered.

Understand Traffic

Speaking of leaving open space on the floor, it also pays to understand how your living room will be used for walk-through traffic. Look at adjoining room placement. Must people walk through your living room to get to the bathroom, kitchen, or guestroom? Think about how people will walk, and plan accordingly with a wide pass, up to around 36 inches, so that your family and guests don’t feel cramped when trying to maneuver through your living room.

These are just a few basic tips, and your furniture store salesperson can help you choose pieces based on everything from room size to budget. If you still have questions, feel free to speak with a design consultant, and let us help you lay out a living room that you will love.

The Linen Duck furniture store is proud to serve Franklin, Columbia, and all of Middle Tennessee with distinctive designs and a full showroom of furniture, rugs, and upholstery to help you customize the place you call home.