The aesthetics of a well-designed home rely extensively on the interior planned space, also known as interior design. One may have a beautifully structured home, yet lacking in pleasing aesthetics. If you are looking for more balance or better flow in a room, consider a new layout. The layout of the room is the furniture placement and design strategy of a room. An empty room devoid of furniture or décor can seem overwhelming, however, with understanding of basic furniture arranging, you can view this space as inspiring! Improve the aesthetics of your home with a few design rules below to enhance your space.
Locate The Axis
To establish a well-balanced room, arrange the furniture around a focal point. The focal point of the room is also known as the room’s axis. If a room does not have a natural focal point, such as a window or fireplace, you can create one easily. To find the axis of the room, draw an imaginary line down the center of each wall, so the room is equally divided into four parts. These are the balance lines creating the axis of the room. Major furniture pieces need to be arranged on the axis or on either side of the natural focal point, such as flanking bookshelves on either side of a fireplace. If you have a window or fireplace, this is a natural focal point, and the balance lines can be drawn down the middle of these features. Artwork and décor can be hung on the axis or centered around the axis above each focal point. Now, on the opposite wall from the focal point, take the imaginary balance lines that have been drawn to divide the room in quarters, and this is where you place secondary furniture to carry the same visual weight as the opposite wall. For example, if you have a fireplace as the focal point on a wall, on the opposite wall, along the same balance lines, you can place a large buffet, or piece of art that carries visual weight to balance the room.
Determine The Flow
The flow of a room is one of the most important aspects in room design. Determine the flow by marking off traffic patterns. Take a blank piece of paper and sketch the floor plan of a room. Include walls, doors, windows and closets. Now, draw lines to represent the most logical walking path through the room, or leading to outside doors, this is the natural traffic pattern. Furniture needs to accommodate free movement through and around a room. Plan for 36 inches in front of doors and 15 inches of open space in front of windows. Well placed furniture can avoid misdirected traffic and increase the flow of a room leading to an aesthetically pleasing room design.
Standard Clearance
When placing furniture, whether chairs around a sofa, or a chest next to a door, clearance needs to be considered. Clearance is the space required for optimal circulation in a room. Traffic paths in a room generally require a distance of 3 feet from impeding furniture. Minimum clearance for traffic is considered 1 foot, 6 inches. Placing coffee tables in front of sofas or seating arrangements call for 1 foot minimum of clearance. Desks and pianos require 3 feet clearance for chairs and benches. Three feet of space should be planned around a table, for freedom of movement.
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