Spacing

When I read this article on Apartment Therapy, something clicked in my mind.  The light bulb went off and I instantly knew all the secrets of the universe (ok, maybe not the universe, but I swear angels were singing). The ultimate secret I learned? Spacing.  One word unlocked all the mystique around what makes a great looking room look great.  Kind of a no brainer, I know, but seriously these tips will change your life.  So take a look at my favorite tips below and re-examine the photos above...I swear, the angels will be singing. 

Dining Room (image 1)
-Area rug and dining table- A rug should span about 36" wider on all sides of the table to allow chairs to pull out easily without catching
-Space between dining chairs: Ideally provide about 24" between chairs to prevent hitting elbows and to allow people to slide chairs in and out without any collisions or bruised knuckles. 


Living Room (image 2)
-Distance between a sofa and coffee table: Allow around 18" between the table and sofa edge to give enough leg room but to be able to set down drinks or reach appetizers without straining. Coffee table heights vary greatly, but a good rule is to keep the table height and seat height within 4 inches of each other.
-Distance between seating furniture: Aim to provide between 3.5' and 10' between seating options to help conversation flow without crowding a room.
-Area rugs and furniture: Too often area rugs end up feeling like bath mats. To keep your area rug from feeling random, at least the front two legs of a sofa or chair should rest on the rug.
-Side table and sofa height: In general, an end table should be approximately the same height as the arm of your sofa or chair. This allows guests to set down or reach for drinks without straining, and it also lends a more cohesive feel to the room. (image 3)