Rules for Rearranging

by Michele Miao

If you're having trouble getting your rooms to look the way you want, there may be a simple solution. Instead of buying new furniture or accessories, try rearranging what you have for a fresh, new look. Elizabeth Mayhew, decorating expert and author of Flip! For Decorating, shares her secrets for placing your furniture to make the most of your space.

Pick Your Room's Purpose

First, decide what purpose your room serves, advises Mayhew. Do you spend time in the room watching television, reading or having family time? Once you know what you need the room to do, you can arrange your furniture to help you get the most out of your space.

Find Your Focus

Every room has a special trait or feature that you can play up when you arrange the furniture, says Mayhew. It could be a great view, high ceilings, an interesting architectural element or a big-screen television. Figure out what's special about your room and you'll be able to arrange your furniture to show the room at its best.

Decorating Is an Evolution

You don't have to decorate the whole room in one afternoon, reassures Mayhew. Place your largest piece, like a sofa, first and live with it for a while. Lounge on the couch to see what your guests would look at if they were seated there. Walk through the room to see how traffic flows around the piece. Then decide if you like it there.

Don't Think Horizontally

Remember to look up when you're arranging your furniture. There's lots of space to decorate above eye level. Draw the eye up with a tall piece of furniture, a colorful piece of art or a cleverly placed light source, advises Mayhew.

Don't Forget the Lighting Fixtures

Lighting is one of the most overlooked elements in furniture arranging, reminds Mayhew. She uses it to create ambiance and draw the eye around the room. Use an assortment of standing lamps, table lamps and sconces to create a mix of light and shadow.

Think About Shape

If everything in your room is square, add something round to add interest to your decor, suggests Mayhew. That doesn't mean you have to buy a new table, though. If you're on a budget, see what's in your other rooms that could be moved before you make an expensive investment.

Think About Scale

Every room needs something big, advises Mayhew, but it also needs smaller pieces to balance out the decor. For example, mix a big sofa with smaller tables or chairs. The combination will make the room more harmonious.

Rugs Delineate Space

Rugs can anchor a seating area but they don't have to cover the entire floor, advises Mayhew. Use an area rug to separate a portion of a larger room for a special purpose

If It's Not Working, Don't Panic

Nothing is ever definite, assures Mayhew. There are numerous ways to correct your mistakes. If you don't like something, move it to another room or give it a coat of paint. A piece painted the same color as the wall will recede and look less prominent. If all else fails, simply put it up for sale on Craigslist or eBay.

MY THOUGHTS

i need to do something about my room in Laguna - get rid of stuff, repaint, some new cabinets???on the other hand, i was able to do it with s mall condo space. i can do the same with this room.