Planning a sofa and a love seat at a very long room presents a struggle when you have to provide a comfortable seating area for numerous purposes: having conversations, viewing television or just relaxing. You have to plan for traffic flow, and the seating arrangement should relate to the focal point in the room. The positioning of windows and doors leads to the ultimate success of any arrangement.
Establish a Focal Point
Every room requires a focal point, something to draw the eye. In a conventional living room, the fireplace wall typically becomes the focus. In today’s homes, however, a television screen or an entertainment center can challenge the fireplace for attention. In certain rooms, both of these elements compete with one another, making it necessary to neutralize the competition by combining them on a single wall, so that seating handles both focal points.
The L-Shaped Arrangement
Put the two largest seating pieces vertical to one another and facing the focal point — the fireplace or amusement center — with the lengthier piece parallel to the fireplace. Allow at least an 18-inch-wide passageway to enter the seating area. If you can, have the love seat face the entryway into the room so that it creates an inviting feeling. Another L-shaped arrangement sets the sofa parallel into the end wall of the room facing the door and the love seat across the wall. Add end tables flanking the love seat for convenience and lamps or a coffee table to relate both seating pieces. Floor lamps or recessed lighting provide decent lighting without using up floor space.
The H-Shaped Arrangement
The H-shaped arrangement is possible if the room is broad enough to place the sofa vertical to the fireplace or amusement center wall. Set the love seat facing the seat and then parallel to it. A coffee table between both big seating pieces provides convenience and also makes them relate to one another. Allow 18-inch clearances between the seating and the table. An occasional chair or an upholstered hassock placed beside the loveseat adds seating or an optional footrest.
Parallel to Wall Arrangment
For an arrangement parallel to the walls, middle the loveseat over the wall in the room and the sofa on wall. Add chairs angled toward the sofa and away from the fireplace or amusement wall. Add coffee tables before each of these larger seating pieces. An upholstered hassock and an occasional chair can include seating possibilities about either table.
Strive for Balance
A fireplace, an entertainment center or a wall-hung television adds height and creates a focal point in the room. Use the big, low seating pieces to balance these dominant elements. Balance light sources by putting lamps to equalize the results of natural light from windows and also to provide adequate light options.