Introduction
Arranging furniture in a new space can be an exciting yet daunting task. Where do you even begin? While it may seem easier to just start moving pieces around, taking the time to plan out your layout first is key to creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing room. Taping out the footprint of your furniture on the floor beforehand allows you to experiment with different configurations and ensure everything will fit together perfectly. Read on to learn why taping it out is an essential first step when arranging furniture, and how to do it effectively.
Why Taping it Out is Crucial
Taping out your furniture layout first offers several key benefits:
Visualize the Spatial Relationships
It can be incredibly difficult to envision how pieces will fit together in a room simply by looking at their dimensions on paper. Taping out the footprint gives you a full-scale visual representation of the spatial relationships between furniture and the room itself. This allows you to optimize the layout by spotting potential issues and experimenting with what feels most natural.
Avoid Costly Mistakes
Making assumptions about measurements can lead to costly mistakes down the line. You may purchase a sofa only to realize it doesn’t fit where you envisioned it would. Taping it out eliminates guesswork by allowing you to see exactly how much floor space each piece will occupy. This ensures your new purchases will integrate seamlessly into the existing layout.
Test Traffic Flow and Clearances
Tape enables you to test how people will naturally move around the space. You can immediately identify any tight squeezes between furniture pieces that could impede traffic flow. It also clearly shows if there will be enough clearance around doors, windows, and openings. This is hugely beneficial for wheelchair users and those with mobility considerations.
Accurately Assess Proportions
Seeing furnishings represented full-scale can give you a better sense of their proportion relative to the room. A piece that looks great in theory may end up appearing too large or small when taped out. Making these determinations early allows you time to swap out items that don’t suit the space as expected.
Maximize Functionality
Tape provides the opportunity to try out multiple arrangements focused on your lifestyle and needs. For example, you may tape out a few options to find the one that dedicates the most space to an office zone versus living area. Making function a priority will ensure the final layout feels tailored and intentional.
How to Tape Out Your Furniture
Now that you know why taping it out is such a valuable exercise, let’s look at how to approach the process. Follow these key steps:
Gather Tools and Materials
You’ll want painter’s or masking tape, a tape measure, and a ruler or yardstick. Having writing utensils and labels on hand can also help you differentiate taped out areas.
Map Out the Room
Start by taping along the full perimeter of the room to represent the walls. Include doors, windows, openings, moldings, radiators or heaters, and any other built-in elements. This provides an accurate blank canvas to build upon.
Tape Out Furniture Footprints
Refer to the dimensions of each furniture piece. Use your tape measure to fully tape out the length and width of every item to scale. It may help to lightly sketch each footprint in pencil first before applying tape.
Experiment with Arrangements
Get creative and try out a few different furniture configurations within the taped room. Feel free to overlap footprints as you move pieces around to find an optimal layout. Mark or label your favorite options.
Double Check Clearances
Make sure to test traffic flow, seating depths, and access to windows and doors. Adjust any pieces as needed to ensure ample clearance.
Snap Photos from All Angles
Thoroughly document the taped layouts by taking photos from all perspectives of the room. This provides helpful reference material for the arrangement process.
Review and Finalize Plans
Carefully review your photos and notes and decide on the best overall furniture plan. Tweak and refine as needed. You now have a proven layout ready for furniture shopping and arranging!
Taping Tips and Tricks
Follow these additional pointers for taping success:
- For larger furniture, tape out individual components like sides of a sectional rather than one huge rectangle. This allows you to more easily shift around parts.
- Use different colors or patterns of tape to distinguish types of furnishings. For example, blue for sofas, yellow for chairs.
- Cut tapered triangles to represent table corners and small squares for ottoman footprints.
- Note traffic pathways with long strips of tape so you can visualize movement.
- Tape vertical lines at doorways and openings to mark clearance.
- Use post-it notes or labels to jot dimensions directly on taped out footprints.
- Take photos and review after removing tape to avoid leaving any residue on floors.
Common Furniture Arrangement Mistakes
While taping it out is a great strategy, there are still some common mistakes people make when arranging furniture. Be mindful to avoid:
- Failing to account for furniture scale and proportion
- Not planning enough space for opening doors and drawers
- Blocking lighting, heating or cooling sources
- Impeding ideal traffic flow in and through a room
- Neglecting to leave room for arts, plants and decor
- Forgetting to tape out mouldings, vents and built-ins
- Arranging solely based on furniture size vs. function
- Putting all focus on one main wall rather than the whole space
- Not testing multiple options before selecting a layout
Furniture Arranging By Room
Arranging furniture effectively requires considering the unique spatial needs associated with different room types.
Living Room Tips
Focus on creating natural conversation areas while allowing clear circulation pathways between. Angle seating toward a central ottoman or coffee table. Ensure media components are easily viewable and accessible.
Bedroom Tips
Maximize space around the bed for making it easily and moving about. Allow room for nightstands without crowding. Create a cozy reading nook with a chair and floor lamp. Arrange dressers and desks to form separate activity zones.
Dining Room Tips
Allow ample elbow room around the table for diners. Position the table near enough to the kitchen for serving convenience but not so close as to restrict traffic. Angle chairs to facilitate conversation while discouraging people blocking entrances.
Home Office Tips
Prioritize task furniture like desks and file cabinets. Tap out workstations with ideal leg room and knee clearance. Think about sightlines to displays and windows. Group media storage near work areas. Allow open floor space for pacing on calls.
Entryway Tips
Focus on transitional furniture like benches and coat racks that support arriving and departing. Maintain clear access to exit paths like front doors. Avoid clutter-prone surfaces directly in traffic flow.
Arranging Furniture Frequently Asked Questions
Should furniture touch walls or be floated?
This depends on both personal taste and the size of the room. Floating furniture makes small rooms appear more spacious, while anchoring pieces to walls helps define separate zones in larger areas. Always maintain enough clearance for circulation regardless of distance from the perimeter.
What lighting works best for furniture layouts?
Prioritize lighting tasks and activities, not just overall ambience. Position floor and desk lamps near seating areas, under-cabinet lights in kitchen workstations, and reading sconces near beds. Just be sure fixtures won’t obstruct openings when placed in traffic pathways.
How much space should be allowed between furniture?
As a general rule of thumb, allow at least 18 inches between pieces like side tables and chairs pushed in. Provide 24-30 inches minimum for high traffic areas like paths to seating. For small spaces, reducing these distances to 12-18 inches can work. Just be sure to test your plan with actual furniture footprints taped out.
Should rugs be sized to fit a whole seating area?
Rugs can help define furniture arrangements, but don’t need to span an entire conversation area. Larger rugs that extend 1-2 feet around grouped furniture tend to work well. Try taping out rug sizes too. Just don’t size them so small they cause chairs and tables to wobble when on top.
What are good furniture arranging rules of thumb?
- Allow 18-24 inches walking space behind sofas
- Leave at least 1 foot between coffee tables and sectionals
- Float beds at least 1 foot from walls for making them
- Allow space to fully open doors, drawers, and appliances
- Leave 36+ inches for pathways through tighter areas
Conclusion
Arranging furniture effectively requires forethought, planning, and a methodical approach. While it may seem tedious, taking the time to fully tape out your furniture footprint first pays off exponentially in the long run. Not only does it allow you to optimize traffic flow and spatial functionality, but it also ensures your pieces will integrate into the home as envisioned. Remember to tape out the entire room, experiment with multiple options, and thoroughly document the process. Feel free to get creative with tape and view it as an opportunity to gain design insight. With your furniture thoughtfully taped out first, you’ll be well on your way to a polished, pulled-together room layout.
