Key interior design measurements for living room
Making decisions and computations based on the results is a crucial part of the job, as is taking measurements. Professional interior designers and decorators measure everything in inches, rounding up measurements as needed to the nearest sixteenth for window treatments and to the nearest eighth for everything else.
Irrespective of the size of the living room, you can build one that is pleasant and practical by knowing the scale of the furniture and its relationship to the space. We’ve gathered expert ideas and key interior design measurements from LeFreddo one of the best interior designers in Salem on how to place furniture and elements to change a space without tearing down walls.
Distance between a sofa and coffee table
As a general guideline, the coffee table should be positioned between 14 and 18 inches from the sofa. That still leaves enough freedom for your legs while being close enough to grasp a magazine.
Tabletop coffee’s height
For ease of access, keep the coffee table’s height within four inches of the sofa’s seat (in any direction).
Size of a Coffee Table to a Sofa
At least aesthetically, the coffee table should be between half and two-thirds the size of the sofa. Although it’s nearly hard to estimate, a good general rule of thumb when looking for a center table is “a little more than half the size.”
Chairs’ distance from side tables
The position of side tables may be closer to the couch or chair than that of the coffee table. For this measurement, “near enough to set down a drink” is the optimum standard. Imagine attempting to set down your coffee or magazine while trying to sit in each seat.
Dimensions of a Side Table
An end table shouldn’t be lower than the height of the seat or higher than the arm of the chair(s) it’s supporting. The ideal height is one that is about 3 inches below the arm. Aim for a tabletop that is no more than 8 inches above the seat height for chairs without arms.
Size and Height of Sofa Tables
Sofa tables, also known as console tables, should not be any taller than the height of the sofa back. In terms of dimensions, consoles can range from being about half as long as the sofa to almost as long (making sure to allow at least 6 inches from either end).
Isolating the seats
To promote close interaction and respect for everyone’s personal space, there shouldn’t be more than 10 feet and no less than 3 feet between those seating around the room. The exception is when two people share a sofa or loveseat, but even then, the people seating on either end should be at least three feet away from the next closest chair.
Single sofa
In most homes, single sofas are regularly utilized. Purchase a high-quality one to ensure that it last, is comfortable, and keeps its appearance. Sofas typically measure 84 inches (213 centimeters) long and 38 inches (98 centimeters) deep. A sofa that is 72 inches long (183 cm) might fit well in a smaller living room, while one that is 96 inches long (244 cm) might fit in a bigger one.
Shaped Sofa
Sofas with unique shapes, as this one, typically occupy more room than usual. This design requires a total depth of approximately 54 inches and is roughly 11 feet (335 cm) long (137 cm).
Love seat
A love seat is a good option if you lack space for a sofa or need a few extra seats. Typically, love seats measure about 5 feet (152 cm) long. The depth varies per style, but allow for at least 38 to 40 inches (97 to 102 cm). One can be placed alone or with a sofa, as it is shown above.
Lounge Furniture
Since lounge chairs frequently swivel, rock, and lean back, additional space is required. If you plan to pair it with an ottoman, make sure there is enough space around both pieces for the ottoman’s footprint as well as for comfortable movement. The breadth of a lounge chair should be between 36 and 40 inches (91 to 102 cm), and the size of the chair should be at least 66 inches (168 cm) from the back to the front of the ottoman.
Accent furniture
Allow between 36 and 40 inches (91 to 102 cm) in width and 40 to 44 inches (102 to 112 cm) in depth for upholstered accent chairs. The traditional bent-plywood Eames chairs shown here are trim at 22 in. (56 cm) wide and 24 in. (61 cm) deep, making them easy to maneuver.
Benches and Stools
Consider including stools and benches in your arrangement when you want to add a decorative touch or when you might occasionally require an extra seat or ottoman. Stools maybe 16 to 20 inches (41 to 51 cm) square, while benches range in size from 36 to 60 inches (91 to 152 cm) long and 14 to 18 inches (36 to 46 cm) deep.
Sectional sofa
Sectional couches provide lots of seats by essentially consisting of two sofas arranged perpendicular to one another. Sectionals come in a variety of sizes, just like sofas. A space that is 7 feet (213 cm) broad and 10 feet (305 cm) long is required to fit two 84-in. (213-cm) sectional sections together, which is typically a sizeable chunk of a room.
The width of the passageway between furniture
To avoid feeling like you’re in a packed theatre, allow between pieces around 30 and 36 inches of a pathway.
The Area Rug’s Size
Area rugs should generally never be placed less than 6 inches from a wall. In large areas, 24 inches from the wall is ideal; in tiny spaces, 12 to 18 inches is ideal. However, rugs in every room should be big enough to cover two of the sofa and chair legs.
The TV’s height
People seated in the room should look down at the television a little bit to reduce reflections and guarantee a comfortable viewing position. The center of the screen should be 30 inches higher than the lowest seat in the room (the center of a 50-inch TV is around 14 inches from the top or bottom). When picking a suitable TV console height, keep in mind to make modifications for the height of the TV’s stand below the bottom of the screen if you are not wall mounting.
Sofa’s distance from the TV
The size and caliber of your television, as well as your personal preference for how near you want to sit to the screen, will all have a significant impact on this. As a general rule, keep the TV 1.5 times the screen’s diagonal away from where people are sitting when watching television. The “typical viewer” in this case may be defined as the average distance of all seats in the room from the TV wall, however, you could also measure from the sofa if that’s where you usually sit.
Height of artwork on the wall
The center of artwork that is displayed on a wall should typically be 57 inches or so from the ground, at standing eye level (check out How to Hang Artwork and Not Screw it Up). Or, as an alternative, you might opt to hang art at sat eye level in a place where most people sit most of the time (which is 30 inches above the seat height). In either case, leave 6 to 12 inches between the piece’s edge and the edge of the wall, floor, or ceiling.