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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Emily Henderson
stylebyemilyhenderson.com › small-space-living-room-layout-tips
How To Lay Out An Awkward Living Room + Ajai's Hack That Will Save You A Lot Of Agony - Emily Henderson
March 23, 2022 - I’ve also learned that for our little family, a polyfill works best, as our little one loves to climb up and down the furniture daily – this fill keeps its form much more than down. I also grew tired of sinking into our old sofa while trying to nurse – this was a constant battle. In addition, one side of the sofa kept a completely different shape, as my husband favored sitting in that spot. Because we are in Las Vegas now, we opted for a medium-weight linen fabric, in the color Jasmine Rice. I sourced a small round wooden stool for our coffee table so that it could be moved around as needed, and an antiqued wooden stool small enough to be used as a side table on either side of the sofa.
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Better Homes & Gardens
bhg.com › decorating › small-spaces › strategies › small-living-room-furniture-arrangement
15 Small Living Room Layout Ideas That Maximize Space
October 13, 2025 - To create an open and orderly look, use mirrored furniture arrangements in your small living room. By placing identical armchairs, poufs, and table lamps symmetrically, you create a spacious and visually pleasing environment.
Discussions

Small Living Room Ideas?
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. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/DesignMyRoom
17
44
December 12, 2024
Furniture Suggestions in Small Living Room
Okay- so bear with me- you need a rug- that’s the green red is the sofa- I think sectionals don’t work 75% of the time so I did a normal sofa coffee table is pink two chairs with the back to the window for additional seating blue is media console brown is Keneals (though I would not want them in my living room) - can you keep them anywhere else? 7 ) drapes for the windows Questions for you- what’s the budget and what colors do you like? More on reddit.com
🌐 r/DesignMyRoom
16
8
December 31, 2024
How should I arrange furniture in my living room?
I think that I like 2 the best. The placement of the TV in that location is the best of the three. In 1 and 3 the placement of the TV, in close proximity to the full length window, could create a glare, making it harder to see More on reddit.com
🌐 r/DesignMyRoom
21
5
March 2, 2025
How should I arrange the furniture in this tiny living room?
I would really really not get a sectional with a chaise in here. There is a reason that room is staged the way it is. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/HomeDecorating
43
27
July 2, 2024
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › small-living-room-layouts-8663432
17 Small Living Room Layouts That Actually Make Your Room Feel Bigger
August 14, 2024 - Arrange seating around your focal point. Consider floating furniture to define zones and make it easy to circulate around the space. Define individual zones for watching TV or create a conversation area depending on your lifestyle.
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Bassett Furniture
bassettfurniture.com › blog › small-living-rooms.html
32 Small Living Room Ideas
January 3, 2020 - In fact, by bringing furniture away from the wall, you make the illusion of more space. "Float" a couch or sectional to face a fireplace window or media wall and unite the room's elements with an area rug.
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Jack Cooper
jackcooper.com › home › 19 small living room layout ideas that work best
19 Small Living Room Layout Ideas That Work Best - Jack Cooper
November 6, 2025 - A circular seating layout is great for small spaces meant for gathering and relaxing. Arrange chairs and a small sofa around a round coffee table to create an inviting, social setup.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/designmyroom › small living room ideas?
r/DesignMyRoom on Reddit: Small Living Room Ideas?
December 12, 2024 - I would move the couch away from the wall and float it as a room divider of its small enough. Then shift the TV to smaller wall. I would buy darker curtains and hang them slightly higher so the window is a statement piece. If you’re putting something in front of the windows keep it small like a chair or bench seating.
Find elsewhere
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TheCoolist
thecoolist.com › living rooms
30 Chic Living Room Ideas Perfect for Small Spaces Needing Simple Ways to Feel More Styled
2 weeks ago - That’s the magic—effortless elegance you can actually live in. ... You know those interiors that just feel like a mood board come to life? This is one of them. Ornate ceiling moldings, a carved marble fireplace, and that massive antique mirror all deliver peak Parisian drama, while earthy textures and a grounding brown sofa keep things relaxed. There’s something irresistibly undone about this room. The low tulip arrangement, a casually slung throw, and imperfect stacks of books—it’s all perfectly imperfect.
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Apartment Therapy
apartmenttherapy.com › living-and-dining-room-together-small-spaces-268565
13 Small Living Dining Room Ideas That Are So Functional | Apartment Therapy
July 29, 2025 - Typically, furniture is placed perpendicularly to walls in a room. But sometimes, you can eke out a little extra square footage if you work with more of an angular arrangement. Try putting your furniture on the diagonal to open up an area for ...
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Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 6457791 › how-would-you-layout-my-small-living-room
How would you layout my small living room?
I think there might be a better way to layout my small (11' x 12') living room, but not sure how. Should I have less furniture? Bigger furniture? Both? There might be too much furniture now, but I like having three different seating areas for conversation. I'm open to investing in new furniture, ...
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2Modern
2modern.com › trends and inspirations › how to › how to arrange furniture in a small living room
How To Arrange Furniture In a Small Living Room - 2Modern
Arrange Furniture Around It: Position your main seating area to face the focal point. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also promotes a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/designmyroom › furniture suggestions in small living room
r/DesignMyRoom on Reddit: Furniture Suggestions in Small Living Room
December 31, 2024 -

