Nearly everyone loves large, spacious rooms, but without the right touch a room that is very large can look stark and cold. It may lack personality and have an overall blank look offering very little appeal or interest. This article provides tips and ideas for making even the largest of living rooms warm, cozy and inviting.
The trick to making a large living room look relaxing and beautiful is to break up the space and use accents to add color.
Warm up the walls
Nothing looks more stark or boring than a blank wall! In a large living room, there's no need to stick to white when covering the walls. Think more in terms of soft, warm colors like cream, taupe or butter. These colors give the room a warm glow that makes it feel welcoming.
To spice up the walls a bit, use tapestries, murals, framed artwork or any accents that you truly love and that coordinate with the rest of the decor. Consider your decorating theme, and come up with unique ideas for the walls. For example, a living room decorated in a western theme looks great when a large wooden wagon wheel hangs above the sofa!
Window treatments matter, too
To help further add depth and dimension to the room, choose your window coverings carefully. In large rooms, heavy or bulky curtains or drapes work well, and help take up more wall space, while a bulky valance in a rich, warm shade of wine adds an elegant touch. You can also consider textured drapes that fall casually to the floor.
Create smaller spaces within the room
Nothing makes a guest feel more at ease or welcome than a small, intimate space where you can visit and have refreshments without feeling like the two of you are sitting at completely opposite ends of the room. To accomplish this, simply choose one area of the room and arrange two chairs, a love seat and an accent table around a good sized area rug. Set your furniture at interesting angles to make the room even more appealing.
If members of your family love to read create a special section meant for reading. Arrange a chair and ottoman near a window, flanked by a floor lamp for extra light. A small bookshelf or magazine rack filled with books adds a nice touch to this area as well.
Large living rooms look even more beautiful when you place large potted plants and greenery in specific areas, such as a space that looks bare. Use throw pillows decorated with bold patterns and textures on the sofa; throws can be tossed casually over a corner of a rocking chair or recliner.
When rooms are extremely spacious, it is best not to place furniture against the walls; you want intimate spaces designed for a purpose, such as socializing, reading, or playing computer games.
Use the ideas and tips mentioned above, and make that bare looking living room one that offers appeal, warmth and originality. Family and friends alike will feel comfortable, relaxed and right at home.
Decorating Ideas For Family RoomFor over 40 years Leon Tuberman has helped people with their home furnishings and interior design needs. He owns and manages his family owned furniture store. They offer a huge assortment of solid arts and crafts furniture for your living room, home office and dining room that's built in the Heartland of America. Whether you're looking for coffee tables for your family room or a oak dining room table for your dining table then they have everything you need.