1. ALLOW FOR SPACE AND FLOW
Think about how you navigate around the furniture and leave space for an organic flow around the room. Think outside the box in terms of layout and keep the chairs and sofas facing outwards. 'Create layouts that allow for space to move around furniture,' says Melissa Anderson of OAD Interiors.
2. CREATE AN INTERESTING FOCAL POINT
The designers unanimously agree to start with one object and develop your scheme outwards. 'I'll take an object, an art piece, a piece of furniture that appeals to me and I will then make that the focal point of the seating area,' says interior designer Victoria Maria. 'Moving pieces around and finding the correct orientation is key.'
3. INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY
More and more, designers are cleverly incorporating tech into our designs. It's an element that must be taken into account to create a modern living room seating scheme. With easy-to-reach light fixtures that give you total control from the comfort of your seat, to charging points for your laptop, to couches with USB ports to decor tricks to hide your TV like a clever custom-built shelving unit, there are so many clever ways to make your living room seating scheme smart and modern.
4. THINK MODULAR
When it comes to planning a modern seating scheme, think modular and adaptable. Our homes have evolved to become flexible places that mirror a newfound work-life balance, and with that, our living rooms are evolving too. We desire these spaces to double up as bedrooms, workspaces, dining areas, and living rooms all rolled into one.
5. MIX AND MATCH
Don't be afraid to mix and match. A variety of shapes, styles, and sizes keeps things interesting and layered, which in turn makes a room feel contemporary. 'With creating a modern seating area, there are no rules,' says Victoria. 'You can have an array of small and large pieces, placed in the center, corner, or against a wall.'
6. CONSIDER THE RULES OF FENG SHUI
Finally, follow living room Feng Shui rules to help your space feel calming and improve the energy flow of the room. Consider the way your couch faces, how your room pivots around the central furniture, avoiding sitting with your back to the door (a no-go in the laws of Feng Shui) and making sure your path through the room flows without obstruction.