DIY Network

Rearranging Furnishings From "Ask DIY" episode ADI-702

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Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Figure F Figure G Figure H

Q: The furniture and artwork in my living room have been in the same spots for years. I'd like to rearrange them but just can't come up with another arrangement that works. Can you help?

A: (Interior designer Bea Pila) Yes, you just have to remember that it's okay to think outside the box when you're arranging furniture. Don't simply line it up against the wall -- which is the mistake most people make. What you want to do is bring everything in and make it more intimate.

There are a number of tools available to help you, including the following:

• A three-dimensional home-design software package (figure A). There are a number of these on the market, and they really make rearranging furniture a snap!

• Kits for planning layouts the old-fashioned way -- on paper. The particular one we feature on this episode includes a grid paper representing a quarter-inch scale (figure B)

• Of course, there's always the ultimate do-it-yourself method: drawing it yourself on a plain sheet of paper (figure C)! Don't underestimate the value of this tried-and-true method. You can draw an outline of the room's dimensions and cut out paper shapes to move around on it until you've found the arrangement you like.

Here's how Janette Smith and I go about rearranging our demo room:

1. Two views of this living room appear in figures D and E. The first thing we consider is traffic flow -- remember, you want people to be able to move about freely without having to dodge furniture!
   
2. We've made a floor plan that includes the furniture placed as it is to begin with (figure F).
   
3. Next we mark 45-degree angles (figure G). The rectangle at the left represents the sofa; the small square, a chair; and the righthand figure, a rug, which ties the pieces together. Don't be afraid of angles!
   
4. We clear off space on the floor and create a horizontal "wall" so we can find an arrangement of pictures that looks pleasing -- without having to drill any holes or drive any nails at this stage (figure H)!
   
5. Start with the largest pieces first; then bring in the other framed artwork. The beauty of a gallery wall is that the frames don't have to match so long as there's harmony in the colors.
   
6. You don't have to limit yourself to framed pictures -- think of the variety of three-dimensional objects available: plates, fretwork blocks, small shelves.
   
7. Don't be afraid to let objects overlap, too -- it can tie the other objects together nicely. Remember: Have fun playing with the arrangement until you arrive at one that's pleasing to you.
   
8. Think "eye level" when you're hanging artwork. You want to arrange the pictures and objects in a box shape, so always keep the middle at approximately 6'.
   
9. You can also cut out the actual shapes of the individual pieces and try them on the wall before making holes in the wall.

In summary, the three basic rules we've demonstrated are these:

1. Establish good traffic flow.
2. Divide large rooms into smaller ones.
3. Hang artwork at eye level.