Decorating Tips for Large Rooms

Large spaces are a dream for many people, but those who do have them don't always feel so lucky. Space management is just as difficult for large rooms as they are for smaller areas, although the challenges are certainly not the same. Some of the common problems in large homes include more clutter, more maintenance, and a tendency for rooms to look dull and boring.

So how do you maintain a large space without giving up style? Here are a few simple rules worth keeping in mind.

Large rooms tend to look cold and uninviting, but a few well-chosen colors can make all the difference. Go for warm colors to make the room look cozier. Browns and earth tones are very relaxing and work very well for large living rooms. No time for a paint job? Lay out some wool area rugs or carpets in a warm color. Brown area rugs with intricate patterns add instant personality to any room.

Patterned items take up visual space and make your room look more homely and inviting. Again, area rugs make great additions-try using oriental area rugs as centerpieces or placing braided area rugs under your center table.  If you're feeling bold, paint a column of stripes, checks, or abstract strokes down one or two walls. Just make sure not to overdo it-too many patterns and colors can look cluttered and disorganized.

Overhead lighting works for small rooms because the light bounces enough to even out the rays. In a large room, however, this causes the light to be isolated or lost in all that space. The best way to light a large room is in small sections, preferably installed along the walls at eye level. In a bedroom, you can use a dark lampshade to bring the light down. Install your lights so that different areas of the room are wired to separate sources. This way, each area looks more intimate and you don't have to light the entire room at once.

Wall decor should be proportional to the size of the room. In a large room, an appropriately sized painting or photograph creates an instant focal point and brings your whole design theme together. Don't be afraid to fill a wall with art, as long as it's just one wall-decking more than one-fourth of your wall space takes attention away from the art piece. Alternatively, you can arrange several smaller pieces along one wall. Use different shapes and sizes to add interest.

You may want a separate corner for reading, watching TV, and entertaining friends. Room dividers and area rugs make it easy to define spaces in a large room. Contemporary area rugs work well in rooms with lots of bare floor space. For a stronger effect, use bright-colored area rugs that stand out against your floor. Green, blue, and red area rugs provide excellent contrast and stand out better than neutral colors.