Negative Space and Home Decorating

Floor Space

• Use the concept of negative space to maximize your living area. Consider the size of your room when you purchase furnishings. Buy furniture in proportion to the size of the room. A bulky sofa will become the focal point of a small room and overwhelm your other furnishings. Remember, less is more. Make sure you leave adequate space between furnishings. Leave a minimum of 12 inches between your sofa and coffee table. This is a comfortable distance for your guest to reach for his beverage while allowing adequate leg space and walking room. The negative space between your furnishings creates a natural flow and promotes an open feeling in a room.

Wall Space

• Consider the entire room when planning your wall decor. Remember, it is not necessary to cover every inch of your walls with pictures. That is what paint is for. It is better to feature your favorite pictures in a prominent manner rather than hide them in a crowd of other pictures. The negative space surrounding it will draw your eye to the picture. If the picture appears lost in a large area of negative space, consider accenting the picture with a pair of sconces or small mirrors.

Shelving and Tabletops

• It seems to be a fact of nature that flat surfaces attract stuff. Unfortunately, it doesn't take long before your prized collection of ceramic frogs become clutter. Use the concept of negative space to showcase your favorite pieces. A display of three or four pieces will stand out more than a crowded grouping. Consider alternating the display on occasion so all of your pieces have their chance to shine.

Ceilings

• The often ignored ceiling is perhaps the largest negative space in your home, but just because it is bare does not mean it has to be boring. Using color on your ceiling can provide an attractive accent to any room. Colored ceilings draw your eyes upward without the stark contrast of the traditional white ceiling. Use darker colors to create coziness in large rooms with high ceilings; use subtle color transitions between wall and ceiling for smaller rooms. Use your negative space to make a positive statement.