Ever walked into a beautifully decorated room, full of plush sofas and stylish armchairs, only to find that despite its aesthetic appeal, it felt… unwelcoming? Like a museum exhibit rather than a space designed for gathering? You’re not alone. Countless homes, offices, and even public spaces fall prey to a subtle yet pervasive design flaw that actively sabotages social interaction. It’s the common mistake ruining your conversation area, and it’s likely preventing genuine connection and comfortable dialogue in your own spaces.

This isn’t about mismatched throw pillows or an outdated rug. This is about a fundamental misunderstanding of human behavior in shared environments. The insidious error? Ignoring the principles of proximity and perceived intimacy when arranging furniture. Far too often, we prioritize aesthetics or flow over the very human need for easy, comfortable conversation. The result is a space that looks good but feels stiff, forcing people to shout across cavernous living rooms or crane their necks uncomfortably to engage.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll peel back the layers of this pervasive problem, revealing how it manifests in various settings – from your family living room to a corporate lounge. More importantly, we’ll arm you with actionable, expert-backed strategies to identify and fix this critical design oversight. You’ll learn how to transform any space into a vibrant hub for meaningful dialogue, fostering closer relationships and more productive interactions. Get ready to understand the psychology behind successful social layouts, discover practical furniture arrangement rules, and ultimately, design spaces that truly connect people.

Understanding the Core Problem: The Proximity Paradox

The human need for connection is primal. From ancient campfires to modern coffee shops, people seek out environments that facilitate easy communication. Yet, many of our designed spaces inadvertently create barriers to this very basic desire. The most common mistake isn’t just one thing; it’s a constellation of errors stemming from a single, foundational oversight: a failure to adequately consider the psychology of social distance and its impact on how we interact.

Anthropologist Edward T. Hall’s pioneering work on proxemics revealed that humans maintain distinct zones of personal space, which dictate comfort levels in different social situations. These zones are crucial for understanding why your conversation area might be failing.

The Zones of Personal Space: Why Distance Matters

• Intimate Distance (0-18 inches): Reserved for embracing, touching, whispering. Close friends, family, partners.
• Personal Distance (1.5-4 feet): For interactions among good friends or family members. This is the “arm’s length” distance.
• Social Distance (4-12 feet): Used for interactions among acquaintances and new contacts. This is typically the comfortable distance for group conversations.
• Public Distance (12 feet or more): Used for public speaking, formal interactions.

The common mistake we’re addressing often pushes furniture and people into the “public distance” or the far end of “social distance” when “personal” or the closer end of “social” is required. When chairs are too far apart, exceeding the natural bounds of comfortable social interaction, people instinctively feel disconnected. They may feel the need to raise their voice, lean forward excessively, or simply disengage from the conversation entirely. This creates a psychological barrier as potent as a physical wall.

Imagine trying to have a nuanced discussion with someone sitting 15 feet away. It’s awkward, uncomfortable, and frankly, exhausting. This leads to what we call the “Proximity Paradox” – despite having comfortable seating, the arrangement itself sabotages the very purpose of a conversation area.

Symptoms of a Ruined Conversation Area

How do you know if your space is suffering from this common mistake? Look for these tell-tale signs:

• People Shouting or Leaning In: Visitors constantly raise their voices or contort their bodies to hear and be heard.
• Lack of Eye Contact: People struggle to maintain natural eye contact due to awkward angles or distances.
• Isolating Behavior: Guests tend to group into smaller, separate huddles rather than engaging as one larger group.
• Early Departures: People leave sooner than expected, attributing it to “feeling tired” or “needing air.”
• Stilted or Superficial Talk: Deep, meaningful conversations rarely happen; interaction remains superficial.
• Central Area Underutilized: Despite ample seating, the very center of the conversation area feels empty or uncomfortable.

Recognizing these symptoms is the first crucial step in diagnosing and fixing the problem. Now, let’s look at how this mistake manifests in different settings and how we can systematically correct it.

Diagnosing the Spatial Blunder: Where the Mistake Hides

The core mistake—improper distance and arrangement—isn’t always obvious. It masquerades behind seemingly logical design choices. Many believe an open-plan layout or large furniture automatically equates to a great conversation area. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The mistake often lies in the subtleties of spatial relationships that most people overlook.

