‘Negative’ space is a misleading term. In a large living room, leaving parts of the floor bare can do more for a space than filling them with furniture ever could. Jennifer Lopez appears to agree. Her LA home makes a convincing case for knowing when to leave things alone, and its layout is easy to follow.
In her living room, stretches of oak flooring remain uncovered, with furniture arranged around the edges rather than spread across the entire space. No extra seating areas compete for attention, and she uses rugs strategically to zone the space, not cover the whole floor. The open middle gives the room a sense of order, letting the furniture and wood flooring breathe.
In interior design, negative space refers to the empty areas around and between furniture. In an open-plan living room, these gaps are particularly important. They create natural routes through the space and let materials like oak add warmth without adding more patterns or colors.
To get the look, I'd start with a smaller-sized rug, like this one from Pottery Barn, then place golden-hued accessories around your room, leaving 'negative space' around each larger piece of furniture.
Shop the Jennifer Lopez-Inspired Edit
Shimmery gold pieces, warm mustard, and crisp whites come together in this edit of our favorite products for emulating JLo's color scheme. These pieces give the look a modern spin.
This upholstery fabric pillow shines in a living room with lots of negative space, where its texture can stand out without competing with other details. Pair it with a neutral sofa and keep the surrounding decor simple so it can do the talking.
With its old-world Persian pattern, this flatweave rug adds history to a living room without the upkeep of an antique. Available in several sizes, it's a good fit for a larger space like Jennifer's, where a patterned rug can help anchor the seating area.
If you love Jennifer’s living room sofa, this IKEA option offers a more affordable way to get the look. Its timeless shape keeps the same easy appeal, while the washable cover makes it practical for everyday living.
Take a cue from Jennifer’s approach to displaying art with this sleek metal frame. Available in a range of sizes, it works particularly well for giving a favorite print or photograph a more defined place in the room, especially against beige walls like hers.
Snug Throw by Sarah Sherman Samuel
Mustard yellow feels perfect in a fall living room, bringing a richer note to cream upholstery, warm wood and other earthy tones. Toss this throw over your sofa arm and keep it close on those evenings when the temperature drops.
This touch-activated lamp is a clever choice for a living room where space is at a premium. The rounded shade and slim metal base give it a clean, modern look, and the touch control lets you turn it on without searching for a button.
As experts explain, the secret is knowing where to draw the line. If you spread furniture too far apart, your living room can feel disconnected; if you bring everything together without a clear plan, it can feel cluttered. Rugs offer a practical way to strike the balance, defining seating areas without breaking up the wider room.
‘If you have an open plan layout, rugs are an excellent way to define separate zones while keeping the overall space visually connected,’ explains Kirsty Barton, the brand manager at Alternative Flooring.
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‘It’s also important to leave enough space between the walls and your rug. A useful guide is the 18-inch rule, leaving approximately 18 inches of floor space between the walls and the edges of the rug. This tip works especially well in enclosed rooms, creating a subtle visual contrast whilst adding texture and dimension.’
Furniture placement matters just as much. ‘Remember to consider other pieces of furniture to maintain a cohesive and functional layout,’ Barton adds. ‘For traditional living rooms, this is a golden rule. But for those who prefer a more playful or eclectic style, feel free to bend the rules and allow for experimentation.’
Jennifer's living room layout feels spacious without looking bare, largely because the furniture has room to breathe. Her rug anchors the seating area, while the empty flooring keeps the layout from feeling too busy. It’s tempting to fill a large room with more furniture, but this space makes a good case for knowing when to leave things alone.