Finding the Perfect Layout for Your Living Room
Through our thousands of hours of conversations with customers, we can say confidently that the perfect living room layout changes everything - and yet sometimes, it can feel like a puzzle you can’t possibly finish.
Maiden Home’s wide range of sizes and configurations were designed to adapt to your space and how you live. Massive U-sectional? We’ve got you covered. Small-space loveseat? No problem. But with all of these options, suddenly the opportunities are endless.
So how do you lay out your space so that it’s beautiful and functional? We’re spilling our secrets here and giving you the inside scoop on how the professionals do it - because we think everyone deserves to live beautifully.
Getting Started:
When selecting your layout, orienting elements are a great place to start. There are certain architectural details that beg you to lay out your space to highlight them. Fireplaces, breathtaking views, or bay windows are all asking to be showcased by your design. Another orienting element could be a TV if you’re planning to watch all the big games in that room. Sometimes, though, a room is just a room. In this instance you may have a lot more freedom to position your furniture.
Finding Your Layout Style:
Whether you have an orienting element like a fireplace or a more simple blank slate, here are some of our favorite layouts:
The Side Order is a super versatile layout that works especially well in smaller spaces. In this layout, the sofa is flanked by two accent chairs, creating a cozy conversation space. This arrangement also works well in open concept spaces where you don’t want to restrict conversation or flow of traffic between different areas.
Pro Tip: Avoid an overly symmetrical look by varying the accessories you use in the space, opting for different materials and heights to add interest and depth.
We Love:
The team at Wit + Delight created an open, inviting seating area in their loft with The Irving and two Leroy chairs. This space works for so many reasons, but their choice of material is key to creating a balanced, yet interesting design. The matching Leroys in Parchment Performance Chevron lend a sense of balance to the space, while The Irving in Caramel Tuscan Leather creates textural and chromatic contrast. Matching the wood finish on all pieces gives the whole space continuity without straying into matchy-matchy territory.
In this setup, you set two sofas facing one another, oftentimes centered on an architectural detail. We love this setup because the symmetry of two sofas brings a sense of harmony and balance to the space while allowing for a focal point like a fireplace to stand out. It has a substantial, stately feel and creates a flexible amount of seating for entertaining.
Pro Tip: Match the sofas for a more traditional, subtle look, or mix up the shape and materials for a more eclectic vibe (we love leather paired with a textured fabric like linen or velvet).
We Love:
Megan and John Runion of The Lovely Cottage chose the Face Off for their living space, using symmetry to give their space a sense of balance and cohesion. Despite the simple layout, the space is has a rich, textural feel due to the nubby Performance Linen of the Dune sofas paired with the soft hand of the hair-on-hide slings of The Hayes chairs.
We Love:
Interior designer Nichole Marks of Shelter 7 Design used a pair of Sullivan sofas in Creme Performance Linen create a beautiful Face Off arrangement. By anchoring their layout on a beautiful fireplace, the space takes on a stately symmetry reflecting the traditional finishes of the home.
The Two-on-One requires a sofa and two chairs and is very similar to The Face Off. It’s a great option if you’d like your room to feel lighter and more airy and have a very polished look and feel. The instinct is usually to match the chairs and sofa exactly, but we prefer a more eclectic approach. Using complementary materials adds depth and texture to a space. One gorgeous pairing: our Pebbled Leather in Ash and Performance Weave in Silver.
Pro Tip: Float the sofa away from the wall, allowing for walking space behind the sofa that will instantly add depth to the space and make it look and feel bigger.
We Love:
Interior designer Anissa Zajac of House Seven Design used the Two-on-One in her family’s living room to create an open, inviting family room. She paired The Dune sofa with a pair of Mercer chairs in Oyster Performance Linen for a crisp, clean look that transitions from winter to summer seamlessly.
This layout uses two sofas positioned at a ninety-degree angle (see what we did there?), and allows for a free passage of traffic along one side of the room. This is ideal for narrower living spaces that are continuous with other rooms (like open-concept kitchens that lead into family rooms). You create a clear delineation between living and dining/cooking areas, but there is still flow from one space to the other. Matching sofas work especially well for this layout.
Pro Tip: To add definition to a living space without blocking eyelines, swap out one sofa with a daybed for a super luxe look.
We Love:
Designers Leslie Martin and Kimberly Meardon styled two of our Ludlow sofas in Parchment Performance Chevron using the Ninety layout to highlight their client’s gorgeous fireplace. By focusing on a super light neutral palette with black accents (like the modern black wood finish on the sofa legs) they created a space that was bright while still feeling grounded and substantial.
Bonus Points: If you have the space and need the extra seating, combine the Two on One with the Ninety to create the ultimate entertaining space.
We Love:
Interior designer Gabriela Gargano coupled our Carmine sofa in Mist Performance Weave with The Dune sofa in Oyster Performance Linen. The pairing is capped off by the addition of two Hayes chairs and a set of nesting side tables to make a modern, modular coffee table. This expert use of the combination Two-on-One-Ninety makes for great entertaining. A mix-and-match palette of blues, natural tones, and whites create a beachy space that feels thoughtfully designed and casual-cool.
Sectional sofas are a great option if you’re planning to use your sofa for movie nights, game days, or naps anytime. We suggest adding in an accent chair or a pair of ottomans in a contrasting color or texture to add dimension to the room and for extra seating when entertaining.
We Love:
Blogger Kim Lapides of Eat Sleep Wear and designer Anne Sage created a cozy living space for Kim’s growing family using the Warren chaise sectional in Oyster Performance Linen with a complementary Hayes chair. Matching the colors of The Hayes’ natural hair-on-hide sling with the off-white sectional keeps the space cohesive, but contrasting textures create a layered look.
We Love:
Interior Designer Alicia Murphy created a cozy family room for her client in the Hamptons utilizing the Corner Spot layout. She paired The Irving sectional in Putty Performance Linen with two custom ottomans in a graphic black-and-white material (by Zak + Fox), perfect for adding seating for big family gatherings.
Want more inspiration? Explore our home tours to see how bloggers and interior designers have styled their Maiden Homes and learn their tips for creating gorgeous spaces.
Want to talk it out with a professional? Our Design Advisors are on call for all of your interior design decisions. We don’t believe in the hard sell, so even if you’re still thinking through your options and just want a qualified sounding board, we got you. Drop us a line at hello@maidenhome.com or 888-513-5754.
