Jamie Merida, Jamie Merida Interiors

Ideally, a coffee table should be accessible from all seating spots to help ground the room and make it functional. Side tables are also important so guests have a convenient place to set down a drink without having to reach too far.

jamiemerida.com, 410-819-8666

Laura Hildebrandt, Interiors by LH

​interiorsbylh.com, 571-334-6476

Photo: Christy Kosnic Photography

Becky Wetzler, Haus Interior Design

hausinteriordesign.com, 240-907-7465

Photo and Styling: Stylist Productions

Barbara Hawthorn, IFDA,
Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd.

Shape matters. Rectangular coffee tables work beautifully with traditional sofa arrangements, while round or oval tables can soften a room and improve flow, especially in tighter spaces. Beyond scale, I always consider how a table will function, whether that means displaying books and accessories or providing a convenient surface for drinks or putting up your feet.

barbarahawthorninteriors.com, 703-241-5588

Photo: Kenneth M. Wyner Photography

Joyce Pearl, Interior Concepts, Inc.

interiorconceptsinc.com, 410-224-7366

Photo: Matthew Dandy

Ann Gottlieb, Ann Gottlieb Design PLLC

anngottliebdesign.com, 571-771-9357

Photo: Angela Newton Roy Photography

Andrea Maaseide, Casa Millie

casamillie.com, 571-459-2136

Bonnie Ammon, Bonnie Ammon Interiors

bonnieammoninteriors.com, 703-778-5755

Laura Fox, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC

In addition to aesthetics, designing a living room comes down to balance and function. For example, a coffee table should measure approximately two-thirds of the sofa’s length. If a room is large enough, multiple furniture groupings will encourage conversation and let you move pieces around as needed.

laurafoxinteriordesign.com 

Hannah Goldberg, Hannah Charlotte Interiors

hannahcharlotteinteriors.com

Photo: Jenn Verrier

Suzanne Manlove, Manlove & Company Interiors

A well-designed living room should include a layered mix of ambient lighting for overall warmth, task lighting for activities like reading and accent lighting to highlight art or architecture. We often collaborate with smart-home specialists who create custom lighting solutions that seamlessly shift moods from daytime to evening.

manloveandco.com, 703-520-2125

Sarita Simpson, Interior Matter

The best conversation areas are designed around people, not the room itself. We arrange seating so people can face one another within comfortable distance; leaving generous pathways for movement creates a space that feels both inviting and effortless. When the layout feels intuitive, a room quietly encourages connection.

interiormatter.com, 202-900-3818