6 living room decor ideas for large spaces

Pic: The Shutter Store

Big rooms are a welcome feature in a home, but decorating them can be a challenge. Discover how to make the most of a large living room with these décor ideas
 

Draw attention to the height

If you’ve got it, flaunt it, right? So, if your living room has grand proportions and a big window to go with it, make the window a focal point. Shutters are the number one choice for style and practicality. Unlike fabric window dressings like curtains and blinds, they’re easy to maintain, suitable for kitchens, dining areas, living spaces, bedrooms and bathrooms. White or wood are classic options for a timelessly stylish look, but you could even go for a deep, bold color like Claret Red or Tuscan Grey in our Designer Collection for the ultimate statement. 

Read our living room shutters guide for more help with selecting the correct shutters for your space. 
 

Rely on wallpaper

A highly patterned wallpaper can overwhelm a small room, but if yours is a big space, it’s the perfect forum for using ornate or over-scaled pattern. Keep your floor and ceiling plain if you do take this route, and be sure to pick up colors from the paper in other furnishings to pull the look together.

 

Size up a coffee table

An occasional table with slim lines can look lost in a large living room. Instead of letting it go solo, a series of tables can fill the gap between a pair of large sofas positioned opposite one another, and allow all sitters a place to set down a cup. Alternatively, swap a wooden table for a sizable upholstered ottoman with curvaceous lines that’ll occupy the living space much better.

 

Divide and conquer

Zoning a large living space can make it feel more humanly scaled. To divide it into separate areas without detracting from the airy effect, try using open shelving. It won’t block the light, but it can make each zone feel more intimate. The shelving will make space for display, too, but don’t pack it out or you’ll lose light and views through the room.

Pic: Sofa.com

Go dark

Pale walls can visually expand a small living room, but one that’s already large doesn’t need the help and a big expanse of white can even make it look cold. If that’s the case for your large living room, now’s the time to dabble with dramatic shades for the walls. They can make a living or dining space feel much more intimate, and given it’s a room that’s used largely after dark, bold color schemes can really shine under artificial and candlelight. Deep blues and greens are on trend, as are charcoal grays.

 

Supersize the sofa

If individual couches would be lost in a big living space, how about a big sectional in their place? Its L-shape will demarcate a seating area but, if you choose a low-backed design, it won’t clutter the view through the room. Team with an area rug to complete the picture.

 

Pic: Marks & Spencer

Play with wall color

Here’s another idea for tall walls, which allow space to create fabulous design detail with color. Instead of using one hue from floor to ceiling, pick toning shades. If you have wainscoting, you can use this as a guide, but taping off a line lets you create the same effect. Use warm colors, as seen here, and you can make a big room feel cozier, too.

 

Make it a gallery

A big, empty wall can make a large living room feel cavernous rather than cocooning, so here’s the opportunity to indulge your taste. Scale up so artwork isn’t lost on a big wall, but if one large image is too costly, try a series of smaller pictures in its place and group them to form a rectangle. You’ll need to hang them close, though, so they read as one large piece.

Discover more about shutters for your living room. View our customer galleries for inspiration or why not order up to 4 free samples - there's nothing like seeing the real thing in your hand.