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Furniture for long living room


How To Arrange Furniture In A Long Living Room

These design tips will show you how to arrange your furniture – the right way  – to create a cohesive layout that feels stylish, cozy and looks pulled together!

Is your living room long? Arranging furniture in a long living room can be very challenging!

If your living room resembles a bowling alley, use these clever design tricks to open up the space and arrange your furniture the right way!

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1. Create Zones

Don’t clump all your furniture in one grouping because this will emphasize the long look of your living room.

The goal is to make a long living room look cohesive and pulled together.

Treat your long living room like an open concept space and create separate furniture groupings into separate zones.

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How Do You Divide A Long Living Room?

Divide and separate your living room furniture into two or 3 separate zones or groupings.

This will help spread furniture throughout the length and eliminate any bare spots.

You can create a tv watching zone, a zone to play board games or read.

Or you can create a small dining zone, or small office zone.

See: Inexpensive Ways to Make Your Home Look Expensive!

2. Furniture That Fits

A long living room can be impossible to arrange if your furniture is bulky and large.

So it pays to invest in the right pieces that are more compact and streamlined – like apartment sofas that are smaller scale than regular sized sofas.

Click on the images below to shop beautiful apartment size sofas:

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Also avoid too many furniture pieces which will make the long living room look cluttered and can hinder walkways.

If you need extra chairs for the occasional big family get together (Christmas, Thanksgiving), buy some stacking chairs like these and store them in another room. Pull them out when you need them!

3. Pull Furniture Away From Walls

Placing furniture up against the walls will emphasize the length of the living room.

Pull the pieces out from the walls a bit so the focus is on the furniture and decor – not the long length of the room.

4. Focus On The Middle

Another strategy is to focus on the middle of the space and leave each end open.

Open doesn’t mean empty.

Arrange your furniture in the middle of the  space.

Add a bookcase to one end, a console table with art or a mirror above it or a large faux plant to add interest to the ends of the room.

5. L Shaped Sectional Sofa

Adding an L shaped sectional to one end of the living room not only offers lots of seating but it also utilizes a long space well.

6. Incorporate Walkways

Instead of arranging your furniture so you walk down the middle of it, arrange your furniture together and create a walkway around it.

This is especially important around the TV because you don’t want anyone to walk in front of the tv while someone is watching it.

This can be done by placing a sofa along a wall and placing two chairs across from it. Leave the walkway behind the chairs and the opposite wall.

Passageways should be at least 3’ wide to allow appropriate space to walk by furniture.

This is especially important if one or both sides of the passageway is a wall or tall cabinet

If the passageway is between lower pieces, like a sofa, chair or console table,  slightly less floor space is required because the space above the furniture is open.

7. Measurement Rules

Keep these measurement rules in mind while arranging your furniture.

8. Use Circular/Curved Furniture

Circular, curved furniture will help break up the long lines of a long living room.

Add a small circular table and 4 chairs as a board game table.

Use rounded tub chairs instead of angular chairs.

Use an oval or round coffee table instead of a rectangular one.

9. Paint Color

Paint a long living room one light neutral color to open the space and make your furniture arrangement easier.

White, cream, light beige and gray are the best color choices.

Agreeable Gray & Undertones & Coordinating Colors

BM Simply White

The advantage to using a light neutral paint color is that it will allow you to change and mix your accent colors!

You don’t want to complicate things even more by selecting a bold paint color or dark paint color that is going to emphasize a dark tunnel effect.

10. Maximize Vertical Space

Drawing the up will help minimize the length of the living room.

Add a tall cabinet, tall bookcase or etagere, floor to ceiling drapery (hang the rods as high as possible!)  or hang a photo gallery wall that goes close to the ceiling.

11. Area Rugs

Add an area rug for each of the zones to separate them and add texture and pattern!

12. Console Table

Add a console table to the back of a sectional, sofa or 2 chairs that are open to the room, to separate that conversation zone and create a cohesive look.

They also provide a surface for table lamps, display space and can replace an end table.

Tucking two ottomans under the console table is also a perfect way to incorporate extra seating into the space.

