Interesting furniture arrangement will create an outstanding room

Enhance the character and usefulness of your room by following these furniture arranging techniques.

Before you start your furniture arrangement, you should have the following worksheets completed and furniture templates on hand:

1. Traffic flow chart
2. A drawing of your floor plan
3. The space analysis worksheet
4. The room analysis worksheet
5. Furniture arranging templates

If you have missed any of these steps, visit the Site Map for a complete listing of these pages.

Locate Your Room Focal Point

The first thing you should consider in furniture arrangement is the location of the focal point in the room. Sometimes it is something as obvious as a fireplace, or an architectural detail such as a large bow window.

Oftentimes there is no discernible focal point. In that case, it will be up to you to make one with a furniture arrangement. Walk into the room. What is the first thing you eyes light on? Is it the windows? The large expanse of wallspace? A great floor treatment? This is what you will build your focal point around. There is more information about this in each individual room selection on decorating rooms.

For instance, in the living room it may be a conversation area. The focal point in the bedroom may be the bed, and in the family room it will be the entertainment center.

Let's Play with your Furniture Arrangement

Place Your Largest Piece of Furniture First

• In the living room this would be your sofa
• In the bedroom it would be your bed
• In the dining room, your dining table would be first
• In your family room it would be the entertainment center
• In the kitchen your eating area would hold first place

If you have a natural focal point, such as a fireplace, your largest piece of furniture should be placed in relation to this. Furniture does not necessarily have to be facing it, but should be arranged around it to underscore it's importance.

Do not put all your large pieces together as this will upset the balance of your room. Once you have placed the major piece, move on to pieces that are related to it. The obvious items in furniture arrangement would be the chairs that go with the dining or kitchen table. In the living room, the chairs in the conversation area would be your next placement. In the bedroom, the large bureaus would be your next step.

Take Advantage of Nooks and Crannies When Planning Your Furniture Arrangement

Odd shaped corners, bay window jut-outs, under the stairwell spaces, can all be used to good advantage when arranging furniture.

Consider the Purpose and Uses of the Room

• Is there enough flat space to put down your plate or cup if you eat or entertain in the living room?
• Do you have enough tables to place lamps for convenient lighting? How is the seating if you entertain?
• Are the chairs close enough so that you can hear someone sitting in another section of the conversation area?
• In the bedroom, is there enough room for two people to dress comfortably at the same time?
• In the kitchen, can two people work without getting in each others way?
• In the dining room, can people walk around the table without diners having to pull in their chairs?

Exercise - Furniture Arrangement Using a Floor Plan

Choose any room in your home. Using the floor plan you have drawn and the templates of your choice, start arranging your furniture on paper.

Since this only involves moving paper and not your back, be wild, be free. Place furniture where you may never consider it if you had to move it in place. Sometimes the best furniture arrangement comes from out of nowhere.

When you've found an arrangement you think you might like, draw the traffic pattern of the room. Is it going straight through the room? If so, you may want to reconsider your arrangement. Check back and look at the traffic flow charts in the previous lesson. A meandering path is much better for air and energy flow along with safety.

Continue to play with and move your furniture templates following the guidelines outlined above. After all there's no work or heavy lifting involved. Have fun. Look for outrageous areas to place your furniture.

Be bold and creative. You may get some great ideas and inspiration from this playtime. Enjoy yourself!

Once you've finished playing with your templates and have some idea of your vision for your room, continue on to more Tips on Arranging Furniture