Large homes tend to feature large spaces, which can be a challenge from a design perspective. As the homeowner, how do you take full advantage of all this space and maximize a room’s utility?

The idea is to take some time and really think about how you’d like to use the room, or how you could make it feel more warm, welcoming, and comfortable. 

With this in mind, here are a few suggestions for making better use of large spaces:

Design for Functionality and Efficiency

Let’s say you’re remodeling your kitchen, and you have a lot of space to work with. What should you put in there (sidenote: this is one of our favorite questions)?

Adding a wall-mounted pot filler simplifies cooking so you don’t have to lug a pot of water from the sink all the way to the stove. Adding an extra sink into your island means you don’t have to lug it all the way to the main sink to drain it. 

And while the standard for the width of a walkway in the kitchen is 42 inches, upping it to 48 makes things way easier to have two people working in the kitchen at the same time. It also makes it comfortable to use the kitchen to prep while entertaining. 

Define Different Areas Within a Single Space 

Another way to maximize the value of large spaces is to create different areas within a single room, each for a different purpose. For instance, say you have a 50 X 25 foot room for your office. You could fit a desk, a sitting area, and a reading corner into it and get three rooms in one. 

Visually defining each area with rugs, lighting, or large pieces of furniture like bookshelves creates a sense of separation, and makes each area feel warmer and cozier. In fact, you can support this aesthetic even further by adding warmer, textured accessories like throw pillows and blankets made from natural materials. 

Large Spaces Call for Large Furniture

Larger spaces give you the opportunity to enjoy the many benefits of large design elements, things that wouldn’t fit in a smaller space or just make it feel cramped. Smaller design items would get lost in such a vast space, creating odd pockets throughout the room instead of a cohesive aesthetic. 

An extra-large living area, for example, is ideal for an extra-large sectional sofa, as opposed to a standard size. Yes, that’s a big sofa, but it will look more cozy and welcoming with an appropriately sized area rug, which can serve as the sofa’s anchor. 

In the dining area, take advantage of the space with a grand dining room table, a set of upholstered chairs and maybe a bookcase-style cabinet. Large furniture creates a focal point for guests, turning their attention away from the vastness of the space around them. 

Ready to Transform Your Large-Sized Home?

Feeling inspired by these design ideas? Contacting an architect is a great first step towards putting your vision into action, and the Debowsky Design Group is happy to be of service. We’ve helped plenty of families here in South Florida maximize the value of their home or space, regardless of size. So, give us a call and let’s get your design project underway.