moving sofa = more space

I love a great room transformation when I see one. I'm sharing this one from February's Better Homes and Garden magazine...pretty paint color, stylish furnishings and a great floor plan -- with one sofa (and a chaise) off the wall!

This is a great example of how you can divide a large, long room into "zones," based on the room's functions. In this case there's an area for kid's homework, watching TV and a reading corner.

Before, a sectional against the wall, in the corner, far away from the fireplace in the center of the opposite wall.


After, floor plan with three "zones" - homework, hanging out/tv and reading
(From Feb. Better Homes and Gardens mag, design by Elaine Griffin.)


After, style meets function. A new seating area, in a "U" shape, in the center of the room.
(From Feb. Better Homes and Garden mag, design by Elaine Griffin.)


After, the chaise acts as a divider between the seating and homework areas, but its low profile keeps the space open.
(From Feb. Better Homes and Garden mag, design by Elaine Griffin.)

By placing a sofa and chaise off the wall and in the middle of the room the room gained usable space with two smaller zones on either side of the main seating area. Pretty cool, huh?

How can you better utilize your sofa and your space?

Happy decorating!