Making your furniture make sense

Furniture arrangement is an art. Even the most beautiful home can be uninspiring and inefficient if furniture isn’t composed correctly. Here are some common furniture flubs and how to solve them!

1. Style versus comfort
   Style is certainly top of mind when decorating your home, but ignoring function and comfort is a big mistake. Think about how you intend to use the space, and go from there. For example, having a coffee table and side tables within reach of the seating highlights the space’s functionality and convenience, and it makes the room look complete.
2. Slightly off-centre
   By no fault of homeowners, I often see condominiums and townhouses with the dining area light fixture off-centre to where the table should be. Rather than trying to centre the table to the fixture, place the table where it makes sense. Then, simply swag the chain of the fixture, so it’s centred to the table.
3. Wrong starting point
   When arranging your bedroom furniture, start with the bed placement first. It’s the most important piece of furniture in the space, not to mention the biggest, meaning your options for other furniture will be limited. A bed that comfortably sits in the room with side tables and a headboard is all you need. Of course, accent chairs and a dresser are excellent additions, space permitting!
4. Now, back up...
   Nothing is worse than walking into a room and being met by a big, bulky sofa back – and an ugly one at that! When arranging your furniture, always view your pieces from every angle. Reconsider your arrangement and alternate angles to create a more pleasing and inviting furniture layout.
5. Following sockets and outlets
   Just because your cable outlet is located on a certain wall does not mean your TV should be there. Again, think about what makes sense to how you plan to use the room, and it’s natural focal point. Remember, unsightly cables can be re-routed or covered.
6. Maintain good balance
   An unbalanced room is like a seesaw with only one person on it. It just doesn’t work. Ensure your furnishings are equally distributed to maintain balance. This doesn’t mean you have to go completely symmetrical; it’s more about the visual weight of your furnishings and how it’s distributed.
7. Focus!
   A focal point is the initial point of interest when you enter a room. Your main seating area should always have a focal point, whether it’s a window, a fireplace or an archway/opening into another room. If you don’t have one, you can create one using a piece of art or furniture, such as a beautiful console table.
8. Forgetting flow and function
   When arranging furniture, consider how you will enter, exit and navigate the room. For living rooms, make sure that you can easily get in and out of seating areas without having to awkwardly dodge furnishings.