Your Living Room: The Epicenter of the Error

The living room is perhaps the most common victim of this conversation-killing mistake. We aim for grand, open spaces, often pushing furniture against walls to create a vast central area. While this might make a room feel larger, it utterly destroys intimacy. Sofas across the room from each other, armchairs stranded on their own islands—these are common arrangements that scream “don’t talk to each other!”

Consider the typical scenario: A large L-shaped sofa, with two accompanying armchairs. If the armchairs are placed too far from the sofa’s ends, or if the sofa itself is positioned too far from its counterpart, you’ve created conversational deserts. People either cluster awkwardly on one piece of furniture or resort to yelling. The blame isn’t on the furniture itself but on its thoughtless placement.

The Office/Lounge Area: Fostering Isolation, Not Collaboration

In corporate settings, the mistake is equally prevalent, hindering effective teamwork and informal brainstorming. Companies invest heavily in stylish lounge areas, breakaway zones, and coffee nooks, only to arrange them in ways that discourage actual interaction. Chairs lined up against a wall, sofas facing a large screen with no opposing seating, or individual pods that prevent eye contact are common culprits. The intention is to create collaborative spaces, but the execution often results in silos where individual work predominates, and serendipitous conversations rarely ignite.

Case Study: A tech startup invested in a new “collaboration hub” with sleek modular seating. However, all pieces were arranged in straight lines along the perimeter of the room, facing inward towards a projection screen. Employees rarely used the space for spontaneous group discussions. When rearranged into smaller, facing clusters, a 30% increase in observed informal team discussions was reported within a month.

Outdoor Patios and Decks: The Al Fresco Fumble

Even outdoor spaces aren’t immune. We often see patio sets with chairs spread wide around a large table, or separate seating groups placed too far apart. While open air encourages relaxation, it doesn’t negate the need for conversational intimacy. A large outdoor sectional pushed against a fence with no complementary seating often leaves guests feeling adrift if they’re not directly next to someone.

The aim should be to create outdoor “rooms” that feel cozy and connected, not just expansive. The same principles of proxemics apply: people need to be within a comfortable speaking distance to enjoy an outdoor gathering.

Beyond Furniture: Acoustic and Lighting Blunders

While furniture arrangement is the primary offender, other elements exacerbate the common mistake.

• Poor Acoustics: Hard surfaces (tile floors, bare walls) cause echoes, making it harder to hear. This forces people to speak louder, adding to discomfort.
• Harsh Lighting: Bright, overhead, un-dimmable lights can feel institutional and discourage relaxation and intimate conversation.
• Lack of Focal Point (or the wrong one): If the TV is the sole focal point, conversations tend to defer to it, rather than flow naturally between people.

The Fix: Crafting Inviting Conversation Areas (The 4 Key Principles)

Rectifying this common mistake involves a shift in perspective: from decorating a room to designing an experience. The goal is to facilitate human connection. This isn’t about rigid rules, but rather understanding fundamental principles that can be adapted to any space, style, or budget. We’ll focus on four core pillars that will transform your conversation areas:

1. The “U” or “H” Formation: The Heartbeat of Connection
2. Defining the Boundaries: Area Rugs as Anchors
3. Layering Light and Sound: Enhancing the Atmosphere
4. Thoughtful Accessories: Functional Flair

1. The “U” or “H” Formation: The Heartbeat of Connection

This is the single most impactful fix for the common mistake ruining your conversation area. Instead of pushing furniture against walls, or placing pieces in a straight line, think about creating clusters that encourage face-to-face interaction and easy eye contact. The ideal distance between seating pieces for comfortable conversation is generally 3 to 8 feet (1 to 2.4 meters). Beyond 8 feet, people start to feel disconnected; under 3 feet, it can feel too cramped for non-intimate relationships.

The “U” Shape for Medium to Large Rooms

Imagine your space as a stage. The U-shape is perfect for larger living rooms or lounge areas. It typically involves a sofa as the base, flanked by two armchairs or another smaller sofa on either side, facing inward. This creates a cozy, defined zone where everyone feels included.

• Sofa (Base): Position the largest piece first, usually facing a fireplace, a view, or the main entrance to the conversation area.
• Armchairs/Smaller Sofa (Sides): Place these facing the main sofa, roughly 4-8 feet away. Angle them slightly inward (45-degree angle) for a more open, welcoming feel.
• Coffee Table: Crucial for the U-shape. Place it within easy reach of all seating (12-18 inches from the edge of the sofa/chairs) for drinks, snacks, or décor.

