Need to Know: 10 Commandments of Arranging Furniture

Ethan Allan

If you are one of those homeowners that buy furniture and places it where it fits – hold your horses, there is a lot more logic to arranging furniture! When it comes to furniture arrangement, there is definitely more than one way to do things, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make mistakes. Keep reading to learn some of the tricks to of the trade to getting a flawless room that works:

1. Place Lamps Right over Dining Tables

To make sure your dining room doesn’t look off balance, place your dining table directly under your chandelier. If you are stuck with an off-balance chandelier there is always a fix – loop the extra chain onto a hook to position it right over your table.

Kendall Wilkinson

2. Don’t Hang Paintings and Mirrors too High

Consider hanging mirrors and paintings 24-36 inches above your furniture. To bring in more light and reflect a beautiful wallpaper or piece of art you can also place your mirrors opposite of them to create a gorgeous reflection.

Alexander James Interiors

3. Place Rugs under your Furniture 

A rug that is too small will make your space look smaller. Choose a larger rug and place it underneath at leasT the first legs of your couch, bed, or chairs, to give your space some consistency.

Structures Building Company

4. Add Balance to a Dresser 

Never make a dresser stand alone by placing it in the corner of a room. Dressers look best when pushed right up against the center of a wall.

Design Find

5. Focus on Great Lighting

You won’t believe what a difference the correct type of lighting can do for a space. Maximize the lighting in your room and create a triangle of light: For your bedroom, place two lamps on either side table and have a bright chandelier in the middle. This makes sure every corner of your room gets equal attention.

Cecile Starin

6. Give Couches some Breathing Space

When moving a new couch in, most homeowners go straight away to push it right against the wall. Placing your couch a few inches away from the wall will make your space seem larger. Move the rest of your chairs and side tables out a bit to open up the space and let it “breath”. The latest addition to my home was a beautiful wooden furniture set from Cobwebs Furniture and pulling the couches in away from the walls made a HUGE difference. It’s a great way to show off your furniture in all its glory and make your space seem more spacious.

Tiffany Farha Design

7. Hang Curtains Higher

To make your ceilings and windows seem taller; hang your curtains well above your actual window frame, right under the ceiling. This will mimic the look of those high ceilings you’ve been dying to have.

Mandarina Studio

8. TV’s Don’t Make Focal Points!

All eyes should not be on your television so make the fireplace or a grand window the main attraction of your room. It also helps to group main items together so if you have the option to hang your television, place it right over the fireplace.

Rikki Snyder

9. Make your Bed the Focal Point 

A bedroom should always have the bed as the main focus. If you are lucky enough to have the space, place it in the center of your room and create symmetry with two side tables with matching lamps and a large piece of artwork or a mirror above your headboard.

Cecile Starin Design

10. The Bigger the Better

Coffee tables should be as big as possible to help expand and connect one room to another. If you have a narrow living room, opt for a skinny coffee table but make sure its long.

Maraya Interior Design