As the most-used spaces in many homes, living rooms often need to multitask as open entertaining areas, cozy family rooms, and bold style statements. To meet different needs and lifestyles, living room seating includes couches, chairs, benches, and chaises. To take the anxiety out of picking the perfect piece, remember that the best living rooms focus on living. Use our furniture styling and arrangement tips to create spaces that add beauty and simplicity to your daily routine.

Size Restraints & Budget

When selecting living room pieces, the goal is to create a harmonious space. To ensure that sofas and chairs don't seem too large or too small for the rest of the room, avoid dramatic contrasts in furniture size. Couches and armchairs with seats about the same height from the ground will automatically look more coordinated. However, to accommodate a large family or many guests, seating options of several heights and depths help your layout pull double duty for both tall and petite.

To create clear walkways and plenty of leg room, leave space between each piece of furniture. While extra long or oversized plush sectionals are great for making large rooms feel luxurious and cozy, consider narrow furniture on a smaller scale for tight spaces like apartments. Groups of loveseats or armchairs can be a versatile and budget-friendly alternative to the traditional sofa. In open floor plan homes, backless benches are a great option to separate living spaces from dining rooms without interrupting the eye's movement across the room.