Many of today's new homes feature "great rooms" with vaulted ceilings and wide expanses of floor space. Designed for a casual living/dining combination, these rooms can often be so big that they become overwhelming. Though we'd all like to have more space in our homes, the wrong kind of space can be difficult to handle. These 10 ideas will make a cavernous space in your house a lot cozier.
1. Divide a large space into several smaller ones using furniture groupings. Make a conversation area in front of the fireplace with a loveseat and two comfy chairs. In another corner of the room, use the television and a long sofa for an entertainment space. A third area - maybe near a window - can include an armchair and ottoman for curling up with a good book.
2. In tandem with furniture placement, use the flooring to separate the room into distinct zones. Raise the floor in a corner lined with bookshelves to create a reading nook, or use area rugs over hardwoods to create separation between living and dining areas.
3. What works on the floor also works on the ceiling. Vary the ceiling height to create a visual spatial distinction. Or use wide, complex moulding to bring the eye downward from a tall ceiling.
4. Darker colors on the walls make the space seem smaller. Use warm and deep tones that you love but might hesitate to use in a smaller space. You can even paint the ceiling a rich tone to bring it down visually. If you prefer wallpaper, choose one with a large pattern and deep, rich colors.
5. Furnish the room with large pieces, including tall bookcases and fully upholstered sofas and chairs covered in velvets, tapestries and other heavy fabrics. Use dark woods, and avoid glass tops on tables, which give the illusion of space.
6. If you have pairs of bookcases, position them back-to-back and use them as a room divider. Attach them together at the backs for maximum stability.
7. Avoid decorating with mirrors. If you must have a mirror in the room, hang it so it does not reflect a window or other light source. Instead, try positioning it so it faces a favorite piece of art. You'll enjoy the reflection, but it won't lend to the spaciousness of the room.
8. Install one or more window seats, which act as cozy nooks in a large space.
9. Fill the room with accessories and plants. Use potted trees to match the scale of a tall ceiling.
10. Create a division between two parts of a room by using columns or arches to create a "passageway" from one space to the other. By installing a faux "doorway" that's wide and open, you'll break the room into manageably-sized parts while still maintaining the sense of space.
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