How to Decorate a Great Room

Large, open spaces are often difficult to decorate.

A space with a kitchen that opens to a family room is oftentimes referred to as "the great room." A great room is a place where family members can hang out, eat, watch movies and cook together. Oftentimes it is a challenge to decorate a great room due to the open space. The biggest challenge is to make the kitchen area integrate harmoniously into the rest of the space.

Things You'll Need

• Paint (semi-gloss and flat)
• Area rug
• Window coverings
• Television
• Sofa
• Coffee table
• Breakfast table
• Kitchen table
• Ceiling light
• Table and flood lamps
• Decorating accessories: artwork, family photos, knickknacks
• Potted plants
• Vases with cut flowers
• Artificial plants

Instructions

1. Select a design theme. Make sure that the theme in your kitchen complements the theme in your family room. Do not decorate your family room in Victorian style and your kitchen in an ultramodern style. Since they are open to each other, the rooms should share one theme.

2. Lay out a plan for your design. Plan the placement of your furniture. Determine a focal point for the room, which can be the fireplace or the television. Once you have made this decision, you can plan the position of the other furnishings to take advantage of the focal point.

3. Choose a color for your great room. You can either use the same color for the kitchen and family room or choose complementary colors. Use semigloss paint for the kitchen and flat paint for the family room.

4. After painting, put an area rug in your family room. This gives added protection and extra warmth during colder seasons.

5. Add window coverings. If you want to choose draperies, make sure that they complement the colors of the walls and furnishings. You do not have to match the window treatments in your kitchen and family room. You can pick out colors from the window treatments in your kitchen to use in the drapery for your family room.

6. Place your furnishings based on your layout plan. Put the television in a spot where it can be viewed from the kitchen. Put your sofa in front of the television for easy viewing. Then add the coffee table, give enough space in between the sofa and the table. Buy furnishings that can withstand use and abuse; since it is a family room, try not to be too formal with your choices. Oftentimes when there are get-togethers people bring foods in the family room area from the kitchen. Make sure that your floors and furnishings can survive occasional food and beverage spills.

7. Make sure that you do not block the flow of traffic between the kitchen and the family room. The great room should be open and free-flowing, allowing easy access. Place your breakfast table in an area in between the kitchen and family room. The kitchen table should be close to the kitchen for faster serving.

8. Add lighting. Most homes do not come with lights in the family room. You can add a ceiling light to brighten the room aside from the usual table or floor lamps. The table lamps are best for reading.

9. Add accessories. You can put artwork on the walls. A great room is a perfect place to hang family photos. You can also put framed pictures on side tables. If you have an armoire or built-in cabinets, display your photos along with your knickknacks on them. For the kitchen, use artwork representing food and family gatherings. Make sure to use frames of similar color or materials as those used in the family room, so that the great room looks cohesive.

10. Add cut flowers and live plants. Fresh flowers can give a scent enlivens the room. Live plants can also clean the air in the room. You can also use artificial plants and flowers, if you like.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your kitchen and family room clean at all times.

• Remove appliances on top of your kitchen counters to keep clutter to a minimum. These two rooms, which is one great room, should always look visually appealing so that they are more enjoyable to use.