18 Clever Ways to Design Around an Awkward Living Room Layout

Identify the Largest Wall

When designing an awkward living room, it’s important to build your foundation before focusing on decorative elements and finishes.

“When planning out your living space, identifying the largest wall and placing your biggest piece of furniture in that area will free up other spots to help determine where your remaining components can go,” says interior designer John McClain. “It is easier to arrange your furniture around statement elements rather than accent pieces.”

Break Up Space Into Zones

A simple way to approach an awkward living room layout is to divide the room into smaller zones that can be used for varying functions.

“Creating two to three zones in a room can make an odd-shaped space more usable,” says interior designer Jessica Risko Smith of JRS ID. “Creating a cozy reading zone separate from a larger conversation area or TV viewing space can make use of odd corners."

Define Space With Area Rugs

Use one or more area rugs to define and separate zones in a living room.

“Selecting different colors, shapes, and textures is a great way to separate your TV/hang out and dining spaces without physically putting something in between them," McClain says.

Try Swivel Chairs

Making smart seating choices can make an awkward living room more functional. Risko Smith suggests swivel chairs "to minimize disruption caused by circulation through a space."

Place a pair of swivel chairs in front of a TV with a fireplace above it that can pivot as needed without moving furniture.

Float the Furniture

Resist the urge to push all of your furniture against the walls by floating the sofa or other pieces.

“Don't be afraid to pull things away from the walls,” says Risko Smith. “Sometimes odd-shaped rooms (especially large ones) benefit most from having furniture pulled in toward the center, creating a new shape within.”

Vary Heights

Use wall decor to play with the perception of space with wall decor or furniture of varying heights.

"Hang wall decor in collages by mixing in photographs, art, and mirrors," McClain says. "Use taller casement pieces or install wall-mounted shelving in areas in need of functional storage options while maintaining your design aesthetic. It’s okay to hang something higher than you may think as long as it is large enough (like an oversized art piece) and makes sense within the space.”

Use Clever Lighting

Use lighting from floor lamps to wall sconces and table lamps to define and highlight zones.

“Lighting can be used to enhance the feel of a space by highlighting vignettes or defining seating areas,” McClain says. “Hue lighting can be used to set the mood while entertaining or watching TV. Wall sconces (whether hard wired or plug in) can be used to add light without taking up real estate on a table or floor.”

Repurpose Nooks and Niches

McClain suggests maximizing nooks and niches depending on your needs. Turn a large living room nook into a home workspace with a desk, bookshelves, and wall art.

“Have an open area underneath your stairs or a weird closet that you don’t know what to do with?" he asks. "Create an intimate reading corner with a cozy chair, side table and lamp for when you want to get away from the TV."

Create a Reading Nook

Create a reading nook in your living room with built-in seating and wallpaper to turn it into a focal point, like this space from Emily Henderson Design.

Turn a Closet Into a Bar

Repurpose a large, shallow closet so that it creates bonus space in your living room.

"Remove closet doors and swap out shelving for a practical office set up," McClain says. "Add a small sideboard and install open shelves into a recess in the wall for a dry bar set up or coffee station.”

Optimize Under-Stairs Space

Turn an awkward under-stairs nook into a home office workstation with a desk, chair, and wall-mounted lighting, like this space from Marie Flanigan Interiors.

Divide an Open-Plan Space

Make a large open-plan space feel cozier by defining the seating area to create a cozy lounge space by turning the sofa with its back to the room.

Then place a pair of tall lamps on a sofa table behind the sofa to define the seating area, like this living room dining room combo from Gray Space Interiors.

Work Around a Fireplace

If you don’t have the reno budget to move or remove an awkward corner fireplace, simply design around it.

Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona painted the brick cream to help it blend in with the rest of the room.

Fill an Empty Corner

Fill an awkward empty corner of your living room with a vintage or antique secretary desk, like this space from Sara Ligorria-Tramp for Emily Henderson Design.

Hang art on the wall above and add a wall sconce or a table lamp so that the corner is lit up after dark to provide balanced lighting throughout the room.

Create a Bonus Workstation

Use a large anchor piece like a sectional sofa to define space and add functionality to an awkward space.

“Place a console table and chair behind your sofa for a convenient workstation,” McClain says. Or use an open shelving unit as a room divider “while incorporating curated pieces of decor, books and even storage boxes.”

Minimize High Windows

High placed windows can make a living room seating area feel awkward. Cheat the gap between the top of the sofa and the windows by placing a multi-paneled decorative screen or room divider behind the sofa for a cozier feel that won't block natural light, like this space from Marie Flanigan Interiors.

Build Out a Cloffice

If your living room includes a closet, give it purpose by turning it into a work from home cloffice, like this space from Ursula Carmona for Home Made By Carmona. Paint and decorate the inside so that it will blend in with your decor when the doors are open.

Play Around With Shapes

A living room with a bow window or curved walls adds character to the space, but can be challenging to furnish. Choose a curved sofa that will mimic the shape of the walls for a harmonious feel, like this space from Desiree Burns Interiors.

McClain points out that curved furniture and decor can also help smooth out the angles of rooms with choppy straight walls, too.

“Furniture and decor with round edges or curved silhouettes can soften the rigidness of a space,” McClain says. “It will also create movement that is more pleasing to the eye. Incorporating organic shapes like plants (live or faux), branches, crystals and woven baskets are great ways to incorporate different shapes as well."