The “H” Shape for Elongated Spaces or Multiple Conversation Zones

The H-shape works wonderfully in longer rooms or when you want to delineate two distinct, yet connected, conversation areas. It involves two main seating pieces (e.g., sofas) facing each other, with a central element (like a large coffee table or an ottoman) acting as the crossbar of the H. Add a chair or two at the ends of the sofas to complete the connection.

• Facing Sofas: Position two sofas directly across from each other, ensuring 5-8 feet of space between them for comfortable legroom and conversation.
• Central Anchor: A large coffee table or a pair of ottomans in the middle.
• End Chairs: Two armchairs positioned at the ends of the sofas, completing the “H” and linking the two sides.

Remember, the key here is to bring the furniture *off the walls*. This creates natural walkways behind the seating, making the room feel more intentional and the conversation area more central and inviting.

Smaller Spaces: The Art of the Circle

For intimate settings, a simple circle or semi-circle of chairs and a small table can be incredibly effective. Think two armchairs and a small round side table between them, or a small loveseat and a single armchair. The principles of comfortable proximity still apply. Even just two chairs angled towards each other dramatically improves connection over two chairs facing a TV.

2. Defining the Boundaries: Area Rugs as Anchors

Once you’ve arranged your furniture into conversational groupings, the next common mistake is leaving the space undefined. This is where area rugs become invaluable. An area rug acts as a visual anchor, effectively establishing the boundaries of your conversation area and making the space feel cohesive and intentional.

A rug that is too small for the grouping will make the furniture appear to float, creating a sense of disjointedness. The rule of thumb: at least the front two legs of all main seating pieces should rest on the rug. Ideally, all four legs of your sofa and armchairs should be on the rug, or at a minimum, the rug should extend a foot or more beyond the edges of the largest furniture piece.

Think of the rug as the “desert island” for your furniture. All essential pieces for that conversation group should feel like they belong on that island. This simple act of defining the space makes it feel more welcoming, signaling to guests that “this is where conversations happen.”

3. Layering Light and Sound: Enhancing the Atmosphere

The ambiance of a room profoundly impacts our willingness to relax and converse. Harsh, uninviting environments are often the silent accomplices to the common mistake. Fixing this involves mindful lighting and acoustic management.

The Power of Layered Lighting

Avoid relying solely on overhead lighting. Instead, embrace a layered approach:

• Ambient Lighting: The general illumination (overhead fixtures, recessed lights) should be dimmable and warm.
• Task Lighting: Floor lamps and table lamps besides seating offer focused light for reading, but also contribute to overall mood.
• Accent Lighting: Uplights, picture lights, or strategically placed LED strips highlight architectural features or artwork, adding depth and interest.

Warm-toned bulbs (2700K-3000K) create a more inviting and intimate atmosphere, encouraging people to linger and talk. Dimmers are a game-changer, allowing you to adjust the mood according to the time of day or social event.

Acoustic Comfort: Taming Echoes and Noise

A noisy, echoey room actively discourages conversation. Hard surfaces bounce sound, making it difficult to hear and causing people to raise their voices, which in turn amplifies the problem. Incorporate “soft” elements to absorb sound:

• Area Rugs: Beyond defining the space, they absorb sound, especially if they have a thick pile or backing.
• Window Treatments: Drapes and curtains, especially thicker, lined ones, are excellent sound absorbers.
• Upholstered Furniture: Sofas, armchairs, and ottomans with fabric upholstery soak up sound.
• Wall Art and Textiles: Large canvas art, tapestries, or even decorative acoustic panels can significantly reduce echo.
• Bookshelves: A filled bookshelf is surprisingly effective at diffusing sound waves.

By consciously layering light and managing acoustics, you create a psychological “cocoon” that makes people feel comfortable, settled, and more inclined to engage in genuine conversation.

4. Thoughtful Accessories: Functional Flair

Accessories aren’t just for decoration; they play a vital role in functionality and comfort within a conversation area. Neglecting these details is another facet of the common mistake ruining your conversation area.

