SCHEDULE:
Start with a furniture layout plan that involves these considerations:
1. Function first
Do you start by listing all the things that will happen in this room? For example, in a living room or living room, you may need a multifunctional space that includes watching TV, listening to music, reading, using a laptop, etc. Decide how many people you will need seats for (including guests). How much storage will be required? Will this room need special lighting for reading and using the computer? By evaluating the functions of the room, you will have a good idea of what furniture is needed.
2. Type of furniture
What kind of seats and how many pieces?
Sectional sofas have become very popular and are more “user friendly” than separate pieces. They work well in rec rooms and are considered somewhat casual. The trade off with a sectional is that the corner seat replaces a side table, which is a much-needed surface to place a lamp, drink, etc. If you opt for a separate sofa, a general rule of thumb is that a sofa and two chairs are more versatile than a sofa and a loveseat (especially if you’re moving into a new home with a different room shape).
Storage/Cabinets – One of the hardest decisions is often where to put the TV. This is especially true if there is a fireplace that already dominates as the focal point of the room. In either case, you’ll likely need a media cabinet, wall unit, or built-in cabinet (even if you mount the TV above the fireplace, but that’s another discussion). Remember to consider tables and ottomans for potential storage. Coffee and end tables may have drawers or shelves on the bottom, and some coffee tables have raised surfaces for easy eating or laptop use. Ottomans can come with hinged lids for storing toys or games, etc. And of course, you can also comfortably put your feet up.
3. Scale (Size matters!)
The most important consideration when buying new furniture is figuring out the right scale for the room. There is nothing worse than walking into a room where furniture fills the space. This is where the floor plan comes into play. In a living room or family room, the size and placement of the sofa is probably the most important decision, and it usually works best along the longest wall. The length of the sofa should be taken into account for tall people who like to lie down to watch TV. Remember that the width of the sofa arm takes up valuable space – you get about the same amount of seating with a 6-foot sofa. sofa with skinny arms like a 7ft. sofa with thick arms A standard 36″ deep sofa will fit most people and most bedrooms or condos. Deeper sofas should be considered for larger spaces or taller people, but don’t forget to measure doorways to make sure they fit. the furniture comes in.
Consider the size and shape of your coffee table or ottoman. You need about 18″ between a coffee table and a sofa to allow people to get up and walk around. A square or rectangular coffee table works well with a sectional sofa. A round coffee table is more interesting mixed with a contemporary style straight-lined.seat, and allows for easier movement around you without denting your shins.However, with a round coffee table you will need more end tables due to the longer reach distance.
4. Traffic flow
Now that you have your shopping list of the size and type of furniture you want, you’ll have figured out the best furniture arrangement for your space. But just to be safe, let your fingers take a “tour” of your floor plan. Did you leave enough space for traffic flow? If there is a second entrance to the room, is the path from one to the other simple, easy, or complicated? How easy/difficult is it for people to get up from their seats and leave the room? Make sure you don’t have too many side tables blocking exit routes.
5. Libra
One last thing to consider in your floor plan is balance. If you divide a room in half with the focal point on the dividing line, both sides should have about the same weight; I mean the visual weight. Half of a symmetrical room is basically a mirror image of the opposite side. However, in an asymmetrical room (which most of us have), the weight of each side is determined by things like the color and size of the furniture. Consider a room with a dark red painted focal wall and a large piece of art in a wide, dark frame. This will probably be enough “weight” to balance a dark wall unit on the opposite side of the room.
In a small space, keep the space light and ventilated. Use furniture that is light in color, has thin legs, transparency, and reflective surfaces. So in this case, the visual weight is kept to a minimum.
DESIGN:
Now that you have completed the planning stage, the next step is the design. Design involves these considerations:
6. Styling
When you finally hit the stores, you’ll want to “try on” the seats for comfort. Hopefully, you won’t find yourself in a situation where the most comfortable sofa is the wrong size or style or vice versa, where the most elegant sofa is the least comfortable. You shouldn’t have to choose – expect seats that meet all your criteria.
More about the style… your pieces shouldn’t match – it’s more interesting to have a sofa in one style and a couple of chairs in a different but coordinating style. Because? Because the days of matching furniture sets are long gone. Truly inspired rooms are rarely achieved with this type of formulaic design. And, of course, everyone has heard the term “matchy-matchy”, a clear “no no” in design. If your style is contemporary, try mixing in some classic mid-century pieces. If your style is traditional, try mixing in a few contemporary pieces for an updated look.
7. Pattern and texture
When putting together a room, consider the texture. A room with a mix of different materials and finishes is a more interesting room that was carefully put together. Consider mixing leather, velvet, silk, wood, glass, metal, and natural woven materials like grass cloth and abacus. This gives you some shiny, smooth surfaces and some rough, matte surfaces for contrast. Add a pattern with a rug and cushions, or if you’re a little more adventurous, try it with drapery fabric, dining room chair, and/or wallpaper.
8. color
You’ve heard this before, “Keep neutral with more expensive pieces like a sofa” and add color with throw pillows, art, and accessories. You can also add a lot of color by painting your walls, which of course is cheap to change if you do it yourself. But how do I choose the right color? Well, you need a starting point, like a rug or a piece of art that you love. Then, you draw colors from this piece to decorate the rest of the room. Sounds pretty easy, right?
9. Lighting
A room with a variety of balanced lighting sources is a welcoming room. General or general lighting, which is usually installed in the ceiling, works best with dimmer switches for maximum control. Task lighting is placed near where light is needed to perform a specific task, such as reading or lighting under cabinets in a kitchen. Accent lighting highlights focal points and adds drama and interest. These can be directional pot lights focused on artwork or “up lights” that sit on the ground behind an object like a tall plant to cast light and shadow in a corner. A well-balanced lighting plan ensures that there are relatively equal amounts of light throughout the room. A variety of light sources at different heights ensures there are no dark spots and provides an interesting layered effect. A combination of architectural and portable lighting is essential to a successful lighting scheme.
There is a lot to consider when decorating a space correctly and that is why it is important to consult a professional interior decorator if you want a truly inspiring space. A combination of classic pieces that will stand the test of time means you can redo your space in the future, but keep your investment pieces for a long time. It makes financial sense, and think of the pleasure you’ll experience coming home to a functional and stylish space!