Decorating Principles
Traffic Pattern
Traffic patterns are the routes people naturally take when moving through a room or home—the invisible pathways between entries, seating areas, and destinations. Understanding and respecting these patterns is fundamental to functional furniture arrangement; ignoring them creates frustration and awkward navigation that disrupts daily life.
Effective traffic patterns provide direct routes between high-use destinations while protecting intimate spaces from interruption. A living room should allow passage without walking through conversation areas; a kitchen needs clear paths between cooking, prep, and cleanup zones. Well-planned traffic patterns feel invisible—people move naturally without thinking about the path. Poorly planned patterns constantly remind occupants of their inconvenience.
Key Characteristics
- ✓Natural movement routes
- ✓Connect entries to destinations
- ✓Protect activity zones from interruption
- ✓Require minimum clear widths
- ✓Should feel invisible when successful
- ✓Vary by room function
Types & Variations
Primary traffic (main pathways)
Secondary traffic (less frequent routes)
Cross-traffic (paths through spaces)
Circulation zones (hallways, entries)
Work triangle (kitchen efficiency)
Works Well With These Styles
Placement & Usage Tips
Keep primary paths minimum 36 inches clear—wider in entries and hallways. Avoid routing traffic through conversation seating areas. In kitchens, maintain work triangle efficiency. Create landing zones at entries for keys, bags, coats.
💡 Pro Tip
Watch where family members actually walk over several days before finalizing furniture placement. Worn carpet paths and dog-eared rugs reveal true traffic patterns. Design with behavior, not against it.