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SCALE FURNITURE TO FIT THE SPACE
Most homes do not have a McMansion sized living or family room. For
average rooms, measuring between 200-250 square feet, you must consider
carefully the dimensions of the furniture, and how it fits the
dimensions of the space.
A young couple I visited had purchased new furniture for their family
room, which measured 18’ by 13’. They were right on target with last
week’s topic about upholstery selection. A khaki colored microfiber
sofa, and a matching chair and a half were chosen. A wide screen TV was
in the corner, and another chair filled the opposite corner. The problem
is, this beautiful new furniture overwhelmed the room because the scale
was out of proportion to the size of the room.
When buying new furniture it’s a good idea to measure the items and put
a painter’s tape outline on the spaces where the pieces will be placed.
Don’t forget the height. Stack boxes, or other handy objects, to get an
idea of how much volume the new furniture will consume.
The young couple didn’t realize that a 92” wide by 42” high sofa,
stacked with back pillows, along with a 60” wide chair and a half, was
too much volume for the space. Large pieces may appear normally sized in
showrooms and vaulted rooms, but take up much more visual space in
average sized rooms.
Consider smaller dimensions to fit average rooms. The average size of a
sofa is about 86” wide and 38-40” high. But you can scale it down as low
as 80” by 36” high. That notion would have opened up the young couple’s
space considerably. Also, tailored sofa backs are less bulky than those
arrayed with six or more pillows. A club chair and an ottoman might be a
wiser choice than an oversized chair.
Buying too many dark pieces, especially in leather, can also overwhelm
an average size room. A black leather sofa may be durable and hide dirt,
but it doesn’t cast a warm cozy glow, especially when paired with
another black leather chair or two. Choose lighter shades of leather for
small rooms, and mix in some fabric pieces.
Pattern is another factor that eats up visual space and makes a room
seem smaller. Sofas with multi-colored areas of a repeated motif hold
our attention and keep the eye from moving around the room. Given the
same furniture covered in neutral fabric, the room will appear larger.
Another hint that will make your space seem larger is buying furniture
that has legs. Tailored sofas and chairs that rise up to 12” from the
floor allow us to see the space underneath and therefore expand our
perception of the space. Skirting or fringing the furniture adds to the
mass and takes up visual space. Glass top tables continue the open look,
as does having proper lighting by adding recessed ceiling lights and
sufficient table lamps.
Remember, bigger is not always better, and smaller can be quite
beautiful.
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