Designing a well-functioning furniture layout for a room is one of the most challenging — and arguably the most important — aspects of interior design. I’m changing the furniture in my living room as part of its transformation into my Mahalo Lounge. So before I got too deep into the fun stuff (decorating), I am working to finalize the furniture layout. I am not a professional designer, and don’t know how to use such software (and honestly, I have no desire to learn yet another computer program). Instead, I design my furniture layouts (ala my kitchen cabinet layout) using Excel and Powerpoint and … scissors. Hey, it works well enough for me!
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Use Excel and Powerpoint to create room layouts
My process to do a furniture layout like this is so basic, it really doesn’t need a step-by-step. But, okay, here are the principles:
- Measure the four walls of your room, and then use these dimensions to outline a grid on Excel; on mine, one foot = one box. Important: Adjust the pixels within your grid so the height and width are the same — that is, square. Add interior grid lines that will show when printing and lighten the grid lines up to your liking. Add the bold exterior outline to your overall grid. Take a screen shot of your grid and transfer it to Powerpoint; enlarge or reduce it as needed to fit the page. Print out your first copy/worksheet.
- With your worksheet in hand, measure all the fixed elements of your room — draw the windows, doors, projections, etc., by hand right onto your worksheet.
- Return to the computer. Now, using the tools (e.g. boxes and lines, etc.) in Powerpoint, add your windows, doors, projections, etc. At this point, you may need to re-measure — I did — when numbers/boxes don’t add up. Keep working on the Powerpoint page until you believe it has all the fixed elements in place, measured accurately. Print out your final copy and a few extras to cut furniture from. Note: I hand-wrote notes on my copy after printing, but you could also add these in Powerpoint.
- Now, it’s time to do the furniture: Transfer the measurements of your furniture onto the same grid. Draw heavy lines around the edge of each piece (I used regular pens or markers) and then cut them out.
- Start playing: Move your furniture around until you get it right. Pay attention to the space available for moving through the room safely and comfortably. Maybe you will “create” several furniture pieces not knowing what size you will ultimately choose. Lay out your furniture on a separate piece of grid paper to play with rug sizes, then cut the rugs from that paper.
- If you like, use bits of museum or poster putty to hold furniture down once you get a design you like. You might also strengthen the pieces by gluing them to cardstock / old cereal boxes etc.
- Alternatively: You could even use Powerpoint to make little pieces of furniture — “cut” the furniture from your grid” and use PPT tools to outline each piece, etc. — and move them around on-screen. Still, for me, there’s nothing quite like moving little pieces of furniture by hand — dollhouse!
All the “Before” photos:
Above: The space “before”
My Mahalo Lounge furniture layout:
My goal with this room is to make it a convivial space for relaxing and especially, for entertaining. I hope to have at least one good cocktail party every month — and to be remembered as that crazy old lady with the amazing Polynesian pop living room/dining room. So, I need places for people to sit and talk and enjoy their drinks and each other.
As you can see, my first step is to create a main seating group facing the fireplace. Alas, there’s a fair amount of asymmetry to the original architecture. I am probably not going to be able to center this seating group on the fireplace, because if I did, it would create too much of an empty galley between the sectional and the bookcases. I’ll work toward “balanced asymmetry” using decorating tricks.
Above: Per Jay’s suggestion, I added thsi photo: A “before” version of the bar area I’m about to talk about. This image was taken from the etsy video on my Pam’s Kitchen page.
Bar Area Version #1:
On the other side of the room, I’m still playing with ideas. As shown above, I like the idea of having a smallish bar that is rounded… which you see right away when you enter the room…. and which gives the bartender a bird’s eye view of everyone in the room, as well. The bar is going to be a real focal point — I gotta get one of my Orchids of Hawaii lights over it for sure (ugh, the lighting plan, talk about nerve-wracking!)! In this version, my peacock chair, a 25″ rattan table that I picked up at a nearby used furniture store, and three vintage wood captains chairs (originally used at a kitchen table) from my husband’s family would go over by the bookcase.
Advantages of this option: My two lamps have natural places to go: One dangling above bar… the other, dangling lower above center of table in front of the peacock chair. Note, I have very high celings i this room. And, as I mentioned, bar tender has great view of everyone coming into the room. Finally, I don’t really know how much room for stuff I will need inside or adjacent to the bar (it’s not a wet bar). So maybe it’s best to keep that big built-in bookcase open for decor, etc.
Bar Area Version #2:
Above: In the second version of this design, the bar would be set against the bookcase. Advantages of this version: More space to store glasses, booze, display items (including on the wall)… Disadvantage: When you first enter the space you’d see the side of the bar; I kinda don’t like this idea.
Bar Area Version #3:
And (shown above) over on our Facebook page, Kelly through some miracle of Adobe Illustrator or some such (me no know) came up with this third version, saying:
Layout idea for Mahalo Lounge, combines the best of both of your initial plans. The bar is next to the bookshelf where it provides lots of display space for fabulous glassware , but you still see the front of the bar coming into the room.
Thanks, Kelly!
Meanwhile, in either case, I’m still noodling how to make either or both of these areas cozy and clearly differentiated from the main seating area. Indeed, nooks and crannies and surprise spaces are a hallmark of well-designed tiki bars. Maybe lower the ceiling with fish netting in on of the two areas?