• Surface Space: Every seat needs easy access to a surface for a drink, a book, or a phone. This means strategic placement of coffee tables (as mentioned), but also side tables between chairs or at the ends of sofas.
• Comfort Elements: Throw pillows and blankets aren’t just decorative; they offer physical comfort and a sense of coziness, inviting people to truly settle in.
• Personal Touches: Books, plants, and meaningful decorative objects add personality and can even serve as conversation starters.
• Strategic Power Outlets: For modern life, discreetly placed power outlets (either floor outlets or integrated into side tables) make guests feel truly at home, eliminating the scramble for a charger.

By carefully considering each of these four principles – furniture arrangement, spatial definition, ambiance, and functional accessories – you can systematically dismantle the common mistake and build truly inviting, connection-centric conversation areas. Let’s explore some specific scenarios and advanced tactics.

Advanced Tactics for Tricky Spaces & Specific Needs

While the four core principles are universally applicable, some spaces and needs require a more nuanced approach. The common mistake often feels more entrenched in unique layouts or when competing demands (like a television) are present. Here, we’ll dive into advanced strategies.

The Television Dilemma: Integrating Media Without Sacrificing Conversation

For many, the television is a central fixture, and trying to balance TV viewing with conversation can feel like a zero-sum game. The mistake is often making the TV the *sole* focal point, forcing all seating to align with it, thereby hindering face-to-face interaction. The solution lies in creating a dual-purpose or adaptable configuration.

Option 1: The Primary Conversation Zone, Secondary TV Zone. Design your main conversation area (using the U or H shape) with human connection as the priority. If there’s a TV, it can be a secondary focal point, perhaps on an adjacent wall or on a swivel mount. When you want to watch TV, you pivot or adjust. The default, however, is for conversation.

Option 2: Embrace Two Focal Points. If your room is large enough, you can create distinct zones. One zone around the fireplace (or a captivating view) for conversations, and another zone (perhaps a more relaxed, deeper sofa layout) specifically for TV viewing. Area rugs are key here to delineate each zone clearly.

Option 3: Sectionals with Purposeful Breaks. A large sectional can be a blessing or a curse. Instead of one continuous “line” of seating, ensure there are breaks or corners that allow for natural grouping. A sectional with a console table behind one part can physically and visually create a split, allowing for both TV viewing along one length and conversational intimacy in the corner or return section.

Open-Concept Living: Defining Zones in the Vast Expanse

Open-concept homes are notorious for fostering the common mistake. Without walls, people struggle to define distinct areas, leading to furniture “floating” in a sea of space. The key here is strategic zone creation.

• Rugs, Rugs, Rugs: As mentioned, area rugs are your best friends in open concepts. Use them to clearly define the perimeter of your conversation area, separating it from the dining area or kitchen.
• Furniture as Dividers: The back of a sofa can act as a natural room divider, separating the living zone from another functional area. Console tables placed behind sofas can further enhance this delineation while providing extra surface space.
• Vertical Elements: Low bookshelves, screens, or even tall plants can subtly suggest boundaries without completely walling off the space.
• Consistent Style with Varied Function: Maintain a consistent design aesthetic across your open plan, but ensure each zone clearly signals its purpose through thoughtful furniture grouping and focal points.

The goal is to create defined “rooms within a room” that prevent the conversation area from feeling exposed or disjointed from the rest of the space.

Small Spaces: Maximizing Intimacy Without Overcrowding

In compact environments, the common mistake often stems from fear of overcrowding, leading to minimal furniture or items pushed flat against walls. Small spaces actually benefit immensely from creating a cozy conversation nook.

• Scale Matters: Opt for smaller-scale furniture. Narrow armchairs, loveseats, or apartments-sized sofas. Furniture with exposed legs can make a room feel airier.
• Multi-Functional Pieces: Ottomans that serve as extra seating, coffee tables with storage, or nesting tables are invaluable.
• Vertical Space: Use wall-mounted shelving or tall, slender bookcases to draw the eye upwards and free up floor space.
• The “L” Shape Advantage: A small sectional in an L-shape can be perfect for maximizing seating in a corner, creating a very defined and intimate conversation zone within a limited footprint.
• Mirror Magic: Strategically placed mirrors can visually expand the space, making it feel less claustrophobic.

Even a corner with two comfortable chairs, a small table, and a good reading lamp can become an incredibly inviting conversation area in a tiny apartment.

