Living room layout: tips for creating a modern and comfortable space

Photo: Instagram interiorhints
The layout depends on the area of ​​the room, the size of the windows, the presence of adjacent rooms, the needs and taste of the owner of the house, as well as the budget. Before you buy furniture or destroy interior floors, ask yourself a few questions.

What will you do in the living room: watch TV with your family, receive guests, have parties every Friday, work on the computer, read, meditate, do yoga? Will friends or relatives stay overnight in this room?

When you understand the purpose of a room, you won't make fatal mistakes. The secret to a successful layout is to build on functionality rather than chasing fashion trends.

Photo: Instagram myinterior

Developing a plan

Before you start arranging furniture, you need to prepare a plan that takes into account the following points:

• living room dimensions;
• location of windows and doors;
• location of radiator batteries and sockets.

In this case, it does not matter whether the layout of the living room is supposed to be in a private house or in an apartment.

The legislative framework

The layout of your home is regulated by established regulatory documents. Among them:

• SP 30-102-99;
• SN 70-88;
• SNiP 31-02-2001;
• SNiP 2.08.01-89.

The acts listed above establish the minimum parameters of premises. So:

• the living room must be at least 12 square meters. m;
• bedroom - from 8 sq. m;
• kitchen - 6 sq. m;
• bathroom - 1.8 sq. m;
• and toilet - 0.96 sq. m.

Sofa

Choosing a place for this furniture product requires fulfilling a number of conditions. First of all, you should not place the product near a window opening or the entrance to the room.

In addition, you need to take into account the type of product. Today the most popular varieties are:

• Classic sofa;
• Corner sofa.

The importance of winning design

A guest room is needed not only for serving household members - it performs a representative task. Therefore, you should evaluate in advance the views that will be open to guests from the entrance and think through key recreation areas.

Of course, well-placed decorations will be appreciated by the guests. Remember the accessories you want to show off:

• paintings;
• graphic drawings;
• porcelain figurines;
• own hobby;
• perhaps a beautifully designed collection of a child.

Layout variations

When arranging furniture and interior items, several layout variations are possible. Below we will talk about the three most relevant ones. For a more complete picture, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the photo of the living room layout.

Recommendations

First you need to decide where the lightest and darkest places in the room will be. This will allow you to avoid mistakes when zoning and installing light sources.

You should also consider what will be the “meaning center” in the setting. This could be a sofa or a TV. This item will need to be used as a starting point when placing the remaining elements of the furniture.

It is recommended to start planning a large living room or small hall by arranging large-sized furniture. Great importance is attached to maintaining a balance between occupied and empty space.

Remember, the comfort of being in the room depends on the amount of free space. If there is not enough of it, then using the room will be inconvenient.

It is equally important to provide passages between the furniture - nothing should interfere with free movement around the living room. In addition, it is worth considering in advance the location of equipment (television panel, computer, etc.). You also need to organize additional sockets if they are needed.

Experts advise thinking about creating a bright accent that will attract the attention of guests. This task can be assigned to a painting, an original lamp, decorative sofa pillows.

There are several ways to arrange the elements of a soft corner:

• parallel;
• in front of each other;
• angular;
• in the shape of the letter "P".

When arranging sofas and armchairs, you need to remember your “semantic” center (TV, fireplace, panel).

If the apartment has only one room or it is limited in area, then the living room will be forced to perform a number of other tasks. For example, it will become a place to sleep, an office, a dining room.

In such a situation, you cannot do without competent zoning. The following methods exist:

• erect a partition or small column;
• preserve part of the wall after planning work;
• separate zones using light;
• apply finishes of different textures and colors;
• use furniture to differentiate;
• highlight areas with textiles.

When doing zoning, it is important to adhere to one style direction. Sharp differences can cause visual dissonance.

Choosing a planning solution for the living room is one of the most important stages of its renovation. Only if everything is done correctly will it be cozy and comfortable to be in the hall. Therefore, take the time to consult with a specialist.

Asymmetric

An asymmetrical layout will expand the room from a visual point of view. This option is best suited to the latest stylistic trends, as well as living rooms of non-standard shape.

For example, in a polygonal room, an asymmetrical layout will allow you to hide the “cons” or, on the contrary, focus on one of the zones of the room.

Design Tips

Ideas for decorating the interior space of the living room appear with new originality every year. Trying to follow the season's trends in room design is not a good idea. It is enough to once properly decorate the room, properly organize the lighting and place the furniture.

