Perhaps you have bought a new house, or perhaps you are just ready to go “out with the old and in with the new” in your present home. No matter the circumstances, deciding on how to arrange furniture in your home is not always easy. And because some furniture can be very heavy and awkward, you don’t want to have to move it around too much for finding the perfect personal feng shui.
Help is at hand! See below for some steps and tips for furniture arrangement that will help you create the perfect space for you and those you share your home with.
Step #1
When you decide to do some D.I.Y furniture arranging, the first things to do is consult and communicate with those who share the space with you. Make sure that they agree to making some changes and listen to their ideas as they may have some valuable input.
Step #2
Remember that there are some things in the room that you can’t change, including window and door placement and electronic outlet fittings.
Look for any other permanent features such as fire places, bay windows, pillars, sectioning walls, or built-in cupboards. Take note of how you use these permanent features and be sure to keep this in mind when designing around them.
Step #3
It may help to create a large diagram, with an outline of the room and its permanent features. If possible, draw this diagram to scale and cut out proportionate furniture outlines that you can move around the diagram to determine the spacing.
It is easier if you use graph paper and a ruler to do this. If you are vaguely techno-savvy, there are a number of free programs online that allow you to create a virtual design space.
Using either a pen-and-paper diagram or an online program, you can arrange and rearrange to your heart’s content without actually moving a thing!
Step #4
Furniture arranging can be fun! Get some willing friends and family members together to help you actually move the furniture to the desired plan on your diagram.
Make some snacks and play some music while you do it. You can also convince the participants that they are getting their workout for the day. Seeing things physically can make a difference and you may change your mind once you see things in person.
Step #5
Before you make the final furniture move, use the opportunity for a spring clean and get into those corners that have been hiding under your previous furniture arrangements. Not only will you have a new arrangement, but you will have a sparkling clean room!
Now that you have an idea of the steps involved in a furniture arrangement, here are some tips to help you decide how you would like to move your furniture in Steps 3 and 4:
- Remember that doors need to open fully, so be sure to leave adequate space on your diagram to allow them to do so.
- What is the function of the room? Is it a room that is a destination room, or a pathway to other rooms? If it is a pathway room, make sure that it is easily navigable and the furniture is not in the way of people’s movement.
- What do you envision for the overall feel of the room? Do you want it to feel open pr spacious, or more cosy and intimate? If you are trying to create an open and spacious feel, try limiting the amount of furniture you put in the room as an open feel requires more space between each piece. On the other hand, furniture in a cozy room will be placed in closer groupings.
- If the room is to be used for entertaining you need to maintain some flexibility in your furniture arranging as you may require extra seating or you may need to move tables around according to the type of function you are hosting.
Taking on a furniture arrangement or rearrangement can be a daunting project, but is ultimately a rewarding way of creating the perfect space for your taste and lifestyle. Just remember to keep the use of the room in mind when arranging furniture as it is important that the space is both pretty AND practical.