Stop These Living Room Furniture Arrangement Mistakes in 2026 (And Design a Space You’ll Love)

Let’s face it — many living rooms look nice, but often feel awkward. You’ve probably been there: a sofa that blocks the flow, chairs that don’t invite conversation, or a TV that feels like it’s staring at you from the wrong angle.

Whether you’re redesigning your space with new pieces from Tommy Franks (TF) or curating family heirlooms with flair at House of Isabella (HOI), the way you arrange your furniture has a MASSIVE impact on how a room feels, functions, and performs in day-to-day life.

In this guide, we’re pulling back the curtain on the biggest interior mistakes people make — and showing you precise, designer-backed solutions so you can:

🔥 Create better flow
🔥 Design a space that feels balanced and inviting
🔥 Avoid costly missteps when buying furniture
🔥 Make your living room feel like home (not a showroom)

Ready? Let’s go.

1. Mistake #1: Blocking the Flow of Movement

Why It Happens

Many people place furniture against walls or in lines that block natural walkways. You enter your living room and — boom! — there’s a sofa jutting into your path.

Why It Matters

Blocked pathways make a room feel cramped and uncomfortable. Humans move through spaces intuitively — when you get in the way of that flow, it feels… off.

Designer Fix

• Arrange seating to create natural circulation zones.

• Keep 30-40cm clear around main pathways.

• Use floating furniture clusters rather than pushing everything to the perimeter.

Tip from TF & HOI: A modular sofa from Tommy Franks paired with a low-profile coffee table allows easy movement without losing seating space.

2. Mistake #2: Wrong Scale Furniture

What You’re Doing Wrong

Buying a giant sofa because it looked good online or an impossibly small side table that disappears next to it.

Why It Feels Awkward

Furniture that’s too big makes a room feel squeezed, while pieces that are too small feel lost and unsubstantial.

How to Fix It

• Measure your space FIRST (before furniture shopping).

• Leave at least 60–90cm between a coffee table and sofa.

• Choose scale relative to room size — think proportion, not just style.

Designer Advice: A three-seater sofa from HOI paired with a sculptural side table keeps your room open and balanced. Don’t let a tiny ottoman get swallowed up — give it presence with a textured rug!

3. Mistake #3: Ignoring the Focal Point

The Problem

Many living rooms lack a clear anchor. No TV? No fireplace? No standout console? Messy.

Why It Matters

A focal point gives your eye a destination, making spaces feel intentional and organised.

Solutions That Work

• Let a fireplace or media wall be the hero.

• If nothing exists, create one! Use a bold rug, statement mirror or gallery wall.

• Arrange seating to face or orbit around that focal spot.

Expert Tip: Pair a spectacular mirror or art piece from Gallery Direct with TF seating for an instant anchor that feels curated, not chaotic.

4. Mistake #4: Too Much Symmetry

When Symmetry Works — And When It Doesn’t

Matching sofas and identical lamps either side of a console table can feel too formal, even stiff.

Why It Can Be a Problem

Symmetry is great in giant rooms or classic interiors — but in everyday spaces, it can feel lifeless and forced.

How to Embrace Dynamic Balance

• Mix textures, heights, and visual weight.

• Pair one statement lamp with a sculptural vase.

• Use asymmetry to create movement in the room.

Uneven pairings — like a tall plant on one side and stacked books on another — feel intentional and engaging.

5. Mistake #5: Pushing All Furniture Against Walls

Why This Happens

Less thinking = easier layout. But it also sacrifices intimacy and balance.

The Design Downside

When everything hugs the walls, your room feels disjointed and top-heavy.

Pro Tips

• Pull seating inward to create conversation clusters.

• Anchor the group with a rug that’s large enough to hold key pieces.

• Don’t be afraid of open space — it gives breathing room.

TF Hack: A corner sofa works beautifully when it floats slightly inside the room, especially when anchored by a soft, generous rug.

6. Mistake #6: Forgetting Lighting Layers

Lighting Isn’t Just Functional — It’s Emotional

Too many rooms rely on one central ceiling light. That’s like wearing sunglasses indoors — it flattens everything.

