How to Make a Large Lounge Cozier
It is more common to hear people complain about their living space being too small than it is to hear them complain of having too much space; it can be a real interior design challenge. It can be difficult to fill a large space, especially if the room has high ceilings, and this can mean that the room does not feel cozy or inviting. Depending on the room and what you use it for, this may not be much of an issue, but when it comes to our lounge, coziness is usually the desired characteristic. Most people want their lounge to be somewhere they can relax and feel safe with their loved ones.
If you are struggling to make the most of your lounge, this guide outlines some simple but effective steps you can take to make your large lounge feel cozier.
Insulate your windows
If your windows are letting cold air in and warm air out, you will struggle to keep your lounge (or any part of your home) feeling cozy. You should check the seals around your windows for any gaps that need to be sealed and choose thermal curtains to keep more heat inside. If your home has single-glazed windows, consider upgrading to double or even triple-glazed windows to not only make your home more comfortable but also to make your home more energy-efficient.
Paint the lower part of your walls
A great way to make high feelings appear lower is to paint the lower part of the walls a different color to the top part. It is a trick that draws the eye down and can make the room feel much cozier. You can do this by applying masking tape horizontally to segregate the two areas and paint the lower portion in your chosen color. It can be difficult to paint a straight line around the room, but a spirit level can help.
Create a large seating area
A big benefit of a large lounge is that you have plenty of space for seating, but spreading seating around the room can make the space seem sparse. There are numerous ways that you could achieve this, but the most common is probably to bring in a deep and soft L-shaped sofa. This not only provides the ultimate place for snuggling up with loved ones and relaxing after a long day but also somewhere to entertain guests. An L-shaped sofa can also help to divide the room into two spaces, e.g., a dining area and a living area. An alternative technique is to use individual chairs like armchairs and benches to create a seating area.
Choose tall plants and indoor sculptures
High ceilings can be a great advantage in terms of giving a room a light and airy feeling, but they can also make a room feel lonely. To address this, you can place tall plants and sculptures in the corners of the room. Of course, you will need to look after the plants to ensure that they get enough sunlight and water or choose fake plants. The additional benefit of having real plants in your home, however, is that they absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen improving the quality of the air in the room.
Divide the room into zones
If the space is large enough, you could divide it into two areas. There are multiple ways to do this, including placing an L-shaped sofa, benches, a chaise longue, or a daybed between the two areas. Rugs can also help differentiate different room areas and provide a soft, comfortable feeling under your feet.
Use a chunky ottoman as a coffee table
Having too much space between the sofa and a coffee table, or having a small coffee table, can make the room feel sparse and is not practical. Instead of choosing a wooden or glass coffee table, a large ottoman with a tray on top for drinks can provide functionality, style, and a softer edge to the room. In addition, many ottomans double up as storage space for your personal possessions.
Screen off a cozy corner
When you have a large room, it is good to create a cozy private space and snug. You can do this by placing a decorative screen in front of your chosen area and filling that space with comfortable seating like an extra-large and soft bean bag or a large armchair with a footstool. In this area, you can also add shelves for your books, a lamp with a warm glow, and anything you need to help you relax. Throw in some chunky knitted throws and squishy cushions, and you have the makings of the perfect haven for your quiet relaxation time.
Decorate your walls
With so much wall space, it can be difficult to know where to start. You may want to place seating in the middle of the room to create a feeling of coziness, but this tends to leave a lot of wall behind. Placing furniture such as a console table, benches, bookshelves, and cabinets along the walls, hanging shelves, and decorating the walls with photos and artwork can help alleviate this. You could also add some feature chairs as decorative pieces along the walls that can be pulled into the room’s center as needed. A large mirror might make an already large room appear even bigger, but several smaller mirrors can add interest to the walls.
Set up a special space for two
A large lounge is ideal when you have a big family or are regularly hosting parties, but in most cases, a lounge is used by two to four people. In addition to having a large dinner table, consider creating a space just for two. By placing a small but stunning table and chairs in the corner of a room, you can create an area for eating, drinking, talking, and playing games. You could even decorate the space differently from the rest of the room to make it stand out.