When confronted with a large room, especially a large empty room, many homeowners feel overwhelmed. But decorating a large room can be fun since a large room isn’t near as limited as a small room is in regards to furnishings and color palettes. However, don’t forget that basic design rules still apply! A poorly arranged and decorated large room is just as ugly as a poorly decorated small room. These large room design tips should have you decorating all your big, empty spaces with style.
Furniture for Large Room Design
When decorating a large room, it helps to arrange furniture to create individual spaces that work together as a whole. For example, in a large living room, you may have a defined conversation or television-watching space, a reading nook and a small gaming area, but the decor of all the areas should flow and work together, as well. Consider the scale of your room in regards to your furnishings. If your room is large but has low ceilings, keep the furnishings low to create an appearance of height. However, if your large room has high ceilings, low-to-the-ground furnishings may appear lost in the space. In a large room, abstain from pushing all of your furniture against the walls. This may feel awkward in a large space, and in a large living room, it will make guests feel like they need to yell to be heard. Keep the furnishings within three feet of each other to create warm and inviting areas. Cushioned, rounded seating tends to look better in a large room than clean, modern styles or French antiques. Skirted sofas and chairs with arms can add layers of warmth to a large, cold space. When decorating a large room, consider in investing in architectural elements such as columns or moldings to enhance and furnish your large space. These items can work more effectively than furniture to create warmth and beauty in a large room.
Decor for Large Room Design
Just because you have a large room, doesn’t mean that you can clutter it up. Each element of a large room is important and should enhance your space. To avoid clutter in a large room, go larger with your decor elements. Artwork can be of a larger scale, and so can items such as vases and potted plants. If you have a smaller collection of items that you would like to showcase in a large room, think in groups of threes – three vases grouped together, three frames, etc. The eye will view these items as a whole and it will keep them from getting lost in your space. Use decor to define individual spaces in a large room. For example, old reclaimed building columns can be used to create a family “zone.” A bookshelf used as a room divider can create an intimate reading space. Rugs work wonders in defining seating and conversation areas.
Color & Pattern in Large Room Design
When planning your color scheme, remember that too many colors in a large room can be just as overwhelming as they are in a small space. When decorating a large room, it often looks best when the large, basic furnishings are in neutral colors and accent colors are used to enhance the space and bring cohesion to the defined areas of the room. In a large room, dark, muted colors can add a cozy feeling, but so can bold, bright colors when combined with warm, neutral shades. Choose warm whites, creams or warm neutrals such as gray as the main color then balance with brighter shades in cooler tones to create a warm yet vibrant overall effect. Varying the scale of patterns and textures a wonderful way to add contrast and interest in a large space. Patterns can be bold in a large space, but don’t neglect to mix and match. For example, pair a smaller check with a large floral then add a texture or two, like a natural fiber or a solid with a sheen, to create a nice contrast. When decorating a large room, you can choose to either paint the entire space one color or break it up with multiple shades. When using multiple colors, locate a breaking point in the room such as a corner or architectural detail (like where molding begins) to incorporate a color change. To create a cohesive look, be sure to reuse the wall colors in the fabrics and decor throughout the room.
