One of the major concerns of any room with limited space is how to compensate for more space. Nothing is more annoying than a living room where people have to shimmy against the walls to get through. Surely it can’t be that bad!
While some features in a room may be immobile, it is easy to create space by simply rearranging your furniture. Instead of struggling through limited space, it is better to push the seats together so that everyone can sit close together and discuss comfortably.
Note that your positioning will depend on the natural focal point of the space. In some rooms, this is defined by the architecture- it may be the fireplace or a set of glass doors. In other rooms, a television perched on a wall is the focal point.
Once you identify the focal point, arrange your seating to align with it. The focal point has the attractive qualities of the room and the furniture should be gravitated towards its direction.
Here are 5 things to consider when re-arranging your sitting room furniture:
- Flexibility
Arranging your furniture depends on your preferences and the pieces of furniture available. Most traditional homes have a sofa and a couple of chairs which can be arranged frequently. When trying out new positions, ensure that there is sufficient room between the furniture so that people can swish through to find a comfortable spot. Flexibility is a key aspect of your detail. Don’t forget to set a drink rest within reach of each chair.
- Straight Up
The most common arrangement is to place a sofa directly opposite the focal point with every other room furniture facing the same direction. This makes everybody face the TV or burning fire. During entertainment, set the grouping in a conversational circle by using ottomans and throw pillows to face the sofa.
- Passing By
If your room has several doorways, draw an imaginary line through it from each opening, making way for a straight path between the pieces of furniture. This functional arrangement takes note of the focal point but also guides people through the space. By blocking the corners of the room, you can easily put away children’s toys or your hobby articles when necessary.
- Around the Corner
If your main seating is a sectional sofa, it is easy to push it against the wall and leave it there. However, this can come off as claustrophobic, especially for deep cushions. Draw it away from the wall to let air and light which will minimise the cluster around it. You could enhance this by placing a lampshade by the side.
- Simple Symmetry
Another classic and common furniture setting is the face-to-face perspective. Here, two sofas sit directly opposite each other, with the focal point fixed at one end. When you arrange seating this way, it encourages conversation because it takes the view away from the focal point. It comes simple symmetry comes in handy during activities such as reading and listening to music.
You can invent your own arrangement by playing with the furniture. Just keep the focal point in mind and ensure movement about the room.
