After drawing an accurate floor plan of the room, the next stage is experimenting with several layout options to find the ideal design.
This consists of various steps, each of which is necessary for the creation of a practical and appealing interior.
Step 1: Identify the balance lines of the room.
This determines the natural lines of the room, such as the mid-point of the walls and any architectural features.
Understanding these lines allows for better placement of furniture and other decorative elements.
Step 2: Consider the traffic patterns of the room.
This involves understanding how people move through the space and identifying potential obstacles.
For example, it’s important to ensure there is ample space to move around and furniture placement does not impede traffic flow.
Step 3: Determine the desired focal point of the room.
This can be a piece of furniture, artwork, or even a view from a window.
Identifying the focal point allows for better furniture placement and other decorative items to draw the eye toward it.
Step 4: Consider the intended use of the room.
This will impact the type of furniture and layout options you choose.
For example, a living room may require comfortable and functional seating options, while a home office will require ample workspace.
Using the floor plan as a guide allows you to test different layout options to determine what works best for the space. Be bold, move things around, and try other options until you find the perfect layout.
Determine the Balance Lines of the Room
To establish the balance lines of the room, you need to start with your accurate floor plan drawn to scale.
With a pencil, divide your floor plan into four equal quadrants.
Start by drawing a line across the center of the length and another line down the center of the width.
This will create four equal-sized areas, with the mid-point where the two lines intersect. The mid-point serves as a starting point for planning where to place your furniture.
Drawing the balance lines and determining the mid-point will help you maintain a sense of balance in the room.
It ensures the furniture is distributed evenly throughout the space, avoiding the possibility of overcrowding one side of the room.
This balance can be achieved by having furniture of similar size on opposite sides of the room.
For example, if you have a large sofa on one side of the room, the opposite side can have two chairs with an occasional table.
The two chairs and occasional table balance out the large sofa, creating a visually harmonious space.
Decorator’s Tip: Try experimenting with different furniture arrangements before committing to one. Once you have established your balance lines and determined the mid-point, experiment with different furniture placement options. This allows you to see how different arrangements affect the overall balance and flow of the room before making any permanent changes.
Determine the Traffic Patterns
The next stage is to establish the traffic patterns within the room.
Consider the placement of doors, stairs, furniture, and other elements that may disrupt the flow.
The furniture placement must allow people to move around the room easily. You should avoid placing furniture in areas that block traffic flow.
It’s also important to leave plenty of space in front of a door to ensure people can enter and exit the room with ease.
In addition, you should consider the placement of any televisions or conversation areas to ensure traffic does not impede these.
The layout should allow people to easily move around the space, redirecting traffic around these areas and creating unobstructed pathways throughout the room.
It’s recommended to have a minimum path width of 30 inches to walk around within a room, while primary traffic paths should be at least 48 inches wide.
By considering the traffic patterns, you can create a functional layout that is easy to navigate.
Decorator’s Tip: Create clear pathways within the room. To achieve this, consider using area rugs or floor runners to create obvious traffic paths and create visual cues for people to follow. For example, you can use a rug to connect different furniture groupings or define a clear path from the door to the main seating area.
Determine the Desired Focal Point
A focal point is an area or item in a room that draws people’s attention and the point of focus when someone enters the room.
It is the center of focus, where your eyes are naturally drawn to when you enter a room.
Here are some examples of focal points:
- A fireplace
- A statement piece of artwork
- An attractive piece of furniture
- A television
Typically, there is only one main focal point in a room.
However, in larger rooms, there can be a secondary focal point.
For instance, in a spacious living room, it can have an outside view and a striking fireplace. The view could be the primary focal point while the fireplace is the secondary one.
Sometimes a focal point will need to be created within a room.
For example, hanging a statement piece of artwork or placing a television in a prominent position can serve as a focal point.
Once you’ve determined the focal point, planning the furniture layout around it is easier. You can then place seating arrangements facing the focal point to draw attention.
Decorator’s Tip: Consider the room’s natural focal point, such as a fireplace or a large window. This will help guide your furniture placement. By positioning your furniture in a way that highlights the natural focal point, you can enhance the overall flow and balance of the room.
Determine What the Room Will Be Used for
Before planning the layout of a room, it is essential to determine its purpose.
This will help in making decisions about the placement of furniture and other elements.
If the room is primarily used for watching television, then consider this while planning the layout. For instance, a large wall can be designated for an entertainment center, while seating can be arranged facing the TV.
However, if the room is meant for entertaining guests or reading, then the layout will need to accommodate seating for both activities.
In addition to the room’s primary function, you need to consider other factors such as the room’s size, shape, and natural light sources.
These factors will determine the most effective way to arrange furniture to create a functional and enjoyable room.
Experiment with Different Furniture Arrangements
The final step is to begin exploring different furniture layout options.
Experiment with varying arrangements of furniture using a furniture template, the same scale as your floor plan.
This can be achieved by drawing them in pencil onto the plan.
It’s best to begin with the most prominent pieces of furniture, such as a sofa or dining table.
Then the next most prominent items, such as armchairs, then smaller items, such as side tables and other accessories.
If a furniture arrangement looks too cramped or unappealing, you can move it and try again until you find an arrangement that works well for the room.
This is where computer planning software can also be a helpful tool for quickly moving objects around on a virtual floor plan.
Remember when you’re arranging furniture, you need to consider functionality and aesthetics.
Furniture should be placed to facilitate traffic flow and allow for comfortable use of the space while also complementing the room’s decor.
With some experimentation and careful consideration, you can create a furniture arrangement that maximizes the room’s potential and meets your client’s needs.
