5 furniture arrangement tips for a perfect room layout

When you're decorating a room, basic rules can help you make the most of your space. Use these five basic pointers to place your furniture in its ideal arrangement.

It's important to take the room's architecture into consideration when decorating. If there are windows, arrange furniture without blocking them.

• You can place a low-backed sofa in front of a window, but avoid placing high shelves and other big objects in the way of incoming natural light.
• It's also important to make sure that nothing is standing in the way of entrances or doorways.

If you're decorating a small room, big furniture such as couches and bookshelves can be pushed against the wall to make the most of the space.

• You want to make sure not to overcrowd the room. Uou should be able to walk easily through the room without having to squeeze around furniture.

When decorating a family room or living room, arrange the furniture to create a main island or central place where the seating converges.

• These friendly furniture islands encourage conversation.

Vary the size of furniture and decorations used in a room. It makes the space appear fuller, creating a richer, more welcoming impression.

• You can also try to maintain symmetry by using pieces of similar height on opposite sides of the room.

When designing a room, contrast can be a powerful tool to bring your styles together.

• Combine curved lines with straight lines so that spaces don't appear too stiff and boxy.
• It's also good to pair solids with empty spaces — if you have a thick, solid armoire, pair it with a light bookshelf or lamp.

Interior design should be fun! These are just a few basic tips to use as rules of thumb, but it's also important to bring your own taste and personal aesthetic into every room you design.