Stacey Lapuk, ASID

Although there are no rules (always exceptions), consider the following guidelines when rearranging your furniture: 

Area carpets can be used to distinguish and separate groupings. When all of the pieces in the group are connected to the carpet, the entire arrangement will read as one. 

Select a focal point in the room around which your seating can be arranged. Architectural elements such as fireplaces are natural focal points. A view, a painting, or even the television can be used as your focal point. 

Be sure each seat has a table nearby on which a glass of wine or cup of coffee can be easily placed. 

Leave about 18” between the cocktail table and the chair or sofa, so one can easily get in and out of the seat, yet still make use of the table. There should be adequate space for one to enter the grouping, without having to squeeze between chair and a sofa, for example.

Think about using a taller coffee table. At about 20”, it’s easier to reach. When the design and scale are right, it will add visual weight and interest in addition to being quite practical.

Lighting is extremely important. Will you be reading in a particular chair? Knitting? Task lighting can be accomplished through the use of floor lamps, table lamps or recessed spotlights, though be careful of your own shadow getting in the way. Any electrical cords you use should be adequately hidden and out of the way. Knowing your floor plan ahead of time, you can strategically place your electrical outlets, perhaps in the floor underneath a floating sofa.