228 FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT

Clearly defined and sufficient space for passageways and activi*
ties must be allowed when making furniture arrangement plans.
Major traffic lanes should be about 6 feet wide, and minor lanes
about 4 feet wide. Between the groups of furniture facing each
other in front of the fireplace 5 to 6 feet are needed. Passageways
must be located so as not to interfere with the function of the
furniture groups. Approaches to doorways should be kept clear.
Easy access to radio, fireplace, and bookshelves is important.

Furniture should be arranged to conform to the arclxtecture
of a room. Large pieces are always placed parallel to the walls;
otherwise they violate steady basic lines. Upholstered chairs are
placed at angles successfully because they have variety of line in
themselves. Straight chairs look well against walls.

Furniture should be combined m groups, for service, for con-
servation of space, and for beauty. These groups are focal centers
that make arrangements logical and useful They are based on
activities—conversation, writing, reading, and enjoying music.

Unity in line, texture, scale, and color is necessary within the
groups. At the same time variety is needed to stimulate interest;
differences in bulk and height are desirable. Texture and color
variation provides relief, as illustrated by an upholstered chair in
a group of wooden pieces, Interesting groups may be composed
around important articles of furniture like secretaries, chests, high
desks, bookcases, large tables, or pianos, by adding chairs, lamps,
pictures, and other transition pieces of furniture. Tall pieces
should seldom stand in or near corners.

Large empty spaces between groups help to achieve a desirable
uncluttered effect in a room, Spaces between the parts of a group
should be less than spaces between separate groups. Even a pic-
ture that functions as part of a group composition should be hung
so low that there is little empty space between it and the furniture
below it.

Functional considerations are even more important than esthetic
considerations when furniture is being arranged. The first req-
uisite for all rooms is comfort, but additional needs must also be
met; for example, living-room arrangements must not handicap
sociability* The special requirements of various rooms are con-
sidered here.