A well-composed living room reads like a picture: the eye lands on one thing first, then moves calmly through the rest. It comes from a few decisions made in the right order: what the room looks at, how the seating is layered around it, how heights step up and down, and what ties the group together on the floor.
This guide walks through those decisions with typical dimensions you can check against your own floor plan. Some of the examples come from planning the living-room settings on our stand at IIFF 2026.
Start with one focal point
Every living room needs a clear answer to the question "what does this room face?" In most homes it is one of three things: a window with a view, a fireplace or feature wall, or the television. When two compete, decide which one the main sofa faces and treat the other as secondary.
- View or window: place the sofa facing it or at a right angle to it, not with its back to the glass if the view is the reason for the room.
- Fireplace or feature wall: centre the seating group on its axis; symmetry works well here.
- Television: a common rule is a viewing distance of about 1.5 to 2.5 times the screen diagonal.
Once the focal point is fixed, everything else supports it. A sculpture, a large canvas or a strong lamp works well as a secondary accent, but it should sit to one side rather than on the same axis.
Layer the seating: sofa, armchairs, tables
Think of the seating group in three layers. The first is the main sofa, which sets the scale. The second is one or two armchairs that close the conversation circle. The third is the low layer of coffee and side tables that everyone can reach from their seat.
The sofa is the anchor, so choose it first and let its length guide the rest. A three-seater of around 220 to 250 cm suits most rooms; in a larger room a sectional, or two sofas facing each other, can carry the space. A model with clean lines such as the Platon sofa gives a calm base.
Armchairs then close the group. Place them opposite the sofa or angled at about 30 to 45 degrees towards it, so people can talk without turning their heads. A pair of matching armchairs, such as the Gloria armchair, adds symmetry; a single armchair in a contrasting leather or fabric works as a deliberate accent.
The table layer comes last. Typical guidance is to leave 40 to 50 cm between the sofa and the coffee table, to make the table about two-thirds the length of the sofa, and to add a side table next to any seat the coffee table does not reach. Our coffee table collection includes single tables as well as sets.
Work with heights
A room feels balanced when heights step up gradually instead of jumping. Typical levels:
- Coffee table: about 35 to 45 cm, level with or slightly below the seat.
- Seat height: usually 40 to 46 cm for sofas and armchairs.
- Side table: close to the height of the sofa arm, often 50 to 60 cm.
- Back height: low backs of 70 to 80 cm keep the room open; higher backs create a more enclosed, intimate group.
Hang art so that its centre is roughly 145 to 155 cm from the floor, or about 20 to 30 cm above the back of the sofa. If every piece in the room is low, add one vertical element, such as a floor lamp, a tall plant stand or a bookcase, so the composition does not feel flat.
Anchor the group with a rug
The rug defines where the living area begins and ends. The most frequent mistake is a rug that is too small and floats in the middle of the seating. Common guidance:
- At least the front legs of every seat should rest on the rug.
- The rug should extend 15 to 20 cm beyond each end of the sofa.
- Leave 30 to 60 cm of visible floor between the rug and the walls.
For a typical group of a three-seater and two armchairs, this usually means a rug of around 250 x 350 cm.
Balance rather than perfect symmetry
Symmetry is calm and easy to read. Asymmetry feels more relaxed but needs a counterweight: a large sofa on one side can be balanced by two armchairs and a tall lamp on the other. Visual weight also comes from colour and material. A dark leather sofa reads heavier than a light fabric one, so place it where the room can take it, often along the longest wall.
Keep walking routes clear: about 80 to 90 cm for main paths and at least 45 cm between pieces. Our article on how circulation patterns influence furniture placement covers this in more detail.
What a fair stand teaches about composition
A trade-fair stand is a living room with no walls to hide behind. Each setting has to work from the aisle: one clear focal piece, a sofa and armchairs that form a closed circle, and tables and accessories kept low so the seating stays visible. The same test works at home. If someone standing in the doorway can see at once where to sit and what the room faces, the composition is right.
Ordering pieces that fit the plan
Every Sitdesign piece is handmade in our own factory in Büyükçekmece, Istanbul, and custom dimensions are available on request. Upholstered frames are kiln-dried beech with high-resilience (HR) foam over sprung seating, covered in genuine leather from 76 colours or in fabric; customer's own material (COM) is also accepted.
Send us your floor plan and the pieces you are considering through our contact page. We will send leather samples on request and prepare a quote.
Recent Articles
