How to Design a Room Layout

The idea is just to unleash your creativity and allow all the mental blocks to melt away, in order to come up with a plan that you are most comfortable with. Whether you are looking for plain old comfort, or out to make a style statement, allow your room to bring out your personality.

Measure your room, and chalk out the basic plan on a graph paper, assuming every square on the paper is equal to one foot. Account for all the openings, i.e, doors and windows in the room, and jot down the measurements on the diagram and ensure it is neat. Make several copies. You can also try out different websites available for this purpose.

While deciding the layout, first account for all the furniture you want to place in it. Beds and nightstands are basic to a master bedroom. You may want to place a television with a cabinet at a viewing distance from the bed. Perhaps a love seat could be accommodated.

It all depends on your personal requirements. If it is a teenager's room, perhaps a single bed with one nightstand would be basic. Then a desk for the computer may be required. If the teenager plays a musical instrument such as the keyboard, space may be required to place it.

If the teenager is an avid reader, a unit to store all his/her books will be needed. The bottom line is that you have to first make space for the basics. Enlist these requirements before you start placing the furniture.

This is why you require several copies of the blank layout, so you can make different placement options that will help you decide on one that is most suitable for you. However, always keep these basics in mind:

• Leave a minimum of 30 inches around any furniture item for clear passage.

• Do not place any furniture item too close to any door opening, as this will hinder the passage and opening of the door.
• Ensure there is adequate lighting in every part of the room. There shouldn't be any dim and dark corners anywhere.

• Avoid cluttering up spaces. You may want to have everything in your room, but clutter contributes to severe confusion, even of the mind, so keep it minimal.

You can get as creative as you like, and try out new and unique positions for different furniture requirements, keeping the above mentioned rules in mind.

Once you have decided on the final plan, and placed in all the basic necessities, start accessorizing in order to enhance the room's appeal. Place picture frames and the likes on cabinets and on walls, place a bean bag in an empty corner, or liven up a corner by placing a beautiful lamp or a tall, floor-mounted candle stand in it.

Some of you may want to place a water feature, such as a fountain in an empty space that will not hinder passage. The kind of accessories you place are the ultimate reflection of your personality.

The thumb rule is that room layouts should be uncluttered yet include as many of your personal requirements as possible. Bring out the designer in you. It is a space that is personal, and one that only you are going to live in. Don't give designing trends preference over personal comfort, and create your own slice of paradise.