Last reviewed: 1 August 2026 by the Ozbuyz Store Editorial Team.
Quick answer: Measure the room and delivery route, map doors, windows, outlets and normal movement, then choose the seating before tables, rugs, storage and television furniture. Use actual household access and product instructions rather than universal spacing or proportion rules.
Map the fixed room
Draw a simple plan showing:
- walls, doors and door swings
- windows, curtains and ventilation
- power, antenna and data outlets
- heaters, air conditioners and required clearances
- stairs and emergency exits
- routes used by people, pets and mobility aids
Mark proposed furniture at full dimensions with removable tape or paper. Include open drawers, reclined seats, sofa-bed extension and chair pull-out.
Choose seating from use
Count normal occupants, visitors and activities. Compare seat height, depth, firmness, arm shape, cleaning, weight limits, modularity and ease of standing. A deeper or lower sofa is not universally more comfortable, and a sofa does not need to occupy two-thirds of a wall.
Use the sofa buying guide and delivery fit guide, then compare sofas.
Tables and reach
Place coffee and side tables where occupants can use them without obstructing movement or creating sharp-edge hazards. Appropriate gaps depend on seat depth, table shape, accessibility and whether people must pass through. Test the layout rather than enforcing a universal 40–45 cm distance.
Rugs
Compare room and furniture dimensions with the exact rug size. Ensure the edges do not create a trip hazard and use an appropriate underlay on the floor type. Furniture legs may sit fully, partly or entirely off the rug depending on scale and use; there is no mandatory front-leg rule.
Televisions and entertainment units
Choose an entertainment unit designed for the television’s size and weight. Place the TV stably and anchor it. If the TV is secured to furniture, the furniture should also be secured to the wall or floor.
Australia’s toppling-furniture information standard covers entertainment units of any height and certain other furniture. Look for warnings and anchoring information. Do not place a television on a chest of drawers or furniture not intended for it.
Storage and display
Bookcases, cabinets, buffets and sideboards can topple. Select a stable design, anchor it correctly, place heavy items low and avoid objects that encourage children to climb. Tenants should discuss safety fixings with the landlord or agent.
Lighting and cables
- Provide task and ambient light without glare on screens.
- Keep cords out of walkways and away from heat.
- Do not overload outlets or conceal power boards where heat cannot escape.
- Use licensed electrical work for new fixed outlets or lighting.
Small or multi-use rooms
Prioritise clear movement and products that genuinely perform more than one task. A storage ottoman, nesting table or sofa bed can help, but check open dimensions, weight, ventilation and maintenance. Avoid filling every wall with tall storage.
Browse living room furniture, coffee tables, TV units, rugs and bookcases and shelves.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I furnish a living room?
Measure and map the room, select primary seating, then choose tables, rugs, storage and lighting around the remaining safe and usable space.
How much walkway is needed?
Use enough clear space for the actual users, mobility aids, doors and routes. A generic number cannot replace an accessibility and floor-plan check.
How large should the rug be?
Compare exact rug and furniture dimensions and test the outline. Prevent curled edges and trip hazards.
Must a TV unit be wider than the television?
Not as a universal styling rule. It must be designed to support the television’s size and weight and allow stable, anchored installation.
Should living-room storage be anchored?
Yes where the product instructions or safety risk require it. The ACCC identifies bookcases, cabinets, sideboards and entertainment units as toppling hazards.
Research and review method
This guide was reviewed against current ACCC toppling-furniture and television safety information. Product dimensions, load ratings and anchoring instructions take priority over decorative rules.