Decide on a use for the room. The way the seats are arranged with respect to one another will depend on your intended use of the space. In order to promote conversation, seats should face inward and toward each other. If you plan to watch television together, seats will tend to face in one direction.

Space out the chairs according to function. The distance between different seats can promote different types of interaction. Closely-spaced chairs are ideal for intimate conversation, while wider spacing is more suited to entertaining groups of friends who may need space to move about.

Position tables depending on function. The positioning of tables, credenzas, shelves, and other storage elements is more flexible than that of the chairs and sofas. Place them in convenient locations based on their intended uses.

• For instance, if you have a side table that you use to hold drinks, be sure that it is located within reach of a chair that you sit in often.

Part 2

Accounting for Room Size

1. Make the most of the space available. If you have a small space, limit the pieces of furniture in the room; you want to prevent your room from feeling overcrowded. Make sure that your arrangement encourages conversation without overwhelming the room’s space.
2. Furnish according to room shape. Open or square living rooms allow for more flexibility with furnishings. Pull furniture to the center of the room and arrange it around a small coffee table, for instance. If you have a long, narrow room instead, place furniture against the walls to make the space look larger.
3. Try the L-shaped arrangement to highlight other aspects of the room. This arrangement begins with the sofa, as this is typically the largest piece of furniture. Place it at a 90-degree angle from the fireplace. This one-sided seating arrangement makes it easier to entertain large groups and opens up the other half of your room.
4. Use the U-shaped arrangement to encourage conversation. This design starts with a sofa across from the fireplace, and incorporates two loveseats, each at a 90-degree angle from the fireplace, completing a “U” shape. Armchairs can replace the loveseats if you would prefer or if space is limited.

Part 3

Arranging a Focal Point

1. Position the seating at a comfortable distance from the fireplace. You want to allow for a comfortable level of heat on a chilly night, so keep at least two or three feet of space between seating and the fire. Keeping some space between the fireplace and your furniture will emphasize the fireplace as the focal point.
2. Place seating parallel to the fireplace. This will help to reinforce the fireplace’s role as the focal point of your room. After positioning your favorite seating element, the remaining chairs can be arranged based on your preferences.
3. Balance the entertainment center with the fireplace. Most living rooms with fireplaces will also contain a television and other entertainment center components. Your goal is to keep the television from becoming its own visual focal point, which could detract from the beauty of the fireplace and make the room feel less focused.
   • A convenient way to place the TV is by hanging it on the wall directly over the fireplace. This resolves two competing focal points by merging them into one.
4. Use a mirror to highlight your focal point. Your guests will assume that the room’s main attraction is wherever a large mirror is hung, if one exists in the room. Place one directly above or beside your fireplace to highlight its role as the room’s focal point.