A furniture layout is the arrangement of furniture in a room, planned around how the room is used, how people move through it and where the eye should go.
Common clearances (rules of thumb)
- Main walkways: around 90 cm (36 in) wide; 60 cm is a tight minimum for secondary paths.
- Sofa to coffee table: about 40–45 cm (16–18 in), close enough to reach a cup.
- Around a dining table: about 90 cm from the table edge to a wall or furniture so chairs can be pulled out.
- Conversation area: seating within about 2.5–3 m of each other so people can talk without raising their voice.
- Bed: around 60–75 cm on the sides you use, more at the foot if there is a wardrobe to open.
Planning a layout
- Measure the room, including doors (and their swing), windows, radiators and sockets.
- Decide the focal point and the main activity of the room.
- Place the largest piece first (sofa, bed, dining table), then the rest around it.
- Check circulation: walk the paths on a plan, or with tape on the floor.
Related: space planning, floor plan. AI redesigns are good for judging style, but check every piece against your measurements before buying.