When it comes to furniture placement there are tons of options. But there are a few things that need to be kept in mind when arranging furniture in order to create a functional space. Whether it's the bedroom, the living room, the dining room or a home office, follow some of these furniture arranging tips to guarantee harmony and flow in every room in the house.
Start with a Focal Point
Every room needs a focal point. Some will have one built in (such as a big fireplace or picture window) while others will be brought in by the homeowner (such as a television or commanding piece of art). Decide on what the focal point will be and then arrange furniture around it.
Arrange Furniture Around a Central Object
Sometimes the central object will be the large piece of furniture (the bed in a bedroom or the table in a dining room) while in other rooms such as a living room or den it might be a coffee table. This will help to create a more intimate setting. Just don't forget to keep the focal point in mind.
Place Large Pieces of Furniture First
In the living room this will likely be a sofa or entertainment unit, in a bedroom it will probably be the bed, while in the dining room it will either be the table or perhaps a buffet or sideboard. Find a place for it that is both practical and functional. Depending on the size of the room there might not be many options as to where large pieces can go.
Furniture Arranging Tips
- Be aware of which way the doors open and be sure not to place furniture in a way that will interfere with them.
- Don't forget about traffic flow. Leave enough room between pieces of furniture so that people can walk comfortably around the room.
- Take electrical outlets into account. Make sure that items requiring electricity are placed so that there won't be wires going every which way and causing accidents.
- Pull furniture away from the walls to create intimacy. Leaving space between walls and furniture will also make a small room appear larger.
- Create conversation areas. Remember that there can be more than one.
- Use enough side tables so that every seat has easy access to a surface. People should be able to set down drinks without having to get up from their seats.
- If using an area rug make sure that at least the front legs of large pieces of furniture are sitting on it (although it's best if all four legs can). If this doesn't work it means the rug is too small.
The best thing to do is figure out how the room will be used and arrange furniture accordingly. If it's a room where people watch TV make the television the focal point and arrange the furniture around it. If it's a formal living room meant for entertaining make the appropriate conversation areas. Don't try to make the room something it's not or it won't ever be functional.
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