7 Simple Tips for Planning Your Furniture Layout

Top things to know about planning & arranging your furniture layout:

• Ask yourself what the top three needs for your space are and prioritize them first.
• Find a focal point for your space to design around.
• Start with the largest piece of furniture or decor in your space when choosing pieces.
• Always consider the pathways in your space and how you move around within it.
• Create groupings or "zones" in your space.
• Make sure to give your furniture pieces room to breathe.
• Use a furniture layout tool to help make your big design decisions.

Planning and arranging your furniture layout is easier said than done. If you're standing in your space wondering where to start, you're not alone! Figuring out how to fit everything you need (and want) within your floor plan and deciding where to put each piece can feel intimidating, even if you have a clear vision. The good news is, with a few simple tips, the planning phase can be a breeze. Read on for seven tricks for arranging your furniture layout.

1. Identify the primary needs in your space.

It's easy to get swept away by that accent chair you've seen all over Instagram while in the planning phase and forget to think about how you actually live in your space. Although seeking inspiration is an ongoing part of any design process, identifying your needs when planning your space is an important first step. Ask yourself — What are the top three uses of the space? Maybe you're designing a living room that you also need to function as an office by day and entertaining or movie marathon space by night. Regardless, starting with a clear idea of the functional priorities will give you a jumping-off point for everything that follows!

2. Consider the focal point of the room.

Every room needs a focal point. Chances are, the space you're designing might already have one! If you're designing a living room, your focal point might be your fireplace or your window with a view. In the kitchen, your focal point is likely your range, hood, or sink. Identifying your focal point (or what you want it to be) is one of the easiest ways to figure out how to orient your pieces. If the room’s focal point is the view, arrange your furniture so that when you sit down with friends, you're facing the view and not the wall. In a room without a focal point, you can always create one. Large artwork, statement furniture pieces, or even your TV and TV stand can make great focal points.

3. Start with the largest piece of furniture or decor first.

If you're stuck and wondering where to start when planning your space, beginning with the largest piece is an easy way to approach the process. Whether it's your sofa, bed, or dining table, the most prominent pieces are often the setting-off point for your space and its layout and the most difficult to select. Having an idea of the size and scale of the largest piece will also help you make better decisions about how the surrounding additions should function and feel.

4. Think about the pathways in your home.

Furniture pathways are one of the things that make a space flow and are a vital part of creating a layout that works for you and your lifestyle. When planning your space, ensure you and your guests can walk around the pieces and naturally move throughout the room. Ideally, you want around 20-35″ between each piece to avoid a cramped and crowded feeling. Before making any final decisions on pieces, use a furniture layout planner with a measurement feature to get an idea of how each element relates to each other and the scale of your space.

5. Create groupings or "zones" in your space.

The truth is, it's rare that one room has only one function, and in the era of open-concept-living, creating "zones" is crucial to getting the most out of every corner of your home. In a studio apartment, for example, you might have a sleeping zone, an eating zone, and an entertaining zone. When planning your space, treating each as a separate area can help make the process less overwhelming and result in more usable space. Rugs, artwork, and lighting are simple tools to divide your zones with visual cues.

6. Give your furniture pieces room to breathe.

While designing any room, remember that you want your carefully-selected furniture pieces to shine and have room to breathe. Of course, not all furniture is created equal, and considering the scale of your space compared to your pieces is always worth the extra planning. Although every space is different, as a general rule of thumb, keeping a few feet in between the different groupings or "zones" of your furniture will allow for a better visual and functional flow.

7. Utilize a furniture layout planner to help you make big design decisions.

When making big decisions in the space where you spend most of your time, utilizing helpful tools can be the difference between investing in the right or wrong piece for your wants and needs. Don't underestimate the power of taking time in the planning phase, creating a virtual floor plan, and ensuring everything works together before adding everything to your cart!