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How to make a super open concept main floor feel cozy?

4 years ago

Trying to figure out how to make a modern home with big open spaces feel cozy and comfortable, including for my two small children. The space is very similar to the one in the pictures below, but we have zero furniture yet. The ceilings are high and the room is so large and just flows into the kitchen and into a second seating area but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to divide the room up. Would LOVE any thoughts!




Comments (15)

  • 4 years ago

    So where are the pix of your space? Draw out a measured floor plan so we know where to start. Another basic starting point might be a 3-seat sofa and a pair of comfy upholstered armchairs to build around.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Similar doesn't mean your own house. Post the floor plan in a j peg format, or draw the "open Plan with windows, passages, all dimensions. All of it.

    Zero furniture means you need some. No can do without a plan, and a plan means inches, how much....WHERE etc

  • 4 years ago

    I like a sectional with kids, lots of snuggle space. A thick soft area rug ( or thinner rug with a good rug pad). A round or rounded coffee table in a kid resistant finish. You could have a play area by the windows with some toy storage either built in or free standing.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Textures and soft finishes will help a big space feel cozier.

    1. Create two or more zones using large area rugs. Get ones that have texture to them - woven jute or a thick shag where the kids will play. Allow there to be a wide space between the walls and the edge of the carpet and think of it like a corridor.

    2. Invest in some large potted indoor trees or plants to soften the edge of the room and help delineate the space.

    3. When you purchase and arrange furniture, think of the rug zones you have created as their own separate rooms and group the furniture within into a tight, communal, inviting space.

    4. Very large artwork. We had huge rooms in our former house and small artwork was dwarfed by the room. Think about really large framed pieces to define a space and compete with the scale and volume of the room.

    Go to this link for Gil Schaffer House By The Sea. Even if you don't like his styple, he is a masterful designer and made such cozy living spaces in his gigantic open floor plan. You will learn a lot of good lessons just from looking at pics of that place. Here are a few. Also google Gil Schaffer Maine House. There are lots of articles written about this space and how he transformed it into a cozy livable home. I particularly like his back to back sofas with a table in the middle. He has used this in other living rooms too. It could be a good way to create a kids' room and an adult room within your space.







  • PRO
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    You post a to scale floor plan and pics of your space . Also we need to know your style and how old the kids are how much seating you need in the spaces . That is how you get help here. On your drawing done on graph paper you show every window doorway where those dorrways lead and all measurements clearly marked. Your idea books are where you post pics of open spaces you like the looks of that helps us to narrow the advice to something thta works for you.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Rugs, fabric, and wood accents should do it.

    One of my favorite open concept photos, using matching sisal rugs.



  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Here is the floor plan. To the above posters, thank you!!


    The main room is 23' x 24'. The small space off to the left (but still very connected to the main room) is 16'7" x 14'3". My kids are 2.5 and 5.5. I don't have an idea book but I'll start creating one.

  • 4 years ago

    That plan is not legible on my computer. Let's see if anyone else can make out the details. Is this home currently under construction or can you still make changes to the plan?

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    23 x 24? Well that’s not so very large. To me, anyway.

    Tell us what you do in this room so we know how the space will be used. Entertain company, play with kids, play games, watch tv, read, drink coffee, nap, listen to music, work on a laptop, etc.

    The room labeled dining room (on the left) is ridiculously VERY far from the kitchen. 😬 Wait! There are two dining rooms? And a bar with seating??

  • 4 years ago

    The room on the left was staged as a seating area and we would likely use it as such too — or maybe a place dedicated for kids? Or a table and some comfortable club chairs? We would use the dining space near the kitchen as our only dining room and wouldn’t have a “formal” dining.

  • 4 years ago

    One way to help with small children ….is to add a convenient spot for them to store their things in each room…a console cabinet …a low trunk …against a wall…or seating with lifting lids…in each area…hopefully they can also learn good habits by returning their things to “their spot”

  • 4 years ago

    The spaces are pretty much defined. Maybe you just need a furniture layout for the living room.

  • PRO
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Yes, the spaces are rather defined.

    I will make the assumption, you want as many do........ a sectional. I doubt I'll be wrong on that.

    Before even that sectional? Plan on finding a very good carpet store. Not the big box. You will need to create your own rug, from broadloom that comes in a 15 foot width. These abound in wonderful textures - durable wools and wool/nylon blends. Antrim has many !

    Then the sectional...... with a short side of 114" and a long side of 144" . Add a chair.... cocktail table with a forgiving solid surface. Bluestone is great. An upholstered ottoman? I stay away, as the room will feel as if it is drowning in upholstery. Notice I have stayed away from the "chaise" concept in that sectional. There are lots of iterations possible..........this is but one. Based on the cuddle assumption: ) It only considers the main seating space.

    As to the rest? We don't know if it's already built, in progress. or anything else. Dimensions aren't fully detailed. We don't know how you want to use the space named /dining/family room" ...........

    I will disagree as to "it's not that big". It's very generous, BUT for the area you plan as sole dining space. The single BEST thing to do? Get an interior designer, local to you. Buy once, and buy right. It begins with that area rug ......and you are NOT going to be able to get it done in one big hurry. Don't try. : ) I doubt you have been sitting on the floor, to now.

    The pandemic problem in upholstery of EVERY variety, is "not expected to correct for two more years" . that's a fact. Foam, fabrics, springs, labor. They are all problematic, and it is true of every price point, custom and non custom. Thirty plus weeks to a delivered WHATEVER it shall be? This is now commonplace. Be patient is all you can do..



  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Above I said ”well that’s not so very large,” for your room of 23 x 24. Unfortunately I got sidetracked and didn’t finish that thought.

    There appear to be major traffic patterns around the perimeter of this room due to its placement in the middle of your home. After allowing for traffic movement near the deck, the right side near the kitchen and entryway, and the bottom leading to the extra dining/family room, you should expect to lose 4’ for each side. This leaves you with a useable space of 19 x 16.

    This is a handy figure to have when thinking of an area rug.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    With small children, I would stay away from a glass or stone hard surface coffee table. Perhaps one like this; has a pullout with two drawers for toy/game storage and a top that lifts to a table for snacks, puzzles, laptop work, etc. Two color options for you, and it isn't really too big when stacked closed.


    Nesnesis Modern Round Lift-top Nesting Wood Coffee Table with Rotatable Drawers, White/Black · More Info



    Nesnesis Modern Round Lift-top Nesting Wood Coffee Table with Rotatable Drawers, White/Natural · More Info