Lighting Layers Designers Love

• Ambient: Overhead or wall lights.

• Task: Reading lamps beside seating.

• Accent: Spotlight on art, shelf lighting, or candles.

Game Changer

Use statement lamps from Eichholtz or Uttermost to create atmosphere — they’re as much art as lighting.

Rule of thumb: Aim for at least three light sources in any living room.

7. Mistake #7: Ignoring Scale of Accessories

The Little Things Matter

Tiny accessories look charming in a pin-up photo — less so in real life.

Why It Feels Unbalanced

Small vases on a huge coffee table look dwarfed. Too many tiny pieces = visual noise.

Design Solution

• Group décor in odd numbers (3, 5, 7).

• Use varied heights and textures.

• Let bigger accessories lead the eye.

Pro Tip: Large sculptural pieces from Tommy Franks or Richmond Interiors can elevate a coffee table layout instantly.

8. Mistake #8: Forgetting Human Scale

What Is Human Scale?

Design that feels right for the way we live. Too high? Too low? Too deep? Too hard to reach?

Signs It’s Off

• Sofa too deep for comfortable sitting.

• Coffee table too flat or too high.

• TV mounted too high or at an awkward angle.

Fix It

• Sofa seat height should match your knee height.

• Coffee table should be about the same height as seat cushions.

• TV centre should be at eye level from a seated position.

Insider Tip: Always test dimensions at home before buying — or request free fabric samples and sizing guides from HOI & TF before committing.

9. Mistake #9: Neglecting Wall Space

Bare Walls = Missed Potential

Empty walls are wasted opportunities for personality.

How to Maximise It

• Gallery walls with curated art.

• Large mirrors to reflect light and visual space.

• Tall shelves with books and décor.

• Textured panelling or wallpapers.

Design Insight: A bold mirror from Gallery Direct or art-glass piece from Eichholtz can make even modest living rooms feel expansive.

10. Mistake #10: Rushing Into Purchases

Why This Happens

Modern shopping moves fast — but good design doesn’t.

Before You Buy, Ask Yourself…

• Does it solve a problem?

• Does it fit the scale and flow?

• Does it have longevity — or will it date in 12 months?

Better Practice

• Mock up your room with free planning tools (many brands like HOI and TF offer planners).

• Order fabric samples to test with your light and texture.

• Live with emptiness for a few days — you’ll spot needs you didn’t see before.

BONUS: The Psychology of Good Arrangement

Great interior design isn’t just layout — it’s emotional engineering.

When a room feels:
✔ balanced
✔ connected
✔ warm
✔ intentional

…it becomes more than space — it becomes sanctuary.

Your living room should:
🌿 make you want to stay
🛋 encourage conversation
💡 feel calm and energising
🎨 reflect you

That’s the secret designers at House of Isabella and Tommy Franks use again and again: Design with intention.

Room Set Examples to Inspire You

Example 1 — Urban Chic

• Corner sofa with chaise

• Round coffee table

• Statement floor lamp

• Gallery wall above the sofa

• Deep, layered rug

Example 2 — Classic Comfort

• Two sofas facing each other

• High console behind a sofa

• Accent chairs for conversation

• Tall mirror to add light

• Symmetrical lighting (lamps on end tables)

Example 3 — Minimalist & Modern

• Modular seating

• Sleek side tables

• One large art piece (not many small ones)

• Flush ceiling lighting plus task floor lamps

• Low coffee table for flow

Every configuration above avoids the mistakes we reviewed — and builds intentional style that feels good.

Final Thought

Your living room shouldn’t just look styled — it should feel lived in, welcoming, balanced, and energising. Avoiding these arrangement mistakes is not just about aesthetics — it’s about how space makes people feel and interact.

You don’t need to be an interior designer to see the difference — just a smart approach and a few key principles:

🧠 Think about flow
📏 Respect scale
🎯 Prioritise function
🎨 Curate decor with intention

Whether you’re shopping from Tommy Franks, exploring fabric and furniture at House of Isabella, or mixing with heirloom pieces, your living room has potential — and now you know how to unlock it.