When building or remodeling a home, one essential yet often overlooked step is creating a furniture plan. This process can transform not just the look but also the functionality of a space. Without a thoughtfully executed furniture plan, you risk discovering too late that your furniture doesn’t fit well in your home. Sometimes there’s not enough space; other times, the space feels wasted. A furniture plan helps avoid these pitfalls and ensures your home is as livable as it is beautiful.
Plan From the Start of the Project
For new builds, integrating a furniture plan with the architectural plans is invaluable. This is the stage during which challenges often come up. Living rooms and great rooms, for example, are frequently designed too small to accommodate the sectionals and seating arrangements homeowners have in mind. Competing priorities like views, TV placement, and fireplaces can create challenges that need to be addressed early on. Kitchens need to allow for smooth navigation, and in bedrooms, door and window placements must work harmoniously with the furniture layout.
A well-thought-out furniture plan is also critical in determining lighting placement, electrical outlet locations, rug sizes, and art and accessory arrangements. Often, this process leads to revisions in the floor plan and often the reflected ceiling plan. Having a professional interior designer collaborate with the architect during this stage can reveal opportunities for improving details like window and door sizes. These adjustments, made early, can save considerable time and cost later in the project.
For major remodels, where walls may be moved or layouts reimagined, every element — from cabinets to fixtures — should be carefully laid out on paper before construction begins. Assumptions about an existing layout being “good enough” can limit the potential of your space. Instead, an interior designer’s role is to tailor the layout to your specific needs, identifying and addressing potential issues in advance. The goal is to ensure your home feels intuitive and cohesive once it’s completed.
The Benefits of Virtual Planning
At Laura Gills Interior Design, we offer clients the opportunity to virtually “walk through” their spaces before construction begins. This immersive experience allows you to explore your home’s layout and design before the build or renovation begins. Virtual reality brings your project to life, enabling revisions at a fraction of the cost and time required for changes during construction. It’s an invaluable tool that not only ensures confidence in the design but also builds excitement for the finished result.
The Foundation of Interior Decorating
Even if you’re not building or undertaking major renovations, a furniture plan is the foundation of good interior decorating. Scale is especially important. For example, sofa depths and lengths vary widely, and you’ll want to confirm there’s enough space for the arms of upholstered furniture or for a recliner to extend fully. The right coffee table size and shape also depend on the overall layout. A furniture plan considers these factors and many more, taking the guesswork out of furnishing your home.
It’s worth noting that not all interior designers work the same way. Some focus exclusively on decorative projects, while others thrive on construction-heavy collaborations. Designers with expertise in interior architectural detailing often take a full-service approach, managing everything from architectural elements to the final touches like art and accessories. At Laura Gills Interior Design, we pride ourselves on offering this comprehensive vision.
Whether you’re building, remodeling, or simply refreshing a room, a good furniture plan is an essential step toward creating a well-designed, functional space. It’s the blueprint for a home that not only looks stunning but also works beautifully for the way you live.