I get a lot of questions about design and decorating. One question that comes up a lot is how to decorate large spaces or open floor plans. So today, I'm going to talk about a few quick tips for making that large space more inviting. 

Use bold colors to separate areas of the room

Just because a space is open, doesn't mean that it all has the same use. I recommend using different and competing colors to define one area from the next. For instance, you could paint the dining room a bright yellow while painting the living room or bedroom a subtle green. This works well in defining and separating the different spaces from one another. 

This does take some practice to really pull off, so make sure you plan it out. Also be sure that your furniture goes well with the newly picked out colors. And remember, it's just paint, you can always change it back if it doesn't work. 

Create a focal point

I love a beautifully painted white room, but too much white can be a bad thing. If this is the case, then you want to create a focal point by adding a dark accent wall to balance it out. 

Study the flow of the room and pick the wall that will give you the most bang for your buck. This can be the wall opposite of the entry way or a wall behind the TV. Wherever the focus of the room is most often drawn. 

Also, just like before, try to pick a color that won't clash with the room and don't be afraid to try a couple of different colors until you get it right. 

Maximize the height of your walls

If you want to give the perception of a larger space, then you should paint the baseboards the same color as your wall. This is especially helpful if you have low ceilings. This will add a nice seamless flow to the wall and give your room a more natural feel. 

Also, if you're bold enough you can play around with painting the ceiling. This can range from the same color as the wall to open it up or bold color to add some funk and character. I've even seen some good pastoral clouds and starry nights - Although, that isn't for first timers. 

As you can see, color and flow are super important when it comes to open floor plans and it's important to break out of that monotone vibe that they so often get caught in. Experiment and have fun. None of these changes have to be permanent.