Considering how you’ll arrange your furniture in a living room is important. Not only does it set the tone for how you’ll live in that room but it can help you create a comfortable and welcoming environment that makes the most of your space.  Here are some tips to consider when you’re arranging – or rearranging – your furniture.

Start with a plan – Before you start to move anything take some time to create some rough sketches.  This helps to get your creative juices flowing and it can save you from doing a lot of unnecessary moving or lifting.   You can also visit the online England Furniture Room Planner to help you get started.

TV or talk? – Consider how you intend to use your living room.  Do you plan to primary watch TV, play video games or sit in front of a fireplace?  Do you primarily use the room for visiting with others and holding conversations?  If it’s the former you’ll likely want to create a space where the TV screen, fireplace (or any other item of attention) acts as your focal point.  Place the sofa across from your focal point and angle all other pieces to face the same direction.  This allows everyone a good look at the television or crackling fire.  If you plan to use the room primary for conversation consider using the face-to-face stance. Here two sofas (or a sofa and a pair of chairs) sit directly across from one another, with the focal point at one end. Positioning the seating in this fashion facilitates conversation because no one has a direct view of the focal point. It can also be useful when the room will be primarily used for reading, working on a laptop, or listening to music.

Be flexible – Now that you have some idea how the room will be primarily used and you have some plans in place remind yourself to also be flexible.  Don’t be afraid to make some changes.  Sometimes you simply won’t fully know how things will look until they’re actually in place.  Be ready to make a few tweaks and changes here and there.

Be kind – As you arrange your furniture be mindful how others will walk in the room and what activities they’ll do in this room.  When trying out your furniture arrangement make sure you allow enough space between furniture corners so people can move without bumping into them.  Also try to give everyone a resting place for their book, drink or plate of food.  Consider where all the electrical outlets are located and ask yourself if a person will use a laptop (or other electronic device) near a given piece of furniture.

Matching your space – If an arrangement simply isn’t working you may need to clear out some space. Try removing one or two pieces of furniture into a different room.  Don’t be afraid of empty space. If you need a new piece to make your furniture arrangement work, leave that space empty for a little while and and then consider the vast variety of pieces available to you from England Furniture.