In a large room that has a focal point at one end, it's often necessary to situate the main seating cluster in the center of the space. That arrangement affords a direct view of the room's main attraction, whether it's a fireplace, an entertainment center, or a window that frames a dramatic vista.
In addition to establishing what's known as attractive sight lines, this sort of furniture layout creates a cozy conversation grouping.
Problems can arise, however, whenever chairs and tables are placed well away from a room's perimeter walls. The design difficulties are greatest when the entrance to the room is opposite the focal point. The back of a sofa may then be the first thing a person sees upon entering a space that features a much more pleasing sight.
Interior designers employ a variety of techniques to alleviate this problem. The simplest is to choose a sofa with a low back and in a color that's compatible with its immediate surroundings. If the furniture piece blends with the carpet and the walls, the eye of someone entering the room will not fix on the back of the sofa. The viewer's glance will instead glide past the low-lying objects and come to rest on the intended focal point.