Help!!!
I welcome your ideas, dear readers, on my furniture layout dilemma:
#1. bar in the back corner by the big window…
#2, bar by the bookcase…
or Kelly’s idea, version #3?
Photo viewing tip: On a desktop, click on any image and it should double in size on screen so you can see the detail better. Hit ESC to go back to story.
- Read all the stories about my Mahalo Lounge project here.
Ellen says
As perhaps your reader most familiar with your space, I vote for #3.
And I am excited to see the finished space!!
pam kueber says
🙂 I will be sure to invite you and Flynn the opening night party, Ellen!
alice says
Hi
Love the fabric and the idea behind the plan. The furniture n lighting arrangement can drive anyone nuts, I know. So far I prefer plans 1 or 3….I cant decide either!
Rick G says
I really think #3 plan looks good. For me, the biggest design challenge is how to transform your fireplace into a piece that works with the overall Tiki design. …. hmmm …… I have to think on that one! As I mentioned before, I think some type of water feature would enhance the whole thing as well …….. if not a small waterfall or fountain, maybe just a small salt water tropical fish tank ? I really like the idea of using fish netting on the ceiling …… as well, using bamboo in several places would also add a real tropical feel to the area
pam kueber says
Oh, I have a plan for the fireplace….
Rick G says
I should have guessed that you did !!! – tell me, tell me ….. what is it ? ….. c’mon ….. I can’t wait Pam !!!! : )
Jay says
Hi Pam! Do you have an old “before”photo of the living room, it might help folks have a better understanding of the space and be able to visualize what you are presenting on paper. Just a thought.
pam kueber says
Here’s a photo of the ‘bar area’ before. It was in the etsy video on my Pam’s Kitchen page
https://retrorenovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/bar-area.jpg
pam kueber says
I also added it to story… and have found more photos on my iphone of the entire living room. Will add them shortly, after I resize them.
Jay says
Thanks Pam, this idiot should have seen your lines pointing to the rectangles representing the windows. I thought they were solid walls. I still like # 2 but perhaps a quarter round bar that mimics the quarter round step down from the foyer and blocks less of the book case. The “jungle” will make for a nice separation between the two seating areas. In addition to a Tiki, perhaps a small fountain.
We are all living vicariously through your decorating project.
pam kueber says
Okay. So I added four “before” photos in all. This should really help!
Stacia says
Is your bar free standing or built in? If free standing, you always have the option of moving it. Say it works best in one corner for parties, but better in the other corner where it is more out of the way for daily living. Since you have two of those delicious hanging lights it wouldn’t matter which was where from a lighting perspective. Also, if you are having another type of gathering where a bar isn’t needed it could be temporarily taken out or pushed further toward the wall. For this to work though you’ll have to modify the bar design to be symmetrical. I assume you need advice now so you can make the bar and decide which side to put the curve on… Perhaps a semi-circle or straight bar with no curve would give you more flexibility for rearranging.
Sharon says
If the bar was 2 piece, with the curve being a different piece, you could have more options if you rearrange later. Sometimes traffic flow is unexpected. Maybe 2-4 hidden bolts to connect the 2 sections for stability. And do you want it close to the kitchen for ice and refrigerator items.
Maria says
I like number one. As an event planner I can tell you that’s where you would want to put it for traffic flow. It’s kitty corner from the entrance and makes people walk across the room to get a drink therefore, keeps people from creating clumps and blockage to the bar. It also makes the bar more of a focal point, and you aren’t looking at all the stuff behind the bar through the window.
Given the bar height is 42 inches and the bookcase height is 50 inches that’s another reason why I’m not too fond of putting the bar on the bookcase side of the room. That’s a lot of different heights all coming together in one place. Plus I’m concerned it will just look like there’s something in the way of the bookcase versus these are shelves made to go with a bar.
Also, And I’m not sure what you’re thinking but a freestanding bar would work better in a corner versus one attached to the wall in a J shaped. I say this from experience — I had that bar in my house. A freestanding version would nestled in that corner I look very cute without being married to it.
Bette Jean says
#3 but no fishnet–would catch dust.
joan massey says
Since you are not operating a “real” bar, I wouldn’t worry about the bartender being able to see people as they enter the room or traffic flow. It is a home bar for fun, right. Free booze and no bouncer. LOL I like the #2 as I am sure you have lots of goodies to display behind the bar. Seating area in front of window and in a cozy corner with a parrot hanging above. At any rate it will be awesome whichever plan you go with. I am jealous.
Melinda says
I don’t have any good reasoning or spatial planning know how behind it, but my opinion is that layout 2 is the one. It just looks right.
Madeline says
Pam, what are the height of the window sills in the room, and what’s the height of the proposed bar?
I think a chair by windows is more pleasing, as it feels like an inviting place to sit. A bar there could end up creating a claustrophobic feel if it creates a silhouette against the natural light.
Definitely I’d use tons of houseplants as a part of the design!
pam kueber says
Bar will be 42″ high.
Windows start 24″ up from the floor.
There is also wood wainscoting around the room – it’s 37″ high.
We already have a jungle going. It is behind the two barcelona chairs in front of the window facing the backyard. I expect to put a tall tiki in there!