Living Large: Pro Tips for Perfectly Arranging Your Spacious Living Room

Large living rooms can be intimidating, but they don’t need to be. It’s all about dividing the room into zones and designing them thoughtfully and in concert with one another. Instead of letting a big space overwhelm you, use it to your advantage.

A large room typically responds well to having multiple conversation areas, as seen above in this family room/sunroom we designed in Nashville. This long room has three distinct areas. One area is the family room (bottom photo) with the TV over the fireplace. The comfortable upholstery and large ottoman make it a great spot for the family to pile up together. In the center of the room, an octagonal skirted table and chandelier serve as an anchor as well as a room divider that looks pretty from all angles. This center table also doubles during entertaining as an excellent spot for hors d’oeuvres. The third space features four chairs placed just next to the bar, creating a fabulous conversation spot when hosting an event.

Remember to keep in mind that every conversation area should include a few things: wherever they sit, each person should have easy access to a spot to set their drink (e.g. on an end table or coffee table) and also each seat should be part of the conversation or easily pulled up to be included even if not arranged like that every day. The idea is to design the layout such that each person feels relaxed and part of things wherever they choose to sit.

A famously old trick, often attributed to Bunny Williams, is to pay attention to how your guests rearrange your furniture during a party. Someone probably cleverly pulled up a chair just where it needs to be!