13. Curtains

Add curtains to all of the windows in a long living room to soften the walls.

Make sure the rod is hung as high as possible to draw the eye upward.

14.

Sight Lines

Sight lines are extremely important in design, especially for long living rooms.

A sightline is what the eye sees from one end of the room to the other end of the room and into adjoining spaces if there are any.

You don’t want the sightline to look cluttered or choppy.

You do want the sightline to flow and be pulled together and cohesive.

Do this by repeating accent colors and metallic finishes throughout the entire living room.

Keep all of your lighting the same metallic finish.

If green is your accent color, repeat it in the different zones of the long living room.

15. Plants

Add plants and tropical trees (real or faux) like this gorgeous faux olive tree or fiddle leaf fig tree will help to soften the look of the furniture.

They will add interest, create focal points and help the long living room look less stark and sterile.

16. Declutter

Create the illusion of more space in a long living room by decluttering. It will actually make a space feel wider and more cohesive.

Use clever living room storage ideas to remove toys, knickknacks and other unnecessary items, your space will instantly feel bigger and more beautiful to be in.

Make sure your furniture has storage capabilities as well. Tuck remotes and books into end tables with drawers, a console table with drawers or a coffee table with drawers.

Here are some other questions that get asked when arranging furniture in a long living room:

How do you rearrange a long living room?

Edit your current furniture to eliminate pieces you don’t use.

Purchase furniture that fits your living room if your pieces are too bulky.

Create 2-3 separate zones with each having a different purpose.

Can you put a couch in front of a window?

In a long living room it may be necessary to place a sofa in front of a window.

Yes you can place it in front of a window- IF the sofa back is not too tall and doesn’t block the window.

Also you’ll need to place the sofa out a bit from the window so that drapes aren’t pressed into the wall.

With these design tips your furniture will be arranged the right way to fit your long living room space!

 

 

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Tips to make a narrow space seem wider |

These long living room ideas will help you turn a narrow living room into a space you will love for years to come.  

If you have, or have ever had, a narrow, long living room at home, then you’ll be more than aware of the tricky task of making it look wider than it actually is, while desperately trying to make every corner look cozy. 

You’ve probably spent hours rearranging furniture in a frenzied attempt to make your rectangular space look more square, but in the back of your mind you know that unless you knock down the walls and rebuild the room from scratch, there’s just little you can do. 

Never fear – with some clever small living room ideas and tricks of the trade, there are in fact tons of ways to help turn that awkward living room layout into something stylish and sophisticated. 

1. Keep a long living room clutter free

(Image credit: Future)

If there’s one thing that’s going to create the illusion of more space in a long living room, it’s decluttering – it can actually make a room feel wider in seconds. 

Make sure you keep your room tidy and organized by using clever small living room storage ideas to remove toys, plants, knickknacks and other unnecessary items, and your space will instantly feel bigger and more pleasant to be in.  

2. Use the right furniture for a narrow living room

(Image credit: Haris Kenjar / Hoedemaker Pfeiffer)

Furniture in long living rooms can be a cumbersome business, so it pays to invest in the right pieces – and consider the arrangement carefully, as interior design firm Hoedemaker Pfeiffer have done in this small, narrow space. 

A great tip is to choose a sofa and chairs with open arms and exposed legs, and a glass coffee table. Both will keep the appearance of a much more open and free space, allowing light to filter under and around the furniture far more easily.

3. Pull furniture away from the walls 

(Image credit: Future / Mel Yates)

Another important pointer is not to place large pieces of furniture against walls. And, just because a room is long, doesn’t mean you need to fill it all with furniture. Use the middle of the room to center the furniture arrangement, leaving the sides as open, but not dead, space. 

4.

Scale the furniture to fit a long living room

(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside )

Scale the furniture to fit the size of the room and don’t block walking pathways. Pick the perfect couch for a small living room by avoiding oversized sofas, or too much furniture that will make the living room look smaller. Furniture and accessories blocking the view into a room will make the space look cramped – if you can see the floor, the room will look larger.