I need to buy new furniture for this space. Our living room looks like a kids first apartment... (Mostly because that's what this furniture was and we're just now upgrading.) I know it needs color, more homey touches and art. My biggest problem is starting with anchor pieces.

I want to get new furniture but I can't figure out how to put things in this room without it being over crowded or too empty.

I need at least 3 seats, preferably 4. And space for 2 medium dog kennels. I might get one of those entertainment center tables that had two kennels built in.

If you had this space what anchor pieces would you buy and how would you arrange the furniture?

I like cozy home stuff, antiques and cottage look. But my partner prefers a more traditional style, in his own words "like my parents house in the 90s". 🫠

*That ugly random light fixture is going, it's on the to-do list. But for now I hate everything and it provides light.

*Winter is the Shihtzu that insisted on being in the photographs.

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Pinterest
pinterest.com › explore › home decor
15 Small Living Room Layout Ideas That ...
February 2, 2016 - Make the most of your space with these small living room layout ideas that get creative with furniture arrangements and interior design.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/designmyroom › how should i arrange furniture in my living room?
r/DesignMyRoom on Reddit: How should I arrange furniture in my living room?
March 2, 2025 -

Blue is a couch, green are bar stools, orange is dining tables and chairs, purple is TV and TV stand, and yellow is miscellaneous furniture (i.e. coffee table, side table, etc.). In the upper left of 1, 2, and 3 is a kitchen countertop with a sink. The lower window in 1, 2, and 3 is a full floor to ceiling window. Any opinions on how I should set up furniture or which layout might be best? Ideally, I'd like the space to appear less cluttered and more open, but I do also like being able to easily see the TV from the couch (i.e. getting a large TV or setting it close to the couch). Pictures are not to scale. Thanks!

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HGTV
hgtv.com › home › decorating › living and dining rooms
Simple Living Room Layout Ideas
July 28, 2025 - See More Furniture Arrangement Tips ... Matching armchairs positioned across from one another with a sofa along the walls and small coffee table in the center creates an intimate seating ...
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House Beautiful
housebeautiful.com › room ideas › living + family rooms › 62 clever small sitting room ideas that designers swear by
Designers Say This Is the "Perfect" Seating Arrangement for Small Rooms
1 month ago - In this small living room idea, designer Amanda Jacobs focused the design on human connection rather than the TV. She turned the two chairs on one side of the room toward the couch on the other so the client's family could all comfortably sit and converse. ... When Ashley Gilbreath was designing this sun-drenched living room, she opted for furniture she knew would age gracefully.
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Wayfair
wayfair.com › furniture › small spaces › small space living rooms
Small Space Living Rooms You'll Love | Wayfair
Looking at the reflection of the leather, Imaging the smooth touching feeling, this mid-century modern armchair with a sturdy solid wood frame and premium faux leather décor your home with a classy style. The curves of the armrests show the elegant look of this retro PU leather accent armchair. Perfectly suit your living room, bedroom, reading area, and the relaxing area of the office. This chair for the living room is the best addition to a small space.
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Pinterest
pinterest.com › lynniegriffith › small-living-room
Small living room
Bay Window Sofa Arrangement · 5m X 3m Living Room Layout · Room With Bay Window Layout · Bay Window And Fireplace Living Rooms · Square Room Furniture Layout · How To Furnish A Square Living Room · How To Design A Square Living Room · 6x6 Living Room Layout · Furniture Layout For Small ...