How much walking space/clearance do I need when laying out living room furniture?
Question:How much walking space/clearance do I need when laying out living room furniture?
We are moving into a new, unfurnished house -- it's a big blank slate! I am excited about decorating everything, but I don't want to cram too much into the space and make it feel small. What's a good clearance around furniture, so that it doesn't make for a cramped waking flow through seating areas?
Specifically, how much space should there between a coffee table and the couch? And how much space should be between a built-in wall unit and a couch that sits perpendicular to it? The doors on it are 12", so I'd need at least 12" to allow the doors to open; I don't think just 12" is enough, but is 20" too much?
TIA to everyone!
Answers:
Between the coffee table and sofa, you should leave at least 18". That distance provides enough clearance, but still anchors the table to the sofa.
Between the sofa and wall unit, you may find that 20" is just enough to get into the wall unit and still be comfortable while peeking in the door. I recommend actually opening both doors and then see what room you need to maneuver around to access the storage comfortably, especially if you are storing items you will need frequently. Pulling the sofa back also makes viewing the TV easier when the sofa is perpendicular to the TV. If you have an end table or floor light at that end of the sofa, adjust your distance accordingly. Make sure to leave a pathway in and a pathway out of your furniture grouping, it will feel less claustrophobic that way and be more visually pleasing and functional. At *least* 36" if you don't have to worry about access for people in wheelchairs or walkers, etc.
If you arrange your furniture and it still seems too spread out, one thing you can do is find a big area rug to tie all the pieces together visually. This also helps to divide a larger room (like an open kitchen, great room situation.) Make sure the rug touches all furniture pieces of the grouping. But don't spread things out too much, or it wont be comfortable or functional. If the room is very big, consider two separate groupings, the second doesn't need to be more than two wing chairs, a small side table, and a reading lamp (don't forget the rug!) for quiet conversation/reading. Lighting also can make things more intimate.
good luck!
You'll just have to see, really. Once the furniture is in place, you'll know right away if it makes you unnaturally have to zigzag your way through the home just to get around the furniture. Also, keep in mind the needs of your visitors/family: does anyone need to use a walker or other assisting device? Would an obese person be restricted and embarassed? Do dogs run through there quickly, risking hitting their bodies on furniture?
Oh, and if you hit your legs or knees on the table as you get on/off the couch, it's too close.
If you're not bothered by having to dodge furniture, then put in as much of it as you like.
Have fun!
Ditto to Corazondiablo! Her answer is spot on...
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