Arranging furniture in a living room with a TV can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. There are some straightforward principles interior designers swear by to make your TV area look great without much hassle.
By following these basic rules, you can create a space that’s both functional and visually appealing. So, don’t worry – with a bit of common sense, arranging furniture around your TV can be a breeze!
How To Arrange Living Room Furniture With TV
Consider Popular Furniture Layouts
To make things easier, let’s focus on classic living room layouts that designers love. Here are some examples of furniture arrangements for beautiful living rooms.
- Symmetrical layout: A symmetrical layout is great for any room, big or small because it creates a sense of balance. For example, placing two sofas across from each other with a table in between is a symmetrical setup. Another symmetrical option is having a sofa with matching side chairs on each side.
- Floating layout: If your living room has lots of windows but limited wall space for furniture, try a floating layout. This means placing your furniture a few feet away from the walls, creating a central island in the room. You can then mount your TV on one of the walls around this setup.
- L-shaped layout: Combining an L-shaped living and dining room can be tricky because it’s an awkward space with limited wall space for furniture and TV. Typically, you have two walls to work with: one for placing the sofa along the longer side and another for positioning the TV directly in front of the sofa.
- Layouts for irregular rooms: Narrow Rooms, that have odd corners, or angled fireplaces can be challenging to arrange furniture in. The trick is to divide the space into zones using area rugs and furniture. You can also make a zone stand out by adding a big statement piece like a striking floor lamp.
- Layouts for long, narrow rectangular living rooms: In rooms with two long walls, it’s typical to put the sofa on one wall and the TV on the opposite wall, either mounted or on a stylish stand.
Choose a Focal Point
Don’t overlook the importance of having a focal point in a room. Sometimes it’s there naturally, like a big window or a fireplace mantel. Other times, you might need to create one, like with a TV stand and television. Once you’ve chosen your focal point, stick with it. Arrange your furniture around it as much as you can.
Determine TV Placement
When deciding where to put your TV, consider its size and other important factors. Here are some helpful tips:
- Put your TV in a spot in your living room where sunlight or other lights won’t cause glare on the screen.
- Don’t put your TV in busy areas where people walk by frequently. It’s annoying trying to watch TV when there’s constant foot traffic passing by.
- Typically, your TV should be placed so that it’s facing your seating area. This way, you can easily watch it from your couch or chair.
- Mounting a TV above a fireplace has its good and bad points, but if it’s done right, it can save space on the floor in a small living room.
Arrange Living Room Furniture With TV
The TV is an essential part of any living room, but sometimes obstacles can make arranging the space tricky. It’s important to ensure that your TV is easy to see without disrupting the flow of the room. We’ve done thorough research to find ways to arrange living room furniture that works well with typical TV setups.
When arranging your living room furniture around a TV, start by choosing the focal point – the main focus of the room – and consider how people will move around. Here are some options that might suit your living room and TV setup:
- U-Shaped Furniture
- L-Shaped Furniture
- Segmented Furniture and Wall Mount
- Conversation Area
- Perpendicular Layout
Although there are common living room layouts, the TV and furniture arrangement must match your tastes. Continue reading to discover which layouts will suit you best, the ideal TV height, and how far your couch should be from the television.
U-Shaped Furniture
This is a classic setup often seen in big or medium-sized living rooms. It directs all the focus towards your TV, rather than the furniture.
It creates a home theater vibe, ensuring everyone can see and hear comfortably. But, it might not work as well in a smaller living room, potentially disrupting the flow.
Arranging your furniture in a ‘U’ shape around the TV can block clear pathways for walking through. Ensure there’s enough space for foot traffic around the furniture.
L-Shaped Furniture
This layout is perfect for smaller living spaces, which are often found in apartments, studios, or townhouses.
An L-shaped setup offers clear views of the TV and provides a straightforward path to enter and exit the area.
Additionally, this setup occupies about two-thirds of the space compared to a U-shaped layout and shifts the attention away from the TV.
For those who want to read or chat, they can lounge on furniture positioned perpendicular to the TV, avoiding the direct face of the screen. It’s a nice compromise, especially for those living with roommates, and suits any vibe.
