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Function

The first step in any home decorating project should be to determine the function of your room. This task isn’t difficult. Simply take a few moments to consider what activities you’ll be doing in the room and how many people you’ll need to accommodate.

 

This information will tell you what pieces of furniture and lighting fixtures you will need in the space. Make a list of these items, then remove any pieces of furniture that don’t meet your needs and replace them with ones that work. Whether you’re planning to use the furniture and lighting that you already own, or start over with all new pieces, take the time to figure out how you need your rooms to function and make them “work” for you!

Focal Point

When planning your decorating project, make an effort to highlight a beautiful architectural feature in the room or create an attractive vignette on one of the walls, which can serve as the room’s focal point. It will make the time you spend there more enjoyable. 

 

The focal point can be a fireplace with attractive decorations above the mantel, a window with a beautiful view, artwork arranged over a sofa, or even an entertainment center (if the main function of the room is watching television instead conversation). Get more suggestions for creating focal points from No Rules—Just Fun Decorating. (sold at left)

 

Another fun idea for creating a focal point in your room is to paint a mural on one of the walls. Get FREE instructions for Decorative Painting on The Crafty Cottage website. 

Balance

Balance is a very important element when decorating a room. Whether referring to the placement of furniture, color or lighting, it’s important to distribute them evenly throughout the space, or the room will feel off balance. 

 

When you’re finished arranging your furniture, stand back and take note of the visual weight and size of the furniture placed throughout the room. 

 

Do you have too many large (or visually heavy) pieces on one side of the room, making it feel out of balance? Do you have any empty corners that need to be addressed? If so, make a few adjustments and/or add objects as needed to try to make the room feel more balanced. 

 

Also check to see that the taller pieces of furniture are dispersed evenly around the room. If you have a tall piece of furniture on one wall, try to balance it on the opposite wall with another tall piece of furniture, or a lower piece of furniture with artwork arranged over it that will create enough visual weight on the wall to balance the taller piece of furniture. Striving for balance in your arrangements will make the room more inviting.

Traffic Patterns

Before creating a new furniture arrangement, take note of where the traffic patterns are in your room, so you’ll remember to leave these areas free of furniture.   

 

Try to avoid placing any large pieces of furniture close to the entrance to the room which might create a road block for traffic.

 

Make sure there is enough room for people to walk through the space comfortably without bumping into furniture. Traffic paths should be about three feet wide if possible.

 

Leave space for traffic to get from one side of the room to the other without cutting through the center of your conversation area. The ideal arrangement is to have the traffic flow around the perimeter of the room, if space allows.

Furniture Arranging Tips

Avoid lining all your furniture up against the walls, making your room feel like an office waiting area. Start by pulling your conversation area furniture into a tight group in the center of the room if space allows.

 

Try placing your furniture on the diagonal instead of square with the walls. Arranging the conversation area diagonally in your room can add a sense of motion. Repeating this angle by placing other furniture pieces on the diagonal will create continuity.

 

Try to balance the number of wood and upholstered pieces you use in the room. Too many hard surfaces make the space feel cold and uninviting. Use fabrics, plants (real or silk), rugs, pillows, throws, etc. to add softness and warmth.

 

If the room is a long, rectangular shape, divide it into two or three separate activity areas, such as reading, watching television, or working at a desk.

 

Get more furniture arranging tips from No Rules—Just Fun Decorating

and Ten Common Home Decorating Mistakes. (both sold at left)

Visit the Blue Sage Press website for more fun how-to books and e-books about decorating, cooking, planning weddings and parties, and crafting

Click on the book covers above to order or read more about each one