How to Establish Your Home's Space Plan

If your home seems confining, look how the rooms are laid out. Poor
arrangement of furniture, plants and other objects can bring traffic
flow to a standstill. But applying standard human-dimension guidelines--
using some common sense, in other words--can help your
home look, work and feel better in no time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Measure your rooms and draw a floor plan at a scale of 1⁄4 inch (6 mm) to 1 foot (30.5 cm). Note in which direction each door swings and the locations of all windows and electrical outlets.

2. Measure your furniture to scale for each piece, and make paper shapes for them that work with your floor plan.

3. Put your coffee table 15 to 18 inches (38 to 46 cm) in front of the couch. The height of your side tables should be within 3 inches (8 cm) of the couch arm's height. Walkways between the back of the couch and the nearest wall or object should be at least 30 inches (76 cm) wide.

4. Place a dresser that faces a bed at least 42 inches (107 cm) away from it so you can open drawers and still get between the two. Allow at least 24 inches (61 cm) from the side of the bed to the nearest wall or object so you can make the bed.

5. Position a dining table 36 inches (91 cm) from the nearest wall or so it's easy to get in and out of chairs. Hang a light 29 to 30 inches (74 to 76 cm) over the tabletop. Area rugs should project at least 24 inches (61 cm) beyond a table on all sides.

Tips & Warnings

• Use warm, dark, matte colors to make a large room feel smaller. If a room is long and narrow, use warm colors on the shorter walls to bring them forward and make the room appear squarer.
• Avoid tall furniture if a room has low ceilings.