236 FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT

BEDROOMS

The location of doors and windows usually restricts bedroom-
furniture arrangement. The furniture should be arranged for
convenience first of all; however, if feasible, a center of interest
should be created and the furniture grouped attractively.

A very flexible arrangement is necessary for comfort in a bed-
room, as the furniture should be readily movable to suit changing
conditions. For example, a person confined to bed by illness
should not have to face a window. Builders' provisions notwith-
standing, the heads of beds should be located against a wall with
windows. See pages 172, 241 and 422.

Good ventilation usually requires a different location of beds
in summer from that in winter. Fresh air without a draft over the
bed is always desirable.

The usual arrangement of one or two beds is to extend them into
the middle of the room from the center of a wall Whereas this is
sometimes necessary, it is often possible to place the beds parallel to
the wall in corners, leaving the middle of the room free. Two
couches or Hollywood beds look well meeting in one corner,

A chaise longue should not be put in a small bedroom. In a
large room it is best placed near the windows. A slightly diagonal
position is more pleasing than an extreme diagonal, but a position
parallel to the wall promotes architectural unity.

A well-lighted place near or in front of a window is the best
location for a dressing table. In a combination sitting-bedroom
a desk can be placed under a mirror and used as a dressing table,
with all the equipment concealed in its drawers.

The remaining furniture is located for convenience. A bench
or a chest for blankets at the foot of the bed is useful. An easy
chair with a reading lamp, end table, and sewing stand belongs
near a window. A straight chair is convenient beside a desk or
table, An end table beside the head of the chaise longue should be
the height of its arm. A bedside table should be large with a
drawer that can be opened by a person in bed.

Two identical chests of drawers sometimes look well side by
side, particularly if they are low. See page 421. In Modern in-
teriors, drawer space is usually provided in closets and dressing
rooms, however, so that chests are not needed in bedrooms.