For many it’s a common space meant for sharing stories and laughs with the whole family. Naturally, the living room is where you might have relaxed with the family and entertained guests for the holidays, or just because. To create new memories in your home, it’s important to create a living room layout that first serves its function and second reflects your family’s style.
To inspire your big move or home remodel, we created living room layouts that can be replicated in all types of living room shapes and sizes. Use our living room templates as a guide to create a space that shows off your family member’s personalities by personalizing the color, furniture and home decor.
If you’re moving into a new home, consider waiting to fully plan the living room until living in the space to get a feeling for where the light hits throughout the day. Don’t feel like you need to fill every crevice of the room—you can always add furniture and decor over time and rearrange.
Conversational
If your living room has a natural centerpiece, like a fireplace and mantel, create a cozy gathering around it. Try two comfy armchairs like the photo above or a combination of armchairs with a small love seat. Encourage conversation by including accessories like throw pillows and blankets that invite someone to relax and share their day.
Activity
If your family spends most of their time in the living room, make it kid-friendly by creating an open space with plenty of room for activities. Choose dependable furniture like sturdy sofas and chairs that will live with you as your family grows. Opt for larger sofas and coffee tables so you can fit all the kids (and their stuff!) without making the room feel too cluttered.
Open-Concept
Have a living room that spills out from the kitchen? Embrace the open space while still creating a clear definition with a longer sofa. Match your small decor like end tables and rugs to the decor in the kitchen (like the wood matching the backsplash above) so the whole space is in harmony. Be sure to pick colors that compliment one another when painting the rooms.
Focal Point
If you have a big feature that you want to emphasize in your living room, design your layout around it. Anything from a fireplace, large window, accent wall or big bookcase can become the center of attention if you balance the furniture around it correctly.
Family Gathering
Make your favorite part of your living room, like a pool table or big screen TV, the main event. Decorate around these large items with versatile pieces like low back sofas and plenty of smaller items that are easy to swap out, like throw pillows and plants. Not only will it make the space less distracting, but also easier to navigate when you have more guests.
Symmetrical
Create the ultimate balance with a symmetrical room. This is most easily done around the fireplace where you can stack shelving on each side. Complete the look with identical sofas on and wall decor that matches. This creates an elegant and clean look that your guests will pine over.
Multifunctional
If you have a smaller living room, consider creating a space that can have multiple uses. Include a coffee table and small couch for lounging, in addition to a small desk and chair for a workspace. Use something to divide the two spaces like a coffee table, a bookshelf or the back of a couch to define the spaces.
Balanced
Similar to symmetrical, balanced living rooms don’t need exactly matching furnishings. You just have to make sure the room feels not too heavy or light on one end, like in the photo above where a large sofa is complemented by two armchairs. This is ideal if you want to achieve a symmetrical look but don’t feel like investing in many large pieces.
Contemporary
Use unique furniture to turn a simple room into a crafty space. Throw away your traditional thinking. Want a circular bookcase? Hexagon end tables? A dramatic gallery wall? Anything goes! Keep the space feeling organized by keeping to the same style, like travel themed or a specific color palette.
Diagonals
Possibly the most challenging style to decorate, sometimes you have to work around a oddly spaced room or wall. Embrace the change by keeping furniture minimal and utilizing the wall as a blank canvas. Create a bright accent wall or decorate with your favorite photos. Guests will be more focused on the impressive decor that they won’t even notice the misalignment.
With these layouts in mind, create the living room of your dreams. Include vibrant accent walls or an inviting photo wall to make your space feel like home. Don’t forget to personalize your living room as well with throw pillows, blankets, wall art and more.