How To Arrange Furniture In A Living Room With A Wall Of Windows

Large windows provide coveted natural light and often highlight a view as a focal point in a living room. However, when it comes to arranging your furniture, to enhance the view or minimize chilly drafts, windows pose some potential problems. Luckily, we’ve done the research and found the most optimal layouts for a family room with many windows to ensure maximum comfort. 

For a functional living room with a wall of windows, follow one of these layout suggestions:

• Group a couch and armchairs around an area rug in the center of the room
• Arrange furniture to face the windows when wanting to highlight a nice view
• Create a focal point with the fireplace or TV if the view through the windows isn’t ideal
• Use matching couches in the middle of the room to create symmetry when there are multiple walls with windows and doors

Can you place furniture in front of large windows, like a bookshelf or couch? How should you arrange furniture in tricky layouts, like a walk-through living room? What about small spaces versus awkwardly large spaces? Keep reading to answer all of these questions and more regarding arranging furniture in a living room with a wall of windows.

Effective Layouts For A Living Room With Many Windows

When creating any layout for your living room, always make sure to create a cozy environment that brings people together. Avoid clumsy layouts with blocked pathways or oversized furniture. Group furniture together for conversation, provide surfaces for drinks and food, and place baskets full of blankets near seating areas. With these tips in mind, we suggest using one of the following optimal layouts for a living room with a wall of windows.

Group Furniture In The Center Of The Room

Avoid drafts near the windows by pulling all of the furniture to the middle of the room. Group the furniture in a square or circle around a coffee table or ottoman. Provide walkways all around the furniture and in between them to easily walk to and from the furniture.

Make sure you choose an area rug big enough for all of the furniture to rest its front legs on the rug. For more information about positioning your area rug, check our article "How To Position An Area Rug In Living Room."

Arrange Furniture to Face the Windows

To draw attention to a stellar view, set your furniture in a semicircle facing the windows. You may choose a grouping of furniture, like a couch and two armchairs. Or you may choose a large sectional that faces the view.

Opt for a simple layout with an open pathway between the furniture and the windows. This encourages guests to stand and walk to the windows. It also separates the cozy seating area away from the windows, which may emit hot or cold air depending on the weather.

Create A Different Focal Point 

Maybe you wish to highlight a different focal point like a piece of art, a fireplace across the room, or a television away from the windows' glare. In this instance, place your furniture facing the other focal point away from the windows. Angle your television so that glare from the windows doesn't distract away from your viewing.

The light in your living room plays a key role in drawing attention to and away from certain areas. Evaluate your space and add lamps, sconces, or a chandelier to darker parts of your room. Don’t forget to place light sources near the windows for the night time. 

Luckily, we've already researched all about lighting in our article "How Do You Add More Light to a Room?"

Utilize Matching Couches To Create Symmetry

For a balanced living room, use two matching couches. Symmetry in a room draws the eye to the middle of the two objects. For this reason, it may be best to place the couches perpendicular to the windows so that the eyes are drawn to the windows. 

Sometimes a room has multiple walls with windows and glass doors. In this case, the asymmetry of the windows may cause a disjointed feeling in the room. Matching couches counterbalance this effect and help bring balance to a room with a lot of light.

How Do You Arrange Furniture In A Walk-Through Living Room?

Most importantly, keep walkways open in a walk-through living room. Never place a piece of furniture perpendicular to the walkway, blocking the path. Face your furniture to each other on opposite sides of the main walkway. 

Achieve balance by using matching couches as mentioned above or by placing your TV stand across from your couch. To create the illusion of more space, pull your furniture a couple of inches from the wall on each side of the room. 

Use Mirrors Strategically

In small spaces like a walk-through living room, utilize mirrors to reflect natural light. This opens up your room and makes it seem larger. It also distracts away from necessary furniture groupings that appear cluttered.

In any sized room, lean a large floor mirror against the wall opposite the windows to reflect the natural light. This balances the light in the room and allows guests to see the view in the mirror even with their backs to the windows.

Consider Adding A Bench

When your walk-through living room has a wall of windows, consider adding a bench along the bottom of the windows. This a great way to add seating to an otherwise cramped, high-traffic area. Not only will a bench allow more seating, but it normally doesn't obstruct the view.

Can You Put A Bookshelf In Front Of A Window?

To get the most natural light possible, prevent putting any large furniture in front of the windows. This includes large bookshelves. Wooden and painted bookshelves risk fading over time when exposed to too much sunlight.

However, if limited space forces you to put a bookshelf in front of your windows, choose a half or even quarter-sized unit. To house more books, place your larger bookshelves on either end of the shorter shelves. Prevent window-blockage as much as possible so that natural light may still flow into the room.

Can You Put A Couch Against A Window?

Putting a couch or any lounging furniture in front of a window risks being too hot or cold. If you have space, it’s best to place the couch away from the windows for a more regulated temperature.

Sometimes your small space makes it impossible to put the couch anywhere else but up against the window. In this case, if possible, pull the couch at least a couple of inches from the windows to allow distance from any drafts. Also, make sure to keep blankets near the couch in the cold and use blackout curtains for overly hot days.

Now You Know How To Style A Living Room Full of Windows

With these helpful tips, you now know the most optimal layouts for a living room with a wall of windows. Remember, each living room is unique and requires its own arrangement. If you feel stuck, consult this guide, and always remember to have fun with it!