Arranging your furniture the right way goes a long way towards creating a living space that is both comfortable and appealing to the eye. Although there are no rules set in stone when it comes to arranging furniture, following design guidelines can help you make the most of your space. The goal for any living room is to create a space for socializing and relaxing that’s both functional and inviting. Check out these tips for making your living room the best it can be:

Determine the Focal Point

The focal point of any room is considered to be the natural center of attention. For many, the living room’s focal point is the television. Whether your focal point is the TV, or perhaps the fireplace, arrange your furniture so it’s easy to see the focal point. While you don’t have to arrange the furniture directly in front of the focal point, you want to make sure not to impede the view. Furniture should be placed so the first thing people notice when entering the room is this area.

Find the Room’s Center

The center of the room is an ideal spot for your coffee table. One design strategy is to find the center of the room first, then add furniture around it. When choosing a coffee table for your living room, make sure to select the right size. A table that is too big for the room can overwhelm your space, while a table that is too small won’t provide the surface area necessary for holding books, beverages, and other items. Place seating around your living room’s center so the coffee table can be reached easily.

Create Symmetry

Arranging your furniture with symmetry in mind adds an element of formal elegance to your living room. For example, when creating a seating area, opt for two chairs and two small side tables instead of one. Symmetrical groupings of décor elements like candles and wall art can also help encourage the feeling of alignment in the room.

Arrange for Comfort

Make comfort priority one when arranging your living room furniture. If you’ll be watching television in your living room, experiment with different sofa placements to discover the most comfortable viewing position. Ample seating is important for any living room, so add accent chairs, or even a grouping of large beanbags, so guests have a comfortable place to recline. Placing side tables next to seating provides a convenient surface for drink or food placement.

Utilize Vertical Space

Don’t forget about vertical space when arranging your living room furniture. If you don’t have a lot of room for tables in your living area, consider adding wall shelves for displaying and storing books and decorative items. To make your living room look bigger, add a pair of tall rectangular mirrors close to the room’s focal point. There is no limit to what you can do with the vertical space in your living room. For example, you can find faux fireplaces that actually hang on the wall to provide heat and add visual interest to the room.

No matter what you are trying to achieve in your living room, proper arrangement of furniture can help facilitate. By taking some of these design guidelines into consideration, you are sure to find the set up you are looking for.