How to Arrange an Awkward Living Room Layout for a More Stylish, Functional Space

Not all living rooms are winners. Some of them have too many doors, an off-center fireplace, and other awkward layout problems. However, don't give up on these spaces—interior designers run into similar challenges all the time, and they’ve picked up some clever tricks for solving them.

With the right approach, even the most dysfunctional layout can become stylish and elegant—whether you're dealing with a narrow space or an odd corner. Here, we asked interior designers to share their best advice for tackling these and other awkward living room features.

Long and Narrow Rooms

Long and narrow living rooms can feel more like corridors than cushy hangouts, but there are ways to make them feel more spacious and balanced. One of the best methods is to play with light. “Large mirrors bounce light around and create the illusion of an expansive space," says Ming Thompson, architect and principal of Atelier Cho Thompson.

While oversized, minimalist mirrors or vintage, gold-framed ones can make a statement, you don’t have to splurge to get the overall effect. “You can buy simple, full-length mirrors and orient them horizontally across the top of a fireplace or credenza,” she adds.

Open-Plan Spaces

Open-concept living rooms might look dreamy in real estate listings, but they can be surprisingly tricky to furnish. After all, without any defined walls, where do you even begin?

“Start with scale,” says Alex Thies, owner and creative director of Adelyn Charles Interiors. “You wouldn’t put a tiny coffee table out of reach of your seating.” She also warns against randomly scattering chairs around just to fill the space.

Instead, anchor the room with a large coffee table and surround it with equally substantial seating, like a three-seater sofa and a pair of armchairs. The key is to make it feel intentional. 

A generous area rug can also help define the area and ground your furniture. Julia Newman, interior designer and founder of Julia Adele Design, recommends finding a rug large enough to encompass the space.

Lighting is another great solution. "By adding a chandelier, you create a center point for the space," she says.

Weird Nooks or Angled Walls

Weird nooks and unexpected angles can make decorating a living room feel like solving a puzzle with missing pieces. However, according to Newman, leaning into those quirks is key to making them work.

For example, rather than fighting the shape, use built-ins to give awkward niches a clear purpose. “A bay window, for instance, feels complete with a built-in bench,” she says. You can also turn that random corner into a cozy reading nook, or add a slim console and wall light to make it feel intentional.

And if you’re working with a large, oddly shaped room, Newman suggests using lighting to define different zones. “Light helps guide the eye and creates a sense of structure where the architecture may not,” she adds.

Too Many Focal Points

When a living room has too many focal points competing for attention, it can feel like the furniture doesn’t know which way to face. “It’s great to have standout features, but when they’re pulling focus in different directions, the layout can quickly become chaotic,” says Newman.

Instead of picking just one, she recommends giving each feature its own moment. “Maybe the main sofa faces the fireplace, while a cozy accent chair near the window creates a reading nook with a view,” she says. "Or try flanking the fireplace with two chairs that also have sight lines to the TV."

Swivel chairs are another smart fix. They can rotate between zones and keep things feeling flexible. The goal is to create balance and intention, so every focal point gets its due—without turning the room into a design tug-of-war.

Random Columns

"If you’ve got a column that’s just hanging out with no purpose, then give it one,” says Thompson. “Mount some shelf brackets and a wood ledge to turn it into a coffee station, or use it to showcase a piece of art.”

Instead of trying to ignore the column or pretend it’s not there, see it as an opportunity to add personality and function. With a little creativity, what once felt like a frustrating architectural quirk can become a standout design feature.

Sloped or Lofted Ceilings

Living rooms with sloped or lofted ceilings tend to fall into two camps: either they feel tight and cramped, or like you're floating around in a cavern. Neither is ideal.

“I recommend built-ins where the ceiling is lowest,” says Newman. “It makes use of a space where furniture might not otherwise fit.” Think: low shelving, media units, or even a custom reading nook that tucks into the architecture. 

Newman also suggests defining a central gathering point in the room, ideally in an area where the ceiling is eight feet or higher.

“When the ceiling line shifts dramatically, it’s a great opportunity to create zones,” she says. Use the taller zones for conversation spaces or large furniture, and let the lower spots become cozy nooks.