Your home is your sanctuary where you can relax and feel comfortable. But sometimes, even with the best furniture, it can feel like something is off. Maybe it’s time to rearrange your furniture! Moving pieces around allows you to create a whole new look for your space without spending any money. Plus, it’s a great way to get some exercise!
Why furniture placement is important
Furniture plays a big role in the overall feel of a room and can impact the energy flow within your home. But when it comes to making your home look its best, it’s important to remember that it’s not just about having the right furniture – it’s also about arranging those pieces in a way that makes sense for your space. If your furniture is looking a little cramped or out of place, it may be time to give it a shuffle.
However, don’t rush into placing furniture or decorating. Instead, take your time and really think about what you want your space to look like. Once you have a vision for your room, it will be much easier to find the perfect pieces to create a stunning focal point.
Here are a few tips to help you optimally place your furniture:
Make a Floor Plan
When it comes to placing furniture optimally in your home, a floor plan can be your best friend. By taking the time to map out where each piece of furniture will go, you can avoid costly mistakes and save yourself a lot of hassle in the long run. Here are three tips for making a floor plan that works for you:
- Measure your rooms and doorways carefully. This will ensure that your furniture will actually fit in the space you have available.
- Keep traffic flow in mind. You don’t want people to have to squeeze past chairs and tables just to get through a room.
- Use graph paper or another similar tool to create a scale model of your floor plan. This can help you visualize how everything will fit together and make it easier to make adjustments if needed.
Read more: 5 Tips For Selling Your Furniture Online For The Best Price
Keep The Traffic Flow in Mind
When it comes to furnishing your home, it’s important to keep traffic flow in mind. After all, you don’t want your guests tripping over furniture or feeling cramped in your space.
First, consider how much traffic will be passing through the room. If it’s a high-traffic area, you’ll want to leave plenty of space for people to move around comfortably. Conversely, if it’s a more intimate space, you can get away with placing furniture closer together.
Next, think about how you’ll be using the room. If it’s primarily for entertaining, you’ll want to arrange your furniture in a way that encourages conversation. If it’s where you’ll be reading and relaxing, you’ll want to arrange it so that you have plenty of open space.
Finally, consider the energy flow of the room. Your furniture placement should be such that it allows energy to flow freely and smoothly. Your home is your space, so you don’t have to adhere to any particular design principle – use the ones above as guidelines, and then do what works best for you.
Consider Lighting
Natural light should be used whenever possible, creating a more inviting and enjoyable atmosphere. Place lamps in dark corners or use them to highlight certain pieces of furniture. And don’t forget about overhead lighting – this can help to illuminate the entire room and make it feel larger.
Utilize Wall Space
Your walls are often neglected but offer immense potential for optimization, so don’t be afraid to use them! Hang art on the walls, use shelves or wall-mounted storage containers, or even create a gallery wall with photos and the artwork you love.
If you have enough space, hang a large mirror – not only will this help to open up the room, but it will also reflect any natural light that comes in.
Get Creative With Storage Solutions
Look for functional and stylish pieces like ottomans with storage compartments or floating shelves. You can also invest in furniture with built-in storage solutions – from couches with hidden drawers to beds with storage compartments underneath.
Think Vertically
If you have limited floor space, consider investing in taller furniture from a reputable furniture store. These taller pieces won’t take up too much room but still offer ample storage space.
Tall bookcases and cabinets are great choices, as they will help open up the room while providing plenty of storage.
Make Room For Occasional Pieces
Occasional pieces such as ottomans or extra chairs can be extremely useful when entertaining guests, but they take up valuable real estate in your home.
To get the most out of them without cluttering your space, look for pieces easily moved around or tucked away when not in use. Foldable chairs, for example, can be folded up and stored away when not in use.
Furniture Maintenance Mistakes That Can Be Costly
Now that you know how to optimize furniture placement in your home, you must remember the mistakes you should avoid.
These include:
Using the Wrong Cleaning Products
Many furniture pieces have delicate finishes that can be damaged by harsh chemical cleaners, leaving them dull and discolored.
Know what finish your piece has before starting any cleaning. If you can’t be sure, it’s better to use a mild, pH-neutral cleaner and test it in an inconspicuous area first. Natural ingredients such as vinegar and baking soda can often be used to clean wood and fabric pieces gently.
Moreover, always follow product instructions and read up on the best cleaning solutions for each material to ensure your furniture is kept in the best condition possible.
Ignoring Uneven Surfaces
No matter how well made, all furniture is likely to have slight imperfections that can greatly impact over time. If a corner of a table is raised, for example, it can cause items placed on the table to slide off, resulting in damage and extra costs for repairs.
Check all furniture surfaces for any irregularities and ensure they’re leveled before placing items on them. If the furniture can’t be fixed, place objects on the table with care and use non-slip mats to keep items in place.
Not Drying Leather Furniture Properly
Leather furniture needs to be cleaned and dried with the utmost care since it’s prone to cracking and other damage if not dried properly.
Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe down the entire surface gently. Ensure to avoid letting it air dry, as this can cause the leather to dry out and become brittle. Also, be sure to treat it with a leather conditioner to help keep it soft and supple.
Not Fixing Broken Parts Right Away
This can be a costly mistake if it’s not done promptly, as it can cause further damage down the line. Be proactive when it comes to furniture maintenance. If you notice any broken parts, like a torn cushion or loose legs, take the time to repair them immediately.
And if you don’t know how to do the job yourself, hire a professional to do it for you. This can help you save money in the long run by preventing the need for more costly repairs later on.
Exposing Furniture to Direct Sunlight
While it’s true that some types of furniture can benefit from a few hours of sunlight a day, too much direct sunlight can be damaging.
Exposure to direct sunlight can cause the furniture’s color to fade, fabric to deteriorate, and wood to warp. To avoid this, keep furniture away from windows and sunny areas and use curtains to filter the light. Additionally, you can use window tinting or window blinds to block out the sun’s rays and protect your furniture.
Not Vacuuming and Dusting Regularly
As dust collects on your furniture, it can settle into the grain of the wood, causing scratches and discoloration. Vacuuming and dusting regularly prevent this from happening.
Also, dust and dirt can become embedded in upholstery, leading to the permanently stained fabric. Vacuuming removes dirt and dust particles and helps extend your furniture’s life.
Not Protecting Wood Furniture
Wood furniture is prone to scratches, dents, and fading from the sun, which can diminish its beauty and value. To avoid this, always use coasters for drinks to avoid water rings, and make sure to use quality wood furniture wax or polish at least twice a year to keep the wood looking great.
Follow the instructions on the product and test it on an inconspicuous spot first to ensure it’s the right product for your furniture.
Conclusion
Shuffling your furniture around every once in a while can do wonders for the overall look of your home. It can make a small space look bigger, or it can simply help different pieces fit better together. And the best part is, it doesn’t have to cost you a thing. So if your home is starting to look a little dated, or you’re just ready for a change, give your furniture a shuffle and see what happens.
