Compare Living Room Furniture

Start with the focal point, whether a fireplace, window or TV, and face the sofa toward it. Allow 30–36 inches for main walkways and 16–18 inches between couch and coffee table, so drinks are within reach without crowding knees. In larger rooms, pull seating off the walls into a conversation area. Floating furniture makes a room feel more expansive, not less, and gives traffic a natural path around it.

A couch, one or two accent chairs, a coffee table, an end table within arm's reach of every seat and one storage piece, such as a media console, credenza or bookcase. Layer lighting overhead, at table height and on the floor. Choose the couch first, since its length, depth and color set the scale and palette, and every other piece is easier to select once it is decided.

Echo each finish at least three times, for instance walnut in the coffee table, bookcase and a picture frame, with one dominant wood tone. Keep leg styles and seat heights related so pieces sit comfortably together. Then let one statement piece stand apart on purpose. Comparing designs from many retailers side by side makes these connections easier to see before anything arrives.

Piece by piece, in most cases. Matching sets are convenient but tend to look staged, while buying individually lets you invest in the couch and rug and save on end tables and decor. Near-identical designs often sell at noticeably different prices across retailers, so comparing before you commit can free budget for the pieces you use every day.

Choose furniture on raised legs so more floor shows, and keep the largest pieces low and along the longest wall. A rug big enough for the front legs of every seat makes the room read as one space rather than several islands. Round or oval tables ease traffic, and a mirror beside or across from a window bounces daylight deeper into the room.

Spend on what you use daily and plan to keep: the couch, a reading chair and a generously sized rug. Save on end tables, shelving and decor, which are easy to swap as your taste evolves. Lighting deserves a middle course, because a well-chosen floor or table lamp changes the room's mood more than almost any accessory, at a fraction of the cost of upholstery.

Living Room

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Frequently Asked Questions

Living Room

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Design Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I lay out a living room?+

What furniture does a living room need?+

How do I mix furniture from different brands without it looking mismatched?+

Is it better to buy living room furniture as a set or piece by piece?+

How can I make a small living room feel bigger?+

Where should I spend and where can I save when furnishing a living room?+