Designing around large windows: Tips for functional furniture placement

Floor-to-ceiling windows and large glass panels allow in beautiful natural light, open up stunning views and make interiors feel spacious and connected to the outdoors; however, whilst breathtaking, they can create challenges when it comes to interior décor and arranging furniture. 

With limited wall space, finding the perfect spots for seating, storage, and decor can feel like a tricky puzzle, but, with thoughtful planning, you can create a comfortable, stylish layout that doesn’t sacrifice either functionality or views. 

Here are some top strategies and furniture suggestions to help you make the most of rooms with large windows.

1. Embrace Floating Furniture Arrangements

When traditional wall-based layouts don’t work, floating your furniture becomes the next best option. Floating means positioning pieces away from the walls to keep the view open and emphasise the spaciousness. 

For instance, try placing your couch facing the windows, a few feet away from the glass. This allows you to create a cosy seating area with a view while leaving space for light to flow into the room. 

Floating furniture arrangements work especially well in open concept living spaces, as they encourage a smooth flow of movement and make the seating area feel like a distinct, intentional space.

Tips:

• Use Area Rugs: Anchor your floating furniture with an area rug to give the space definition. It creates visual boundaries and makes the arrangement feel cohesive.
• Add Low-Back Sofas or Loveseats: These don’t obstruct the view and still offer ample seating. Choose styles that are visually lightweight, like mid-century designs with slim legs, to maintain an airy feel.

2. Go for Low-Profile Furniture

Large windows call for furniture that doesn’t compete with the view. Low-profile pieces help preserve sightlines and keep the focus on the natural scenery. Opt for sofas, chairs and tables that are sleek and minimal, with lower heights that stay below window frames or at least well below your line of sight. 

Low-profile furniture not only allows you to enjoy unobstructed views but also creates a sense of harmony and openness in the room.

Recommended Furniture:

• Low-Back Sectionals: Great for creating a cosy seating area without blocking views.
• Ottomans: These can double as seating and coffee tables, adding versatility without taking up too much vertical space.
• Low Console Tables: Perfect for positioning under windows without blocking light or views.

3. Position Tall Furniture Pieces Strategically

With large windows, it's best to avoid placing tall furniture directly in front of the glass. Instead, position bookshelves, cabinets, and other taller items along the side walls or in corners where they won’t obstruct light or views. This placement not only keeps the room feeling airy but also provides balance by grouping taller pieces in areas where they won’t compete with the windows.

Ideas for Tall Furniture:

• Slim Bookcases: Place these on walls perpendicular to the windows. They provide storage without overwhelming the space.
• Corner Cabinets: Utilise corners for storage, leaving the window wall clear for natural light to flood the room.
• Floating Shelves: If wall space is limited, install floating shelves along shorter walls to add storage without occupying floor space or interfering with windows.

4. Use Versatile and Moveable Furniture

Versatile furniture pieces, like stools, pouffes or nesting tables, make it easy to adjust your layout based on how you’re using the space. They’re especially useful in rooms with large windows, as they can be rearranged without blocking the view or overwhelming the open design. 

Consider lightweight pieces that can easily be moved to different parts of the room, making them ideal for entertaining or for when you want to emphasise the view.

Ideal Versatile Pieces:

• Pouffes and Ottomans: These work as footrests, extra seating or even tables. They’re easy to move and won’t block windows.
• Nesting Tables: Stackable and flexible, nesting tables can be spread out or compacted as needed, perfect for multipurpose spaces.
• Accent Chairs: Slim and movable, accent chairs can be arranged in various ways without taking up much space.

5. Place Furniture with View in Mind

When arranging furniture in a room with expansive windows, think about how to maximise your enjoyment of the view. Position key seating like sofas, armchairs, or even your dining table to face the windows, making the scenery a focal point of your design. 

By aligning furniture with the view, you create a more immersive experience that connects the indoors with the outdoors, making the room feel larger and more open.

Layout Suggestions:

• Living Rooms: Place sofas facing the windows, with a coffee table in the centre. Arrange the other chairs around to create an inclusive seating arrangement.
• Dining Rooms: Set the dining table parallel to the windows. Position chairs so that diners can enjoy the view without blocking others.
• Bedrooms: Position the bed where you can wake up to the view each morning. A low-profile headboard can also add to the sense of openness.

6. Add Lightweight, See-Through Pieces

Choosing furniture that doesn’t visually obstruct the room will make the space feel more open and less cluttered. Glass or acrylic tables, open shelving, and thin-legged furniture maintain the room’s transparency and keep the focus on the windows and natural light. These pieces are visually lightweight, ensuring that the room stays bright and inviting.

See-Through Furniture Ideas:

• Glass Coffee or Side Tables: These maintain openness, allowing you to keep a clear line of sight through the room.
• Acrylic Chairs or Stools: They’re virtually invisible and don’t compete with other elements, keeping the design airy.
• Open Shelving: Opt for shelves with open backs or slim, minimalist frames that don’t visually block the room.

7. Add Greenery to Complement the View

Floor-to-ceiling windows are perfect for framing views of nature, and adding plants indoors can enhance this effect. Use greenery to create continuity between the interior and the outdoors. 

Choose plants with interesting foliage or tall plants that draw the eye upward without obstructing the view. Potted plants near windows, on shelves, or even on the floor around your furniture add a fresh, natural touch.

Plant Ideas:

• Tall Plants: Place a fiddle leaf fig or snake plant near windows to draw the eye upward without blocking the view.
• Trailing Plants: Hang pothos or string-of-pearls plants near windows to add greenery without taking up floor space.
• Small Succulents or Cacti: These can be placed on tables or shelves for a pop of green that stays low-profile.

Arranging furniture in a room with floor-to-ceiling windows requires balancing aesthetics, functionality and views to create a welcoming and functional space without compromising the beauty of the windows. 

Thoughtfully selected pieces that blend into the room’s open design, combined with touches of greenery, will enhance the natural beauty of large windows and create a home that feels bright, spacious, and connected to the outdoors.