Home Decorating Ideas for an Odd-Shaped Great Room

Decorating an odd-shaped great room may seem challenging, but simple design, painting and furnishing decisions can make a dramatic difference in the space. Emphasize the room's asymmetrical floor plan or unique architectural features instead of attempting to camouflage them. Coordinate, rather than match, furniture frames, fabrics or small background details to help bring together the unwieldy space and disparate decor elements. Does this Spark an idea?

Paint and Finishes

Enhance the interesting design details of your odd-shaped room with paint and finishes. If you have a vaulted ceiling or slanted walls, keep them a crisp white with blue undertones--either a pale steely blue or sophisticated stone gray. These cool hues make angled walls appear to recede. If you use a semi-gloss finish, especially on the ceiling, natural and artificial light will reflect through the room. Create a focal point wall by painting it a bold accent color, such as lime green, turquoise, sunny yellow, mango orange or fuchsia. Wallpaper or wall decals can give a narrow or long, low wall graphic pop without consuming floorspace.

Furniture

Utilize furnishings that soften harsh angles and lighten dark corners. A round or oval coffee table softens harsh angles or long, narrow spaces. An odd-shaped corner may hold a cushioned bench and a low, modular bookshelf, transforming the space into a reading area. Rather than push furniture up against the walls, which emphasizes the great room's odd shape, place some pieces away from the walls or angle them away from corners. Balance a low wall with a long, modular cabinet in a light hue.

Accessories

Use accessories to punctuate the space, draw the eye to interesting details and unify disparate elements. For example, if your great room has several windows, matching window treatments create a sense of continuity. Likewise, trim, moldings, window frames and doors should have the same hue and style. Bright rugs, runners or mats establish vignettes within the larger space. An eye-catching area rug centered in the great room will draw focus to the interior and away from the surrounding walls. Add depth to a narrow segment of the room by hanging a large mirror on the wall. Highlight a tall wall by stacking small artwork on it vertically.