How to decorate a large space

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I often get asked about how to make the most of small spaces but decorating large spaces to make them feel comfortable and inviting can be just as much of a challenge.

Making design decisions that will help add cosiness, texture and and depth to reduce the cavernous feeling will certainly help you to create a comfortable and inviting space, despite its size.

Here are my top tips for decorating a large space.

Furniture

Choosing furniture that sits on the ground works to visually decrease the sense of spaciousness in a room and make it feel more cosy. Don’t be fooled into thinking a large space needs extra large furniture. Creating one lounge ares set up in the middle of a large space can mean that it feels lost on its own.

Instead consider creating 2 or more separate zones within the space - giving give each area a greater sense of cosiness.

Wall colour

Painting walls in a darker colour makes a huge difference to how cosy a large space feels. If you have very light walls - consider painting them in a darker shade to close the space in - this really is a game changer! But, make sure you choose a flat finish to absorb light. Trim should always be painted in a semi gloss, but walls should be a flat finish.

Furnishings

Darker coloured furnishings and furniture will also give a room more depth and homeliness. Not everything needs to be darker colours - find a balance between some darker heavier pieces, and some lighter coloured but still very textured pieces to add freshness and interest to the space.

Curtains

Curtains make a big difference when trying to create a more cosy space. Heavily textured fabrics work well to add more cosiness. Avoid fabrics that are flimsy or have too much sheen, since anything “shiny” will bounce light around the space making the area feel larger, and less cosy.

Use of texture

Texture can be tactile - think of fur cushions, bobbly fabrics, textured linen look fabrics, but texture can also be introduced “visually” using pattern. Think striped cushions, floral cushions paired with some cushions in plain darker colours will add more interest and depth to a space, making it feel more cosy. The combination of cushions in the image below is a good example of layering up interest to make a large space feel more inviting not to mention the inbuilt bookshelf and darker walls).

Floor to ceiling bookshelves are a great way to close a large space in visually and add interest all of which makes your space feel more cosy.

Avoid too much sheen

Too much sheen can make a space feel uninviting. Avoid decorating with too many shiny surfaces, instead, choose knobbly textures and darker colours that absorb light and make the space cosier. Using some sheen (for example a glass topped side table, and a mirror, will add interest and stop a heavily textured space feel too “flat”.

Floor rugs

Last but probably one of the most important accessories used to create cosiness in a large space is floor rugs! Ones that extend under the furniture will make the space feel more cosy. A small rug in an area will only emphasise the large expanse of floor within the space (see the rug in the picture below is much less effective at creating cosiness than a large rug would be). This is particularly important if you have wooden floors. The more sheen you can cover up with rugs, the cosier and more homely your space will feel.

Decorating really makes such a big difference to how the space is perceived, so it is worth spending time getting this right.


Nicci TongComment