This week we are going to address one of the most perplexing question for buyers of empty houses or those going for a general interior fresh: where do we place the funiture to maximize room features?
Many homeowners make the mistake of moving everything up against the four walls, which makes for a dull if not impractical arrangement, unless, of course, the center of the room is a dance floor.
We like to think of room layouts as solutions to either (a) elements you are not particularly happy about, or (b) things you like that should shine. Sometimes there is both. Here are five of the most common situations and solutions:
THE LONG ROOM. One of the most common dillemas is the popular great room. How to live comfortably in a large open space? This is especially the case with the bowling-hall room, per below. The simple message is: “zones”. Read more about this challenge in our recent post HERE.
THE CORNER FIREPLACE. Another frequent challenge is how to lay out a room to incorporate the fireplace and yet not be slaved to it. Note the photo above addresses the corner fireplace directly with cozy seating for reading. The one below ignores it and draws attention to the views outside. Come time to enjoy a roaring fire close up, the armchairs and bench can be turned around.
LOTS OF WINDOWS. This is usually a good thing but adds to the confusion on where to place furniture. In this case, the mountain view is all that matters, so placing the bed front-and-center is a bit stark for most, but makes sense for a minimalist.
THE HERO WINDOW. Here is a massive window arrangement that is the obvious focus of this bedroom. We are all about making that shine and placing the bed where you can gaze out, while “framing” the view with a console table, artifacts or reading material. Again: sometimes the focal point shouts; sometimes it whispers.
LOW TO NO LIGHT. This is the opposite problem from above can be daunting. We often suggest clients embrace the darkness with robust wall colors and good lighting to create an overall stage-set ambiance. This is when it makes sense to hire someone who knows about lighting. In fact, the type of furniture you use and how you lay it out to showcase the glow from light is critical. In the photo below you see there is light from a skylight, from the ceiling, from the bedside lamps and from the fireplace: all working together for a cohesive whole. (P.S. We hope your dark room is a bedroom, powder room or study. Dark living rooms and kitchens are, frankly, depressing.)
CV & Associates, LLC 