BEDROOM FURNITURE LAYOUT DESIGN TIPS
In the beginning phases of floor plan design, no matter if it’s for new construction projects, remodels and additions - it’s important to include furniture layout ideas as placeholders.
The inclusion of the furniture schematics benefits the design process in assuring that practical, livable spaces are being designed that have appropriate circulation and movement allowances.
Including furniture layouts also allows the clients to better understand the scale of the spaces, and what it would be like to actually live in the rooms.
FINALIZING FURNITURE LAYOUTS AND SELECTIONS
Though it varies from project to project, typically once construction has started and all the fixtures and finish selections have been finalized, we then circle back to the furniture layouts and select actual, specific pieces that will dimensionally and stylistically work well in the spaces.
PRIMARY SUITE FURNITURE PICKS
Here’s the final furniture selections for the primary suite at the Bay Haven Project, a remodel of a 1990’s home. While sourcing furniture we focus first on size (height, width and depth), and then finishes, colors and textures. The goal is to create a curated look without being overly matched.
*Although it’s not shown in the design presentation board, due to the limitations of available vendor photos, the bed frame and the legs of the bench will have a dark stained finish.
COLOR PALETTE
When selecting a color palette for any interior spaces, there needs to be some sort of inspiration or springboard. In the case of the Bay Haven Project, we had basically three things that informed our decisions.
Existing wood flooring - from the beginning of the project the clients planned to carry the dark wood flooring that they’ve used throughout the rest of their house into the bedroom area.
The clients provided Mexico travel photos as design concepts and described their love for the ocean, beaches, dark finishes contrasted with light finishes, texture and warmth.
The bathroom colors, and finish materials that we selected early on in the project.
PRIMARY SUITE - FINAL COLORS + FINISH MATERIALS
10 BEDROOM FURNITURE LAYOUT DESIGN TIPS
The bed should be placed against the longest wall, and preferably positioned so it is centered on that wall. This can vary however depending on what’s happening directly across from the bed wall. In either case, given that the bed will be the largest and most commanding piece in the room, it will naturally be the dominant focal point in the space, so be sure to treat it as such.
Create a secondary focal point directly in front of the bed. Ideally the two should be centered on one another. Secondary focal points can include things like picture windows, exterior views, fireplaces, furniture pieces with art work above, etc.
Include bedside tables, night stands or dressers on each side of the bed. The bedside pieces will provide additional storage and landing places for reading materials, phone chargers, alarm clocks, etc. You’ll need a minimum of 36” circulation around all three exposed sides of the bed.
Place table lamps on each of the bedside furniture pieces.
Include an upholstered chair(s) or bench for a place to sit when putting on shoes, for draping clothes on while changing, and for visiting and reading, etc.
If there’s room at the foot of the bed, incorporate a bench. It will provide the perfect place for decorative pillows to rest when the bed is unmade.
Position an area rug underneath the bed, placing it so the edge of it starts at approximately 1/4 of the way down from the head of the bed. From there the rug should extend a few feet on each side of the bed, as well as the foot of the bed. Don’t make the mistake of using a rug that’s too small. If in doubt, err on a larger size rather than smaller.
Carefully curate the furniture selections and avoid buying all matching pieces. Furniture sets will make the room feel dated, predictable and dull.
It’s ok, and in fact can be a visual asset for the bedside pieces not to be exactly the same. Even so, mixing things up, and having the pieces be different will need to make sense both visually and spatially. Take for instance, if in order to center the bed on a focal point, on an opposing wall means that the bed cannot be centered on the longest wall, then this would create the perfect opportunity to use different furniture pieces on each side of the bed. It’s important though that in this case, that the furniture pieces be distinctly different. For example, on one side of the bed you could have a chest of drawers, and on the other side, a round table.
Find ways to include at least three different sources of light (this would be true for any space). Layered lighting adds depth and interest to spaces. For the Bay Haven Project, we have three different types of light sources in the bedroom - recessed lights (all on dimmers), wall light (next to the fireplace, and also on a dimmer) and table lamps.
PRIMARY SUITE FURNITURE PLAN
Here’s a perspective plan showing the final furniture selections and layout for the bedroom design at the Bay Haven Project. Notice how the design tips above guided the selections and bedroom layout.
BEDROOM FURNITURE - PERSPECTIVE VIEWS
Below are the perspective views of each of the four bedroom walls showing how the furniture selections will look in the space, starting with the window wall and moving around the room counter-clockwise.
SEE MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT
SANTA BARBARA INSPIRED OWNER'S BEDROOM AND BATH - 1990'S HOUSE REMODEL
BEDROOM FURNITURE LAYOUT DESIGN TIP
CLOSET REMODEL + ADDITION FOR PRIMARY BEDROOM SUITE DESIGN
IGTV - SPATIAL PROBLEM SOLVING
THE TAKE AWAY
The initial furniture layouts included in all the different floor plan options we provided early on, gave us a jumping off point with knowing how many furniture pieces we were looking for, and the approximate sizes.
Everything we do at TF Design is based on space, proportion and scale - they are the elements of design that inform our work, from floor plan design to furniture plans and layouts. Don’t make the mistake of not carefully considering and skillfully implementing those very key design elements in every aspect of your project, starting with the very sizes of the furniture selections.
Often times we work with remodel spaces that are less than ideal. This is true for the bedroom window sizes and locations for this project. In reviewing the initial design plans, you’ll see that we proposed window changes to eliminate the awkward locations and configuration of the existing windows. As the project developed it became necessary for the clients to re-evaluate that change based on budget concerns. It was then decided that the window sizes and configuration would have to stay as is. That meant that we would need to come up with ways to camoflouge the window situation without really changing them. Did you notice in the perspective drawings how we framed out the windows with fixed curtain panels, making the three windows feel like an entire unit of window rather than being disjointed? What a huge difference this will make in the space! That said, you may have also noticed that the location of the bed doesn’t allow for the headboard to clear the curtain panels, entirely. Admittedly so, this is less than ideal. In a perfect situation, there would be an abundance of space between the two. That said, often in design when things can’t be perfect, we have to make decisions based on the greater good. The benefits and the over-all beauty that the curtains will add to the space will far outweigh the area that’s less than perfect.
TF DESIGN
Have you heard about the new stand-alone design services that I’m now offering? Because I’m limited to how many full-service projects I can take, I recently started offering consultation services with Floor Plan Reviews and Consultations. It’s the perfect option for those who don’t have the budget, or the time to wait for me to fit them in as a full-service project but need the extra level of expertise and guidance with their floor plans. You can learn more about the reviews and consultations by going here.
Tami, I’m so grateful you’re offer this service - it’s exactly what we needed at a critical point in our home remodel process. I feel so much more confident about our plans moving forward. Your design advice, expertise, and suggestions are priceless! Michelle, Arizona
Here’s to well-designed spaces. Let’s work together so you can get the most out of the walls of your home.
Tami