5. Light up a narrow space

(Image credit: Rikki Snyder / Becca Interiors)

Light helps to brighten up a room instantly, so first and foremost allow any natural light to stream indoors by taking down heavy, dark window coverings. If looking for apartment living room ideas , try sheer window treatments or install white wooden blinds or shutters to let the natural light flow into your room during the day, while simultaneously providing nighttime privacy, like in this narrow space designed by Becca Interiors .

6. Use mirrors to reflect light

(Image credit: Future / Jonathan Gooch)

Not surprisingly, decorating with mirrors can make a long living room look a lot larger. Hang a large mirror on a wall opposite a window or very near one to reflect the outdoors, broadening the feel of your room. 

Mirrors reflect both natural and artificial light to make a room brighter during the day and night and they bounce light deep into the room, making it appear larger. Mirrors on the walls and glass tabletops will make it seem like there’s a more open flow. 

7. Use paint to visually enlarge a long, narrow room

(Image credit: Future / Richard Powers)

You can visually widen a rectangular-shaped living room by painting the two end walls a darker color than the other two walls. The gradation of shade and color of paint on opposing walls can either lengthen distance by using a lighter shade – or shorten a distance with a darker shade. 

8. Zone a long room with accessories

(Image credit: Sarah Shields Photography / Whittney Parkinson Design)

Long living rooms rarely feel homely, but here Whittney Parkinson Design has used a few ingenious tricks to zone the space to make it feel far cozier.  

Decorating small spaces with a rug can visually draw together the furniture, giving rooms focus and adding comfort. While a focal point that contrasts with the rest of the scheme can be visually interesting, disguising the awkward layout, something like quirky piece of art, vase or striking lampshade.

9. Hang pictures correctly

(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)

Walls that are covered with pictures and other wall hangings tend to make a room feel closed in or busy, so simply hang one or two large pieces of artwork to make the room feel wider and more spacious. 

Choose art that can sit wide but low over the sofa or fireplace for example, to bring the eye level down and help make the room seem wider.

10. Unite two rooms

(Image credit: Sara Tramp / Ginny Macdonald Design)

If you’ve got a long living room that’s divided in two – like a living room one end and a dining room the other – it might be worth picking a couple of your favorite colors and using them as key tones to coordinate the one space, as interior designer Ginny Macdonald has done here.

Plus, try and turn your sofa so it goes against the length of the room, to help break it up – you don’t want the line of your sofa running into your dining table, too.

How do you arrange furniture in a long living room?

If possible, try to avoid arranging all your furniture on one side of the long living room wall. By alternating furniture groupings – or by utilizing the middle of the room better – it will effectively force the traffic flow to take on an 'S' shape, and stops the space looking too straight and narrow, much like a hallway.

How do you utilize a long living room?

Select furniture pieces that are in proportion to the size of your room – oversized cabinets, sofas and chairs can make a small room feel narrow. 

Make sure you arrange your furniture at an angle to create a sense of depth to the room, otherwise if you place all furniture against the walls you might end up with a narrow look.

What's more, as long as your ceiling is painted in a paler color than your walls, no matter what the color, your ceilings will feel higher, helping a narrow living room feel more light and airy.

How to arrange furniture in a narrow and long living room - expert advice Shatura

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12/23/2021

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In many layouts of apartments of the Soviet period, an elongated room is allocated for the living room. There are similar options in modern homes. In terms of area, the room seems to be large, but it is quite difficult to achieve real comfort in it. That is why many owners of such housing at the stage of repair or on the eve of it ask themselves the question: “How to arrange furniture in a narrow living room so that it becomes comfortable and functional?”

Most often, apartment owners with narrow living rooms try to make the most of a long wall. At the same time, they apply the principle of two-sided layout, that is, they install a maximum of furnishing elements along long walls. However, in this way they achieve the tunnel effect: the room seems even narrower, the interior becomes unattractive. When developing the design of such a room, it is important to emphasize its advantages as much as possible and hide its shortcomings. After all, the increased length can always be used to your advantage. There are many ways to do this. Let's look into this issue in detail.


