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10 Simple Decorating Rules

Are you in search of Decorating ideas to help make your rooms have that Decorator Look.  

10 Easy Decorating Tips

Find Your Inspiration

I do rely a lot on looking at Furniture Store websites, Pinterest and Instagram.  I sometimes get a “aha moment” at how others sometime arranged their furniture. “I would have never thought to do that” is my favorite expression.
Know that sometimes you are limited to what you can do for arranging your furniture. Either by obstacles like doorways, walkways and windows.

QUICK GUIDE

Do you struggle with arranging your furniture in each of your rooms?  I know I do. I am forever rearranging and moving furniture to get just the right look. So you are not alone. 

With these following tips you will be a PRO at it. Not to say you won’t rearrange and arrange again but the important thing is you will have knowledge , “Knowledge is Power”.

These are Tips more so than they are Rules.  I think the word Rule seems to formal. 
I will tell you once you do this for the first time maybe two times it becomes second nature. Honest.

1. Create a Focal Point

Definition :  an area in a room to which your eye is immediately drawn.
Note: Your room should only have one focal point.
Kelly Clarkson

Your room will feel much more inviting when you arrange the furniture and your accessories around a focal point.

You can also have more than one focal point in a room. For instance in a Dining room you can have a Dining Set, Tablescape and chandelier all be focal points. As shown in the image above. 

However, sometimes the room might be too large for example a living and dining combined, or dining and kitchen room combined. In that case, there will be two focal points. In such a case, you have to pay equal emphasis on both the areas as regards to furniture placement. 

2. Furniture Placement

It is best to place the large furniture first.  Then place the chairs around the couch and other furniture items like the coffee table. 
Balance the room when placing furniture and make sure not to group all pieces together in one area or on one side of the room versus the other side of the room so that it is lopsided.

There are several places online that provide room planner to help design a room and they are FREE.

As shown in the image below, provided by Pottery Barn..

3. Push Furniture Away from Walls

The size of the room will dictate how far you can pull your furniture away from the walls.

In small spaces you’ll want to get pieces a little further by allowing a few inches between the furniture pieces and the walls.

4. Create a Conversation Area

Living Room Blue

Source: Ballard Design

If you have a larger space, feel free to arrange furniture in such a way that conversation areas are created in the middle of the room, leaving several feet between the walls and the furniture. 
This makes it easy for everyone to see each other, hear each other and above all else feel like they are a part of the conversation. 

5. Furniture Arrangement

Two women moving couch

Find Balance when Arranging Furniture
Note:  Leave enough space between pieces. Rule of thumb is to allow 30 inches between furniture. You need to be able to walk around. 14-18 inches between the coffee table and sofa. 

6. Easy Flow

Your furniture arrangement will be a factor in how people enter, exit, and navigate the space. Is it difficult to get in and out of seating? Does your space feel cramped when multiple people are sitting in the room?

7. Choosing Rug Size

Source: Rugs.com

Area rugs add texture and dimension to a space while also serving a function.
You will want to choose a rug that will complement your color scheme and can be placed in the center of the room.
Choose  the right size for your room and furniture.  

8. Grounding the Room

You should have a BIG  Coffee Table.
When it comes to coffee tables, more often than not, bigger is better. It should have good aesthetics and function.

Note: make sure to leave enough room between seating and the coffee table for people to pass through (at least 18 inches).   

9. Artwork

Proper Scale

Art Amazon

Art should span almost the entire width of your couch.
It should also run almost the full width of your dining table or server. 
If it’s above an entry table, same rules: span almost the full length, but never over. I have a checklist on hanging Art Effectively below.

 

If you’re looking to hang art effectively, consider these steps:

  1. Choose the right location based on lighting and visibility.
  2. Measure the height; art is typically hung at eye level (57-60 inches from the floor).
  3. Use a level to ensure the artwork is straight.
  4. Select appropriate hardware based on the weight of the art (hooks, nails, or wall anchors).
  5. Mark the wall lightly with a pencil where the top of the frame will sit.
  6. Hang the art securely and step back to assess its placement.
  7. Adjust as necessary for balance and aesthetics.
  8. Consider grouping smaller pieces for a gallery wall effect.
  9. Use protective pads on the back of frames to prevent wall damage.
  10. Regularly update and rearrange your art to keep the space fresh.

10. Accessories

Accessories for the home add interest, color, texture and elegance. Accessories complete a space, give it character, add vibrancy and create a sense of cohesiveness. Without these little extras, a room has no soul. As important as they are, many of us throw our hands up in frustration when choosing and arranging accessories.
What exactly Are Accessories?
simply put they can be a group of items on a table, a mirror hung or leaning, ottomans, chairs, tables.  But remember everything in moderation.  

Conclusion

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Before You Go

As always, I appreciate your visit, comments, and shares here on the blog! I’d love it if you also follow along with me on PinterestInstagram, and Facebook so you won’t miss any of my inspiration and ideas.

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