As the practice of home funerals went out of fashion, the parlour was slowly renamed the living room. I'm curious as to the specifics of that change too, but that's not my question.
I'm my question is: Where did they aim the couches? Before the advent of television (and radio?) as a living room centrepiece, how was the living room furniture arranged?
(Nearly) all of our living rooms point towards the television. I imagine our grandparent's pointed theirs towards their large cabinet tube radio. In the absence of TV and radio; what did our great-grandparents do? Any photos?
If it's photos you're looking for, /r/TheWayWeWere might be able to help you.
Meanwhile, until such time as we can get some more scholarly answers, you might be interested in these living room illustrations from Benjamin Moore brochures. This gallery also includes several living rooms from the 1920s and 30s. Generally they seem to be oriented around either the fireplace (unsurprising-- consider where the word "focus" comes from!) or around one or more central areas (coffee tables, etc).