Designing a living room is never one-size-fits-all, especially when faced with unconventional layouts, structural quirks, or competing focal points. That’s where these awkward living room layout ideas come in. The best designers embrace the challenge, using creativity and a keen eye for functionality to transform awkward spaces into beautifully resolved rooms.
As interior designer Kelly Sutherland of Kelly Sutherland Designs puts it, “One of the joys of decorating is knowing we are not performing brain surgery, so you can take a rule and bend it to fit your specific needs.”
Similarly, interior designer Rebecca Roberts of Method + Moxie notes that sometimes, the key to making an awkward space work is leaning into the quirks of your living room layout rather than trying to hide them. “What began as a design dilemma is now the soul of the space — a captivating centerpiece that seamlessly ties the home together,” she says of her firm’s Manhattan penthouse project.
From clever solutions to hard angles and the trick to creating a better flow, here are nine awkward living room layout ideas from designers.
1. Resolving Competing Focal Points
London-based Tollgard Studio solved a tricky living room TV placement issue in an old artist’s studio by installing a sliding door that conceals the screen when not in use. This awkward living room layout idea now means the TV doesn’t compete with the fireplace as the room’s focal point.
“The flexibility was really helpful as it allowed us to configure a room that inspires connections, but also angles towards the TV without seeming to do so,” they explain.
2. Turning an Architectural Quirk into a Feature
New York City-based designer Rebecca Roberts transformed an inconvenient structural column into a design statement by wrapping it in a beautiful wallcovering used as a base for the living room wall art. The result? A glowing focal point that ties the open-plan space together.
“Rather than conceal it, we embraced the column, wrapping it in a luminous, textural mica wallcovering that catches the light and commands attention,” she explains, of what could have been a potentially awkward living room layout.
3. Using Curved Furniture Against Harsh Angles
Jason Saft, founder Staged To Sell Home, says his firm is often hired to reimagine spaces due to oddly shaped floorplans that buyers struggle with understanding how to lay out. When faced with a long living room obstructed by columns, he created clearly defined areas with similar yet distinct purposes.
“We created a more formal seating area using matching sofas to create symmetry,” he says. “A hard angled corner was softened with a circular sofa, round rug, and rounded chairs for a casual seating area to relax and take in the view.”
4. Dividing Up an L-Shaped Layout
Interior designer Margaux Lafond tackled the challenge of an awkward L-shaped living room by splitting it into two distinct areas: a living room and a study with a reading nook.
“We kept the opening to the study open to keep the sense of space,” she says. “It ended up being a long and narrow living room, but I think it actually worked out better and was easier to furnish in addition to creating another room within the apartment where the owner can work during the day or read a book facing the window.”
5. Opening Up Dark, Enclosed Spaces
Interior designer Susan Petrie of Petrie Interior Designs transformed a Manhattan apartment by removing walls that enclosed a dark library, which blocked natural light from the west-facing windows.
"The previous owners created a dark library that shut off the natural light that came from the West. It was awkward and felt shut off,” she says. “I encouraged the client to knock down some walls and open up the space to allow for a better flow of foot traffic and make a more inviting environment."
By embracing an open-concept floorplan approach, this awkward living room layout idea helped create a brighter, airier living space with improved functionality.
6. Using Sculptural Seating as a Safety Barrier
Principal designer Sarah Latham of Latham Interiors tackled a split-level living and dining space by incorporating sculptural seating that not only serves as a transition but also prevents accidental falls while keeping the space visually cohesive.
“We created an opportunity for sculptural seating to provide a transition point and safety barrier around the potential fall hazard,” she explains.
7. Embracing Tight Spaces
Kelly Sutherland of Kelly Sutherland Designs proves that you don’t always need the traditional 36 inches of clearance around furniture. When it came to this small living room layout, she prioritized function over rigid rules, creating a practical and stylish multi-purpose space.
“There was no way we were going to clear 36” on either side of the seating area, so we didn’t! And guess what? It works beautifully,” she says.
8. Making a Dual-Purpose Space Work
For this awkward living room layout idea, Regan Billingsley of Regan Billingsley Interiors designed a family room that needed to double as a formal living space. By arranging two sofas opposite each other and customizing one to allow for better TV viewing, she created a space that balances sophistication and comfort.
“The challenge was finding the perfect balance between sophistication and coziness without sacrificing style or functionality,” she explains.
9. Breaking Large Spaces into Functional Zones
Gail Taylor of TH2 Designs emphasizes the importance of thoughtful space planning to transform large or awkward layouts into functional, welcoming environments.
“Whether large or small, living spaces can feel overwhelming to furnish,” she says. “We find the best approach is to break the space into ‘pockets,’ considering each area and its intended use (entertaining, watching TV, relaxing, working, cooking, and dining) and then planning how these functions can flow and work together.”
By defining specific zones within a large living area and ensuring seamless flow, even the most expansive or irregularly shaped spaces can feel cozy and purposeful.
FAQs
How to Approach an Awkward Living Room Layout
When coming up with awkward living room layout ideas, the first step is to assess the major challenges. Whether it’s a tricky split-level design, an inconvenient structural element, or an unusual room shape, identifying the problem areas upfront will help guide the layout strategy.
Next, determine how the space needs to function. Flexibility is often the best approach, especially in multi-use spaces. When determining furniture placement, consider focal points. If a fireplace or architectural feature naturally draws attention, work with it rather than against it.
Ultimately, the secret behind most awkward living room layout ideas is creativity. Whether it’s hiding a TV behind a sliding panel, using sculptural seating as a safety barrier, or customizing furniture to fit unusual dimensions, these expert solutions prove that no layout is too difficult to conquer.
