Furniture placement is a crucial part in designing a space and can drastically effect the way a design is perceived. There are six principles to follow when arranging a room that will guide you in creating the most stylish and visually appealing space possible.

 

Determine the Dominant Wall

The dominant wall in a room is typically the first wall that you notice when entering the space. It is important to determine the dominant wall in your space because typically, this is where the focal point will be located. 

 

Locate the Focal Point

The focal point is the element around which all of the other furnishings and accessorizes in a room will evolve. Having a determined focal point makes a space feel more comfortable and inviting. Sometimes the focal point is an architectural feature, such as, a fireplace. Every space should have a focal point. The focal point in the space to the left is the fireplace. 

 

Create Room Spaces

Creating spaces within a room is important in order to define the different areas. Many modern homes have open floor plans where the living area is distinguished from the dining area with furniture and accessories alone. Furniture is used to create separate groupings and area rugs are a great way to anchor and define different spaces. The space in the image to the right features two clearly defined spaces.

 

 

 

 

 

Arrange Seating and Groupings

When arranging seating groupings within a space you should determine how the seating will relate to the focal point. Creating a U-shape facing the dominant wall is a great way to accent the focal point. If you prefer to have the focal point at the rear of the space, you can create a V-shape where the tip is pointing toward the focal point. In order to appropriately accentuate your focal point, you should keep the scale of your room in mind when shopping for furniture and be sure to stay in keeping with the proportion of your space. As you can see in the space to the left, the seating is arranged in a U-shape around the fireplace which is the focal point of the room.

 

Maintain Proportion and Balance

When designing a space you should always consider the proportion and balance of the room. Large furniture can overpower a small room and make the proportion feel off. If there are too many tall pieces on one side of a space, it will throw off the balance of the room. Accents and accessories can be used to change the height and weight of furniture and will aid you in finding the perfect balance in your design. A space does not have to be symmetrical to have balance. The space to the right features beautiful balance and proportion. 

Plan for Movement

When space planning your room, you should keep in mind how people will be able to move through the space. Choosing the right size furniture for your room is very important for this reason. Typically, 2.5-3 feet in between furnishings will allow ample room for foot traffic.