Part 1: Layout and Space Planning

There are a multitude of rules and guidelines in which we spend years learning. We are sharing some of the most important do’s and don’ts here.

Don’t buy furniture without knowing where it will go or how it will fit in a room. This might seem obvious, but we run into this issue time and time again when working with prospective clients. A piece of furniture is completely out of scale, or worse yet, they couldn’t get it through the front door. Interior designers have a distinct advantage when designing rooms and selecting furniture. We create furniture floor plans to scale. Generating a floor plan is an important first step in deciding what pieces (and sizes) work in a space. You can create one by hand or reach out to a designer to do it for you.

Do move furniture away from the walls if you can. If the space allows, create a central grouping that is conducive to conversation and not cavernous in the center. Highlighting architectural features, which often means the fireplace is also important. Center furniture on either side and don’t block the view to the feature.

Do remember flow. Leave walking paths of at least 36”. The room will feel more welcoming and larger. This is even more important in a dining room where 36” is the absolute minimum for people to be able to get in or out of their seat. If you really don’t have the space, consider banquette seating, it can be a real space saver.