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cw56

Great Room Awkardness

7 years ago

I have a huge great room that serves as dining, living, and entry way. It's one gigantic room. I need help on how to make the entryway visually different from the rest of the room. It seems so boring and just blah. The ceilings are very tall. I know I need additional art, but I haven't found anything perfect.





Comments (11)

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Do you have a floor plan so we can understand the layout and the dimensions?

  • 7 years ago

    I'll see if I can find one.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    The individual choices are good but they reinforce beige/tan/cream! The rug you have at the entryway is the kind of rug that would've worked better in the living room area--color, contrast, etc. The living room rug has the pattern, but no other color. A mainly blue dining rug with just a teeny bit of tan would link to the entryway.

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    You need curtains at the windows near the front--white with a blue pattern.

    Branches Grommet Top Curtain Panels, Set of 2, 54" x 84", Teal · More Info


    And then some blue and tan pillow on the sofa.

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  • 7 years ago

    First, remember to limit your decorating to the 8-9 feet where the people live. If that's done right, the space above won't be noticed. This means art should hang centered 5' above the floor or 5" above furniture. Are you determined to stay neutral? Color via new rugs is a good solution to any boring/blah issues. Color in your lamps and accessories will help too. I don't care for the floral arrangement in the entry that overpowers the lamp and mirror. Is your chandelier less than 36" above the dining table? if not, you should try to lower it. I think the two leggy sofas should be pulled onto a much larger rug with the coffee table 18" or less away from each of them. What's the focal point opposite the entry to the kitchen/breakfast area? Is there a fireplace.


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    cw56 thanked decoenthusiaste
  • 7 years ago

    You need some curtains. You could make the entry way more visually separate if you have a physical barrier like a buffet. Your color scheme is cohesive, if a bit neutral. I might be tempted to add another color. A tiny touch of red, perhaps. The dining area is a bit bland. You could put some color in with a table cloth, runner, or just a bowl of red flowers. A little touch would go a long way. Taking pictures of places you love and framing them gives you cheap art that you can replace when you find something better. Take them in colors that go with your decor, which is easy, as you have sky, water and sand.


    I generally dislike beige, but I like your room, so it isn't blah. You have plenty of interest (well maybe you could use a bit more in the dining area) and some color. Houzz makes it easy to find flaws in your own house. Resist. It's a lot nicer than you're giving it credit for.

    cw56 thanked Sigrid
  • 7 years ago
    I would get a large rectangular wood dining table with some oomph. On the long side nearest the door I would have a long upholstered bench/divan as my seating with chairs along the other three sides. I would put a big ficus tree to the right of the front door. I would put a sofa table behind the couch closest to the door with some striking sculpture or lamps on it, maybe even a stained glass panel.
    cw56 thanked nmshea
  • 7 years ago
    Glencoe Residence 1 · More Info
    cw56 thanked nmshea
  • 7 years ago

    You've made nice choices here; I just think you need a couple of tweaks. First I'd remove the chair from the entry.


    I'd get a larger rug for the dining area. I might also replace the light fixture with one with more visual weight. Curtains on the dining room window.

    cw56 thanked groveraxle
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    Without a floor plan it’s hard to comment on the layout, but there might be enough space to float a buffet or some type of architectural screen between the entry and dining area to make your entry feel like a separate space.

    Curtains in the dining would also help to bring your eye down into the livable area and bring in some color or pattern. Although it’s pretty, the chandelier in the dining room is too small for the space, I would replace it with something larger.

    You can also help liven the space up with greenery and a few accessories. Think about adding contrast and texture. Others are mentioning color, but if you like neutrals you don’t have to add color to add depth- just add some contrast both in tones and materials.
    cw56 thanked Mint Design Studio
  • 7 years ago

    That's gorgeous.