The best 30 living room layout ideas

Your living room layout says a lot about the feeling you want to create with your space. A living room centred around a fireplace might signal cosy winter nights with your family. A light-filled and breezy living room that opens out on to your back deck might mean long, summer nights entertaining. A cosy two-person couch and a small pod of coffee tables might make the perfect choice for a couple. And a long L-shaped couch could be the right choice for a big family.

Once you’ve figured out your ideal layout, then you’ll need to get creative and choose patterns and colours that suit your personal tastes. And there are so many options to choose from – there’s brass touches, clean white lounges, black detailing, pops of pink, curved timber, and so much more.

To help you figure out the perfect layout – and the right style to go along with it – I’ve gathered 30 living room layout ideas for small spaces, fireplaces and TVs.

1. Contrasting materials

For a living room with a lot of life, aim to incorporate multiple design styles, textures and colours. This may go against your natural inclination to stick with a single style, but you’ll find that it results in a very visualising appealing living room.

2. Around the fireplace

The fireplace can be the true hero of your living room. If you want to bring attention to a focal point, like a fireplace, be sure to add decor around it. Adding extra decorative touches helps to draw the eyes to the fireplace, so it gets the attention it deserves!

3. Floor to ceiling fireplace

If you’re wanting to create a dramatic effect, then you can’t go past a floor to ceiling fireplace, even if you only have a small firebox. You can create the look by either painting or tiling the wall around the fireplace a contrasting colour to the paint in the rest of the room.

Having something like this as a focal point will always make people go wow! And there are plenty of other types of feature wall ideas that you could use in your home.

4. Extra seats

When it comes to designing your living room layout, it’s important to consider how many people you want to be able to seat. If you have a large family or frequently have guests over, then it’s worth investing in multiple sitting options from the get-go. Consider a combination of styles in similar tones or materials.

5. Cosy vibes

What feeling do you want your family and your guests to have when they sit in your living room? What feeling do you want to have? These are important questions to ask when considering the living room layout.

A farmhouse-style space like this looks very inviting. How about those arched windows!

If you’re loving this, you’ll also love these rustic living room ideas which include farmhouse and other modern adaptions of the raw untouched styling.

6. A statement lounge

If you’d rather just stick with one key piece of furniture, then you can’t go past a large L-shaped statement lounge. Right now, the trend is to place the couch in the middle of the living room. This allows for light to bounce off the walls and around your space without being blocked by any furniture.

7. Frame it up

If you have a key architectural element to your living room, draw attention to it! The placement of the couch in front of an amazing window allows the window to be the real hero of your room. And it allows for plenty of light to filter through into the space.

8. Fill your tiny space with art

Just because you’re looking at a small living room layout doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice on colour and design elements. This living room is proof that size doesn’t matter when it comes to style!

Don’t forget to get someone to help with your art hanging so that you can make sure it’s put up using the right support.

9. Surround your TV with shelving

A clever way to optimise space and add decorations to your living room is to create a shelf on one side of the TV or on both sides for symmetry. Use floating timber custom shelving to contrast against your walls while keeping things airy.

10. Timber and white TV unit

Timber and white are a match made in colour heaven. They provide the perfect base for any living room and can work well with so many colours. Instead of being placed directly on top of the TV unit, consider neatly wall hanging your TV. Technically, the TV doesn’t need the cabinet, but the unit adds interest and functionality to the room.

11. Frame around a statement light

If simple lighting is not your style, choose something that’s large and bold and frame your entire living room around it. This light piece really is the focal point of this room, and its warmth sets the tone for the rest of the decor.

You could also look at wall sconces for showcasing art or downlights to add more functional light. But if you’re still not sure what kind of light fitting you need, here are my favourite living room lighting ideas.

12. Bring the outdoors in

If you have a beautiful view or even just plenty of greenery outside, make the most of it by adding french doors on the side of your living room. This will let plenty of light in and help take your space from warm summer afternoons on the deck to cool evenings on the couch.

13. Embrace high ceilings

If you live in a home that has a high ceiling, make the most of it. Maximise the dramatic effect by choosing furniture pieces that complement your room. When it comes to the fireplace, paint the area around it a different shade to the rest of your walls.

14. Use symmetry

Use symmetry to its advantage. While your chairs may not be the same, for example, they directly face each other, creating a central focus on the coffee table. You can create a perfect balance with strategically placed decor (like the matching lamps) but you don’t need to go overboard and make absolutely everything matchy-matchy.

