Start with the basics
At a minimum, every living room needs a sofa, coffee table, side table and, depending on the size of the room, an armchair. Think about how you're going to use the space- where you plan to read and watch TV, how often you entertain, where you and your guests will put down their drinks, what your storage needs are – all of which will dictate your floor plan.
Avoid The Trends
Furniture tends to be an investment, so buying well – made pieces in versatile, classic silhouettes that won't go out of style is key. The construction of a chair or sofa is important: look for lasting details like solid wood frames, and sinuous steel springs, like the ones we use in our furniture.
*)When Selecting Fabrics, it's worth the added time and expense to get fabric samples to avoid making a mistake.
Do The Math
Measure your space and create a floor plan. It doesn't need to be formal; you can sketch it out on a scratch pad. For larger spaces, think about dividing your space into different zones with flexible seating options to maximize flexibility. The plan for traffic patterns around them. Major pathways require 36-48 inches for comfortable passage.
Stick To A Plan
Come up with couple different scenarios to figure out where and how to place your furniture. Use painter's tape or spread out sheets of newspaper on the floor to map out where each piece will go. To avoid delivery mishaps, check for obstructions and confirm the width of your doorways, halls, staircases to make sure the furniture you're considering will fit inside your house.
Source: http://www.potterybarn.com/
