You know what they say right? A change is as good as a holiday! Well today I’m swapping it up and saying holiday is a good reason for change. Why, I hear you ask? Because the way we use a space and its points of focus change with the seasons. Plus I get bored easily and its good fun!
There are a few things you need to consider if you are ready to shake things up and rearrange your furniture……
Will it fit?
I’m a great one for dragging things around only to discover the new position doesn’t allow enough room to walk through a doorway or the height looks wrong or the console is too small for that wall. Before you get too creative, grab a tape measure and check if your idea is as good as you think it is. Scale is super important; oversized is great until you cant see past it while a number of pieces thrown together that are too small can actually make a room look and feel cluttered.
What vibe do you want to create?
Cosy or spacious? Formal or relaxed? The arrangement of your furniture plays a huge role in the atmosphere of your space. Symmetry can be super formal and uptight if you arrange to maximise floor space. And for many of us this tends to be the instinctive course of action, to push everything back against the walls, leaving a large void in the centre of the room. Try shifting furniture away from the walls and arranging around a focal point. Don’t be afraid to make people walk around things! As long as there is enough room to do so comfortably this generally leads to more visually interesting and relaxed space.
Function is important but how does it look?
Approach your room from each entrance and take a quick pic. Your picture reveals how a stranger sees your space, its first impression if you like. Take note of your focal points and how many you need to gently guide the eye around the room. What is the first thing that captures your attention? Is there a gap or void that needs something to visually balance the room, or is it too busy and you need to pair back? Line is something most of us overlook too. Scan the room and visually note the height of your individual pieces of furniture. Do you find your eye travelling up and down? Its best to try and group items together of similar height especially around the walls creating a gentle wavy horizontal line rather than a harsh zigzag. Of course, you can balance this easily with wall art, shelving or something similar.
Please don’t get too serious and take all the fun out of it either. The best furniture placement is sometimes random and unexpected. Make some pieces mobile, an ottoman, small table or benches, lightly scaled chairs. Don’t stress about rules like rug size and having everything matching. Do mix styles and make it reflect your personality and do reign in the colour palette or at least keep things complimentary.
All images via Pinterest
Keep your furniture away from the walls where practical, create balance and check the line is not too harsh. Don’t be afraid to be bold but remember to reign in your colour palette.
Rearrange your furniture around a focal point and if you can, bring the outside in!
My new arrangement centres around our Christmas tree. It’s enormous and I love it! What will be your new focal point……..?
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