Furniture arrangement can be a dream, but equally, it can be a nightmare. Choosing where to place your furniture in spaces is easy when it all makes sense, but often your home and your furniture just aren't natural matches. What then? How do you work out how best to handle this jigsaw puzzle of a Tetris game ahead of you? Well, as always, it's a great idea to lean on the experts. Interior designers have been tackling issues like this for years, and they've picked up a few tricks along the way. In this article, we'll outline the best strategies for succeeding in the game of furniture arranging.
Read on to find out more
Avoid pushing furniture against walls
Although you're limited by the size of your room, in even the smallest room you should avoid pushing furniture right against the wall. Despite what you'd expect, leaving a small gap between furniture and the wall makes the room appear bigger. If you have a bigger room you could even create conversation areas in the middle of the room by leaving several feet between walls and furniture.
Choose a focal point
A room needs focus. Without it, it can seem lost. So choose one and choose early. You need to create a focal point. Sometimes they appear naturally, like a big window or a fireplace, but other times you need to make them from scratch. Often, in a room like a lounge, they're something like a TV or bookcase. Once you've chosen you can arrange your furniture around it as much as possible.
Create chat zones
The room should be designed so that people may talk to each other easily. Position seating like sofas and chairs to vaguely face each other, close enough that they can talk without raising their voices.
Find balance
Always strive for balance when decorating. Look at the size and placement of various pieces and make sure you're not grouping all the large or small pieces in one area or side of the room. Make sure there's a variety of shapes.
Consider traffic flow
Traffic flow is one of the most important features to consider in any room. People should be able to move freely through a room without fear of tripping or hitting furniture as they go. Give a couple of feet between tables and seating. Create a clear path for people to walk from one end of a room to another.
Choose your wall art wisely
Wall art can make or break a room. Be sure to choose something that not only speaks to your heart, but that fits the wall and room well. Nothing too big, nothing too small. It'll form a defining impression on anyone in the room, so make sure you take care to choose the right artwork for the job.
Get a big coffee table
When it comes to a coffee table, it's usually the case that bigger is better. A large coffee table in the middle of the seating acts as an anchor, looking great while providing good functionality. A large table also offers good access to seats around it. If you can't find a good large table, two smaller tables often work just as well.
Let there be light
Lighting is an often neglected but incredibly important feature of any room. Use a mix of overhead lighting, floor lamps, and table lamps to create a great aesthetic. A floor lamp can work well at the end of a sofa, table lamps are great on side tables and surfaces. Place lights at different levels to create a properly balanced look.
