You must select the most important feature in the room. Although, there are prominent sliding glass doors, the room's purpose may dictate that the fireplace predominates the room. If the room will also house an entertainment center, this will likely become the focal point in the room. Many living rooms, however, might not have an entertainment center or fireplace. In such cases, you may decide to make the sliding glass doors the focal point of the room.
Face the largest couch toward the focal point of the room. If the living room has an entertainment center, the couch should face it. If the sliding glass doors will predominate the room, center the largest couch toward them. This will allow people to walk in from the patio without running into the back of the couch and allow those inside to watch those outside. For an L-shape couch, position the longest portion of the couch toward the focal point of the living room, if possible.
Set two chairs to the side of the couch. One chair can flank each side of the couch and should be turned slightly toward the focal point of the room. If placing an L-shape couch within the room, position both chairs on the free side of the L-shape, and turn both chairs slightly toward one another. Also place a table or large ottoman in front of the largest piece of furniture. You can decorate this piece with magazines and books. Artwork should hang from non-focal point walls to spruce them up.
When dressing the sliding doors, choose sheer curtains to allow the natural light to filter into the room. To enlarge the living room space, pick accent pieces, such as throw pillows and artwork, that match the furniture, plants and other features on the patio. Place a tall plant on each side of the sliding doors, even if the couch is not facing them, to accent the sliding doors and to help bring the natural wonders of the yard indoors. Try to select a plant that is currently in the yard or that complements those currently growing outdoors.