Start with the sofa and work outward. Position seating to face a focal point, whether that is a window, a fireplace or a media unit. Leave clear walkways of around 90cm and keep a coffee table within easy reach of the seating.

Most living rooms start with a sofa and a coffee table. From there, add seating such as an armchair, a rug to define the space, and storage like a sideboard or media unit. Build the room around how you use it.

Combining timber, fabric, marble and metal adds depth as long as the tones work together. A common approach is to choose one main material and let the others support it. Keep the palette restrained so the room feels considered, not crowded.

A rug large enough to sit under at least the front legs of the sofa anchors the seating area. In larger rooms, choose a rug that all the furniture can sit on. This pulls the arrangement together rather than leaving it adrift.

Look for shared materials, finishes or proportions rather than buying everything in one set. A consistent palette and a few repeating materials let individual pieces sit comfortably together while keeping the room from feeling uniform.