How to Arrange Sofas in Your Living Room: Layout Ideas & Tips

Looking for inspiration and guidance on how to arrange sofas in your living room? You’re in the right place! We’ve got some brilliant living room layout ideas and tips to help you make the most of your space.

The right sofa arrangement is key to creating a living room that's functional, inviting, and aesthetically pleasing. Position your sofa in the wrong way, and you may find your room feeling cramped or uncomfortable.

Whether you have a small space or a large open area, this guide is full of living room ideas to help you nail interior design.

Let’s get to work on making your home look and feel amazing.


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Living Room Sofa Ideas to Inspire Your Home’s Interior


The sofa (or sofas) is likely to be the biggest piece of furniture in your living room and will take centre stage as the heart of the room. Sure, it needs to be accessible so you can hop on and off, but it’s also a focal point that will anchor the space.

Other main bits of furniture like display cabinets, coffee tables, and TV consoles, will all need a space, too, so you want to position your sofa in a way that creates a welcoming and functional layout.

We’ve pulled together our favourite sofa layout ideas to help you achieve the perfect look for your home.


1. A Corner Sofa in the Middle of the Room


Putting a corner sofa or L-shaped sofa in the middle of your room can really transform any living space into a cosy, welcoming spot, no matter how big or small.

This setup breaks away from the usual wall-hugging and adds a sense of openness and accessibility.

When you place a corner sofa in the centre, it naturally creates separate areas for different activities like watching TV, reading, or hanging out, all while keeping the room's flow intact. Plus, it brings people together and sparks conversation by inviting everyone to gather around.


Our Sofa Recommendation

We particularly love the Anna Chaise Corner Group for a sleek and modern corner sofa set-up that the whole family can use.
A modular sofa is also fantastic for creating a personalised, comfy zone that fits around your existing furniture and caters to everything you want in a sofa.

Find the Ideal Corner Sofa for Your Space

2. Symmetrical Living Room With Two Sofas


Putting two sofas opposite each other is a great way to create a symmetrical living room layout, especially in square or rectangular rooms.

This setup brings balance and harmony, making everything feel coordinated and organised. Plus, having the sofas face each other is perfect for conversations, turning the space into a cosy spot where guests can chat easily.

The symmetry means both sides of the room mirror each other, adding a touch of unity and elegance.


Our Sofa Recommendation

For this layout, we’d recommend our 2.5-seater or 3-seater sofas, like the comfortable Calgary 2.5 Seater Recliner or the Ada 3 Seater Static Sofa.


Ada 3 Seater Static Sofa
Usually in stock for quick delivery
Ada 3 Seater Static Sofa
Cyber December Price £649.00
Calgary 2.5 Seater Static Sofa
Calgary 2.5 Seater Static Sofa
Cyber December Price £1,461.00

Calgary 3 Seater SofaCalgary 3 Seater Sofa
Calgary 3 Seater Sofa
Cyber December Price from £1,349.00

3. Mismatched Sofas & Accent Chairs


Mismatched sofas and accent chairs, like the vibrant Emily Accent Chair, provide the perfect opportunity to inject your own personal style into your living room layout.

By mixing different pieces, you can create a living space that reflects your unique taste and stands out with character.

This approach encourages creativity, as you can experiment with various shapes, textures, and colours to evoke a particular mood or vibe.

Whether you’re aiming for an eclectic, contemporary, or bohemian style, mismatched furniture allows for flexibility and originality in your room design.


Our Sofa Recommendation

We love mixing and matching fabrics, like pairing the Amelia 2-Seater Sofa with the Brandon Chair for a dynamic living room.

Alternatively, combining patterns can be a great way to let your personality shine in your living room, for example, placing the Burghley Grand Sofa and the Noah Accent Chair next to each other.



Noah Accent ChairNoah Accent Chair
New
Noah Accent Chair
Cyber December Price £697.00
Burghley Grand Sofa
Burghley Grand Sofa
Cyber December Price from £1,851.00

Brandon ChairBrandon Chair
Brandon Chair
Cyber December Price from £561.00
Amelia 2 Seater Sofa
Amelia 2 Seater Sofa
Cyber December Price £636.00

4. A Floating Sofa Layout for a Large Living Room


A floating sofa layout can really change up a big living room by adding warmth and a cosy vibe.

Instead of pushing your sofa against the walls, try placing it in the middle to create a central seating area. This setup invites family and friends to gather and connect.

It also helps break up the space into different zones so it doesn’t feel like a vast hall – instead, you end up with these inviting little nooks.

The floating style also means you can switch things up easily and add furniture like side tables or floor lamps, like the Melvin Floor Lamp, without messing up the flow.

By anchoring your seating in the middle, the room becomes this adaptable, engaging space, perfect for both kicking back with friends and enjoying some quiet time.


Our Sofa Recommendation

To really nail this layout, you can’t beat a couple of large sofas facing each other on either side of a coffee table. We particularly love the Calgary Grand Sofa for this approach.

For more of a rustic and homely look, the Hardy 4 Seater Sofa is another Fairway Furniture favourite.


Balance Your Large Space With Our Range of 4-Seater Sofas

5. Keep it Simple for an L-Shaped Living Room Plan


For L-shaped rooms, keeping things simple by positioning a sofa opposite the TV is ideal. This straightforward layout takes advantage of the room's natural shape, creating a comfortable viewing area that feels both direct and intimate.

With the seating focused towards the TV, it designates one part of the room as the main entertainment zone, perfect for watching movies or relaxing with family.

The other section of the L-shaped room can then be transformed into a separate space, such as a reading nook, home office, or play area for children.


Our Sofa Recommendation

L-shaped living rooms tend not to have a lot of space for a sofa, so we like to keep it simple with the Eden 2.5 Seater Sofa or the Briony 2.5 Seater for a little more flair!


Make the Most of a Simple Space With Our 2.5-Seater Sofas

Remember to also invest in a high-quality TV unit, like the stunning Toledo TV Cabinet, to complete your entertainment space!


What Sofas Will Work Best in My Living Room?


Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise what kind of sofa you should have in your living room, so we've created a table that suggests some of the best types of sofas that work in the different sizes and shapes that living rooms come in.


Living Room Size Shape Best Sofa Styles
Small Square or Rectangle
  • Loveseat
  • Chaise Sectional
  • Apartment Sofa
Bay Window
  • Loveseat
  • Chaise Sectional
Long and Narrow
  • Loveseat
  • Chaise Sectional
Medium Square or Rectangle
Long and Narrow
  • Standard Sofa with a Chaise
Bay Window
  • Standard Sofa
  • Small Sectional
Large Open Floor Plan
  • Large Sectional
  • L-Shaped Sectional
  • U-Shaped Sectional
Bay Window
  • Large Sectional
  • U-Shaped Sectional
Long and Narrow
  • Large Sectional with a Chaise

How Many Sofas Should You Have?

As well as the type of sofa, the number of sofas you have in your living room will also depend on its size and shape, but also how many people are in your home.

As a general rule, a small living room can accommodate one sofa, while a medium or large space can have two to three sofas without feeling crowded.

You can also mix and match two-seater and three-seater sofas to create seating options for different occasions. Adding in an accent chair or two is always a great way to incorporate extra seating too!


Summary: Perfect Your Sofa Layout With Fairway Furniture


Designing your perfect living room layout is all about finding the right balance between furniture size and your personal style.

Pick pieces that fit well in your space and match your home's look, and by blending function with your taste, you can create a cosy and stylish vibe.

Browse our full range of sofas and chairs to find the perfect fit for your ideal living room layout.


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FAQs


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