Beyond the Home: Applying Principles to Commercial Spaces

The common mistake isn’t exclusive to residences. Apply these fixes to:

• Hotel Lobbies: Break up long lines of seating into smaller, intimate groupings with side tables.
• Cafes and Restaurants: Offer a mix of seating styles—booths for privacy, small tables close together for pairs, and larger communal tables with a central element that encourages interaction.
• Medical Waiting Rooms: While sometimes designed for individual comfort, providing small, semi-private conversational clusters (e.g., two armchairs angled with a low divider) can ease anxiety for those with companions.

The underlying human need for connection and comfortable interaction transcends the type of space. By understanding and applying these principles, you can transform any area from a functional space into a relational hub.

Tools and Resources for the DIY Designer

Fixing the common mistake doesn’t require a professional interior designer. With the right tools and a little planning, you can tackle this project yourself. Here are some resources and tips to empower your DIY design journey.

Digital Room Planners: Visualizing Your Layout

Before you start pushing heavy furniture around, take advantage of online room planning tools. These allow you to design your space virtually, experimenting with different layouts and furniture pieces to find what works best. This is especially helpful for visualizing those crucial 3-8 foot distances.

• Planner 5D: Easy-to-use, drag-and-drop interface with a vast library of furniture and decor. Great for basic 2D and 3D floor plans.
• Homestyler: Offers more advanced features, including realistic rendering and the ability to upload your own floor plan.
• Ikea Home Planner: Excellent if you’re incorporating a lot of IKEA furniture, allowing you to design with their specific product dimensions.

These tools help you avoid the mistake of buying oversized furniture or creating a layout that looks good on paper but fails in practice due to spatial miscalculations. Always measure your existing furniture and room dimensions accurately before inputting them into the planner.

Measuring Tapes & Painter’s Tape: Real-World Mock-Ups

Nothing beats a real-world test. Once you have a potential layout from your digital planner, use these simple tools:

• Measuring Tape: To precisely measure distances between furniture pieces. Are you truly within that 3-8 foot conversational sweet spot?
• Painter’s Tape: Outline the footprint of new furniture pieces on your floor. This allows you to visually grasp how much space they will take up and how they will interact with existing pieces. You can even tape out the size of a new area rug. This simple step can prevent costly purchasing errors.

Inspiration & Learning Resources

Expand your understanding of good design and gain inspiration from others who have successfully avoided the common mistake ruining conversation areas:

• Interior Design Blogs & Magazines: Look for layouts that prioritize comfort and interaction over stark minimalism. Pay attention to how designers group furniture, use rugs, and layer lighting.
• Pinterest & Instagram: Create mood boards with images of conversation areas you admire. Analyze *why* they work – is it the furniture arrangement, the lighting, the textile choices?
• Books on Home Design & Psychology: Books that delve into spacial psychology or creating inviting homes can provide deeper insights. For instance, “The Not So Big House” series by Sarah Susanka explores how to create cozy, functional spaces.

Professional Advice (When to Call in the Experts)

While much can be done DIY, sometimes a professional eye can make all the difference, especially for particularly challenging layouts or significant renovations.

• Space Planning Consultations: Many interior designers offer hourly consultations specifically for space planning and furniture arrangement. This can be a cost-effective way to get expert guidance on your layout.
• Acoustic Specialists: For severe echo problems in large, open, or commercial spaces, an acoustic specialist can provide tailored solutions beyond simple rugs and drapes.

Before & After: Visualizing the Transformation

To truly grasp the impact of fixing the common mistake ruining your conversation area, it helps to visualize the transformation. The change isn’t just aesthetic; it’s profoundly functional and emotional. Let’s look at common “before” scenarios and their “after” solutions.

Scenario 1: The “Against-the-Wall” Living Room

BEFORE: A living room with a large sofa pushed against one wall, two armchairs pushed against an opposite wall, and a large, empty expanse in the middle. A small coffee table sits adrift in the center. The TV is the sole focal point. Conversations feel strained, with people shouting across the room or simply retreating to their phones.

AFTER: The sofa is now brought forward, defining a clear conversation zone. The two armchairs are angled to face the sofa, creating a cozy “U” shape, with no more than 7 feet between the main pieces. A larger area rug grounds this grouping, with all front legs on the rug. A side table is placed between the armchairs, and a coffee table is within easy reach of all seating. Dimmable lamps are added. The fireplace becomes a secondary focal point, encouraging discussion. The television now sits on a swivel mount, easily viewable when desired, but not dictating the primary layout.