Basic rules for decorating space

Experienced designers when arranging the space of a narrow living room recommend taking into account a number of simple and universal rules:

· Do not get carried away with the elements of furnishings and decor. If the area of ​​​​the room is small, then a minimal furniture set of a sofa, a coffee table, and several chairs will be enough to decorate it. Open modules for storing the necessary things and arranging the decor will harmoniously look on the walls.

It is better to forget about massive furniture and large interior items. They will take up a lot of space and will hide space.

· It is better to plan the interior in bright colors. This will contribute to a visual increase in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe hall. Another technique is furniture on legs. It not only facilitates cleaning, but also allows you to visually lift the room, make it more voluminous and airy.

· To hide the shortcomings of a narrow living room, bright decor is introduced into its atmosphere: original lamps, posters, photos, plants, paintings, etc. They will attract attention and level out imperfections.

The use of mirror surfaces is also justified. Placing them on long walls allows you to achieve the effect of visually enlarging the room.

Zoning

To make a narrow living room more comfortable and functional allows dividing it into several separate zones. This is especially true for small apartments, where you need to rationally use every square meter. With the help of the correct arrangement of furniture in a long living room, you can highlight different spaces.

For receiving guests . Usually this zone is located closest to the doorway. It should contain comfortable upholstered furniture. With limited space, the sofa can be supplemented with pouffes or bean bags, which take up less space. In some cases, it is more appropriate to install a couch. Upholstered furniture is complemented by a TV, which is hung opposite the sofa. It is convenient to place drinks and light snacks on the coffee table for guests. Transformer models are more convenient to use. When assembled, they take up minimal space. If necessary, such furniture unfolds into an almost full-fledged dining table.


For work . To organize a home office, it is better to choose a place near the window. This will provide enough natural light for work, allowing you to save a little on electricity. A computer desk should be installed near the window, where it is convenient to place all the necessary equipment, stationery, and documents. It will be well complemented by a comfortable, ergonomic office chair, several hinged open shelves. It is convenient to separate the workspace with a light double-sided rack. It will provide additional storage space and will not prevent sunlight from penetrating the room.

Leisure . In a small apartment, the living room can also serve as a bedroom. To separate such a zone, racks or a closet (if the room is spacious enough) are suitable. Lightweight textile curtains or plasterboard partitions are also used. However, the latter option is not very desirable, as it blocks the flow of natural light to other parts of the room. A folding sofa is more suitable for organizing a sleeping place. If necessary, it can be folded and increase the space for receiving guests. To make the "bedroom" more comfortable, do not forget to place small bedside tables near the bed. It is convenient to put small table lamps on them, place gadgets, cosmetics, etc.


For eating . This option is possible if the living room is combined with the kitchen. Depending on the total area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, a dining group or a bar counter is used for eating. Moreover, the latter can also play a zoning role, provide additional space for storing cutlery and dishes. In a small room, you can install a folding bar counter and lay it out only at the time of eating.

Which furniture to use

The large length of the living room, combined with the reduced width, determines the subtleties of the choice of furniture. To decorate such a room, it is better to use a custom-made headset. It will maximally correspond to the geometry and area of ​​​​the hall. When choosing the necessary items and planning the arrangement of furniture, it is important to consider:

· amount of elements. The smaller the area of ​​​​the living room, the less furnishings should be introduced into the interior. The abundance of elements creates the effect of clutter, the room looks overly overloaded with details;

functionality. Given the increased demand for comfortable and practical furniture, manufacturers are developing different models with hidden storage systems and additional functions. This allows you to save space and create comfort even in small narrow living rooms;

· color. The shade of furniture is selected taking into account the existing foundation. Often the walls in narrow living rooms are lined with light materials, then you can choose a brighter, accent setting. Interesting options can be emerald, burgundy or mustard. By the way, a photo panel with a perspective can become an interesting design option for a long wall. It will visually change the geometry of the room. Another solution: painting a long wall in light colors, and a short one in richer, deeper ones;

shapes and sizes. Do not get carried away with strict rectangular furnishings that will lengthen the room more. If such furniture is necessary, then it is better to arrange it across, use it for zoning. Sofa and armchairs should be chosen with low backs. Also, rounded models that will “eat” less mercy can be a good solution.

