I590 The Cornell Reading-Courses 



In A the eye glances restlessly from one object to another. Diagrams 

 B and C are instantly pictorial because they are in keeping with the 

 principles of good arrangement. They are characterized by large open 

 spaces and by furniture placed around the walls. The eye is at rest in 

 either of these arrangements. 



In diagram A the objects are scattered about the room, creating an 

 impression of too many things and too little free space. The placing of 

 the furniture is irregular and unexpected, so that persons are likely to 

 bump into things when moving about the room. The larger pieces are 

 placed diagonally across the corners. Each time this is done, a triangle 

 of space is wasted behind the object, and two comers are awkwardly 

 projected into the room. Consequently each object so placed not only 

 appears to, but actually does, occupy more room than if placed against 

 the wall. Furthermore, the space behind the piece becomes a dust hole, 

 so that the furniture must be moved for cleaning. A diagonal arrangement 

 cannot therefore be considered a sensible one except perhaps for chairs, 

 which can be moved easily and which are often of a suitable shape to fit 

 into the comers. Nor is a diagonal arrangement of fumiture an effective 

 one, for the main lines set at defiance the outlines of the room, which 

 are rectangular. Consequently the objects seem to be located without 

 reference to the space that contains them. In diagram A small rugs 

 are used in place of large ones, thus breaking up the central space and 

 giving a scrappy appearance to the floor. Moreover, for a room used 

 by a number of persons small rugs are likely to be kicked up at the comers 

 and to slip as they are stepped on. The style of rug used, whether it 

 be a rag rug or an oriental one, does not in the least alter the manner 

 of arrangement. 



In diagram B the furniture is arranged parallel with the walls, thus 

 following the outline of the room. The pieces that are related in use 

 are grouped — desk, books, library table, and comfortable chairs occupy- 

 ing one end of the room, and piano, music cabinet, and more seats, the 

 other end. The room thus has two centers of a rather definite nature 

 and use; one center is quiet in character; the other is sociable. A large 

 central rug laid parallel with the walls of the rocm unites the two groups 

 and at the same time defines the open space that is free for passage. 

 With such an arrangement, persons moving about the room are in no 

 danger of running into oddly placed objects. This arrangement is both 

 more reasonable and more restful than arrangement A. 



Diagram C is an alternate arrangement for carrying out the two-center 

 idea already explained. Here the reading center has been emphasized by 

 placing the table on the longitudinal axis of the room and by using a 

 separate rug for each group. The location of the divan and the piano 



