Start with the way you live
Before choosing furniture, think about what happens in your living room. Is it a place for family films, catching up with friends or quiet reading? Position your main seating around that activity, then leave clear routes between the doors and the rest of the room.
Give your furniture room to breathe
Measure the room and mark out the sofa footprint before you commit. A large sofa can be welcoming, but it should still leave enough space to move comfortably. Check the position of radiators, doors and windows, and remember to measure the delivery route too.
Use more than one light source
An overhead light is useful, but a floor lamp or table lamp makes the room feel more relaxed in the evening. Put reading light near a comfortable seat and use softer lighting elsewhere. Keep cables away from walking routes.
Bring the details together
Repeat a small selection of colours in cushions, artwork and a rug. A few coordinated details can connect different pieces of furniture without making everything match. Leave room for the objects that mean something to you.