I had a similar setup that always felt awkward and I finally figured out how to fix it over the past couple of months. My room isn’t exactly like this but the general advice should remain the same. Get a straight couch (not L shaped) and pull it away from the wall a bit. It feels counterintuitive but leaving even just a few inches of space behind a couch can really open up a space. It’ll also give your curtains some room to breathe so they don’t look like the couch is crushing them so much. It’s hard to tell from these photos but if you have space I’d get a small cute chair in a different fabric from the couch. I’d either put it where the ottoman is now or on the opposite side of the room if it’ll leave you enough space to walk between the doorways. I’d also put a side table next to the couch. Maybe a cute vase and some coasters on it. This isn’t layout related but I’d also recommend replacing those cube shelves with a proper TV unit. It’ll look a lot cleaner. I recently bought a few IKEA Besta units and I’m very happy with them. They’re simple, clean, customizable, and most importantly very affordable. They were on sale when I bought them and I did a full 12’ wall of Besta units for about $300 IIRC. Answer from itsnottommy on reddit.com
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House Beautiful
housebeautiful.com › decorate › living room › designers reveal the ‘perfect’ living room seating arrangement
Designers reveal the ‘perfect’ living room seating arrangement
November 9, 2025 - Keep reading to learn the living ... the layout favoured by many designers is simple: two chairs placed side by side, angled slightly inwards to face the sofa....
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/designmyroom › small living room ideas?
r/DesignMyRoom on Reddit: Small Living Room Ideas?
December 12, 2024 - It’s hard to tell from these photos but if you have space I’d get a small cute chair in a different fabric from the couch. I’d either put it where the ottoman is now or on the opposite side of the room if it’ll leave you enough space to walk between the doorways.
Discussions

