WHEN BIGGER FURNITURE IS BETTER
Chosen wisely, large-scale selections offer grandeur to rooms large and small
Whether your space is large or small, proportion is key to creating a well-balanced space. A small room stuffed with tiny furniture looks cramped and busy, while a large room packed with bloated pieces can feel claustrophobic. Instead, opt for one or two large-scale pieces to simplify a space and add some grand scale. Here are a few key furniture and decor pieces that give an illusion of grandeur, even in the smallest of rooms.
Large Rugs: One of the biggest decorating mistakes people make is to choose an area rug that’s too small. For a living/family room, a good guideline is for the front legs of the upholstered seating to be sitting on the rug. This acts to unite the furniture arrangement — even in an open concept space. But can an area rug be too big ? Only if the rug is curling up the walls! Truthfully, a good rule is to leave about one foot of floor space on all sides of a rug. In choosing designs, keep these tips in mind: in a sitting room, where furniture is typically positioned to focus on the centre of the room, the middle of the rug should draw the eye with its design; in a dining room, the centre point is hidden below the table, so ensure the border or edging is emphasized.
Big Art: One of the hottest trends in wall art is to go big. Large artwork adds big scale and helps lead the eye toward a taller ceiling, creating a sense of airy spaciousness. In a dining room, an over-scale piece on the wall makes a big impact without eating up floor space. Big artwork behind a bed in a master suite creates a focal point. The key is to not overwhelm the space by allowing the artwork to stand on its own without competition. For instance, a large black painting might not work with a large black sofa or black grand piano, but in a mostly light-coloured space it can provide a dramatic counterpoint.
Hot right now: Unique images of architecture, nature or images reminiscent of travel.
Sofas: If there’s one piece of furniture that should be large and super comfortable, it’s the sofa. Avoid puny condo sofas — they will look and feel like Barbie furniture, even in the smallest rooms.
What’s the right size for your room? The sofa’s length should be about two-thirds the length of the room. So if your living room space is 12 feet long, then your sofa can be up to eight feet. Also consider what mood you want and what kind of lounging you do: a lower seat invites reclining; while a higher seat lends formality and promotes an upright posture.
The hot seat now: Rounded and soft corners are all the rage. Choose a low-to-the-ground sofa, deep as a daybed and with low arms (think ’70s chic) and you will be right on trend.
Karl Lohnes has worked as a home decor expert and product designer for 25 years. He often appears Thursday during the 8 a.m. hour on Global News Morning Montreal.