Convert your room from cavernous to cozy
Posted Feb 5, 2010 By EMC News
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EMC Lifestyle (MS) - Though too much space sounds like the kind of problem many renters and homeowners would love to have, a large open space in a home can prove problematic. 
Clustering a large room's seating as close together as possible is one way to make a room seem more cozy while also making it easier to hold conversation.
Oftentimes, the biggest complaint such spaces elicit from homeowners is the antiseptic feeling they create.
Rather than the cozy feel many people prefer in a home, larger rooms often feel cavernous and cold.
While homeowners might not care to or have the money to reduce the size of such rooms, there are ways to make a large room seem less spacious and more cozy and comforting.
When it comes to accessories, choose artwork. Apartment dwellers are fond of hanging mirrors to make smaller rooms appear larger. Why does this work? Because mirrors reflect light and make a room appear longer. But the last thing a room that already appears long and expansive needs is a mirror to make it seem even larger. So rather than hanging a mirror, hang artwork. Throw rugs on the floor can make a room appear less spacious as well.
Rearrange the furniture. Furniture that is far apart also gives the impression that a room is cavernous. Therefore, when rearranging the furniture, it helps to cluster seats together. This will not only help a room seem more cozy, but it will make having conversations in the room easier and promote the room's use as a result.
Consider the color scheme. Color plays a significant role in a room's ambiance as well. For instance, lighter colors make a room seem larger, while darker colors do the opposite. Though darker colors can tighten up a room, it's best to avoid going entirely with dark colors. Doing so can actually give the room a negative, suffocating vibe. Balance the colors as much as possible to ensure spending time there is enjoyable and comfortable.
Practice proper papering. Just like the color of furniture and paint contribute to how a large room feels, the wallpaper can as well. Larger rooms should not have wallpaper with stripes, be they horizontal or vertical stripes. That only makes a room seem longer.
Wallpaper with tiny little patterns should be avoided as well. Chances are, such patterns in a large room will make things difficult on your eyes when sitting in the room for an extended period of time.
