'If your sofa is the only thing that fits or it blocks the natural flow of traffic – it's too big. Let your room dictate the scale of your furniture, not the other way around. Smaller seating is nice for occasional use, or smaller rooms that are tight on space.
In fact, choosing a larger couch (as long as it physically fits in the room) over a smaller option can actually make the room look bigger. That's because people's gaze goes to the couch, and with a big couch, they see plenty of inviting room for getting comfortable.
Open your door as wide as possible and measure the distance between the outer edge of the door to the inner edge of your doorframe at its narrowest point. Compare the width of your doorframe with the height of your sofa allowing some wiggle room either side.
Oversized sofas are typically 90 inches wide for a sofa and 71 inches for a loveseat . They can be up to 40 inches deep.
You're always better off looking for a sofa with a low back to give the illusion of more space. It doesn't mean the back cushion can't be plush and comfortable, but just avoid tall puffy sofas that swallow the room whole.
"A sectional sofa may not be the best choice for a small living room, as it can take up a lot of floor space and limit you on layering other elements without feeling cluttered," she explains. "A loveseat or apartment-sized sofa is a good alternative."
Go for a spacious sectional sofa or an L-shaped sofa to make the most out of the living room. The distinctive design of these sofas allows them to fit within the corner of the room, freeing up floor space.
Consider the two thirds rule
One approach to getting the right proportions is to aim for a sofa that's about two-thirds of the wall length. If you're using this tactic, bear in mind that generally sofas might be around 72, 84 or 96 inches (UK equivalents might be around 175, 210 and 240cm).
Get familiar with standard couch sizes.
"Normally, we recommend a three-seater sofa, between 85 inches and 110 inches in length, depending on the space," adds Natalia Certucha, the lead in-house designer at Dupuis US. "With a couch this size, the host can entertain more guests and create a cozy, inviting setup."
In general, the width of a small sofa (A) is 72 inches or less, the width of a standard sofa (B) is 84-88 inches and the width of a grand sofa (C) is 96 inches or more. Once you've chosen a sofa style and size, you can get an even better idea of what the presence of the sofa will be like in your space.
Keep in mind that 12 feet is the equivalent of 144 inches, and you do not want your sectional to overwhelm your living space. Thus, designer Anna Franklin suggests sticking to a sofa that's under 80 inches in length. "It's an easy way to create a cozy seating area without overwhelming the space," she says.
If the couch is either 29 inches high or deep, it can usually be moved horizontally through a door because interior door openings are usually 29 1/4 inches wide and exterior door openings 35 inches wide, including door stops.
There are no strict rules as to whether a sofa should touch the wall, essentially it's a matter of personal preference, however, the size and shape of the room and how you wish the arrange and use the room will have a big impact on your living room layout ideas.
Keep your furniture refined
To make a small living room look bigger, you need to remove visually heavy furniture which will drain the light from your living room, and chunky pieces that are simply too big.
It is also good to avoid large, heavy pieces of furniture. Not only do they use up too much space in a small room, but they also draw all the focus to that part of the room.
#4 Sectionals Make Your Room Feel Smaller
In large spaces, the sofa height blocks off the room visually, tricking the eye to make the room appear smaller.
This means your largest piece of furniture – for example, a sofa – should measure 2:3 of the area. Then work your way backwards from there. The coffee table should be 2:3 the size of the sofa, and so on. Once the bigger pieces of furniture are placed, it's easier to work smaller, decorative pieces around them.
Standard sofas come in a general range of sizes rather than one set dimension. This range starts at around 70”(178cm) and ends at about 87” (221cm), with the most common size being around 84” (213cm).
By moving furniture out and away from walkways, you'll open up the space and make it feel larger. You can also choose short pieces of furniture like an ottoman, an armless open chair, or a low table, and place large, tall pieces along a wall rather than out in the open space.
It all boils down to creating a sense of movement. Like the leggy furniture that creates a sense of dynamism, or the mirrors that reflect light and a view back into the room, anything that causes your eye to travel around a room in an intentional and orderly fashion will make it feel larger.
'If your sofa is the only thing that fits or it blocks the natural flow of traffic – it's too big. Let your room dictate the scale of your furniture, not the other way around. Smaller seating is nice for occasional use, or smaller rooms that are tight on space.
'A light-toned sofa in neutral colors, such as beige, cream, light gray, or white, can create a sense of openness in any room. These soft hues reflect the natural and artificial light that enters the room, making the space look brighter, airier, and more spacious.
Focal Point Layout
Plan a small living room layout around a designated focal point. A TV, fireplace, window, or wall decor can all serve as the room's center of attention. Position furnishings around or directly facing the focal point to maintain a clear view.