I know, this seems like a luxurious problem, but it certainly can be one. Large homes give you the space you need to both relax and to create your best life. However, it’s surprisingly easy to end up with the space feeling too large. The result is space that is unused, wasted, or perhaps even filled with unwanted items.
And with more people turning to open plan living spaces, it’s very easy for such a large space to feel empty or for the ratios to be off (table too small, island too big, etc).
Fortunately, you can avoid this ‘too much space’ problem, so read on to find out how you can make the space work better.
Plan first
If you’re buying a piece of land and looking to build your own home, then you’ll need a team of experts, such as acreage home designs and prices. They’ll help you create a large home and make sure that each space has a purpose.
That’s a big step toward avoiding having too much space.
Of course, if you’re purchasing or already live in a pre-built home, you can still define the space inside. You’re just going to need to pause, look at the rooms in the house and the flow, then allocate a purpose for every room.
Take your time planning because it’s not enough for every room to have a purpose. It needs to be a useful purpose. Some ideas which may work for you include:
- A home office
- Gym or some other type of health space
- A hobby room – whether that’s for crafting, creating music, or undertaking DIY projects
- Allocate an area as a guest suite – but only if you often have guests
- Create a cinema room versus a formal living room
Create a separate space
Open plan homes have become an exceptionally popular option. However, if you have a large home, this may not be the best option for you. Trying to fill one large empty room can be very tricky, and you’d need to use some clever zoning to make it work.
Adding definition between spaces will help to prevent your home from feeling too large, especially when you’ve defined a use for each space.
You can divide space with furniture or by installing walls. Using furniture is generally a better option as it is easier to repurpose rooms and, more importantly, it maintains the light and feeling of size across the home.
Use oversized furniture
The most common mistake people make is having furniture that’s too small for a big room. I’d recommend that you buy big furniture so that the room feels properly proportionate.
If you’re worried about your space feeling large but you don’t want to clutter it, then consider oversized furniture. In other words, find the deepest sofas and chairs you can and combine them with a big centralised coffee table.
It will look inviting, surprisingly cosy and ensures the space doesn’t feel large and wasted.
Consider your decor
White and pale colours tend to make a space feel larger, and that’s probably not what you want to do. Instead, choose darker and richer colours, such as purples, warm reds, and even earthy colours. They’ll help even the largest space feel less intimidating.
Alongside this, make sure every room has a focal point that leads your eye. We recommend you choose an oversized piece of art and hang it on the wall. It should be the first thing you notice when entering the space.
Use warm lighting
Warm lighting, or you may prefer to call it soft lighting, removes the coldness of any space and can instantly make it feel warmer and smaller. It can be best to change the lighting via standard lamps and table lamps rather than the central lighting point.
When considering light position, consider what natural light the room gets and when lighting will be most important. For example, any room facing west will get the sun in the evening; you’ll need extra light in the morning to make the space feel bright and inviting.
Keep it personal
While you need to ensure every space in your home has a purpose, it’s also important that each area reflects your personality and style. Personal touches humanise any space and instantly make it feel smaller.
Don’t be afraid to live somewhere for a while before you make changes. We did this with our house (in fact, we still haven’t done our extension after 4+ years of living here) and it really helps you to understand what works for you and what you’d like to change. Planning will ensure every space has a purpose, and that will make it easier to decorate and avoid the ‘too much space’ issue.
Summing Up
Having too much space isn’t the worst problem you can be faced with. After all, many people crave having more space.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t take the problem seriously. Too much clutter and your large house will feel cramped. Keep it minimal and it’s likely to feel cold and uninviting.
Balance is key, and that’s what you get if you use the above tips and make the most of the large spaces in your home.