Having a well-executed foundation, you can then add new and interesting accents inside the interior over time.

For example, to add a fresh touch to the usual style, you can use a bright carpet with an unusual pattern, a mirror with an original frame, change the textiles on the pillows or replace them with new ones, and install a false fireplace.

Or do something more ambitious and give one of the walls a completely new look - paint it a different color or cover it with new wallpaper. This technique can be done every season, creating a feeling of change in the entire interior.

Circular

This variation involves placement around the selected center. Here, the central element is usually a table placed near the sofa. The furnishings are placed at a certain distance from the center, thus creating a circle.

As a rule, this option is preferred in large living rooms.

What is allowed

According to established standards, you can:

• carry out the construction of low-rise residential buildings;
• erect any outbuildings on the territory;
• locate a garage in the basement area, install communication and engineering systems;
• build an open veranda as an extension.

Rectangular living room

The optimal arrangement of interior elements in a rectangular living room will allow you to organize several zones in the living room at the same time. As a rule, a rectangular living room is divided into a relaxation area and a dining area.

Zoning

You can’t do without zoning if you plan to use the room as a place to work, eat, or occasionally spend the night. Dividing the living room into zones allows you to improve its functionality, as well as correctly select and arrange pieces of furniture on the plan.

Zoning with an accent wall Source taylorwimpey.co.uk

For zoning, the most important thing is to maintain the stylistic or color unity of individual zones; otherwise, the space will be perceived as incomplete. The following techniques will help you distribute space beautifully:

• The use of finishing materials of different colors and textures.
• It is convenient to zone the space using furniture.

Zoning with furniture and color Source awesomedecors.us

• Highlighting zones with light serves as an additional method, since it only works in the dark.
• Textiles will help to elegantly delimit the territory: curtains and carpets.

Selection of zones using lamps Source pinimg.com

Narrow living room

Here you can immediately note a common mistake - placement along the longitudinal direction of a long wall. The best option is to arrange interior elements in accordance with an asymmetrical layout.

In this case, the following criteria must be taken as a basis:

• Compactness;
• Functionality.

Polygonal living room

Currently, polygonal living rooms are becoming increasingly popular.

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The “disadvantage” of such a living room is that the interior elements are difficult to access. Indeed, in most cases it is necessary to make furniture products to order.

Modern stylistic trends in interior design make it possible to beat this “minus”, turning the lack of a polygonal room into an interesting feature.

For example, you can choose one of the two options below. Each of them will allow you to place furniture in an original way and highlight the characteristic features of a polygonal living room. So, you can:

• When choosing furnishing elements, prefer a non-standard design. For example, purchase a cabinet of a specific shape;
• Highlight an irregular corner, allowing it to become a central interior element.

Flooring

The flooring can be any of the construction products available on the market. The choice depends only on personal preferences and financial capabilities.

You can choose one of the following options:

• Wooden covering, which involves laying solid boards or piece parquet. The advantage of such a coating is durability and environmental friendliness; the disadvantages include high cost and complexity of installation;
• Laminate, which is a multi-layer coating that imitates natural wood. The advantages of laminate include: reasonable price, ease of installation, variety of colors, durability. Its only drawback is its fragility;
• Ceramic tiles. This material is rarely used for living rooms, but with its help you can create a unique interior, also in combination with other materials. The tiles are durable, easy to maintain, and durable. Disadvantages include: cold floor and fragility of the material;
• Linoleum is one of the popular floor coverings due to its price-quality ratio. Easy to care for, durability, range and ease of installation are the main advantages of linoleum;
• Marmoleum is a natural analogue of linoleum, the main advantages of which are durability, antibacterial properties and thermal insulation. The high price is a disadvantage of this material;
• Carpet. Soft and easy to install material. Disadvantages: not hypoallergenic and requires constant care.

Wardrobe as an interior element

To make the living room configuration more reminiscent of a square one, designers recommend paying attention to the closet.

The product should be installed in the longitudinal direction of the end wall. To visually enlarge the space, it is recommended to purchase a mirrored cabinet.

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TV as a central element

It is usually advised to start placing furnishings by choosing a place for the TV. After this, it’s worth starting to organize a soft zone.

However, it is undesirable to choose a place near a window opening, otherwise sunlight will interfere with viewing.

