the arrangement of a room

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Want to design and furnish a room in your home… but at a loss on where to start?

These tips will give you a head start on exactly how to easily create a great functioning room in your home.

First, be sure to place the largest pieces of furniture in the room first.

In furnishing any room, the major piece of furniture for the primary activity of the room must be considered first - the sofa in the living room… the bed in the bedroom… the desk in the office. In most cases, this piece should face the focal point of the room. The focal point can be a view from a window, a beautiful fireplace or, as is often the case, the television. Large pieces should be evenly distributed so as not to put the room off balance. In selecting large pieces, be sure to keep in mind the architectural elements in the room. If the room has a curved bay window – you might want to place a curved sectional sofa or curved desk in front of it to echo the design.

Next, place the pieces that relate to the main pieces.

The arrangement of your room’s furniture should make your activity comfortable and convenient as well as flatter your furniture. Think about the use of the room as you place the furniture. If you typically eat or drink there, is there a place to set your cup or plate? If the room is used for socializing, is there enough seating and is it appropriately arranged? Wherever possible, keep pieces of similar scale together. A small occasional chair would look better next to an accent table or floor lamp than next to a large overstuffed sofa.

Mix the line of the furniture for interest in a room.

A round table or curved chair breaks up the monotony of an otherwise linear room. Balance the number of wood and upholstered pieces. Break up the horizontal lines of the room by mixing in taller items. A secretary or bookcase against the wall, a high back chair next to the sofa or a pair of lamps on a credenza will give the eye some variety and improve the view. Mix hard and soft surfaces by adding rugs to a room otherwise filled with wood, metal and stone.

Add accent pieces for secondary activities.

Creating an area for a secondary use adds function to a room. A reading corner in a bedroom or a game area in a family room can be created with a minimum of space. A long empty wall can be made into a focal point by grouping pictures over a long narrow table. Place a desk under a window to take advantage of the natural light and view. A corner cupboard or curio cabinet is a wonderfully functional piece that adds character to the room while displaying your favorite collection.

Place your furniture where it looks best.

Be aware of the light in the room when selecting and placing your furniture. A dark cabinet may disappear in a dimly lit alcove. Bright pieces may seem washed out under a picture window.

Be aware of traffic patterns in the room.

You can direct the flow of traffic through a room with the placement of your furniture. Leave a minimum of two and a half feet for walkways and avoid flowing traffic through a conversational grouping if possible. Guide the traffic around the room's perimeter to create a less disruptive environment.

Above everything else - let your personality shine through.

Ultimately, your home is an expression of who you are. Design your rooms so that you are comfortable, with a realistic eye on your own taste and habits rather than relying on a picture from a magazine. After all, you're going to be living there.