Decorating A Large Room

You know that a small room can make you feel cramped and that you have to take extreme measures at some point to make the room feel more like a living space and less like a closet full of junk. The same principals are true of a large room that makes you feel like you're drowning. Of course, many people make the huge mistake of believing that in order to keep from drowning in a large room, they have to fill it with more items. Contrary to the belief that this will work to make the room seem less uninviting, it can actually end up making the room seem more cramped and stuffy, when you're actually trying to create more balance.

But how can you create balance in a room that's so large without using more furniture?

Believe it or not, the process to creating balance in a large room is simply about lighting, flooring, wall hangings and drapery.

First, you need to take a good look at your lighting in the room. Having poor lighting will only serve to make the room seem larger than it actually is. Shadows and dark areas in the room make those areas seem deeper and longer. Poor lighting or a lack of overhead lighting will create shadows in more areas, making your room seem large, no matter how much furniture you have.

Once you have your lighting under control you can move onto your flooring. Choosing the right area rug has the potential to do anything you need to make your room perfect and balanced for you, your family and your design and theme. A dark colored area rug with intricate designs, a thick pile and a large, nearly half the size of the room or larger can actually make the room seem slightly smaller-the thick pile may be one or more inches thick, making the room physically smaller. A dark colored area rug, like a red area rug, black area rug or brown area rug is the best way to fill space in your room, although a modern area rug or other geometric area rug design can also fill space.

Your wall hangings are also important in creating a balanced and filled look for your room. Choosing larger wall hangings that protrude slightly from the wall will help to create a physically and visually smaller room.

In addition, heavy drapery will help your room appear smaller. Light fabrics and colors will only make the room seem larger, so it is best to stick with heavy, double-backed fabrics in deeper colors. The stiffness of the heavy fabrics will make them stick out slightly into the room rather than falling lightly against the windows, giving the room a more filled look.

Remember, using furniture to fill a room is not always the best way to make it balanced or to keep from drowning in the room. It is always better to use lighting, flooring and other accessories to create the balanced feel you want and need.