Impact: Guests naturally gravitate to the seating arrangement. Voices remain at a comfortable level. People feel more connected, making eye contact and engaging in longer, deeper conversations. The room feels intentional and welcoming.

Scenario 2: The “Conference Room” Office Lounge

BEFORE: An office break room or lounge area with modular seating pieces (typically benches or armless sofas) arranged in a straight line along the longest wall, perhaps facing a whiteboard or a large window. Two lone armchairs are perched awkwardly in a corner. Employees use it sporadically, mostly for individual phone calls or solitary lunch breaks. Collaboration is stifled due to the lack of inviting conversational clusters.

AFTER: The modular seating is reconfigured into smaller, distinct “pods.” One section forms a semi-circle around a low, round coffee table, perfect for small team huddles. Another section uses two facing benches with a small accent chair and a portable whiteboard set nearby, for more focused brainstorming. Each pod is anchored by a small, durable rug. Adjustable floor lamps provide task and ambient lighting. Plants are added for a touch of nature and sound absorption.

Impact: The space becomes a bustling hub for impromptu meetings, casual discussions, and informal mentorship. Employees feel more comfortable initiating conversations and truly collaborating outside of formal meeting rooms. The space actively supports company culture.

Scenario 3: The “Sprawling Patio” Outdoor Area

BEFORE: A large outdoor patio with a dining table and chairs on one side, and a scattered collection of sun loungers and individual chairs on the other, all spread far apart. Guests either huddle around the dining table long after dinner or sit in isolation, making it difficult to bridge the gap between groups.

AFTER: The patio is divided into two clear zones using outdoor rugs. One zone remains the dining area. The other zone is transformed into an inviting outdoor conversation area. An outdoor sectional forms an “L” shape, complemented by two weatherproof armchairs facing it. A sturdy, weather-resistant coffee table acts as the center. String lights overhead provide warm ambient lighting, and strategically placed outdoor side tables ensure every seat has access to a surface. Potted plants and outdoor throws add to the coziness.

Impact: The patio transforms into an extension of the living space. Guests flow easily from dining to lounging, engaging in comfortable conversations late into the evening. The defined zones create a sense of intimacy even in the open air, proving that even outside, the common mistake of disjointed seating can be fixed.

These transformations aren’t magic; they’re the direct result of applying the principles discussed: mindful furniture arrangement, clear spatial definition, atmospheric enhancements, and functional accessories. By taking a human-centric approach to design, you can overcome the common mistake and create spaces that truly connect people.

Frequently Asked Questions About Conversation Area Design

Here are some common questions many people have when trying to optimize their living spaces for better interaction and avoid the common mistake.

Conclusion: Designing for Connection, Not Just Decoration

We’ve meticulously unpacked the common mistake ruining your conversation area: the insidious practice of arranging furniture and designing spaces without adequate consideration for human proxemics and the psychology of interaction. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about the very fabric of how we connect, communicate, and build relationships in our homes and public spaces.

From the sprawling living room that forces strained shouts to the office lounge that inadvertently fosters isolation, the impact of this oversight is profound. But armed with the insights from this guide, you now possess the knowledge and actionable strategies to transform these dysfunctional spaces into vibrant hubs of genuine connection.

Remember the four core principles:

1. Master the “U” or “H” furniture formations to bring people into comfortable proximity.
2. Anchor your conversation area with the right-sized area rug, clearly defining its boundaries.
3. Layer lighting and soften acoustics to create a warm, inviting, and easy-to-hear atmosphere.
4. Integrate thoughtful, functional accessories that enhance comfort and convenience.

By shifting your focus from merely decorating a room to intentionally designing for human experience, you’re not just moving furniture around; you’re cultivating an environment where laughter flows freely, ideas spark, and relationships deepen. It’s about respecting the fundamental human need for connection and building that understanding into the very design of our shared spaces. So go forth, measure twice, arrange wisely, and reclaim your conversation areas as places where life truly happens, one meaningful interaction at a time.

Ready to dive deeper into creating compelling interiors? Explore more of our guides on interior design basics or learn how to maximize small spaces for functionality and style.