Shopping for furniture is one of my favorite things. It’s so fun to pick out colors, fabrics, pillows, and décor. Flipping through rug options, curtains fabrics, and art is undeniably just one of the best ways to spend an afternoon (or day 😏). And building a Pinterest dream board really unlocks something creative and visionary in all of us. But before we get carried away, I have to bring us back to Earth and say: we need to do a little more planning first. Here are six steps to help you plan the perfect room layout.

What Makes the Perfect Room Layout?

Obviously, every room is different. Ceiling heights, window placement, and other more unique aspects all make your space a little more than average, which means you do need to plan for your specific space. All of that is to say, the perfect layout varies by room but typically contains certain elements.

The perfect room has a good flow. From door to sofa, bed, or desk the room must be easy to navigate. Your furniture can’t be too bulky and your storage has to be functional so you can move about and use the room in a way that completely serves your needs and the room’s core purpose.

Additionally, the perfect layout incorporates everything you need. It takes into account the essentials, as well as the heirloom pieces and décor you want to surround yourself with. Which is the primary reason that planning is needed. Once you know what you’re working with, you can easily lay it out so the vision can be created and then executed. For example, if you do a lot of hosting, your living room needs more than just a sofa, it might need a sectional, more than one lounge or accent chair, and maybe even more than one seating area. The perfect layout takes that into account.

6 Steps to Plan the Perfect Room Layout

Let’s start! Whether you’re designing a bedroom, living room, office, or movie room, you’re going to want to start with some planning. These five steps will help you on your way to arranging a room you love. 

Measure.

We’ve been talking about measuring a lot lately, but that’s for a good reason. It’s a fantastic first step to planning because you can’t buy a sofa blind; you have to know exactly how much space you actually have and whether or not that table you love will ruin your room’s flow or be the best purchase you’ve ever made.

Floorplan.

The most important thing that happens before we begin any project is drawing out the floorplan of the space. This step ensures all recommendations will fit and are to scale. This floorplan includes windows, doors, and other room features that might interrupt the furniture layout. Once we have this together we can move forward with looking for furniture and decor. Otherwise we are recommending elements blindly. Below is a video showing the YDP process and creating the floor plan for a home office renovation.

Don’t Forget About Light.

Windows, floor lamp placement, and recessed lighting are all things that must be considered for your space. Where are your windows, what side of the house are they on, and how much light blasts through the room? The bigger question here is actually: how do we harness that light and control it to work for you instead of against you? Obviously custom window treatments will be needed, but you should also arrange your furniture so it doesn’t suffer sun damage. Or maybe you use those windows to your advantage as your natural light during the day for a reading or work space.

Break the Room into Sections.

Open concept is not as popular these days, but it’s still a huge part of most houses. In your bedroom, separate out the bed area from a seating area or even dressing area. In your living room, use rugs, credenzas, or even shelving to separate out different seating areas or distinguish the living room from the adjacent dining room or kitchen. Take your project section by section to plan what words best where and arrange things based on the zone.

Start with the Larger Furniture.

When it comes to finally putting furniture in the room, start with the largest pieces and build the rest around them. In your living room, the sofa comes first, then chairs, tables, and lights. In the bedroom, the bed should be placed first and then the dressers, bedside tables, lights, and other elements. This allows you to avoid crowding the room or having to cram a large piece into the layout after everything else has been styled and placed.

Consider a Focal Point.

Finally, consider establishing a focal point for the room. This is a great way to immediately draw the eye to the entire purpose behind the room. Pick out a statement piece, or just create a zone within the room that acts as the primary gathering area or functional space. 

Create a Room Layout with a Designer

At the end of the day, don’t panic about your room layout — a designer can help! We have wonderful room layout technology and access to thousands of pieces that allow us to create your vision in 2D and 3D. We’ll discuss what you’re looking for, how your room gets used, and the overall aesthetic and look you’re going for.