6 Rules for Furniture Placement

By Brittany Hawes on April 11, 2018

This article is brought to you by CORT Furniture Rental. We take the hassle out of furnishing your new place so you can do more important things like read this article. Learn more about why furniture rental is the best way to get a great looking apartment.

Furniture placement is so very important, especially for college students. That’s because, as a college student, furniture placement isn’t just about stunning others with your incomparable knowledge of décor—the way your furniture is set up will affect the way you live, how you study, and the comfort level of your home. Plus, this may be the first time you have some say-so in how your living space is going to be arranged, so taking full advantage of that fact and making furniture placement a priority will be a growing experience.

I’ve lived in a number of different apartments/townhomes/houses/duplexes since moving out on my own. Since then, I’ve picked up some rules that will make your apartment feel like you’re making the most out of the space you’re renting or owning instead of a crowded jungle of tables, lamps, and mismatched chairs.

Are you ready to transform your home into a place of relaxation and meaningful placement? Read on to learn 6 rules for furniture placement that are easily accomplished and so much fun to do.

cort furniture placement

Image via Pixabay.com

Rule #1: Color coordination is key                                   

One of the best things you can do for your home’s appearance might be to play with the colors. Think about what color combinations you might try to make your apartment really stand out and fit with the goals you have in mind. Think of the carpet or tile color, wall color, and ceiling when you go to buy new furniture so you don’t get anything that looks out of place. Each piece should complement the other. Experiment and find a color combination that really suits you.

Rule #2: Don’t forget functionality

A pretty home is nice, but what good is a pretty home if the furniture placement serves no other purpose than to look nice? Furniture placement should equate to functionality. When you go to arrange (or rearrange) your home’s furniture, think of what you and your guests might do in each area. For example, having a television for game days is a good idea if you’re a sports fan. However, having seating on the far side of the room where no one will be able to see the television isn’t good.

As another example, if you have a desk set up in the corner where you plan to study and read your favorite books, a light source is a must. Unless your desk will have direct sunlight through a window or you don’t plan on cramming late at night (which, let’s face it, every college student has to do at one point or another), you should make sure there there’s an outlet nearby so you’ll be able to plug in a desk lamp or a standing lamp.

Rule #3: Think of lighting

Areas where you read or study will need a nearby light source. You’ll also need light near the dining table and in areas that might be dangerous to walk while it’s dark, such as a staircase or when you first enter your home.

Rule #4: Consider windows

Windows aren’t just there to look out of. They play an essential role when it comes to furniture placement. Never push couches or other big furniture pieces against a window. Not only will you be obstructing your view of the outside, you’re blocking sunlight from entering the room and possibly ruining a nice set of curtains.

When placing furniture, consider framing the windows. You might try putting couches on either side of the window, or a bookcase with a height that balances the window’s.

Rule #5: Space restrictions

Don’t bring in more furniture than your space allows. That’s crucial. You may have received a lot of hand-me-downs for relatives or been gifted furniture from friends, but you might not be able to use it all. If you feel like things are getting crowded, consider possibly adding the piece of furniture to another room of the house.

You should always leave room near the center of your room. No furniture, but a nice carpet in the center would do very well!

Rule #6: Use your home’s uniqueness

The duplex I’m at now is all kinds of unique, which is to be expected from a house modified to fit two households. We have a window that is partially covered by a wall, a wall that is made entirely out of shelves, high ceilings in the living room, an air duct with a wall built around it that travels from our family-room-turned-bedroom through our kitchen, small doors in some areas of the house, and varying amounts of carpet and tile.

We’ve managed to use these quirks to really make our house stand out. Because of the limited space in our living room, we’ve decided to do a pillow room instead of a traditional sofa and table setup. Because of the window that is partially blocked by a wall, we’re considering other options, since curtains won’t work. We’ve decorated our air duct and brought in alternative light sources since there’s no ceiling light in the living room. Think of what options you might be able to do with the unique layout of your own house!

What furniture placement rules do you live by? Share your tips with others in the comment section below!

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.

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