How a room is decorated and arranged has a massive influence on the perceived size of this space. Even rooms with ample square footage feel cluttered and closed in with furniture that is improper arrangement and too many accessories. With a few easy rearrangement and potential relocation of unneeded furniture pieces, it is possible to breathe fresh life into a space which might have been missing one important component: open space.
Explain the Focal Point
A room’s focal point has an significant role in creating an open and spacious furniture arrangement. This could be a fireplace, an entertainment center or a large window. Stand on the other side of the room facing the focal point and assess the view. When the focal point is destroyed by furniture and objects, this is a clear sign that the furniture needs to be repaired. Also stand at the entrance of this room. If the room looks cluttered without a obvious sign of a natural walkway toward the leave point, the demand for a better furniture arrangement is practically a certainty.
Open Views and Walkways
Arrange furniture to draw attention to this focal point without obstructing it by an entry view which faces it. Leave 2 or 3 feet of space for walkways, creating easy navigation from one entrance way to another. Draw furniture away from walls to make walkways that go behind couches and chairs, so traffic flow is not as inclined to interrupt conversation places. Relocate oversize cabinets or casement pieces which prevent entryway views or appear out of scale with other pieces in the room.
Create Balance
Darker solid and furniture pieces appear heavier than lighter coloured furniture and people that have legs, glass and open spaces underneath. Too many dark, solid pieces on one side of this room throw the room’s equilibrium off. Evenly distributing furniture using more visual weight round the room keeps a balanced appearance. Lightweight, leggy furniture and low-profile pieces open up the space and also make the room feel bigger. Multi-functional furniture such as ottomans, which can easily be moved around and used for a foot rest, additional seats or a table and have hidden storage indoors, reduce the demand for additional end tables or chairs.
Use Vertical Space
Open up more floor space by using vertical distance. Replace a floor lamp or an end table and table lamp with a hanging pendant on a swag chain mounted over a seat for reading job light. Wall sconces mounted on each end of a couch remove the need for end tables with lamps. Install floor-to-ceiling shelves at a natural wall nook, such as next to a fireplace. Do not over-clutter the shelves; rather leave a few pockets of vacant space for a cleaner look. Remove the need for a console table used for entertainment by mounting a flat-screen television on the wall. Relocate the table behind the couch or use it as a hall or foyer table.