Features of furniture arrangement

In a narrow living room, it is especially important to arrange the interior elements correctly. It is not advisable to place them according to the principle of classical symmetrical layout. In this case, it is especially important to show creativity. If the area allows, you can use the angular arrangement of furniture, which will divert attention from the imperfect proportions of the room. In a modern interior, a chaotic asymmetric arrangement of interior items looks interesting.

Sofa . An original solution may be the choice of a corner model. It will become the central element from which the rest of the environment is built. It is convenient to place it near the walls (in the corner) or use it for zoning. Some apartment owners completely move away from this concept and use armchairs to decorate living rooms. And it is better to prefer visually light products.


Cabinet . Although many designers recommend not using this type of furniture in narrow rooms and replacing it with chests of drawers or cabinets, many people are not ready for such changes. If a cabinet is needed, then it is better to install it on a narrow, short wall. This will make the rectangular room closer to the correct square. In addition, the cabinet can be used to install a TV and other equipment.

Wall and shelves . For small living rooms, narrow open or closed designs are more suitable, which will not unnecessarily clutter up the space. A good option is a wall with mirrored doors. Shelves can be a stylish and functional replacement for a closet. They facilitate the visual perception of space, make the interior more interesting.

Styling

The choice and arrangement of furniture is largely influenced by style. And not every option is suitable for a narrow living room. We offer several trendy design ideas for a small elongated space.


Loft . A brutal style that begins its history with the restructuring of industrial premises into residential ones. This determines its features both in external features and in furnishing. When decorating living rooms, the simplicity of brickwork or concrete surfaces is emphasized. The central element can be a classic or corner sofa. Moreover, it can stand out from the general situation by the color or texture of the material. You can complement it with a wooden or metal coffee table, pouffes and bean bags. It is allowed to combine antique and modern furnishings. The main condition is harmony and comfort.



Minimalist . Modern style that does not tolerate unnecessary details. The basis of the interior is made up of pastel colors. Preference is given to monochrome design options. Most often it is white, pearl. Black is used to create contrasts. Visual accents are highlighted by wood and steel tones. A narrow sofa, a wall or a compact sideboard is perfect for decorating a long living room. They can be supplemented with closed shelves. An important condition is only the necessary items, the absence of unnecessary decor.



Scandinavian style . Northern people appreciate space and abundance of light. Scandinavian interiors are characterized by a light palette with the inclusion of wood tones and a few bright accents. There are almost never curtains on the windows or they are as invisible as possible. Furniture should be preferred from natural light wood. Good options: ash, birch, pine, etc. Furniture can be natural tones or painted. In order not to clutter up the space with unnecessary details, it is important to use furnishings with convenient storage systems. Additionally, you can include shelves or a rack; there is no place for a closet in such an interior.



Provence . With its use of a light, natural palette, French rustic style lends itself well to narrow living rooms. Antique furniture is installed in the room, elegant and visually light. It is complemented by textiles in floral prints, live plants or floral arrangements. However, do not get carried away with an abundance of details.

Compliance with the basic principles of layout, thoughtful selection of furniture and its placement will allow you to correctly organize the space, make the narrow living room comfortable and cozy. Stylish headsets for different rooms can be found in the Shatura catalogue. With us you are sure to find worthy solutions for your apartment.

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Living room interior design in a modern style

A serious competitor to the classics in the interior is the modern style. It is preferred in the design of various premises, including the living room. Unlike the classics, modern design is simple, while it can combine original solutions in terms of color and decor. It will appeal to those who appreciate courage. That is why it is often chosen by creative individuals, as well as those who lead an active life.

Interior design of a living room in a classic style

In what style should the room be decorated to make it comfortable? The interior of the living room in a classic style is a win-win option for those who like clear shapes, pleasant colors and long-proven stylistic combinations. Unlike modern design, the classic has more fans, as it does not require mixing styles. As a rule, it embodies elegance and restraint through neutral tones and furniture of a clear form. That is why in such an interior one feels peace and tranquility.

