How to Rearrange Your Furniture
One quick and easy way to give yourself a refreshing new outlook is to spruce up your home. Even a small task like rearranging the furniture will not only give your space a fresh, newer look, but it can also feel more welcoming, comfortable and functional.
Follow these tried and true decorators’ tips to help make re-arranging your furniture fun, quick and easy.
Plan it on paper. Before you start shuffling your furniture around, wasting time and energy trying different configurations, you first need to think about where you want your furniture to be and how you want it to function. For each room that you want to re-arrange, you have to take time to assess the area. Determine where your furniture can be placed, not only where it will fit, but where it will serve you best. So as not to forget anything that you have planned, draw it out on paper. Include even the smallest details so that when you start working, you save time and energy by avoiding repetition. This includes where you would like that large painting and that potted ficus tree.
Think of a theme. When you want to radically change the rooms in your house, having a theme in mind is a good idea. Also, this will give you more incentive to change the placement of the furniture. For example, if you want to have a more contemporary feel in your space, clearing out any clutter and excessive accessories and collections will give you a more stream-lined, up-to-date look.
Use a tape measure. Often times, our perception of size and space is off, so ‘measure twice, move once.’ When re-positioning large furniture, you need to make sure that they fit. Measure both the furniture and the intended space. When you cannot seem to make the item fit, try a different angle or position. Planning this out on paper saves not only your time, but your back muscles!
Try Feng Shui. For those who believe in the benefits of Feng Shui, it can be worth a try. This ancient principle supports the idea that there has to be a smooth channel around the house. This means that furniture should not block paths nor be in your way while you move around your space. For example, you should not have to circle around a chair to reach a door. Feng Shui or not, applying this theory is a good thing.
Start with a clean slate. Take everything out of the room. You will have a better perspective of the space and you can move around easier, enabling you to envision how you want to live in the room. This will also give you an opportunity to completely clean the room. Dust and dirt from hard-to-reach places will be given attention at this time. Leave the largest furniture in place as it will be the largest item that will be the first one that you will want to re-arrange.
Choose a focal point. For example, in the living room, is your television or your fireplace the focal point? The focal point will be on what you base all of your decisions for furniture placement.
Purchase new furniture. It may be the best time for you to add to or replace the furniture in your home. New furniture can be very uplifting; fresh colors, new fabrics and comfortable styles can completely change a room. It can be designed to complement your favorite furniture that you are keeping. When deciding on a new look, keep a budget in mind.
Select a color palette. Once your room is empty and you are ready to make a change, pick the color theme to carry throughout the room or rooms. Look at the existing textures, flooring, walls, wood trim, fireplace, lighting, etc., and decide if you want to modify or replace those items as well. Making a few simple changes such as wall color will help pull the entire look together.
Following these guidelines will help you give your home the look of a well thought-out, carefully crafted design.
