The choices you make in placing furniture in your home are key to the overall success of your design. Sometimes, arranging furniture can be an intimidating task, especially when working with a large, empty space. However, by following a few simple strategies, you can create aesthetically pleasing and comfortable designs in any room.
A focal point is crucial to interior design. Sometimes they happen naturally, like if your living room has a large bay window or a fireplace. Other times you create them with items such as a television or media center. Regardless of what your focal point is, arrange your furniture in front of and around it.
While it might seem best to place furniture against the walls to create space, it actually makes the room seem larger to keep furniture a few inches from the walls. Not only does this create the illusion of more space, it will allow airflow between furnishings and the wall to avoid moisture damage. If you're working with a larger room, placing furniture closer to the center is best.
Similarly to focal points, conversation points are another element you can use to create furniture arrangements. The idea is to create spaces where people can gather and converse comfortably and naturally. Keep furniture pieces close enough for voices to carry, but far enough apart to maintain personal space.
The natural flow of traffic in your home is another major factor in finding the perfect furniture placement. If you are decorating a room connecting two other rooms, for example, try allowing a natural path through the center or close to the center. Doing so will allow people to move back and forth comfortably and avoid hazards.
For extra perspective on indoor traffic flow, try adding interior design software to your process. Among offering other helpful tools, many virtual decorating apps can help you find the safest and most natural path through any furniture arrangement.
Lana Harris is a Chicago native who is a second-generation real estate professional. She was introduced to real estate at a very young age while attending open houses with her mother who is a broker. She honed her skills assisting in property searches (back in the thick, Multiple Listing Service book days,) and using map reading skills to help plan property tour sequencing. Lana’s love of working with people and delivering strong customer service led her to the retail sector, where she developed her management skills at MC Sports, Ann Taylor, and Adidas. She and her husband moved to Utah in 2008 to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains, and she began her real estate career here in 2015. Most recently, she was a VP of sales for a large team; she thrives on challenges and is determined to overcome obstacles to achieve results for her clients. Lana and her husband enjoy their three large dogs, skiing, camping and paddleboarding.