15. Incorporate multiple surfaces

When thinking about the layout for your living room, it’s important to consider your surfaces. Ideally you want a variety of places to pop a cup of coffee or a piece of decor.  Thoughtful placement means you can reach things from any of the chairs in the room.

16. Clean lines

If you want to create a sophisticated living space, then take inspiration from this room. It makes the most of clean lines and geometric patterns to give an adults-only feel. To achieve this look for yourself, start with a large black-and-white rug in a pattern of your choice. From there, add a sharp, rectangular coffee table, choose a comfy couch in a colour of your choice, add a monochrome artwork, and finish the room with little black stools for coffee tables.

I think that this is stunning. Actually, if you’re looking for just more contemporary styling, here are over 50 modern living room ideas.

17. Create a feature wall with art

If your living room layout is looking a little dull, consider sprucing up one of your walls. In this case, the wall has been transformed into a sea of art prints that bring colour and life to the room.

18. Sleek and minimalist

If you prefer the ‘less is more’ approach, then you’ll probably want to go the minimalist route when it comes to your living room layout. The minimalist living room in this picture does just this with its sleek furnishings and grey and natural colour scheme. And the art prints do a nice job of tying together the colour scheme.

19. Black and white

For a classic look with a modern twist, add a touch of black and white to your living room. As you can see in this living room layout idea, there’s only a little bit of black and white, in the window framing, art, rug and chairs. Yet it makes a huge difference. Consider how you can make small adjustments with black accents to create a whole new look like this.

20. L-shaped living room layout

If you’ve got a big family or just like a lot of space to lounge around, then you’ll probably want to consider an L-shaped couch. When purchasing a sofa like this, it’s important to choose one that will work in well with your space–and choosing a dark colour is always a great idea if you have kids!

21. A statement coffee table

Speaking of L-shaped couches, they look best wrapped around a coffee table. Now, it’s important that you choose a coffee table that fits the size of your L-shaped couch. You don’t want one that’s too big or way too small that there’s not enough room for everyone’s cup of coffee. This round timber coffee table is just the right size for this space, and it looks gorgeous!

22. Layer your coffee tables

If one coffee table isn’t enough, why not add two? As you’ll see in this picture, the design includes two oval-shaped marble-and-timber coffee table, one more petite than the other. This creates levels in your living room, which adds a whole lot of interest!

23. Dress it up to the max

If going for a white or natural rug just isn’t your style, then turn to the other end of the spectrum and go all out with a dramatic patterned piece. This living room sure does pack a punch but it works because the clean white walls and light timber flooring keep it grounded. As for the layout, it keeps things simple with a six-seater velvet sofa, a coffee table and an unusual side table.

24. Comfy and cosy

When dreaming of your living room layout ideas, think about the feeling that you want to have when you’re in it. Do you want to feel relaxed? Inspired? Or maybe you want to feel refreshed and rejuvenated? Well, a soft white fabric, circular sofa like this one will certainly inspire a snooze! It’s cosy and has just the right amount of cushions to add colour and extra comfort.

25. Focus on the light

Create a focal point in your living room layout with a statement hanging light. This chandelier is dramatic and adds so much interest to the space.

26. Increase the functionality

These days, most people are moving away from having two separate living rooms – one more formal, and the other a casual family room – and instead choosing one large space that serves both purposes. The key to doing this well lies in incorporating as much seating as possible that has formal elements but is cosy enough for every-day use. Larger pieces of furniture act as the ‘comfort’ pieces, while decor (such as artworks and lighting) can add a touch of formality.

27. Take inspiration from the Parisians

This is a simple small living room layout but it has a whole lot of detail and interest. Take your cue from Parisian decor and embrace ornate mouldings, pick a tactile, curved couch, and opt for gorgeous parquetry flooring.

28. Modern industrial

Exposed bricks are always a good idea! So if you have them, let them shine. This living room layout makes the most of the marled brick walls, which the rest of the colour palette draws from.

29. Clever shelving

Shelving around your TV unit can be decorative and functional. So whether it’s a pop of colour from your favourite vase, a family portrait from a trip, or a unique sculptural find, strategically place pieces that inspire you!

30. Maximise storage space

If you have a small living room or a space that’s combined with your dining room, then you’ll need to get clever with storage. The bespoke shelving here is the perfect choice for this room.

There we have it – 30 living room ideas for small spaces, fireplaces and TV layouts. I hope you’re feeling inspired.

Before you go, comment and tell me which idea is your favourite. I’d love to hear from you!