It is time to explore another piece of the Decorating Puzzle! While we are all drawn to things we love, it is entirely possible to have a room full of lovely things and not be happy with the space. We've explored a couple of reasons for rooms that aren't working (in previous posts), including considering the shape of your furnishings as well as considering if your room is conducive to the lifestyle you want to live.
Today let's consider how inviting our room feels. How the furniture is placed can make a huge difference in how comfortable and welcoming a space feels. Furniture arranging can seem daunting and difficult, but it is really based on common sense. Here are a few pointers to creating an inviting space:
CONVERSATION:
In a living room, you want to be able to have a conversation with family and friends. If your sofa is lined up along one wall, and 15 feet away you have a chair, how can you carry on a conversation without shouting across the room? Pulling your furniture close enough for a comfortable conversation is important to how the room will function.
A U-shaped furniture arrangement always works better for conversation than an "L" shaped one. A U-shape ensures that each person will have someone to talk to from their chair, where an "L" shape leaves someone out! You don't want to get stuck talking to yourself at a party.
COMFORT:
If you don't have an end table or coffee table within arms reach of your chairs, the message the room sends is "we don't eat in here so don't get too comfortable." In other words, this is a stiff and formal space for show only. Not the kind of room I'd feel comfortable hanging out in! Have plenty of surfaces for drinks or plates or even putting your feet up!
LIGHTING:
If you don't have lamps near your seating areas, reading or relaxing in this room will be out of the question. The ambience of the room depends on good lighting and without lighting, corners of the room are dark and uninviting. A cold and dark room never feels right, even with the most lovely of furnishings. Lamps are the best way to ensure that a room feels inviting.
Stay tuned for another piece of the decorating puzzle!
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