Living Room “Breathing Space” Trio

In this case we swapped only three categories within a modest budget. By adjusting height, visual weight and lighting, the living room moved from “multi-use hall” back to a true living space.

01 Low-back sofa

Skip the huge L-shape; pick a medium-depth 2–3 seater with a lower back. It won’t chop the room visually and it’s better for long sits.

02 Light coffee table

The old oversized table dominated the room and collected clutter. We switched to a smaller, lighter side table that can slide aside to free the walkway.

03 Layered lighting

Track lights plus a floor and wall lamp replace a lone ceiling fixture. The sofa, reading corner and dining spot each get the light they need, adding depth immediately.

Buying tip: sketch your room and mark target sofa/table dimensions first to avoid pieces that overpower the space.

For the full before/after story, see Living Room Reset: Three Pieces of Furniture for More Breathing Room.