How to Arrange Your Furniture for The Biggest Impact

Whether you’ve moved into a new home, purchased some new furniture, or simply want to refresh the look of your living room, the way you arrange your furniture has a big impact on how you feel about a room. It can be a daunting task, but by following a few simple guidelines you can create a room where you’ll feel comfortable and can entertain with ease. It all comes down to three simple concepts: flow, focal points, and function.

• First, the flow. Look at your space with a critical eye, and consider how you want people to use it. Where are the pathways? Is it easy to walk through the room unimpeded? Are the sightlines clear? If a room has good flow, you’ll hardly notice it, but if the flow is disrupted, it can be jarring. Think not only of how people will physically travel but also how their eyes will move around the room, and the impression you want to convey.
• This brings us to the focal point. What is the focal point of your room? Is it a fireplace, or perhaps a window with a beautiful view? Will the television be your focal point, or perhaps a stunning piece of art? Making the focal point the cornerstone of your living room design anchors the room and helps define how you’ll use it. Once you’ve determined the focal point, orient the main seating piece toward it, arranging the secondary seating pieces around the main piece. If your room has more than one focal point, you have the freedom to switch things around as your needs change. For instance, in a room with French doors and a fireplace, you might position your furniture to focus on the view through the doors in summer, and the fireplace in winter.
• How will your room function? Will this be a space where people gather to watch television, play board games, and chat? Is it a room where you will do a lot of entertaining? If your living room is the place where you lounge and watch television, a sectional sofa may be the perfect option. When arranging a room around a television, however, make sure to choose a spot for the TV where the light coming in through the windows will not affect your viewing. If you often throw large parties, you can create a sense of intimacy by creating separate conversational groupings within the larger space. Some rooms have many different purposes, and if that’s the case, it’s smart to divide the room into separate zones, using your furniture to accomplish this.
  • A large rug might define and unify a seating group.
  • A sofa that faces away from the dining area can define your living space.
  • A quiet corner could be a reading nook, while a large window can be the perfect place to create a conversation area with two chairs and an occasional table.
  • Having flexible seating allows you to rearrange things to meet your needs, pulling in more seating to particular areas as needed.
  • Floor pillows can provide seating for those who like to lounge, and ottomans are a great addition to a living area because they can provide seating, a surface, and sometimes even storage.

While you’re considering flow, focal points, and function, there a few more basics to keep in mind. First, measure carefully before you shop or rearrange, leaving space between pieces of furniture so people can walk around them. Then, consider your personal aesthetic, and whether symmetry is your ideal or you’d prefer to go asymmetrical. Symmetry can be stunning, with pairs of matching sofas, love seats, armchairs, and lamps giving the room a sense of order, but asymmetry can give a room personality. Think about placing your furniture diagonally if your room is boxy, to create a more interesting look while improving flow and making a welcoming space for conversation.

When you’re looking for the perfect furniture to make your living room a beautiful gathering space, Möbler Furniture has what you need to make your home stunning. Since 1993, Möbler Furniture has served customers in the Edmonton area, providing exceptional quality and service, and featuring modern design that fits the contemporary lifestyle. Our furniture collections come from designers around the world, and our knowledgeable staff can help you make the right design decision for your home, in keeping with your lifestyle, aesthetic sensibilities, and budget. Call us at 780.444.1199 to learn more, or contact us through our website.