Arranging Furniture

Source: Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine, May 2004

Positioning your furniture is one of the most daunting -- yet most important -- design decisions. These three common scenarios will teach you the basics.

Living Room

When arranging furniture in a living room, one easy way to begin is with the focal point. Think of it as an anchor for the room and place furniture directly in front of this important design element.

1.       Find a focal point -- a fireplace, a large window, or an entertainment centre -- and build the furniture design around it. The focal point should be anchored to a wall. Move your furniture away from the walls to create an intimate grouping.

2.       Place chairs no more than 8 feet apart to encourage conversation.

3.       Position a table within reach of every seating piece. If possible, place a lamp near each seating area.

4.       Allow ample legroom by placing the coffee table 14 to 18 inches from the sofa.

5.       Choose side tables that are about as tall as the arm of the chair or sofa they are serving.

6.       Create traffic lanes that are several feet wide to allow easy movement through the room.

Bedroom

Tired of the same-old look in bedrooms? Maybe an angled bed placement is right for your room.

1.       Angle furniture to give your room drama: This arrangement works well in rooms with many doors and windows. It also helps cosy up groupings; furniture that's placed around the perimeter often results in arrangements that are too far apart.

2.       Anchor the space with an area rug or small runner placed on the same angle to emphasize the diagonal.

3.       Pair side tables at each side of the bed to create balance. For a sitting area, position tables at each side of a sofa or between matching chairs.

4.       Create traffic options in tight quarters with diagonal furniture placement. This also helps the room appear larger and more complex.

5.       Play up the bed as a focal-point. Position baskets, a trunk, or a bench at the foot of the bed. If you don't have a headboard, create one with a folding screen or old shutters