Four Design Rules to Follow when Rearranging Furniture

In a smaller space, rearranging furniture may seem like a challenging task. Yet, there are four primary design rules you can follow to make the most out of the placement of your furniture.

1. Keep the Way Clear

Before you arrange any piece of furniture, consider the overall impression when you enter a living area and make sure the central section of the room is clear. For any room arrangement, this means the placement of furniture must be in balance and that you should have a distinct view of the room itself. Don’t place any big pieces of furniture before an entryway. For instance, don’t arrange the couch in front the the entrance to your living room or allow the side of the cabinet housing your TV to partly block a doorway. Make sure furniture is arranged so it doesn’t impede with the opening and closing of entrance and closet doors as well.

2. Consider the Dimensions of Your Furniture and Room

In a small area, with space restrictions, you’re limited somewhat as to the ways you can arrange furniture. Nonetheless, you can make a smaller space seem larger if you select furniture items that are sized in accordance with the dimensions of the room. Big bold pieces of furniture in dark woods may look fine in a large living area but obviously they’ll make a smaller area seem even smaller and more cramped. Likewise, placing lighter pieces of furniture in an oversized room can make the items appear like furniture in a doll’s house. In small rooms then choose smaller pieces of furniture with lighter woods and fabrics with soft, neutral hues or pale shades.

Furniture such as glass end tables or coffee tables can seemingly add to the size and scale of a small room too. Typically, the spacing between a sofa and chair facing each other should be about 4 feet while the space allotted between a sofa and a coffee table should be about 2 feet. Allow about 2 feet between the bed and wall as well. In the kitchen or dining room, give yourself a little over 4 feet between a table and a wall in order to move a chair out from under the table.

3. Don’t Block out the Light

Furniture should also be arranged so light is allowed to filter in through windows and patio doors. Generally, it’s best not to place furniture such as sofas and loveseats in front of a patio door or windows in your apartment. Not only do you prevent an adequate amount of light from coming into the room you also take away from the outside view. Placing mirrored pieces of furniture in an arrangement can assist in reflecting light and add a feeling of roominess in your floor plan.

4. Keep the Decor Uniform

Keep the arrangement of your furniture in balance by avoiding using a hodgepodge of designs and colors. If you have a traditional decor, tie in your design theme with similar pieces of furniture and the appropriate upholstery. Limit the patterns on upholstery and make certain that the designs you do use on fabrics aren’t overly elaborate. Streamline your pieces of furniture to give your apartment home a feeling that’s open and inviting.