The popularity of open plan living has made my job as a designer that bit harder. Small rooms with purpose have boundaries and constraints that ironically make styling decisions easier. Open plan living whilst being spacious and social, can be difficult to decorate just right. Large open areas can end up looking a little chaotic, feeling busy and noisy and while this may sound crazy, the secret to open plan living is to divide the large communal space into smaller more intimate zones.
The very best spaces unfold gently, beckoning the eye and leaving something to the imagination. Introducing a little bit of mystery creates an inviting curiosity that welcomes you in and urges you onward…
So how does one accomplish this in an open plan living space you ask? I have a couple of ideas…
Use Division and Make your Space Appear Larger.
Ironically there’s an increased sense of space when the eye is taken on a journey so if at all possible, introduce something to partially hinder your ability to view the entire room at once.
Introduce something to partially hinder your ability to view the entire room at once.
Introduce beautiful fabric as curtains with a clever track system.
See through furniture interrupts your view and provides storage. Win, win!
A double sided fireplace will divide and heat your open plan living space!
Glass walls allow natural light through whilst still creating division.
Now if you are like me and your space is really too small for any of these options, there are still some designer tricks that can help divide and distinguish different areas within an open plan living zone.
Create a Sense of Enclosure and Define the Purpose of each Space.
A large pendant draws the eye and defines the dining space.
Use a rug and coffee table to say ‘Put your feet up here!’
Furniture placement can help to create corners and define your spaces.
Consider a ceiling treatment to create boundaries and define the edges of a zone.
Often, there are heaps of different ways an open plan space can be arranged, and its fun to move stuff around and restyle depending on the season, occasion or just your mood at the time! So if you like to keep your options open, stick to free standing furniture and clever styling so you can shake it up whenever you feel the need…
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