space planning Archives

Interior Design: 5 Steps to Space Planning Your Living…

February 5, 2021October 12, 2023

photo example — Interior design by Karen Mills

Do you ever feel frustrated or lost when it comes to deciding how to place your furniture in the living room? Read on for my tips as an interior designer on how to space plan your room to be both functional and appealing.

Make it Functional – The first question I ask interior design clients who want our firm to space plan their living room is how they will use the room and what they need in the room to accomplish that. For example, how much seating do you need daily? And if you entertain often how many people do you need to accommodate? Other questions to ask yourself is what else do you want to do in the living room? If you’re reading a book, you will need a lamp nearby and if you’re eating or drinking, tabletops will be critical for placing glasses or plates down. In this great room we designed, a coffee table and sofa table provide surfaces to place items on while a nearby end table holds a much-needed lamp.

2. Determine Your Focal Point – In this outdoor living room the focal point is the fireplace we placed front and center in the design of the porch, but if you don’t have a fireplace or great outdoor view, you can create one with a vignette. A vignette is a grouping of furnishings created to make a focal point such as a table, artwork, and lamp arranged together.

example — Interior design by Karen Mills

3. Place your sofa or largest upholstery (seating) facing your focal point to give it more emphasis or importance. Here in this great room design we placed the sofa facing the fireplace because it’s the focal point and your eye naturally goes to where the largest piece of upholstery is facing. Two more pairs of chairs flank the sofa, adding more emphasis and a cozy atmosphere, while the rug we layered underneath creates a cohesive pulled together look.

4. Make your furniture arrangement inviting and cozy, but not crowded. In this living room the sofa is facing a focal point, the view out the window. A round ottoman helps create a more spacious feel while the chairs are angled to mimic the shape of the ottoman while still being a part of the intimate seating arrangement that makes the space planning a success.

5. Layer in tables and an area rug underneath. Tables are critical in your room both for holding lamps to provide ample lighting and for placing glasses, plates, or other items in your possession. In this hearth living space we remodeled, we faced the sofa towards the fireplace or focal point. Then we flanked matching chairs on each side of the fireplace to further emphasize the focal point. Next, we layered in functional tables and a comfortable rug underneath to bring the furnishings into a cozy grouping.

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Biggest Mistakes We Make in the…

May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

As homeowner one of our biggest fears when remodeling is that we will make a mistake, especially one that could cost thousands of dollars. Read on for 3 common mistakes I notice as an interior designer that homeowners often make in their bathroom remodels.

Poor Layout – One of the biggest keys when space planning your bathroom is to ensure its functional. Not only do you need adequate space to move around and access what’s needed without bumping into things but you also want a beautiful bathroom that invites you to experience it. Here in this gorgeous custom bathroom, we added glass shower walls to make the space feel larger and lighter, while also creating a focal point beyond with a free standing tub and beautiful chandelier with plenty of space to maneuver around.

2. Too Trendy – Even though as an interior designer I admit that I love timeless spaces, have to admit its fun to add a trendy element that’s new. But I only recommend adding a trendy finish if it either enhances the design and if its easily replaced without much expense like a back splash, wall paint, or light fixture.

In this gorgeous bathroom remodel not only did we open up the closed off spaces in this room, but we also went with a classic marble finish to create a more timeless look that could last for 30 years or more instead of adding accent tile that often dates a bathroom more quickly than anything else.

3. Wrong Finishes – Wrong finishes can be anything from the wrong color, size, or pattern to how all the finishes (cabinetry, paint, tile, light fixtures, etc) come together to create a cohesive whole. The biggest problem I see as an interior designer are the homeowners who chose to do it themselves, but don’t have an eye for design. The final result? Thousands of dollars of investment in what may be beautiful cabinetry, tile, and lighting that just doesn’t work well together.

Here in the bathroom we selected finishes that were classic and simple in style to create a calm inviting space that will appeal for years to come.

For more great ideas and photos on bathroom remodels or interior design, sign up for our weekly interior design blog here

Plus become a fan of Kansas City’s interior designer and former host of the Living Large design show, Karen Mills, on
INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK here!