How To Arrange Furniture: Useful Decorating Rules For Everyone

White cosy bedroom with slpoing roof, wooden beams and large windows

Finding the best position for your furniture can be pretty challenging, especially for beginners.

If you don’t do it properly, you will create an awkward layout that is difficult to navigate through. Professional interior designers follow a number of design rules, and we’re here to share a few of these tips for the beginners out there wanting to arrange their furniture correctly.

Work around the focal point

Positioning the furniture around a focal point where your attention would go naturally is the best way to get started. This rule is essential when designing your living room. Whether it is the fireplace or a TV, make sure to position the seating area around it. If a room doesn’t have a focal point, you can create it. A square dining table for 6 overlooking oversized artwork on the wall will look stylish and enticing to guest.

Slow traffic

Where you position the furniture will determine the traffic flow. If you don’t place it properly, you will end up hitting yourself against the furniture or having to maneuver around it to get out of the room.

Open plan living room and kitchen. Neutral decorated living room. Grey sofa and natural rug

There should be a clear path to allow easy access around the furniture and in and out of the room. Leave a couple of feet either side of the furniture to allow free movement without tripping over each piece of furniture.

Wall space

You might think pushing the furniture against the wall will save you space. In reality, this will make the room feel small and cramped. Instead, you would want to leave space for the furniture to stand out. With this, the room will look airy and bigger.

Seating areas that provoke interaction

When designing a seating area, remember that it should have a purpose. Creating informal spaces that stimulate interaction and communication is what you are aiming for. When positioning the furniture in the dining room, it is better to center it around the dining table, so that a large enough table can be place within the room, allowing everyone to freely participate in the conversation. 

Proportion

Choosing furniture for your living room is difficult, as you need to consider a number of aspects. The pieces should feel comfortable, fit the style, and correspond with the colour scheme. However, there is one aspect that many tend to overlook. Finding the ideal proportions for your space is crucial.

Round dining table in middle of room. Black decor. Large black bifolding doors

You don’t want to have large furniture in a small room, as it will take up all the space and make the room feel cramped. On the other hand, small furniture in an ample open-plan space will look odd. When choosing a double bed frame for a small bedroom, make sure to go for light and thin designs that won’t look visually heavy. 

Opt for a large coffee table

The coffee table is the central part of your living room. It is an aesthetic feature that adds style but is also highly functional. A large coffee table will allow ample space for everyone’s drinks, especially if you like to display decor in the center. For smaller areas, an arrangement consisting of two smaller coffee tables will work fine. 

Anchor the space with rugs

An area rug will make the room feel more snug. Plus, rugs help you divide open plan space into different zones, however, choosing the right size rug is crucial. An area rug that is too small will look awkward, while a too large one will look somewhat like a carpet. You’re aiming to find the perfect coverage with your rug. In the living room, designers at Flooring365 would advise you to have the area rug expand at least to the front legs of your furniture. 

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