A good living room feels comfortable without anyone being able to say why. These five principles do most of the work.
1. Start with how you use the room
Decide the main activities first: conversation, TV, reading, work. Arrange the furniture around them, and leave clear walking routes of roughly 75 to 90 cm.
2. Anchor the layout
Place the largest piece, usually the sofa, first, and build a conversational group around it. A rug large enough for at least the front legs of every seat ties the group together.
3. Layer the lighting
Use three layers: ambient (ceiling or wall lights), task (reading lamps) and accent (picture lights or table lamps). Warm bulbs around 2700 K suit living spaces.
4. Keep scale in proportion
Choose furniture that fits the room. Oversized pieces make it feel cramped, while tiny ones look lost. Vary heights, with some low and some tall elements, so the eye keeps moving.
5. Limit the palette, add texture
Pick two or three main colours and repeat them. Then add interest with texture: linen, wool, wood and metal. A single contrasting accent, such as a cushion or artwork, is enough.
Try arranging furniture on paper or with masking tape on the floor before buying anything.