Johnny Pastos
August 8, 2022

How to Arrange Furniture in an Awkward Living Room

How to Arrange Furniture in an Awkward Living Room - Pastos Co

Living rooms come in all shapes and sizes. Whether your property is an old cottage full of nooks and crannies or has interesting architecture, working out the best way to arrange your furniture can be a challenge.

However, it’s not impossible! No matter how quirky your living room layout is, there are creative tricks to arranging furniture that embrace odd spaces and inspire eye-catching and unique furniture choices.

In this article, we will share how to arrange furniture in an awkward living room so that your space can be warm, inviting, and functional.

Create Different Zones

People spend a lot of time in their living rooms. Whether watching tv, reading a book, or spending time with friends and family, the living room caters to a range of different activities. That’s why, if your space is awkwardly shaped, it can help to create different zones.

For example, if you have sloping eaves that limit headspace near the walls, you might consider a play area or reading nook that is set apart from the main living area. Colourful rugs are also an effective way to divide up your living room and draw the eye.

Creating different zones is a great way to utilise every part of your living room and limit unused space.

Set Furniture Away from Walls

When furnishing a room, it can be tempting to place furniture against the walls. However, in an oddly shaped living room, it is more effective to set furniture away from the walls creating a new and more functional space. This is particularly effective when furnishing a large area.

You might also consider using a room divider, such as an open shelving unit or decorated screen to help create different sections. This can make it easier to arrange your furniture and create a new space that suits your needs better.

Introduce Round and Organic Shapes

Arranging furniture in an awkward living room can be a challenge - even for interior designers. Working out what to put where so that the space is functional, while making sure it looks good can be extremely difficult.

That’s why many people recommend introducing round and organic shapes. Round coffee tables, for example, help soften sharp corners, while organic shapes like plants add movement to disguise those awkward nooks.

Make Use of Small Spaces

Do you have an empty space under your stairs or an inbuilt cupboard you don’t like the look of? Small and unusual spaces like these are a great chance for you to get creative. You could set-up a reading chair and lamp under the stairs to create a quiet reading corner. Alternatively, you could remove the doors from the closet and create an at-home work station. There are so many options!

If you’re stuck for ideas, the best thing to do is ask yourself what you would like in your living room. Do you need a space to work? Do you want a gaming zone? Are you an avid reader who’d love a small library corner? When you consider your wants and needs, it’s much easier to get creative.

Awkward Living Room Shapes and You Can Do

Below we have listed some of the most awkward living room layouts and how to arrange your furniture like an interior designer.

Long and Narrow Living Room Layouts

Many living rooms have the long, narrow shape of a galley kitchen, making them tricky to furnish. If you are struggling with a long and narrow living room layout, we can help!

We recommend opting for a minimalist style as this will limit the clutter and avoid the room feeling cramped and smaller than it really is. You should also invest in furniture that has a narrow design, such as rectangular coffee tables and thin cabinets. Creating zones, as we mentioned above, is also possible in long living rooms and can ensure the space meets your needs more effectively.

L-shaped Living Room Layouts

L-shaped living rooms are commonplace in many homes, particularly those with an open floor plan. However, they can be tricky to furnish. We recommend arranging your furniture consistently across the space to help it look more attractive. An easy way to achieve this is by following a colour scheme and using decorative touches that are all in the same style. This will help your living room look and feel more homely.

Another option for arranging furniture in l-shaped living rooms is to create different zones. So, one section could be a lounge area where you can relax and watch tv. While another could function as a dining room. Many people choose to furnish their l-shaped living rooms in this way as it’s a functional use of the space and helps fit multiple ‘rooms’ into one.  

Attic Living Rooms

Some houses are built in an upside down style, meaning the living space is situated upstairs alongside the kitchen and the dining room, while the bedrooms and bathrooms are downstairs.

If this is the layout in your property, it’s likely you have a living room space with sloping ceilings. Arranging furniture in an awkward space like this can be extremely difficult. We recommend utilising the small space under the eaves to put storage or shelving so that nothing goes to waste.

You should also place your furniture away from the walls. In doing so, you can arrange your couches in a square shape, with a coffee table in the middle, or situated around a feature rug. Pulling your furniture away from the walls is one of the best ways to decorate an attic space so that it’s functional to use and enjoyable to spend time in.

Invest in Custom Built Furniture

Here at Pastos Co, we know that awkwardly shaped living rooms can be a pain. And trying to find furniture you love that also fits your space often feels like an impossible task!

We believe the best furniture is made for you. That’s why we welcome custom orders. If you have an awkward room layout and you’re looking for the perfect piece of furniture, we can help. We hand make everything to order and would be happy to build a custom piece for your living room that is functional, beautiful, and compliments your space.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help or browse our shop for inspiration.