The layout of a room can be as, if not more, important that the actual objects in the room...
The perspective of the room sets the tone for the room, it gives it definition, a purpose. It sets up the function of the room!
Many people can pick beautiful objects, but they miss the mark on this very important part of home styling, as we like to call it.
Let's talk a bit about the perspective of a room, what it is, and how to make your room function at its peak.
What is perspective?
The physical layout of the room in regards to the important architecture of the room.
How do I get perspective in my:
Living Room
This is usually the hardest room for people. Some people think that the furniture all has to be harnessed to the walls of the room, leaving the middle of the floor empty or only for tables. Others, think that the room should greet you FULL ON when you walk in, in other words, everything should face the door. These are two huge mistakes. The easiest way to get perspective in your room is to anchor furniture into conversation zones so that when sitting, people have optimal views of the best architecture in the room. So, in a room with a fireplace, having one conversation zone, usually the largest, at this area, gives great perspective. Two sofas facing each other, perpendicular to the wall of the fireplace work, as well as one sofa and two chairs in this configuration. Another traditional way, is to have the sofa face the fireplace and the chairs flanking the fireplace.
When you have a room with one architectural gem, it is easy...harder, when you have two, such as a fireplace and a picture window. Fear not...if you room is small, make one large conversational area that makes use of both. If your room is large, have one conversational area at the fireplace and a smaller one, two chairs and a table, or a chaise and a floor lamp, or even a reading nook with a large chair, magazine bin, books, and a lamp...at the window.
Basement
Now, most basements have no windows, maybe only those small glass block windows, so you usually MAKE the conversational areas based on the items you put in your basement. It is unique from every other part of the home.
If you have a large screen television, obviously, you anchor a conversational area in that area. If you have a bar, you set barstools up. If you have a pool table, perhaps a bar height table and a few stools in the corner, for onlookers. If you have a playroom, a sofa in this area, plus some smaller child seats for kids, are great. In a basement, that is often used for a variety of purposes, you set up your work zones, and use those as your "architecture" around which you build your perspective.
Have questions, e-mail me at kmorton@de-luxehome.com!
