The five numbers
- 12 to 18 inches between sofa and coffee table (Wayfair; Raymour & Flanigan suggests about 18).
- 30 to 36 inches for main walkways (Raymour & Flanigan); Wayfair suggests 30 inches between the coffee table and a TV stand.
- Two-thirds: a coffee table about two-thirds the length of the sofa (Wayfair).
- Same height or 1 to 2 inches lower: coffee table height against the sofa cushions (Wayfair).
- 18 inches of floor showing around a large rug (Room & Board).
Typical sizes
| Piece | Typical size |
|---|---|
| Sofa | 72 to 96 in long, 30 to 38 in deep |
| Loveseat | 52 to 72 in long |
| Sectional | 90 to 160+ in |
| Coffee table | 16 to 18 in tall |
Putting it together
Start with the sofa, since it is the largest piece. Center the coffee table in front of it, 12 to 18 inches away, and size it at about two-thirds of the sofa's length. Choose a rug large enough that at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs sit on it, with about 18 inches of floor showing at the edges in a large room. Then check that the main paths through the room are 30 to 36 inches wide. If a path is too narrow, a smaller coffee table or a loveseat instead of a sofa usually fixes it.
Sources: Wayfair, "Coffee Table Size Guide"; Raymour & Flanigan, "Sofa Size Guide"; Room & Board, "How to Choose a Rug Size".
