1. USE A SECTIONAL
The size and customizable nature of a sectional makes it the perfect piece of living room furniture to divide a living room and create a cozy seating area within a larger space. 'These sofas can be customized to fit the living room layout,' says Zoe Bailey of StudioMorey. 'Whether it’s a family sofa or a lounge used for entertaining, having a choice of armrests, back heights, ledges and ottomans provides an endless amount of potential uses.'
2. OR USE TWO SEPARATE SOFAS FOR BETTER FLOW
Alternatively, instead of a sectional, you could consider laying out two individual sofas to help zone a living area. This, again, also helps create a more snug, cozy living room as all the furniture pieces face each other, creating a more intimate setting, great for conversations.
3. PLACE A BENCH IN THE MIDDLE
If you have a large living room with lots of small seaters, do you want to overburden the elegant living room's aesthetic with a room divider or a chunky sweater that acts as one? In this case, a long, sleek bench placed in the middle of the room, will do just fine.
4. OR USE A DAYBED
A good, sturdy daybed in a living room is one of the most useful and functional pieces of furniture you can own, especially if you are in a small space. This piece of furniture, light in visuals, packs lots of functionality. A cross between a chaise, a sofa, and a bed, it's a piece of furniture that is a staple of luxury living rooms. This piece can be used to fill an awkward spot or to round out a seating arrangement.
5. CONSIDER ADDING A SOFA TABLE
While consoles may be the staple of large or small entryways and foyers, this easy-to-use, and easy-to-move pieces can really, be a part of any space, adding plenty of storage and use. Instead of pushing these to a corner of a room, why not use as a sofa table, running along the back of your couch and providing easy-to-reach storage.
6. BE CLEVER WITH DINING SPACES
A dining table brings in a natural divide into any space, but in any dining area in an open plan space, you can emphasize a separation between these spaces. In this room, everything from the rug placement to the dropped lighting helps divide the dining table from the living space.
7. EMPHASIZE DIVIDES WITH DIFFERENT UPHOLSTERY
Lastly, if you're not too keen on buying new furniture, rearranging your layout, or repositioning a piece in the middle of the room, then the easiest solution is to reupholster your seating in different fabrics or colors, to show a subtle yet clear separation in space.
8. USE DOUBLE SIDED FURNITURE
When it comes to perfectly zoning your space with seating, there are several ways you can do so. One is with a sofa that has seating on both sides, as seen in this image. You can use a multifunctional piece like this to create two socializing spots; or one place to work and the other to lounge. You could also place a TV on one side, and a fireplace on the other, so you have two very different yet functional areas in the room.