Large living room spaces are as difficult to design as small ones. They tend to be too much, especially when you have limited number of elements to arrange within a generous space. It can be a challenge at times on what to put in a large living room. The best way to design one is by breaking it up but a full-on renovation can be quite expensive at times and it is not suggested if you are just renting an apartment or a house. We have scooped 11 tips to try in breaking up a large living room without renovation and just working with the existing structural design of the house.
1. Divide the Zones of the Space
The living room is the most popular and most populous space at home. It is not solely designed to cater to guests or house means of entertainment. There will be times that other tasks that need to be completed is done within the comfort of the living room. Thus, having a large space is an opportunity to have several spaces in one. Whether it be a mini office, reading corner, play area, or even an open entertainment room, the spaces to be added should be in accordance with the activities of the household. It is important to divide the zones of a large living room. That is the first step to take in trying to break it up. Besides, it can be quite boring and awkward to push the entire space with just the couch, armchairs, and television set. Break the space according to zones to fill the void and prevent having too much space all for nothing.
2. Experiment on the Furniture Layout
The second step to breaking up a large living room is experimenting on the furniture layout. It is important to know what would fit best to the activities done by the household in the living room. Arrange the pieces of furniture according to the household’s need and priority. Have a focal point or a highlight and start from there. It is not suggested to just pick the traditional U-shaped layout because it does not work for all. Experiment on the different types of arrangements and opt for what you think will suit best. The layout will define the entry of the people to the living room because the lounge area is where they will first go to. It may be a spontaneous way of breaking up the large space but using furniture as division is a smart way of doing so.
3. Opt for Temporary Folding Screens
Temporary folding screens are used to have a sense of privacy within a large space. In a big living room, the lounge area is not the only space there is. All the different zones are also present. With that in mind, it is possible that there would also be other people in the area. Having an lounge area with temporary folding screens will establish privacy and intimacy to the household and guests. Besides, there are personal matters that are often discussed in the living room. Make the household and the guests be comfortable within the vicinity of the living room. The ambiance should be inviting and at the same time, comforting for the household to enjoy. These folding screens makes a statement as if you are in another room. The space remains open but a folding screen would increase the sense of privacy in the space.
4. Make Room for Additional Storage
Storage is a non-negotiable must-have in the living room. When a living room is bigger that we expect it to be, it requires a bigger room or space for storage. A big living room would suggest plenty of items to be displayed or be used for decoration. Even though it is spacious, being congested is still inevitable considering that you are living with the household. Be organized in terms of all the needs within the space and designate a space or room for all the storage. Label the items according to its use. Have a space for the textiles, throwpillows, technologies, cables, and even literature. It is important to have proper storage when they are not in need to induce ease of maintenance and prevent misplacing items.
5. Use Barn or Sliding Doors
If you decide to opt for a movable divider, you will be needing a barn door or a slide door alongside. They can be easily installed, repaired, and replaced and it does not take up much space. Having a sliding door will help in developing the sense of privacy as if you are in an actual room. This is ideal for those who conduct closed-door meetings within the vicinity of their house. The noise will be minimized and at the same time, you will have more space to yourself at times. Since the lounge area is the star of the living room, ensure that the design and the layout highlights it. Having a door to enter to towards the lounge area will help in distinguishing the fundamental zone in a large living room.
6. Divide the Sections Using Rugs
For big living rooms without levelings, it can be expensive to work with elevating the lounge area. Instead of going through the stress of renovation, another trick that you can work with is by sectioning the space with the use of rugs. Area rugs are held essential in a living room, especially if you are residing in an apartment building. They help in minimizing the noise of the footsteps. It sets as a great acoustic material alternative to soundproofing materials. Using rugs for a big living room will help in dividing the space according to its zones particularly for the lounge area, reading corner, and entertainment space.
7. Adjust the Scale of the Elements
Since the room is big, we want to ensure that the entire space is used accordingly. Even though there would be times when you think that you have enough furniture to cover the entire space, it can sometimes look off and out of bounds. What we highly suggest is to work on the scale of all the elements to be placed in the living room. From the decorations, furniture, appliances, and even lighting fixtures, pick their scale according to what you think would help in maximizing the entire space without making it look too overdesigned. Observe the opportunities of the living room such as windows, arches, ceilings, and even exposed columns. If you have high ceilings for the living room, it is highly suggested to illuminate the living room with a chandelier. Large living rooms tend to me more functional using the right scale of elements. Nothing would seem too small or too large for the layout. As long as you play with balance and proportion, breaking it up into zones would not be a challenge.
8. Introduce Creative Lighting Features
Apart from the opportunity of natural lighting acquired from the large windows, beautify the entire space with creative lighting features. A chandelier may be the main event of the big living room but work with ambient lighting features as well. Recessed lights, strip lights, and wall sconces are often used in living rooms to complement the main source. Play with lighting colors and intensity to prevent visual harm. Lighting defines the ambiance of a living room more than just the decorations and furniture. As much as possible, opt for LED bulbs for the lights to minimize energy consumption and acquire maximum lighting. They do not conduct heat which helps in managing the temperature from within. You do not have to worry about increased temperature when several lights are turned on.
9. Be Strategic with the Color Palette
Regardless of the size of a living room, the color palette is one of the most important elements to consider. Instead of opting for just one color, it would be best to play with a variety of colors that are complementing with one another. Color helps in binding the large living room. They add character to the entire aesthetic making the space look unified. Light colors help in elaborating the width, length, and depth of the space. As much as possible, keep it at a minimum. Instead, pair them with dark colors to set boundaries of the edges and corners that need to be highlighted.
10. Make the Furniture Distant from the Walls
Common layout in living rooms is setting up the furniture next to the wall to maximize the space. If this same trick is applied in a large living room, it will leave plenty of awkward space in the middle. Set up the furniture within a decent distance from the walls. This is a great help in cleaning and maintaining the look of the living room. In addition, you would not have to worry about the awkward space in the middle. Placing the furniture next to the wall will leave marks that are not pretty to look at when you decide to redesign the living room. If you prefer temporary layouts to dominate the living room, ensure that the furniture is within decent distance from the walls.
11. Designate a Multipurpose Space
Photo from WayfairRight after you have set the zones of the living room to identify the required spaces, there would be times when you still have plenty of room left. Do not worry about this space because it can be used for different purposes. Having a multipurpose space for the living room will establish flexibility of use and that it is not solely for the sake of entertaining guests and household. The living room can offer more.
