A Great Room is a combination room. It is an open version of the traditional living room, family room and often, the dining room as well. While modern methods of entertaining thrive in these large open spaces they can be a challenge to decorate in the most beneficial manner to the homeowner.
If a great room is open to the kitchen space a good place to begin with furnishings is the dining area. Most people socialize around food so this area should not be last on the list. Before buying a table, a homeowner should realistically decide what type of dining set is needed. If huge parties or family gatherings are a regular entertaining mode, the chosen table should meet the demand. A twelve foot table may not be the best option, however, if measured space is unequal to that challenge. A table with removable leaves would fill the allotted space comfortably most of the time with the expansion capacity ready when called for. Extra chairs can be scattered about the great room for extra seating then moved to the table for service when required.
Long narrow spaces are accepting to long narrow tables. Shorter spaces may be better served by a round table. A larger round tabletop can be made for times when extra guests are expected. Such a top is easily rolled into a closet or under a bed for storage and can increase the capacity of a smaller round table by up to four chairs.
With the dining area filled, the space left for family living is clearly defined. First, the homeowner must decide upon and establish a focal point. A fireplace, television or window with a view is a typical focal point. Many large rooms have more than one focal point and the homeowner needs to decide which will predominate. The question of how the room will primarily be used will establish the best one.
Seating should be scaled to fit the living space area, leaving plenty of room for foot traffic, trips to the fridge and Fido with his waving tail. Just because a great room is large, all furniture should not be huge. The great room supports varied activities and the furnishings of each space should be in scale with its own use area. Choose enough seating for general family use, include a couple of extra chairs or ottomans and scatter extra dining chairs where they can be used for both spaces.
The vertical space in a great room can be daunting. Huge furnishings may only make the floor space feel smaller and more cramped. Instead, fill empty wall - space with large pictures, mirrors or decorative architectural pieces that draw the eye upward. Include lowered ceiling fans or chandeliers where appropriate in the design plan.
Floor rugs can help define usage spaces, making them feel cozier and more inviting. Rugs should be large enough that the front legs of furnishings should rest upon the rug while leaving enough center space to allow good movement through the space. Busy patterns will make a space feel smaller while plainer rugs will allow a space to feel more open.
Color is an important choice for the great room. Warm colors draw the walls inward while cooler colors stretch spaces visually. Keep wall color simple and consistent for a cleaner more relaxing feel. If ceilings are extremely high, a tint on the ceiling can lower it visually. Because great rooms are spaces with many uses, bold colors are best kept for furnishings rather than walls. Too much going on is jarring to the eye and the senses.
Finish the great room with decorative items which fit your personality and interests. This large open space tells people who you are. Forget trends and surround yourself with things you love and which welcome you home with open arms. Keep it comfortable and uncluttered. Even large spaces are more welcoming when furnished with some restraint. The great room is only a GREAT room if it satisfies your own soul.