How to Arrange Furniture and Add Visual Interest to a Room
Submitted by Wooden-U Furniture & More

While there are no hard and fast rules on furniture arrangement, here are some guidelines to help you create enjoyable spaces for yourself, family and guests. 

Select a focal point for your room and arrange lighting to softly highlight that focal point.  This could be a simple as putting a higher voltage light bulb in the lamp closest to this item.  A fireplace will nearly always be the focal point; other focal points might be bookcases or built-in shelving to house lovely collectibles, or a sofa with a prized painting grouped with it. 

The sofa in the living room, the bed in the bedroom, and the desk in the office demand the majority of space available. Arrange these pieces of furniture first.  Allow 14" to 18" between a coffee table and the front of the sofa.

Arrange the furniture so that pieces viewed as a unit don't show dramatic variance in height and size as the eye sweeps the room. When a high-backed chair is next to a low table, boost the visual height of the table by hanging a piece of art or decorative object above it.  Even adding a table lamp to this situation, could bring the height of the table up enough to strike a balance. 

Set up cozy conversation areas so that when company calls, a few people can be seated and chat with a place for a beverage or snack.  Keep furniture pieces within 6-8 feet of each other to allow people to talk comfortably when seated.  Examples would include two chairs separated by a low table, or two love seats facing each other with an occasional table between them.  Pull furniture away from the walls for more flexibility in creating conversation areas or change the traffic patterns in your home.  For example, use a sofa or a privacy screen to divide space in a room.  Allow for general traffic paths: your major traffic lane will require 36" - 48"; minor traffic paths need a minimum of 24". Allow ample space in front of chests and for pulling chairs in and out from the table.

Look for unusual objects that could serve as décor to add visual interest, such as a beautiful baskets, hung flat against the wall, a sconce shelf, a tin watering can,  etc.  Add a bit of drama to a room by placing larger acessories to stand out and create visual interest.  Examples include large, decorative candle holders, decorative corner brackets to frame a doorway, etc.   

Freshen the room occasionally by shifting the furniture and accessories for a new look. Switch tabletop knick-knacks around, add fresh flowers, change potpourri, move pictures.

Achieve a Casual or Formal Look

Symmetrical or "mirror image" balance adds to the formality of a room. A decorative element flanked by two identical sconces or a pair of lamps creates this type of balance or, a sofa with matching end tables.   Vertical lines will add height and dignity to your room. Try coordinating wallpaper and borders, floor length window treatments, or tall, vertical furniture pieces to create a more formal atmosphere.

Click here to view Wooden-U Furniture and More!Conversely, to create a more casual feel, use asymmetrical or informal balance in furniture and accessory groupings. For example, balance a skirted table on one side of a sofa with wood table on the other side. Mix and match various size and shape pictures in a wall grouping. Horizontal lines create a sense of relaxation associated with casual decorating. Use low, rectangular furnishing and a deep wallpaper to wallpaper to bring a casual feel to a room.