What furniture to choose for the living room

The living room is the heart of the house. Here we spend our weekdays and holidays. Here we relax, meet guests, do our favorite hobby. Therefore, it is so important that this room is cozy, functional, comfortable. From the competent selection of furniture in the living room depends on how comfortable this room will be for a stay. Today we’ll talk about what furniture to choose for the living room, what to pay attention to in the first place, and what points are secondary.

Return to list of tips and ideas

real photos and life hacks to expand the room

Designer life hacks to expand the space

The main task when decorating a narrow living room is to make it wider. This will help:

Furniture arrangement

Before arranging furniture in a narrow room, it must be chosen correctly. Give preference to low, mundane models. A chest of drawers instead of a tall wardrobe, a floor or hanging console for a TV instead of a wall. It is also advisable to choose upholstered furniture with a low seat and back. If the narrow living room is also small in size, replace the overall bulky interior items with light, airy ones. That is, instead of a huge sofa - a pair of light chairs, instead of a large wooden table - a round glass or mirror one.

When planning, avoid the standard arrangement of furniture along long walls - this technique narrows the living room even more, making it look like a corridor.

Pictured is a lounge area by the window with curtains

The main rule of ergonomic hall planning is not to leave the center empty. It is better to make an additional passage along the wall, but arrange in the center an area with a table, chairs and other pieces of furniture. For example, arrange two short sofas opposite each other, placing a coffee table between them.

If a sofa in the living room along the long side is required, because a TV is hanging opposite, let it be a corner model with an ottoman. Lay a bright carpet on the floor and place a coffee table or bench on top.

To make a long, narrow space a little shorter, add a pair of colorful armchairs to the window or balcony setting at the end of the room on the short side.

What color is better to arrange?

The design of the narrow living room allows you to play with colors, but first determine the size of your room. For spacious narrow rooms, the use of darker (coffee, graphite, burgundy, emerald) shades is allowed. A small room requires light colors - beige, gray, white.

Color temperature is also important. Northern living rooms lack sunlight, so warm cream, yellow, orange tones will brighten it up. In the halls that are located on the south side, where it is already hot, it is better to give preference to cold colors - blue, greenish, lilac, pink.

In the photo, the zoning of a bright living room

At the same time, the color scheme for long and short walls will be different. Long ones are always lighter and colder, narrow ones are brighter, darker and warmer. This allows you to bring the far wall closer and visually make the room more square.

Finishing details

Let's start with the floor. We have already mentioned that laying must be done across. But diagonal placement of planks or tiles is also allowed, this also changes the shape of a narrow living room for the better. A carpet will help to complement the effect - either with a horizontal transverse pattern, or a plain one, laid along a short wall.

The photo shows a narrow hall in a modern classic style

The main thing you need to know when decorating walls is that all decor, color and brightness should fall on the narrow sides. That is, long walls are decorated in a neutral, monophonic way. And between them make as much color as possible. Suitable for accent wall:

An excellent tool - photo wallpaper. The image of the perspective on the elongated side will balance the irregular shape of the passage room and will look appropriate.

Leave the ceiling as standard white, or complete it with stripes across. Stripes can be drawn in full width, or lining, beams and other architectural elements can be used.

What to consider when organizing lighting?

Light is your main assistant in the design of a narrow living room. Because with poorly thought out lighting, even the correct arrangement of furniture will not play as it should.

One of the ways we have already mentioned above: if you highlight long partitions with directional lights, they will appear further apart.

The photo shows a living room combined with a bedroom

Also, do not leave an empty central area. To do this, use a stylish large ceiling chandelier, which will divert attention from the architectural features of the narrow hall.

A variety of natural and artificial light sources in different areas will also play into your hands, add coziness - highlight separately a cozy relaxation area, a functional work area and a media area.

Avoid hanging and elongated lamps parallel to the long sides, in your case it is better to give preference to floor or ceiling lamps.

Design ideas in different styles

Popular today Scandinavian style is known for light finishes and special love for textiles. Use it to transform the interior of a narrow living room. Play on the contrast of surfaces, put a dark or bright sofa perpendicular, lay a carpet with a geometric print at the foot.

For a classic style, go for a solid wall and ceiling design, but pay special attention to decor.

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