Inspired living begins here.

welcome to HomeFurnishings.com

Your trusted decorating and home furnishings shopping advisor. Free expert design advice, tools and inspiration galleries; plus how and where to buy furniture.

  1. Thousand of home furnishings retailers are here to serve you.
  • Find a Retailer near you.

 
great room
  • great room

    Plants and tall potted trees that complement the height of a high or vaulted ceiling can both warm up and fill the space. Photo courtesy of Tyson Interiors


great room
Hide Thumbs First Previous Pause Next Last
Slideshow speed: 5 seconds
 

Plants and tall potted trees that complement the height of a high or vaulted ceiling can both warm up and fill the space. Photo courtesy of Tyson Interiors

 

Warm up with Accessories

In addition to warm wall colors in a large living room, well-picked accessories can really add warmth and make the room feel more inviting. “Try to find a painting or other artwork that contains colors that coordinate pillows, rugs and accessories so the room makes a bold statement with a designer edge,” recommends John Tyson, president of Tyson Interiors in San Jose, Calif. 

  • Accessories and art in rich reds, yellows and shades of orange are great choices when striving to make a great room feel cozy.
  • Accent pillows help to bring in fun colors, patterns, shapes and textures to the room.
  • Quilts and afghans draped over chairs or the back of the sofa add a homey feel.
  • Candle arrangements on the coffee table or end table can add a relaxed mood to the room.
  • Plants and tall potted trees that complement the height of a high or vaulted ceiling can both warm up and fill the space.

  • Bookmark and Share
  • Add To My Ideas
  • Print
  • Make Your Great Room Feel Cozy

    A large room has many benefits, but it can lack the coziness of a smaller space. Explore the many design tricks for warming up a big space.

    by Trisha Kemerly

    Many people desire large living rooms with plenty of space for entertaining friends and enjoying quality time with family. However, if a large space isn’t put together well, it may not feel inviting or cozy to you—or your guests. You can have the best of both worlds with the right color choices, creative furniture arranging and a few other decorating tricks.

    Consider the following ways to make your great room feel more comfortable and welcoming than ever:

     

    Start with Color

    For a big room, warm, darker colors work best to convey the feeling of coziness. Darker colors on the walls make the space seem smaller and more intimate. If you prefer wallpaper, choose one with a large pattern and deep, rich colors.

    Sample the warmer side of the color wheel and choose a color or a grouping of colors that will make the room feel warm and inviting. Consider a rich shade of apricot or gold, a deep plum, or a warm red. You also might consider painting the ceiling to bring it down visually.

     

    Divide the Space

    “When living room floors are expansive, the space can look and feel cold and uninviting,” says John Tyson, president of Tyson Interiors in San Jose, Calif. “Area rugs effectively separate and focus areas of a room, defining conversation or activity areas in the room.”

    A 9’ by 12’ rug will usually work well in an average-size living room, but you may need a larger one for a particularly large room. Or, you may consider using separate areas rugs to divide the space into two or more areas.

    “You could also try grounding a space with a ceiling fan or some kind of fun, whimsical hanging chandelier that has warm fabric shades or colored glass,” Tyson suggests. “Place it over a gathering area or over the cocktail table to create a conversation space.”

     

    Create Focal Points with Furniture

    When creating a cozy space, first define a focal point. For some people, this is the fireplace, and for others, it’s the television—whatever you feel is most fitting for how you use your space. Once you pick your focal point, arrange your furniture with conversation in mind to give your living room a feeling of intimacy. You don’t want guests to feel like they have to shout across the room to talk to one another.

    “Have as much space as possible on the sides of the room, trying not to have the seating furniture running along the walls,” Tyson says. “This will keep the room looking spacious yet cozy.”