| Do you find yourself squinting to see the television or | | | | put a tray on it for entertaining purposes, or use it as |
| yelling across the room to have a conversation? Is | | | | an extra seat or two. If you entertain often and |
| your back to your beautiful lake view while watching | | | | need to gain seating during these occasions, try |
| television or enjoying your fireplace? Does your room | | | | tucking a pair of small ottomans under a console |
| feel like something is missing or off, but you're not | | | | table, or coffee table that can be pulled out when |
| sure what it is? | | | | needed for an extra seat. If your furniture is focused |
| Likely, it has to do with your furniture placement in | | | | around the fireplace and you have a nice large |
| the space and the many focal points in the room. | | | | hearth, have some comfy cushions made for it to |
| You may have the right amount of furniture, but just | | | | add seating. |
| need to arrange it differently. Most living rooms have | | | | Once your furniture is placed, don't forget about |
| two to three focal points in them; fireplace, television | | | | lighting the area with portable lamps. For floating |
| and view. And, they generally have multiple functions | | | | furniture arrangements, it's a must to have a floor |
| going on in them. So, how on earth does one arrange | | | | outlet or two. This eliminates cords strung across the |
| furniture considering all of this? | | | | floor to trip over, or hide under a rug. If you have a |
| The first thing you need to do is ask yourself some | | | | basement or crawl space, these can be added after |
| questions;o How many people do I need to seat in | | | | the fact if you don't already have them. Try to |
| the space?o How do I want the space to function?o | | | | balance the light in the space. Locate a lamp at either |
| Is television viewing most important? Entertaining? | | | | end of a sofa, or behind it on a console table, and |
| Conversation? Reading?o What are the main focal | | | | one between two chairs opposing it. Keep in mind |
| points?o What are the traffic patterns in and out of | | | | that floor lamps can be very functional too, as many |
| the space?o How does the space look when viewing | | | | of them are adjustable in height and angle and can |
| from adjacent areas? | | | | easily tuck under the edge of a piece of furniture. |
| Try floating your furniture in the room around your | | | | Last but not least, a furniture arrangement can be |
| focal point(s) verses lining your walls with it. This will | | | | nicely anchored with an area rug. If your furniture is |
| create your traffic patterns behind your pieces, | | | | solid in color, consider a colorful patterned rug to tie |
| instead of in front of them. It will get your furniture | | | | to your throw pillows and accessories. If your |
| closer together to create a more intimate seating | | | | furniture is patterned consider a more muted solid |
| arrangement and put the visual weight of the room in | | | | rug. This is also something that you could change out |
| the center so it's more balanced. This can then | | | | seasonally to create a new look and feel to the |
| possibly open up a corner to tuck a comfy chair and | | | | space. |
| ottoman in for reading or enjoying your view. | | | | Remember not to over fill your space with too much |
| If your focal points are split up from one another, | | | | furniture or stuff! A room can get over done quickly |
| consider using swivel chairs verses stationary. These | | | | and impede the function of it. You can fill those |
| can be a very functional way to take advantage of | | | | corners and nooks with live plants, accessories or |
| all of the focal points in a room. If your view is | | | | even an extra dining chair to add texture and color. |
| through low windows, consider doing lower backed | | | | Just remember to measure your space and your |
| furniture so it does not obscure your view as much. | | | | furniture before buying, or hire an interior designer to |
| If you like to put your feet up, consider a large | | | | do some space planning for you to maximize your |
| ottoman instead of a coffee table. You can always | | | | room and budget! |