To float a sofa off walls in a small rental, position it about ten inches away from the wall to create airflow and space for a rug to anchor the seating area. This layout improves room flow and makes the space feel larger. Use a rug sized approximately eight-by-ten feet for living rooms with sofas seventy-two inches or longer. Floating furniture is a renter-friendly way to refresh your layout without drilling holes or attaching to walls.