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Arranging your rooms for comfort and style.

Nothing can be more overwhelming when moving into a new home or rearranging an existing one than deciding where to place the furniture. Here are some guidelines to help make the task easier.

When purchasing furniture, buy versatile pieces that could work in multiple rooms in case your needs change, or you end up moving.

Find a room's focal point and arrange furniture to draw the eye towards it (fireplace, artwork, bay window, etc.). Large rooms may have several focal points to work with.

Pull furniture away from walls and group in intimate conversation areas (no more than 8 feet apart). Place coffee table 14 - 18 inches from adjacent seating to allow for knee room. Large rooms might require two separate seating areas. Don't hesitate to put furniture in front of a window. It can be a space saving trick in a small room.

Make a room more interesting by using different furniture styles and wood textures. Everything doesn't have to match, but it should blend well together. The mixture you put together gives your home its own personal 'feel'.

Define a space or divide a large room with area rugs. Shorten a long room by placing a large piece of furniture at the far end facing the entrance.

Table lamps should always be tall enough to shed light on a book held in your lap.

When space is limited, use a narrow side table or decorative shelf as an entry table, providing a convenient place to drop keys or mail.

Place a table behind the sofa for an attractive space-saving arrangement. It's an ideal place for lamps and other decorative accents. Place benches or baskets under a table to provide extra seating or storage.

In a bedroom, a good rule of thumb is to place the headboard of a large bed against the longest wall. For smaller beds try placing at an angle in the corner with a decorative screen, canopy, or tree behind it for a beautiful focal point.