If your space looks “nearly there” but never quite feels settled, it’s usually not your furniture — it’s the layout. These living room layout mistakes are common in Australian homes (especially open-plan builds and smaller lounge rooms), and the good news is most are fixed with measurements and placement, not a full re-buy. Below you’ll find a calm, practical audit you can do in under an hour, with clear furniture placement tips and small tweaks that make the whole room feel intentional.
What are the most common living room layout mistakes?
1) Is your rug too small for your seating?
Why it’s a problem: A small rug makes furniture feel disconnected and can visually shrink the room.
Fix: In most living rooms, the rug should sit under the front legs of the sofa and main chairs. If you can’t go larger, pull the rug forward so at least the front legs are anchored.
Simple test: If the rug only fits under the coffee table, it’s usually undersized.
2) Have you pushed every piece against the wall?
Why it’s a problem: It creates a “waiting room” perimeter and wastes the centre of the room.
Fix: Try floating the sofa 10–30 cm off the wall (even in a small living room layout) and bring chairs inward to form a conversation zone. The goal is a defined “island” of seating, not a ring around empty space.
3) Is your coffee table the wrong distance from the sofa?
Why it’s a problem: Too close feels cramped; too far is annoying to use.
Fix: Aim for 35–45 cm between the sofa and coffee table edge. This is one of the quickest furniture placement tips that improves comfort immediately.
Bonus: If you frequently walk between sofa and table, lean closer to 45 cm.
What furniture placement tips improve flow straight away?
4) Are your walkways blocked or unclear?
Why it’s a problem: If people have to sidestep furniture, the room never feels relaxed.
Fix: Create clear pathways:
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60–90 cm for main walkways (ideal)
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45–60 cm for tighter areas (still workable)
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Try not to place tall furniture at pinch points (end of sofa near a doorway).
For a lounge room layout reality check: if your home is open-plan, keep the “lane” between living and dining as clear as possible.
5) Do you have too many small pieces (instead of fewer, better-scaled ones)?
Why it’s a problem: Lots of little items add visual noise and reduce usable space.
Fix: Consolidate. One well-proportioned coffee table and one side table often works better than multiple scattered stools, tiny tables, and extra chairs.
A helpful rule: if a piece doesn’t add comfort, function, or strong visual structure, remove it for a week and reassess.
6) Is your focal point competing with everything else?
Why it’s a problem: When the room doesn’t have a “lead actor”, it feels restless.
Fix: Choose one focal point (TV, fireplace, window/view, artwork) and align the main seating to it. Then simplify what sits around it.
If the TV is the focal point, keep the console centred, and avoid placing tall shelves that fight for attention on either side unless you commit to symmetry.
How do you plan a small living room layout that still feels generous?
7) Are your proportions mismatched to the room?
Why it’s a problem: The wrong scale makes a room feel tight even if it’s tidy.
Fix: In a small living room layout, pick pieces with visual “breathing room”:
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Sofas with slimmer arms (or legs that lift the body off the floor)
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Coffee tables that are lighter in appearance (glass tops help)
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Round edges or softened corners if you’re constantly walking past them
A practical height cue: Coffee tables usually work best when they sit level with the sofa seat or slightly lower.
Shop the concept (a simple trio that works in most lounge rooms)
If you want a layout that looks structured without feeling heavy, start with a coffee table that has warmth and texture, then support it with two simple anchors: a correctly sized rug and one strong seating piece.
A great example is the Fletcher Retro Rattan Coffee Table, its glass surface keeps the centre of the room visually light, while the timber and rattan bring depth and a lived-in feel — ideal for an apartment lounge or open-plan living area where you want character without bulk.
What to pair it with (no overthinking):
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Support piece 1: a rug large enough to sit under the front legs of your sofa and chairs
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Support piece 2: a sofa or lounge chair with clean lines (so the rattan texture stays the feature)
Care note: Wipe the glass with a soft microfibre cloth and use coasters; dust timber/rattan gently and keep it out of prolonged direct sunlight.
Living Room Audit Checklist
Use this as a 10-minute sweep before you change anything else:
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Main walkways are 60–90 cm where possible (45 cm minimum in tight spots)
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Rug anchors the seating (front legs on rug, not just the coffee table)
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Coffee table sits 35–45 cm from the sofa edge
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Seating forms a clear “conversation zone” (not everything against walls)
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One focal point is obvious (TV/fireplace/window/art)
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Side tables are within easy reach of seats (no awkward leaning)
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You’ve reduced “too many small pieces” and kept only what earns its place
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The room has at least one lighter visual element (glass, leggy furniture, open negative space)
FAQs
How do I choose a lounge room layout for an open-plan Australian home?
Start by protecting the main circulation path between living and dining. Keep at least 60 cm clear where possible. Then create a defined living “zone” using a rug and the placement of the sofa and coffee table. Open-plan rooms feel best when zones are clear and walkways are calm.
What size rug works best for a standard 3-seater sofa?
As a rule, aim for a rug wide enough that it extends beyond the sofa ends and deep enough to sit under the sofa’s front legs. If you’re choosing between two sizes, the larger option usually looks better and feels more stable. The goal is to anchor the whole seating area, not just the centre table.
What if my living room is an awkward shape?
In odd-shaped rooms, prioritise function: define one seating zone and one clear walkway. Use a rug to “square off” the seating area visually, then place the coffee table centred to the sofa rather than centred to the room. A console or slim sideboard can help balance dead corners without adding bulk.
How can I make my living room look more expensive without buying lots?
Reduce visual clutter, improve spacing, and choose one strong focal point. A well-proportioned rug, consistent finishes (for example timber + stone + a single metal tone), and a coffee table that suits the scale of the seating will do more than adding extra décor. The best rooms look intentional, not busy.
Next steps
Shop the look: Explore our coffee tables and living room furniture collections to find the right size and finish for your space at Dill and Johan Furniture.