Creating a Conversation Group
Large living rooms and cozy gatherings can coexist. You'll simply need to arrange your furnishings in a way that kindles conversation. Here's how.
Conversation flows easily when people aren't shouting across a room, so pull your pieces away from the wall. Chairs and sofas can sit directly opposite each other or can be gently angled toward a center spot. Anchor the grouping by arranging it around a focal point -- either a fireplace, window, or attractive storage piece -- and unite the area with a rug. For added interest, arrange artwork or collections around the focal point and on coffee and end tables. These pieces can actually serve as conversation starters!
*Find or create a focal point to anchor your conversation grouping. A focal point is something that draws attention to the area, perhaps a fireplace or a large window or entertainment center. The focal point should be against a wall.
*Pull your furnishings away from the walls to create an intimate grouping. It's hard to converse when you have to shout across the room.
*Place chairs no more than 8 feet apart to encourage conversation - in fact, closer is better.
Position a table within reach of every seating piece to make it easier to handle a cup of tea or glass of wine. You'll also want a lamp to light each seating area.
*Allow ample legroom between seating pieces and coffee tables; 14 to 18 inches is a good measure.
*Select side tables that stand as high as the arm of the sofa or chair they're serving.
*Finally, position your conversation grouping so that there's room for people to walk through the room without passing through it. Traffic "lanes" several feet wide are the most comfortable.
Large living rooms and cozy gatherings can coexist. You'll simply need to arrange your furnishings in a way that kindles conversation. Here's how.
Conversation flows easily when people aren't shouting across a room, so pull your pieces away from the wall. Chairs and sofas can sit directly opposite each other or can be gently angled toward a center spot. Anchor the grouping by arranging it around a focal point -- either a fireplace, window, or attractive storage piece -- and unite the area with a rug. For added interest, arrange artwork or collections around the focal point and on coffee and end tables. These pieces can actually serve as conversation starters!
*Find or create a focal point to anchor your conversation grouping. A focal point is something that draws attention to the area, perhaps a fireplace or a large window or entertainment center. The focal point should be against a wall.
*Pull your furnishings away from the walls to create an intimate grouping. It's hard to converse when you have to shout across the room.
*Place chairs no more than 8 feet apart to encourage conversation - in fact, closer is better.
Position a table within reach of every seating piece to make it easier to handle a cup of tea or glass of wine. You'll also want a lamp to light each seating area.
*Allow ample legroom between seating pieces and coffee tables; 14 to 18 inches is a good measure.
*Select side tables that stand as high as the arm of the sofa or chair they're serving.
*Finally, position your conversation grouping so that there's room for people to walk through the room without passing through it. Traffic "lanes" several feet wide are the most comfortable.
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