Living room layout
🌐 r/InteriorDesign
36
110
August 18, 2025
Living room + office combo design feedback/ideas : InteriorDesign
Hi, I'm moving into an apartment with a 171" x 214" living room. This is the space I'll have to use for both dining, living, and office space for... More on old.reddit.com
🌐 r/InteriorDesign
Seating ideas for living room? : minimalism
I would love ideas for seating in my living room. It's for a family with several children. They're very active and hard on things. Looking on... More on old.reddit.com
🌐 r/minimalism
Any ideas for separation between living room and "dining room"?
Depending on how much you actually have someone over for dinner, I'd probably give up on having a dining area and maximize the living room area. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/malelivingspace
13
8
December 21, 2021
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Homes and Gardens
homesandgardens.com › interior design › living rooms
The Unexpected Living Room Seating Designers Swear By | Homes and Gardens
1 month ago - So to avoid a last-minute panic, this year, I asked designers how they design the perfect living room layout that will rise beautifully to the occasion, and their answer surprised me. It turns out: the swivel chair is where it's at. According to the experts, this unexpected living room seating idea is the secret to effortless entertaining: it encourages natural conversation clusters, keeps sightlines open, and makes the whole room feel more dynamic.
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The Brain & The Brawn
thebrainandthebrawn.com › home › awkward, narrow or long living room layout ideas: 15 clever designs (with tv, fireplace or without)!
Awkward, Narrow or Long Living Room Layout Ideas: 15 Clever Designs (With TV, Fireplace or Without)!
November 8, 2025 - Looking for a genius solution for your awkward, narrow or long living room? I’m a professional layout designer sharing my long living room layout ideas (plus exactly how to arrange furniture in an unusually-shaped living room)! Need help finding the perfect solution to your weird-shaped, ...
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Laurel Home
laurelberninteriors.com › home › blog › one living room layout – seven different ways!
One Living Room Layout - Seven Different Ways! - Laurel Home
February 25, 2023 - Taking some of the chairs out of ... a good idea. The area rug is a 9 x 12. This allows all of the furniture to rest on the carpet comfortably and still allows a wide enough path so that one isn’t walking half on and off the area rug. There is an exit into another room which is usually used as an office or playroom. This layout starts out ...
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Apartment Therapy
apartmenttherapy.com › best-living-room-layouts-2025-37523460
The 5 Best Living Room Layouts We Saw All Year Long (They’re Great for Small Spaces!)
2 days ago - Off to the side, two ottomans provide additional seating or an additional surface, depending on what’s needed that day. The living area is anchored by a rug that defines it from the rest of the open room. It’s a standard layout you’ve seen before, but executed in a way that works in a cozy spot.
Find elsewhere
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House Beautiful
housebeautiful.com › room ideas › living + family rooms › 99 designer-approved living room decorating ideas for every budget and style
99 Beautiful Living Room Decorating Ideas for 2025
4 days ago - These 99 beautiful living room decorating ideas effortlessly combine style and functionality. Find inspo in these designer spaces for solving every design challenge.
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Emily Henderson
stylebyemilyhenderson.com › the-5-go-to-no-fail-living-room-layout-configuration-options-to-make-the-most-out-of-your-space
The 5 Go-To/No-Fail Living Room Layout Configuration Options To Make The Most Out Of Your Space - Emily Henderson
August 30, 2022 - Can you just imagine all the fun game (and maybe wine) nights that have been held in this room?? Also, that organic coffee table is incredible and brings so much movement and contrasts the traditional style of the home perfectly. design by annie segal and marieke ochtman of asom home | styled by pop up home | photo by corey gibbons | from: tour this house flip in the hills (by emily’s friend of asom home) So these boucle beauts are more loveseat sized but you still get the idea. The difference with this layout is that the chairs are next to the fireplace and are on a diagonal.
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › things-that-make-your-living-room-look-small-11859617
Designers Agree: These 6 Things Instantly Make Your Living Room Look Smaller
5 days ago - The assumption is that large statement pieces would make a room look smaller in comparison, but they're actually helpful for grounding a space.
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HGTV
hgtv.com › home › decorating › living and dining rooms
Simple Living Room Layout Ideas
July 28, 2025 - Four armchairs centered around a coffee table creates a living room layout that allows for an excellent conversational or board game space. See These Living Room Do's and Don'ts ... If your living room frequently hosts many guests, consider opting for two sofas. It's especially important to keep walking paths in mind when arranging an open living room space. Make sure not to block the flow from room to room. See These Open-Concept Decorating Ideas
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Southern Living
southernliving.com › living-room-layout-ideas-11731622
9 Living Room Layout Ideas That’ll Have You Rearranging Your Space
May 9, 2025 - The living room of our 2022 Idea House in North Carolina proves that two truly are better than one, with designer Charlotte Lucas placing two Schumacher-fabric-wrapped Highland House sofas opposite each other, allowing for easy conversation. ... Laurey W. Glenn; Stylist: Matthew Gleason · This recipe for seating success relies on the dependable balance of the twin sofa layout mentioned in the previous setup, but rather than a couple of couches, designer Laura Hodges’ formula for our 2023 Idea House called for a pair of matching chairs opposite the sofa.
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ELLE Decor
elledecor.com › design + decorate › room ideas › 85 modern living room design ideas that are perfectly on trend
Looking to Redo Your Living Room? Start with These Designer-Approved Ideas
October 9, 2024 - Sometimes one must choose between a dining area over a living room—or vice versa. When space is limited, make miniature modern living rooms out of unused corners, like Augusta Hoffman did here in her elegant New York City apartment. ... Modernity lives in any time period.
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › rules-for-arranging-furniture-2213418
12 Rules for Arranging Living Room Furniture
October 13, 2025 - Here are a few living room furniture arrangement examples. Symmetrical layout: A symmetrical layout works in any size or shape room because it visually balances the space. Two sofas facing one another separated by a table is a symmetrical layout.
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Houzz
houzz.com › living photos › living room
75 Living Room Ideas You'll Love - December, 2025 | Houzz
Browse living room decorating ideas and furniture layouts. Discover design inspiration from a variety of living rooms, including color, decor and storage options.
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Grace In My Space
graceinmyspace.com › home › how to arrange furniture in a long living room (2025)
How to Arrange Furniture in a Long Living Room (2025) - Grace In My Space
December 16, 2024 - The first layout option is the one I currently have in my own living room. Two sofas and two armchairs. We eventually evolved our living room to add a second full sofa because we were hosting small groups and enjoy entertaining.
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Martha Stewart
marthastewart.com › living-room-layout-ideas-8765389
13 Living Room Layout Ideas for Any Size Space
September 28, 2025 - "Rather than matching everything, we used complementary styles, materials, and colors to create interest among all the upholstered furniture," says Todd. ... A sofa and two chairs is the classic layout for a square-ish living room, but it often ...
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Mix and Match Design
mixandmatchdesign.com › new-blog › living-room-layout-ideas
Living Room Layout Ideas
May 17, 2024 - Here’s another living room layout idea that’s really versatile. It adds a little more visual interest with the chairs on an angle instead of straight across. It also positions chairs nicely next to a fireplace if you have one.
Address   Richmond VA
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/interiordesign › living room layout
r/InteriorDesign on Reddit: Living room layout
August 18, 2025 -

We’re struggling with how to set up our living room. It’s a long narrow room with multiple windows and entryways, and I’m not sure how to make the most of it. Ideally, I’d love to create a cozy area for watching TV.

I’m open to moving the TV (it doesn’t need to be wall-mounted; I was even thinking about putting it in the corner). I’d really like to have either an L-shaped sectional or a couch with a chaise, but I’m not sure if the room can handle it with the way it’s laid out. We also want the space to work for hosting friends/family for things like watching sports, so extra seating that feels inviting would be great.

I’ll attach pictures and dimensions in the comments for reference. Any layout suggestions, furniture recommendations, or creative ideas are welcome!

Thanks in advance