Last month, I shared some insights on decorating and furnishing compact spaces, and today, I’m shifting my focus to spacious rooms. Surprisingly, they can be even more challenging – especially if you have an open area that needs to serve multiple purposes at once.
While having a spacious room may seem like a luxury, it can actually present real challenges. In fact, I’ve had several clients seek my guidance after removing walls or adding extensions, only to find that the space has become barren and uninviting, more like a soulless airport lounge than a cozy home. However, with a little creativity, any great room can be transformed into a warm, comfortable and functional space that complements your lifestyle. Here are some of my suggestions ……
Divide up different areas
Large spaces can be intimidating and it’s often hard to know where to start. I think it’s important to first identify the various functions that need to be accommodated and create different ‘zones’ for each. For example, an open plan kitchen diner will naturally include a cooking and dining area, but you may also want to include a sofa, children’s play area or even a bar. In the living room, you may want a main seating area for socializing, plus a cozy corner for reading and drinking coffee. This approach not only ensures that the space meets your needs, but prevents it from looking cold, monotonous and cluttered.
The spacious living room of this new Finnish home features two sitting areas – a social area with a sofa and a cozy corner facing the fireplace. A console table demarcates the boundary between the two sitting areas, and a semi-open partition wall separates the living room from the entrance hall.
Introducing variety
Once the “zones” have been delineated, you can use clever design techniques to define them and break up the overall space. Half walls, floor changes and columns are great for separating large rooms without sacrificing ventilation, but there are plenty of other options that don’t require construction. Screens and shelves can also serve to separate spaces, especially if you opt for a semi-open design that allows light to pass freely through – they’re perfect if you anticipate needing to rearrange items in the future to accommodate lifestyle changes. You can even use different colors or flooring to divide up different areas, or use paneling or paint to create a feature wall. It’s also possible to group furniture around focal points such as fireplaces or fires, or indicate a change of use by cleverly placing an island, coffee table or breakfast bar.
This open-concept ground floor features several separate areas. Vertical paneling adds a layered look to the dining area, while an upholstery color change from dark gray to green separates the living area from the dining area. At the far end is a cozy separate space, separated from the rest by open bookshelves.
Keeping it all together
Despite the above considerations, a space with too many finishes can also feel chaotic and disjointed. Therefore, one should aim for commonality throughout. This could be a palette, a single accent color, a specific material or shape, or even a recurring pattern on different elements – anything that ties the different areas together and ensures that they belong to the same whole, rather than a series of separate spaces that just happen to exist within the same four walls.
The dining area in this open-plan living space is light and airy with light-colored wood furniture, while the lounge area features more welcoming patterns and darker tones. However, they blend harmoniously together thanks to the two common threads of natural textures and a unified design approach. For more tips on creating a cozy space, check out my home tour article on the perfect combination of warm wood and cool gray tones.
Consider proportions and size
For larger rooms, the visual appeal is significantly enhanced by choosing large pieces of furniture rather than piles of smaller items that can lead to clutter. It is important to consider the size of the space and choose furniture and accessories that match the size of the space. If you find it difficult to find items that are the right size, consider matching combinations – for example, combining two coffee tables together or placing matching chairs side by side.
The same principle applies to patterns. Small, intricate prints can look cluttered in a spacious area, so it’s wise to opt for bolder, more impactful designs. Wide stripes, for example, may make more of a statement than small, delicate florals.
In this modern Swedish home, every element, from the chandelier to the sofa, has been carefully chosen to complement the spaciousness of the space. A pair of armchairs can be a great alternative to a second sofa without making the space seem cramped.
Introduce height
If the furniture and décor in a room are all of a similar height, it will look bland. To add depth and interest, add one or two taller elements, such as bookshelves. This will add layers to the space and prevent it from looking like a boring waiting area. Oversized potted plants or a few large pieces of artwork can achieve a similar effect.
In this living room, tall houseplants not only add height, but also show how coffee tables can be placed side-by-side to fit the scale of a larger space.
Turn furniture inward
It’s crucial to avoid placing all your furniture against the wall, especially in larger rooms. Bringing sofas, chairs and tables closer to the center creates a sense of comfort, eliminates wasted “dead space” and creates private areas that encourage conversation and relaxation. The perimeter can be used for bookshelves, coffee tables, or space to move between areas.
In this layout, chairs, sofas and coffee tables are positioned away from the walls, creating a more welcoming atmosphere and ensuring unobstructed access from one door to another.
Use rugs as décor
Rugs can dramatically transform large spaces by providing support for furniture combinations and dividing wide floors. Rugs work extremely well underneath a sofa or dining table and help to demarcate specific areas, while also enhancing the tone of kitchens and other corners.
When choosing a rug, select the largest size for your budget and space, and place it underneath furniture to prevent the rug from fluttering around. If you want to place multiple rugs in different areas, choose designs that are stylistically coordinated to maintain the overall aesthetic. This doesn’t mean they have to be identical; you can choose different shades of the same color or pair patterned rugs with plain ones to ensure they complement each other and achieve a unified aesthetic.
In this stunning Swedish home, a large rug effectively ‘anchors’ the living area, demonstrating the importance of pulling furniture inwards and using shelving and plants to add height.
Smart use of light
Effective lighting is essential in large or open-plan spaces. While providing plenty of bright light for a variety of tasks, you should also incorporate softer, mood-enhancing lighting. It’s difficult to adequately illuminate a spacious space with just an overhead light, and harsh ceiling spotlights, common in new construction, can create an unfriendly atmosphere.
Transform your space into a stylish automotive showroom by installing light fixtures on the floor, table and walls to create a stunning halo of light in different areas. Hang pendant lights over dining tables, sitting areas and island kitchens as a visual focal point to create a warm and intimate atmosphere.
If possible, connect the lights to separate circuits so you can control each one individually and choose dimmable options to easily adjust the ambiance at any time. Portable LED lights with rechargeable batteries are a great alternative for areas without convenient outlets.
This living area demonstrates how low-hanging pendant lights can enhance socializing and cozy dining spaces, while downlights on the kitchen countertop provide ample lighting for food preparation.
Additionally, adding textural elements is crucial to creating a cozy feel in a spacious space. Add cushions and blankets to sofas and chairs, and choose furniture and accessories made from different materials. It doesn’t take too many elements – especially if you’re leaning towards a minimalist style – just a few well-chosen textures can significantly enhance the ambiance. Soft furnishings, in particular, help to mitigate the echoes that are common in large open-plan rooms.
The mix of textures in this New York open-plan home exudes warmth while maintaining a clean and sophisticated aesthetic. Chandeliers, wall sconces and large rugs add a cozy feel to the entire space.
I’m sure these suggestions will be helpful to you, and if you need further assistance, my design services are always at your disposal. Stay tuned for more insights into other aspects of interior design!