If we talk about the distance between the TV and, for example, chairs, then the calculation is based on the diagonal dimensions of the device. It is best if the distance is 3-5 TV diagonals.

Room location

Already at the design stage, you should decide which rooms in the house will be light, sunny, and which rather dark. Through the northern windows, the sun's rays practically do not enter inside. It is convenient to orient the living room or hall to the west side, and it is advisable to turn the bedrooms to the east. For kitchen windows, the south or east side is suitable; it is better to place the staircase closer to the north side. It is worth deciding in advance which rooms will be equipped with air conditioning.

If the bedroom windows face east, you will have to think about blackout curtains in advance. Otherwise, the bright morning sun will disrupt proper rest.

It should be noted that from this side, early heating of the room by the sun's rays is quite possible even in late autumn. True, in the summer the luminary rises faster, and it does not have time to significantly heat the room. If there is a noisy highway or just a busy place under the windows, it is better not to plan rest rooms in this side.

Room lighting

South windows are an excellent option for those who love light and warmth. Plants in such a room mostly feel good. True, it is better to cover them from the scorching spring and summer rays with special screens. Without air conditioning in such a room in the summer it can be quite difficult. On the south side, in front of the house, it is a good idea to plant trees. During the warm season, they will shield the building from the burning sun; in winter, having lost foliage, they will not cover such a desirable luminary at this time of year.

In a two-story house, the kitchen and utility rooms are usually located on the ground floor, and all bedrooms are located on the second.

Passage width

When placing furniture products, it is worth considering that the distance between them should not interfere with comfortable passage. In large living rooms, the width of passages can reach up to 1 m.

It should be noted that the area of ​​the functional zone can be calculated. In this case, the length of the interior element is summed with the free zone area multiplied by two.

The resulting value is multiplied with a sum that includes the width of the element and twice the area of ​​the free zone.

Briefly about the main thing

Arranging a living room begins with creating a plan. A competent layout makes the room aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, and also helps solve the issue of functionality. The layout will be successful if it takes into account the tastes of the owners, as well as the features of the room: its dimensions, ceiling height, location of window and door openings.

The final furniture arrangement plan should be balanced; upholstered furniture is placed in several ways, depending on the shape and size of the room. For a small living room, light decoration, light curtains and compact furniture are relevant. It is easier to divide a large living room into comfortable functional areas, and this can be done in different ways, using furniture, decoration or lighting.

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Composition

Composition is exactly what will allow you to correctly place interior elements in a specific room. To organize a composition, the triangle rule is often used.

So, in the living room you can place a sofa with tables on the sides and place a panel on the wall above the furniture. This option will add symmetry to the room.

Design features

An expressive and noble decoration of the living room can be achieved through beige shades of creme brulee, golden curtains with a brocade sheen, blue curtains with fringe, a massive grandfather clock with a chime, and ivory-colored furniture with skillful carvings.

The classic style often contains antique furniture, palace and multi-tiered chandeliers with pendants, wide cornices, white ceiling plinths and, without fail, a fireplace - a symbol of the hearth.

Dinner Zone

The layout of the living room (dining area) is also a pressing issue for many people.

Here, first of all, you should take into account the dimensions of the room and, based on this, conclude whether it is possible to form a dining area in a particular room.

If possible, the best option would be to place the table in the center of the square that was chosen for the dining area. Chairs will be placed around this square. The area occupied by the zone should be no more than 3 m².

If the dimensions of the living room do not allow you to create a full-size dining area, then instead of a table you can put, for example, a bar counter and two small chairs.

Important aspects when planning

Before you start planning the interior, you should decide on the shape of the room. The most convenient of all possible ones is a square, but the premises do not always correspond to this shape.

It is easiest to arrange furniture in a square room, but in irregularly shaped rooms it is often necessary to use non-standard approaches. For example, in a rectangular room it is not recommended to install furniture in the middle, since, firstly, the space will be greatly reduced, and, secondly, it will not be possible to move freely around the area.

As an option, you can use wall shelves, and other furniture should be installed along the walls. It is worth paying attention to the color scheme, which should be based on contrast.

For rectangular rooms, this approach is another way to increase space. For rooms that look like a trapezoid, unusual ceilings are suitable, which can consist of several levels.

Non-standard corners of the trapezoid are closed, for example, with shelves. Sometimes it is convenient to make a specially shaped shelving unit for this angle, which is then painted in a contrasting color and will decorate the entire room.

Photo of the living room

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