🪧 Rule #16 — Place chairs to encourage conversation, not walls
💬 “If your chairs are talking to the walls, buyers won’t be talking to you.”
🎯 Why This Rule Sells More Than Space
Living rooms aren’t meant to feel like furniture showrooms — they’re meant to feel like life happens here. When chairs face walls or sit too far apart, the room feels disconnected and cold. Arranging chairs to face each other (or a shared focal point) creates intimacy, flow, and warmth — emotions that make buyers linger and picture themselves living there.
🛋️ How to Arrange for Connection
- Face, don’t chase: Chairs should face the sofa or another seating piece, not just the TV.
- Angle for flow: Slightly angle chairs inward to make the space feel welcoming.
- Keep the gap right: 45–90 cm between seats is close enough for conversation without feeling cramped.
- Use a shared anchor: A coffee table, ottoman, or rug keeps the arrangement cohesive.
Example: In a Glebe terrace, the original setup had two armchairs pushed against opposite walls. We moved them in, angled them toward the sofa, and anchored with a round coffee table. The agent said buyers immediately sat down during inspections — a good sign they felt at home.
🧠 What Buyers Subconsciously Think
They won’t say:
“This arrangement promotes social engagement and human connection.”
They’ll think:
“This feels inviting.”
When a living room looks like it encourages conversation, buyers imagine hosting friends, family dinners, or Sunday coffee. That’s an emotional win.
✨ Transformation Snapshot
Before: Armchairs against walls, conversation distance about three metres.
After: Armchairs pulled in, angled toward the sofa, anchored by a rug — instant warmth and flow.
🗣️ Agent’s Take
“When chairs face each other, buyers stay longer in the living area. And the longer they stay, the more attached they get.” — Linda M., The Agency
❌ Mistake to Avoid
Don’t create interrogation layouts. Chairs facing directly, too close, can feel confrontational. Keep a shared focal point (coffee table, rug, fireplace) so the setup feels natural.
🧭 What’s Next
◀ Previous: Rule #15 — Use nesting tables for small living zones
▶ Next: Rule #17 — Use rugs to define zones in open spaces
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