How to Arrange an L-Shaped Sofa in Your Living Room: 5 Layout Ideas

What is an L-Shaped Sofa?

As the name would suggest, an L-shaped sofa is a couch in the shape of an L. These couches are also called sectional sofas. The "L" can either be on the left or right-hand side of the couch, depending on how you want to arrange your space.

These couches are becoming incredibly popular in open concept spaces to divide the dining room and the living room, but they are also well-suited for a small space to create a cozy seating arrangement.

L-shaped sofas can consist of a variety of materials. The frames are usually wood or metal, while the sofa can be upholstered with cotton, linen, velvet, leather, acrylic, polyester, or polyurethane leather. They also come in any color imaginable - from neutrals to deep blues and greens to vibrant yellows.

These sofas are also available in a variety of styles:

Standard couch: This style has a backrest along the long side of the "L" and a chaise at the short side, making it great for relaxing and lying down. It suits an open concept space.
Cushion-backed couch: This sofa has a backrest along the entire couch, making it suitable for small rooms to provide extra seating.
Recliner: This style has a recliner seat at both ends of the "L", making them great for intimate movie nights but also a great seating solution for guests.
Sectionals: This style offers a couch that can be divided into sectional units, allowing homeowners to arrange the couch as they see fit. This style often comes with additional flat ottomans to create a larger seating or sleeping area.
Sofa bed: L-shaped sofa beds provide homeowners with extra space for guests to sleep.

Why Should I Get an L-Shaped Sofa?

There are plenty of reasons why you should get an L-shaped sofa - here are only a few benefits of these lovely couches:

Saves space. These couches work great in a small room as they offer plenty of seating space without taking up as much floor space as having several sofas.
Great for entertaining. The shape of the couch allows guests to comfortably chat with each other and also allows you to include a coffee table in the center.
It is economical when you consider the price per seat as these couches can seat more people than conventional sofas.
It is easy to style and decorate with scatter cushions or a throw.
It can fit into awkwardly shaped rooms.

5 Layout Ideas For Arranging an L-Shaped Sofa in a Living Room

L-Shaped Sofa Layout #1: In the Centre of the Room

Placing your L-shaped couch in the middle of the room is great if you have a large room and want the couch to be the focal point of the space.

If you have a big enough area, you can place additional seating, such as large armchairs, facing the sofa to create a circular space for entertaining. If you are fortunate enough to have a fireplace, you can also arrange the sofa in the center of the room, facing the fireplace, for a comfortable and warm seating arrangement.

L-Shaped Sofa in the Center of a Living Room — L-shaped sofa in the center of a living room

This layout will benefit from neutral colors; carry the same color scheme throughout the rest of the room. If you wish to add some color, you can add accent pillows to the sofa in bold prints.

L-Shaped Sofa Layout #2: Nestle into a Window Wall

Nestling your sofa into the corner next to a window wall (with the back of the sofa against the wall) will make the room feel larger, and you will be able to relax in the sun or turn the sofa into your favorite reading nook.

Allow the natural light to speak for itself, and stick with neutral, light colors to not overwhelm the aesthetic of the room.

L-Shaped Sofa Layout #3: Cosy in a Back Wall Corner

A back wall sweep is when you place a large sofa against the back of the wall. This works well when you do not have a large space available, as it provides seating space without taking up the entire room.

Sofa on Back Wall — L=shaped sofa on back wall

You can enhance the aesthetic of the room by placing a rectangular coffee table in front of the large L-shaped sofa.

L-Shaped Sofa Layout #4: Create an Intimate Nook

In small spaces, a sofa with an additional armchair will form a semi-circle, creating a cozy nook where you and your friends can chat comfortably. It is best to stick with a neutral color scheme to create a streamlined look in a small space.

L-shaped sofa nook — You can use an l-shaped sofa to create an intimate nook

L-Shaped Sofa Layout #5: Hide in a Corner Pocket

A sectional can be used to divide a large room, creating a comfortable corner for socializing. A longer L-shaped sofa is best suited for this, as it will create visual interest and a lounge area.

L-Shaped sofa in the corner of a living room — L-shaped sofa in the corner of a living room

Want more inspiration? Take a look at some of our favorite sectional living room ideas and our guide to arranging two sofas in your living room.

How Do You Decorate an L-Shaped Couch?

There are so many ways to decorate an L-shaped couch. You can style it by adding furniture around it, like coffee tables, side tables, or chairs, or you can use decor to create a beautiful look, like cushions, rugs, or a throw.

Coffee Tables Add character to Your Space

Coffee tables are great to use with a sectional, as not only are these tables functional, but they also add character to your space.

Over at Living Cozy, we love the Serif Coffee Table, but honestly, any modern coffee table will complement your sofa. Large, round coffee tables will look good with sofas placed in the center of the room, while rectangular or square coffee tables will work better for couches tucked into a corner.

Create a Cozy Nook with an Armchair

Adding armchairs to the open end of your sofa will create a very cozy nook where you can have intimate conversations while directly facing your company.

Vesper Armchair by Burrow — Burrow's Vesper Chair

For an understated, minimalistic chair, we recommend the Vesper Chair, while the Downing Chair will add sophistication to your room. These chairs can also be used in other rooms in the house.

Add a Pop of Color with a Rug

Large, square rugs go beautifully with an L-shaped sofa, no matter where you place the sofa in the room. These rugs help to create a cohesive space, making the area feel comfortable and separate from the rest of the room.

Ruggable has some brilliant rugs on offer, but our personal favorite to match with a sofa or any other large furniture is the Floyd Rug.

Statement Pillows Add the Wow Factor

Accent pillows are comfortable when lounging on the couch and help the couch become a focal point in the room. These pillows add brilliant color to a neutral sofa, and can also be used to introduce patterns and textures into the space.

Some stunning combinations include: red and navy, pink and neutrals, and mustard with gray.

Final Thoughts

L-shaped sofas are great additions to living rooms of all shapes and sizes. These sofas are highly versatile and come in a variety of sizes, colors, and fabrics, making them an affordable and flexible seating arrangement.

With so many layout options to choose from, and so many different ways to style your sofa, it is easy to see why this sofa style has become so popular. Make sure to check out some of the best sectional sofas as tried and tested by Living Cozy!

FAQs

How Many People Can Sit on an L-Shaped Sofa?

It will depend on the size of the sofa. Some sofas are great for 3-4 people for lounging, while 6-7 people can sit on the sofa squeezed together. Larger L-shaped sofas can seat up to 12 people.

Can You Put an L-Shaped Sofa in the Middle of the Room?

Yes! In large rooms, an L-shaped sofa will become the centerpiece of the room, and when you arrange it in front of the fireplace or add additional seating around the couch, it will be a great space for socializing.

Is an L-shaped Sofa a Good Idea?

Of course. These sofas are available in different styles, as mentioned above, and can also be arranged in a variety of layouts to suit any room size and shape.