Place a tall plant in the corner connecting the two sofas. This softens the hard edge of the corner and adds visual height to the layout. For a more open feel, place a sofa on one end of the room and two chairs opposite it.
If you need to increase the space between the wall and back of the sofa, use a sofa table to separate them. This is especially useful for tightening up conversation areas. To pull everything together, add side tables and coffee tables that complement the furniture.
Place lamps on end tables to provide lighting to seating areas.
A round table can improve the flow in rooms with odd angles. Rest the table on a large rug to emphasize the separation from the living room. Place a china cabinet along the wall behind the long side of the dining room table to give height to your design.
For example, connect a medium gray with coral using pale gray. Add solid gray drapes in the coral area and coral-themed pillows in the gray region. If you want to avoid painting, use identical flooring to connect the two rooms. [6] X Research source Be sure to complementary, not contrasting, colors.
For example, you have a couch against the south wall of your living area, and to the east is your dining room table. Place a screen in between the two to break up the blank wall space and separate the two regions of your L. Use screens taller than other elements of your space to create height variation. However, make sure the screen is proportionate to the size of the room. Place plants on both sides of the screen to give it some flair.
Use these pieces of furniture to store coats, shoes, and other accessories that would otherwise clutter your primary gathering spaces.
If you can’t separate them on different walls, use plants or small carpets to define the areas. For example, a small carpet underneath your TV and/or a plant in the corner closest to your fireplace can define each of these spaces and make them feel separate, even when you’re forced to place them on the same wall. Try to minimize one of the items so your focus isn’t split.
It can be easy for box-shaped living rooms to become a mess of furniture that is confusing to navigate. Ample free space allows you to guide the flow of traffic around conversation areas and into focal points.
Never place all of your furniture close to a single focal point if it blocks another view. For example, avoid cluttering the fireplace area if it blocks the view of the television. To avoid a boxy look, pull your furniture away from the walls and place an ottoman or coffee table in the center of the room.
Place a lamp on the end table connecting your couches to illuminate both, and a small lamp table beside the loveseat. Position an end table behind one sofa to accommodate another lamp. Stationing an end table and ottoman on a corner of your center space carpet—facing conversation—is a great way pull the seating together and avoid an open-ended design. A floor lamp or tall plant are great options for filling space.
Try limiting yourself to one seating area—too many gives the layout a scattered feel that’s not suitable for a square design. Fill up your other corners with sideboards, narrow bookcases, or console tables. Just make sure they don’t impede foot traffic.
Wall-mounted bookshelves are also a great way to provide additional space, although they won’t provide the illusion of space that freestanding models do. You can opt for other types of storage, such as a hutch or cabinet.
Alternatively, use a mirror to fill the niche.
Get creative—small bookcases can be used as a desk, and wall bookshelves can hold office supplies. Take advantage of the awkward nooks that are often created beside fireplaces. These are ideal for creating a home office.
A chalkboard is a great way to use a small wall to give character to your room. It’s also a neat way to keep record of reminders and schedules. [16] X Research source
