Have you ever walked into a room and felt a little uncomfortable, like something is out of place or not quite right? I've found that, as a professional interior designer, one element in a space that is most often missed is a sense of balance.
There are several ways to achieve balance, and all of them are fairly simple. Start by beginning where the professionals begin and measure the dimensions of the room. Be sure to include the ceiling height as well as length and width. These dimensions will help you determine how to plan the room for its function. Even small rooms can be disguised to appear larger.
Next, take a good look at the room and note its focal point. This might include a fireplace, a wonderful view window or some architectural detailing. There may be more than one focal point and any of these provide a good starting point for redesigning the space.
Now rearrange your furniture, starting at the focal point. One mistake many people make is in the size of the pieces of furniture filling your room. At one time there was a trend towards big, overstuffed sofas and lounge chairs. Most look comfortable, and some of them are. But placed in a small sized room, large pieces visually and practically take up too much space, leaving one with a feeling of being confined. To achieve a sense of balance with furniture, purchase very comfortable smaller pieces with smaller arms. Look for tables and storage pieces that work for you and also are better scaled for your room size. You'll be amazed at how much space you really have without changing the actual dimensions of the room.
Other ways to bring balance to a space include the use of color, lighting and especially using architectural moldings. We'll discuss these ideas in future postings. "Stay tuned", and in the meantime please feel free to ask questions about achieving balance in your home.
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