When it comes to designing interior spaces, one of the most crucial elements is furniture selection. Furniture not only serves functional purposes, but also plays a vital role in defining the overall aesthetics and ambience of a room.

As interior designers in St. Petersburg and the surrounding communities throughout Pinellas County, we’ve had the privilege of curating balanced spaces for many clients. In this post, we’d love to share some valuable tips that will help you make informed choices when selecting furniture for your home

Start with a Clear Vision

Before jumping into the furniture selection process, take the time to envision the overall style and atmosphere you want to create in your space. Consider the purpose of the room, the desired mood, and any existing furniture & decor elements being incorporated into the design.

For instance, will your living room be used for entertaining guests or just hanging out with your family watching movies? We are working with clients right now that just faced this exact situation. They purchased a new home in St. Petersburg, Florida, and hired us to help decorate two separate living spaces. 

With our guidance, they decided that the front living room would be used for entertaining guests. As such, we selected a beautiful leather sectional for that room. The sectional not only elevates the look of the room, but also provides ample seating for visitors. 

Our clients decided that the second living space, the back family room, will serve as their space for relaxation and quality time. Therefore, they opted for a plush, cozy couch upholstered in performance fabric, which offers a durable and easy-to-clean surface for everyday use. As we finish up this project, our plan is to enhance the comfort level with an array of throw blankets and pillows. 

Taking the time to gain clarity on your vision for the space as a whole will help tremendously with the furniture selection process, ensuring that every piece you choose contributes to the harmony of the design.

Balance the Scale and Proportions of Furniture

Balancing the scale and proportions of furniture is key to creating a balanced and visually pleasing space. Aim for a mix of furniture sizes that complement one another without overpowering the room.

For example, your living room may be big enough to fit a large sectional sofa, but make sure it isn’t so large that it takes up the whole room. If your room is smaller in scale, then you may want to consider combining a sofa with two accent chairs instead of a sectional. This blending of sizes brings a sense of equilibrium to the room and prevents it from feeling crowded.

There are also certain guidelines to keep in mind when placing furniture. For instance, attempt to leave approximately 30-36" of a walkway between large furniture pieces. This is especially important when considering passages leading to outside doors or connecting different rooms within the home.

In the living room, position the coffee table approximately 15" to 18" in front of the couch, creating an ideal balance that allows comfortable circulation while ensuring convenient access to the table from each seat.

In the dining room, it’s ideal to keep at least 3’ to 4’ from the edges of the table to the next piece of furniture. Additionally, reserve 24" of space for each chair, leaving 4" to 6" between chairs to ensure everyone has plenty of room while eating. 

As you can see, there is a lot that goes into choosing furniture and planning a space! This is why collaborating with interior designers proves invaluable. We are experts at taking precise measurements and planning the space with 2D layouts and 3D renderings to ensure furniture fits perfectly and the available space is used optimally. 

Cohesion Through Color and Material

Another tip to consider when selecting your new furniture is to pay close attention to the color and material palette for your furniture selections. Choose colors that complement each other, creating a cohesive and unified look.

It's important to note that complementing colors doesn't necessarily translate to a monochrome color palette. We love to incorporate accent colors into our designs according to the client’s personal preferences. The ultimate goal is to create a well-balanced color palette where every shade works together to complement each other. 

You can also add visual interest by choosing furniture pieces in varying textures and finishes that harmonize with the overall design theme. For instance, pairing a fabric sofa with rattan accent chairs is a beautiful combination of textures that works well in a modern coastal home.

Prioritize Comfort and Functionality

While aesthetics are important, comfort and functionality are equally vital aspects to consider. After all, your home is a sanctuary, and your furniture should be inviting and comfortable. 

This is why we encourage our clients to do a “tush test” when choosing larger pieces of furniture, such as sofas and chairs. The “tush test” is essentially just going into the furniture store to ensure furniture is comfortable, rather than buying something online without ever sitting on it. 

As interior designers in St. Petersburg, Florida, we work with some preferred local furniture stores, because they offer quality, beautiful furniture with helpful salespeople and competitive pricing.

When you work with Balancing Act, we take a pre-shopping trip to selected stores and find 3-4 pieces that would work well in your space. That way when we shop together you won’t have to spend hours walking around the store!

Working With Balancing Act on Your Next Project

Designing a well-balanced and comfortable space involves a multitude of considerations – choosing the right size & scale for furniture, ensuring proper spacing, budget, delivery timeline, and balancing colors & textures.  

We understand that it can often be overwhelming to navigate all these aspects on your own. To help you with this process, we have a team of skilled interior designers that guide you along the process of bringing your vision to life. Whether it’s a single room makeover or full home renovation, we have the expertise, creativity, and skills to create a space that balances beauty and function. 

To learn more about working with us, please fill out the New Client Inquiry Form in order to set up a complimentary consultation. We are looking forward to hearing from you!