I always recommend positioning larger items such as beds, sofas and dining tables first, as they’re likely to be the most important pieces in any given space – and the most expensive to change if they don’t work. If you’re using online software you’ll probably be given a range of standard items to choose from, as well as the option to ‘draw’ other pieces if you’re using a pen and paper, you can create cut-outs and stick them down with tack. One you’ve considered functions and focal point(s), you can start putting furniture into your floor plan and playing around with different arrangements. There are all sorts of ways to create one: a gallery wall, a sideboard or console table with a beautiful arrangement, a shelving display, a wall in a different colour or texture, even a well-placed mirror.Ībove: this tiny attic apartment has no natural focal point, so the owners have created one using a low table, a lamp and a selection of artwork (see more of this home here). If the space in question has no natural focal point, then don’t worry. A common assumption is that furniture should face the focal point, which isn’t necessarily the case, but identifying it from the beginning will allow you to work the layout around it and ensure you’re showing off your home’s best assets. It could be anything – a fireplace, a set of patio doors, a window with a beautiful view – and in larger rooms there might be more than one. It’s also worth thinking about what you want the focal point to be. I also have a cosy chair by the window for reading, enjoying a quiet coffee and watching the world go by.Ībove: it may only be small, but the living room of this Swedish apartment has been laid out to accommodate two distinct functions, dining and lounging (see the full tour here). I’ve therefore arranged the sofas so that the TV is easily visible from both of them, and positioned the seating so that it faces inwards and encourages conversation. My living room, for example, is used for watching TV, entertaining and general relaxation. When you have a clear idea of this you can start working out how to incorporate everything you need into the space you have, and identify any essentials that are lacking. This is particularly important in large, open-plan areas, which work best when broken up into defined ‘zones’, but even smaller rooms are likely to have multiple functions to fulfil. The function of a room is the most important factor when planning a layout, so before you start introducing furniture it’s worth taking time to list all the activities you need to accommodate – lounging, eating, entertaining, working, sleeping, even playing if you have kids. The radiator, window, door and fireplace are all included, and plug sockets are marked with an ‘x’. Also make sure you add in things such as radiators and fireplaces, as well as plug sockets and other fixtures that might dictate where you can place lamps, TVs and the like. You might have scope to move these around to suit the final layout, but if not (for example if budget is tight or you live in a rental) then keeping them in mind from the start will help avoid disappointment and frustration later on.Ībove: a simple plan of our main bedroom, which I created on SmartDraw (one of numerous free online tools) to try out potential layouts. Whatever method you choose, measure the room in question carefully and plot out the walls, windows and doors, creating a blank canvas which you can use to play around with different options. You could also do things the old-fashioned way with paper, a ruler and a pencil. There are plenty of free ones available online, and some will even let you turn 2D plans into 3D models that you can ‘walk’ around. But starting from scratch will help you move away from any preconceived notions of how things should be done and focus on what works best for you. With that in mind, I always begin the process by mapping out an empty room using floor-planner software. It can be difficult to detach yourself from the way you’ve always laid a room out in the past, or from arrangements shown on estate-agency or house-developer plans. So, just how do you go about devising a layout that works for you and your lifestyle, and that makes the best use of whatever space you have? Here are my top tips… But finding the right layout can be tricky, especially if you have any awkward shapes or dimensions to deal with. It not only impacts the way a space looks, but also how it feels – and whether it’s practical and enjoyable to use on a day-to-day basis. Room layout is one of the most crucial aspects of good interior design, and often the thing I spend longest perfecting when working on schemes for clients.
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