Tips for Arranging Furniture

Furniture arrangement instantly sets the tone for how that room will be lived in. Whether you’re relaxing or entertaining, where you place your furniture is important. Here are some tips for arranging your furniture in the best way possible.

Tip #1: Take good measurements

This mainly applies to the purchase of new furniture. While “winging it” is okay in some cases, when it comes to buying furniture, it’s best to be certain that the piece will fit in the space rather than taking a chance. Your measurements should include the dimensions of the room and lengths of the walls, as well as the widths of doorways and hallways to ensure the piece can make it into the house.

Tip #2: Make the focal point obvious

One of the worst mistakes of home decorating is failing to showcase the focal point. In the living room, one of the obvious focal points would be the fireplace. If the room is lacking one however, orient the seating to take advantage of what view the room does have to offer, like the TV or some windows. You can even create your own focal point with a piece of artwork, a large mirror or a vignette of objects on a shelf.

In the bedroom, the bed should always be the focal point. Whether it’s the headboard or the bedding and pillows, find a way to make your bed stand out.

Tip #3: Plan out the walkways

When it comes to the bedroom, allow at least 2 feet on either side of the bed, and try to keep it at least 3 feet away from the door. In other areas like the living room, game room or family room, think about the flow. Where do you want the traffic to go? For instance, if that chair is place there, will someone always have to cut through in front of the TV? You want to make sure that you can get through a room relatively easily.

Tip #4: Create a balance

There are two types of balance: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Symmetrical is a bit more obvious as there is always two of everything in the design. Asymmetry, the lack of symmetry, can be more of a challenge to get right, but it brings more excitement into the room.

Tip #5: Make sure the room has purpose

If someone walks into your home would they understand the purpose of each room? To put it simply, each room should be able to speak for itself. For example, a family room would have items like a comfy sofa and chairs, a TV and entertainment center and possibly a small game table. An office would have a desk and some bookcases. You get the idea. Each room having a voice will eliminate any confusion and bring harmony to the space.

Additional Tips

A few more tips to keep in mind:

• Round tables with pedestal bases work better in smaller or square dining rooms, while rectangular tables work better in bigger spaces. Make sure traffic flows around it nicely.
• Seating should have space around it. Even if you pull the couch out a few inches away from the wall, you will make the space seem larger.
• Mix furnishings of various sizes to create interest in your space.