How Sellers Can Arrange Furniture to Add Visual Space

 July 20, 2015

As urban areas become more populated, homes become smaller. Even large homes have at least one room that’s small. Small rooms can be difficult to stage; homeowners have to make compromises in decorating, organize thoroughly, and make alterations to their lifestyles in order to attract buyers. One of the best ways home sellers can add visual space to their small interiors is by arranging furniture correctly. Here’s how they can do it.

Get Visually Lightweight Furniture

Even the smallest of living rooms can be enlarged visually.  When getting furniture for staging, home sellers must choose visually lightweight pieces. They must pay attention to the furniture’s visual weight and not just the size. Light-colored furniture pieces with legs look lighter than dark or puffy upholstered pieces. The legs offer views of the floor and passage making the space feel more open. Pieces made of glass are also ideal as they take up little visual space.

Use a Light & Monochromatic Color Scheme

To create the illusion of space, homeowners should use light color schemes and steer clear of dark tones. Whites, neutrals, and pastels are good options. They should use neutral colors on their walls, furniture, and rugs. They can pick different textures and shades of a single color. Light-colored furnishings feel lighter and consume little visual space. A neutral color scheme pushes back the walls and eyes can roam freely as there are no hindrances. When staging common areas, homeowners should consider the neighboring rooms. A great way to unite smaller areas like entryways and hallways is by using a neutral hue throughout.

Consider the Furniture Size

Every piece of furniture has visual weight. To make rooms feel tranquil and cozy, home sellers should group pieces with the same visual weight together. They should arrange furniture of the same size and shape together to create continuity. A balanced furniture arrangement creates a cohesive look. When furniture pieces are not of the same size, home buyers will notice that something isn’t right. Many homeowners like to position furniture pieces along walls but this is wrong, especially if the room has an open plan design. To create the appearance of space, furniture must be moved away from walls.

Angle Furniture in Narrow Rooms

Some rooms are longer than they are wide and can easily look like bowling alleys if furniture is improperly arranged. To lessen the sense of tunnel vision, home sellers should angle their furniture pieces. Those with sectionals can angle them to break up the long lines of the room. Angled armchairs can also make a room feel wider. Tell your clients to try to keep the foot traffic on one side. They should avoid creating foot traffic between seating and tables because buyers will think the space is limited. Homeowners with square rooms should not angle furniture because it can act as a knife, dividing the room.

Focus on the Focal Points

The focal points in homes can be grouped into three categories: natural focal points like sliding glass doors or a stunning view, permanent focal points which are part of the home like a fireplace, and unfixed focal points which are created manually. Most homes have unfixed focal points and homeowners can create theirs through furniture arrangement. They can place striking pieces of art on the walls, get spectacular seating or tables, or adorn sideboards with sculptures or vases – anything that is aesthetically appealing.

The wrong furniture arrangement can make a small home feel like a cave. The good news is that there’s a lot homeowners can do before buyers come. Advise your clients to try the above tricks.

 


Ronique Gibson

By Ronique Gibson

Ronique Gibson is an Associate Architect and a LEED Accredited Professional, who has been in the design industry for over 13 years. She started her design blog in 2009 and today it has become a premier destination for helping homeowners with everyday lifestyle challenges. Her readers check in daily for help with their homes, DIY project ideas, recipes, crafts, and inspiration to beautify and enjoy their homes.