Instructions

• 1). Plan a use for every room in your home. This involves arranging the furniture to suit how the room will be used. Ideally, traffic paths should be at least 24 inches wide. If the room will be used for entertaining, position seating so that it is eight feet or less apart. Face chairs toward each other to create a cozy, conversation-enhancing atmosphere.
  
  
• 2). Measure each room as well as each piece of furniture. Take into account windows and any small alcoves and awkward spaces that may exist.You can use the room measurements as a guideline for future furniture purchases.
  
  
• 3). Draw up a room plan. This allows you to view your room from above. You will be able to see exactly how all of the pieces will work together, as well as how they work within the structure of each room. Professional interior designers always draw up a plan before getting to work.
  
  
• 4). Use squared paper and a pencil to draw up your layout plane. Each square on the paper should be equal to one foot of measurement. Draw out the room dimensions.
  
  
• 5). Draw pictures of your furniture or prospective furniture using the measurements that you took. The pictures don't have to be artistic, but the unit of measurement needs to be true to the room dimensions.
  
  
• 6). Cut out the furniture pictures that you drew. You may then rearrange the pieces as needed to make your placement decisions.
  
  
• 7). Balance the proportions of each room. Rooms that are filled with primarily bulky or tall furniture appear cluttered and out of proportion. If you have a large sofa, a large chair next to it will appear unbalanced. Rather, cluster two small chairs or a small end table next to the sofa.