Moreover, an L-shaped layout works great for TV setups tucked into a corner of the room. This way, some furniture can be solely for the TV, while the rest maintains the typical living room setup.
Conversation Area
In this setup, the furniture faces each other, but only half of it has a clear view of the television.
Typically, the couches face the TV, while individual chairs are placed under the television facing the other way.
While this layout might not work for smaller living rooms, it’s a fantastic choice for medium-sized or larger spaces. It allows for easy movement across the room and makes the most of the available space.
This layout is often a good compromise when you want to use your living room for different purposes, giving both the TV and furniture equal focus. It’s versatile and encourages conversation while still providing easy TV viewing.
Perpendicular Layout
With this setup, all the furniture is positioned at right angles to the television. Typically, you’d mount the TV on the wall in such cases.
The perpendicular layout works well for small living rooms, which can sometimes feel cramped or narrow. It’s easy to move in and out of the room when the furniture is arranged thoughtfully.
A perpendicular setup emphasizes the furniture over the TV, giving off a relaxed vibe. It can feel like a cozy spot for breakfast or reading.
Moreover, this arrangement is perfect for those who often entertain guests or host parties. It caters to anyone who uses the TV casually and prefers engaging in conversation or other activities instead.
This layout might also have a bar-like feel to it. It’s particularly appealing to sports fans who enjoy watching games while chatting and eating during events.
How Far Should Couch Be From TV?
There are various guidelines for deciding this distance. Experts like TV Guides recommend taking into account both the size of the TV and its resolution.
They emphasize picture quality, suggesting that with higher-resolution TVs, you can sit closer without noticing pixels and disrupting the viewing experience. For instance, for a 50-inch, 1080p TV, they recommend sitting 7 feet away.
However, it’s worth considering how this might impact your eyes, especially if you watch TV frequently.
Experts, like those at Very Well Health, recommend that viewers use a rule of thumb where they multiply the size of the TV by five to determine the ideal distance between the TV and the couch.
Some experts propose multiplying the diagonal size of the TV by 1.5. Alternatively, you can use an 8:1 ratio, sitting one foot away for every inch of the TV’s total size.
Generally, most couches are positioned about 6 to 8 feet away from the TV. Additionally, it’s a good idea to check with your TV manufacturer, as they might provide more specific recommendations tailored to your model.
Should A TV Be Centered On A Wall?
Using careful symmetry can create a cozy and tidy look, which is often preferred. However, it’s not always essential to perfectly center the TV on a wall.
Instead, the placement should ensure comfortable viewing angles for you and your setup. As long as the TV maintains a clear, balanced relationship with the furniture and room, shifting its position across the wall can still result in a tidy appearance.
Can You Put A TV Behind A Sofa?
Although uncommon, unique furniture layouts are possible. For instance, if you have two couches, you could place the TV behind one to make the most of the space.
In a circular furniture setup, a smaller TV might be less imposing in a conversation area. Since sofas take up a lot of space, it’s preferable to use a smaller TV instead of trying to fit a larger one above the sofa.
What Is The Proper Height To Hang A TV?
The TV height is one of the most important considerations when planning your layout. It should suit the room’s purpose and ensure that everyone has a clear view of the screen.
The TV height should also be comfortable for extended viewing. This means taking into account the size and angle of the TV, as well as the size and height of your couch. Additionally, consider the size of the room and the distance between the TV and the couch.
You might also need to think about obstacles in the room, like radiators or fireplaces. Check out our article “How Much Space Between Electric Fireplace And TV?” for advice on maintaining a safe and balanced setup between them.
According to experts like Mantel Mount, a 55” TV should be positioned approximately 61 inches from the floor to the center of the screen, while a 42” TV should be placed around 56 inches from the floor to the center screen.
For maximum comfort, it’s ideal to keep the TV at eye level. So, measure the average eye level height of everyone in your home and place the television accordingly. You can use a laser level for precise measurements.
Summary
Your furniture and TV play important roles in your living room, so it’s essential to decide which one you want to prioritize.
Now that you understand how various layouts can change the room’s focus, you can design a well-balanced living room that meets your personal needs comfortably.