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Hello Reader,

A few years ago, when I moved into my first apartment, I thought I had the perfect living room setup. TV right in front of the sofa, windows behind me, and every piece of furniture tucked neatly into the corners to “make space.” It looked clean. But something always felt... off.

The TV was barely visible during the day, no matter how dark the curtains were. And the room felt empty and lifeless, even though it was fully furnished. It wasn’t until I started sketching for a client with a similar problem that I realized, I had committed two of the most common living room design mistakes.

In today’s newsletter, I’m breaking down these two big layout errors:

🔹 Placing the TV opposite windows.

🔹 Pushing all furniture against the walls.

Tucking all your furniture into the corners or pushing it tightly against the walls might seem like a smart way to make a room feel larger, but it often has the opposite effect. When everything is lined up along the edges, it leaves a big, empty space in the center that serves no real purpose. This layout can make the room feel cold, disconnected, and awkward to move through.

Instead of creating openness, it creates distance. The furniture no longer encourages conversation or comfort, it just sits against the walls, making the room feel like a waiting area rather than a lived-in, welcoming space.

By floating your furniture slightly away from the walls, you can create cozy zones for sitting, talking, or reading. It brings the layout inward, encourages interaction, and instantly makes the space feel more thoughtfully designed and functional. Even a small shift can dramatically improve how the room feels.

And here’s a practical rule: leave at least 914 mm or 36 inches of space between the wall and the furniture. This allows for easy movement, better proportions, and a more balanced, breathable room.

Placing the TV directly opposite large windows or openings might seem convenient, but it often leads to frustrating glare on the screen, especially during the day. Even with curtains, the reflection can make watching anything uncomfortable.

The best solution is to position the TV on a different wall where natural light doesn’t fall directly onto the screen. This reduces glare, improves visibility, and makes for a much better viewing experience. Always observe how sunlight enters your room before deciding where the TV should go.

📊 Quick Poll:

Did you know today’s newsletter was actually an excerpt from The Essential Guide to Architecture and Interior Design which is part of my bestselling hardcopy bundle?

Right now only 150 hardcopies are left. These are limited edition copies and will not be reprinted again. The bundle is packed with layout rules, standard dimensions and practical design tips.

Shipping is free internationally.
Grab your copy before it’s gone.

Thanks for reading

Bhupesh Kumar from 07sketches.

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
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