Rule of Thumb | Living Room Edition
Our living rooms are at the heart of our homes and should support us in a number of activities, from entertaining to enjoying downtime. They should be highly functional, beautiful, comfortable and inviting. We at RBID have a few Rules of Thumb when it comes to living spaces that we want you to know!
HOW DO I ARRANGE MY SEATING?
More times than not, your seating should NOT be pushed up against a wall. If space allows, an arrangement where the seating is floating in the space, with at least 36” between the seating and any walls or other furniture, is best. This allows for flow around the seating arrangement while keeping it close for comfortable conversation.
If TV viewing is the main focus of your living room, you want to make sure to optimize your seating for that purpose. The main TV viewing seating should be placed 2.5x the diagonal measurement of the TV (dimensions in inches) away from the TV wall. For example, a sofa should be placed 150” away from a 60” TV for ideal viewing.
WHAT SIZE AREA RUG DO I USE?
An area rug is a crucial grounding element for any room. In your living space, a room-size rug that is roughly 8-12” away from all walls is ideal. At a minimum, the front legs of each piece of furniture should be resting on the rug.
Pro Tip! Don’t be intimidated by a 100% wool rug. We find this material actually performs best under wear and tear, and is easy to spot clean
WHAT SIZE COFFEE TABLE DO I NEED?
The coffee table (or ottoman!) is the second largest item you will most likely purchase for your living room. The coffee table should be 15” - 18” from the edge of your seating to allow for proper flow around it, while also keeping it within reach. With your seating in place and this Rule of Thumb, you can easily calculate the ideal size for your coffee table.
WHAT SIZE SIDE TABLES DO I NEED?
You might think a side table height is a pretty standard thing, but heights can vary greatly from one style to the next. Our Rule of Thumb is for the side table to be around the same height as the arm of your sofa or chair, plus or minus 3 inches.
Pro Tip! A similar principle can be applied to a console or sofa table that is placed behind a sofa. The table height should be the same height as the back of the sofa, or 2-3 inches LESS.
HOW HIGH DO I HANG MY LIGHT FIXTURE?
Are you truly using that ceiling fan in your living room?! If not, a living room is an excellent opportunity for a decorative light fixture! Allow for 7’ 6” from the floor to the bottom of your fixture.
We hope you find these Rules of Thumb helpful for getting your living space just right. If you’re stuck and not sure how to optimize your living space, we’re here to help! Give us a should to discuss our Furnishings and Decor services.
