This is, of course, entirely a matter of preference and making rooms appear bigger is still a very popular practice.
But in some cases, people will want to make their room a little cosier - both aesthetically and literally in the sense of warmth.
This is especially true if they have a big room with particularly high roofs or a vast space. Making that big room cosy is considered by some to be more homely and inviting.
Cosy rooms are also easier to heat up, as there is less open space - and this is especially in the winter months.
So here are some ways that you can make a big room look and feel a little cosier.
Move people next to the heating
If you feel cold in a room, it could be because it is genuinely cold in there! a good idea to make yourself a little warmer is simply moving closer to your radiators.
Situate your furniture around the radiator, but not too close - give the radiator at least 1 meter of space to effectively push heat through the room and around furniture.
On the face of it, odd-shaped nooks and bay windows seem like the perfect space to turn into cosy havens; just imagine yourself with a book and hot mug of tea curled up on an oversized cushion… But these spots can be heat sinks. Traditional radiators are not designed for interesting spaces or curved ones, but that is changing. Take a look at these column radiators. You can find teeny tiny ones to add a boost of heat, long tall ones to maximise wall space and even ones that curve with your bay window. It's an investment to add a new radiator, but the long-term benefits can be amazing.
Move things together
Particular in the winter months, scooch furniture just a little bit closer together, it makes people feel closer and helps keep heat in the middle of the room.
Again, this makes a room look and feel closer.
Accessorise and accent
From heavy curtains to fluffy rugs, a bit of accenting can really help in softening what might feel like the sharp edges of a ‘vast’ or ‘empty’ space.
Hanging pictures or paintings on a wall can also add a bit of personality, and through clever spacing could make a very large feature wall look a little less imposing.
And as well as the walls and floors, you may also find that adding in new accessories will make a big room feel cosier - and if you choose items like a quilted wall hanging, it’ll actually make it cosier.
Extra furniture
If there is more furniture, there is less open space, meaning that there is less space needing to be heated up.
New additions like pouffe style footstools can, for lack of a better term, bridge gaps in rooms and populate open space towards the middle of a room.
As soft furnishings, they will also make the room feel a little more cosy and nook-like.
If you have the budget, you should also consider going for oversized couches - as they will likely make things look a touch closer together, and you have much more couch to sink into.
Houseplants
Houseplants add a bit of life to a room as well as natural warmth, softening the space.
If you are up for the upkeep, they are great additions to a large space as they both make a room feel more alive and can fit into spaces that might be hard to populate otherwise.
Choose a theme and commit
Here are some ‘themes’ that prioritise cosiness.
• Cottagecore
• Farmhouse
• Boho
• Hygge
• Autumnal
There are lots of Pinterest threads and social media pages covering these themes.
If you find one you like, committing to it with complete accenting makes your room look a bit more like a comprehensive entity, rather than an open space populated by unrelated objects.
Keep colours warm
Ditch the whites and the greys.
Keep a room feeling warm with warmer colours like soft truffle. You’d be shocked how much of an impact colour has on a room.
If you’re looking for something that is neutral, but on the warmer side of neutral, eggshell is a perfect finish.
And don’t forget; a space is less empty when it’s used!
Get the family in for a movie night every week, have people over,make the use of your cosy space!