An open concept floor plan enhances spacious feeling, improves social interaction and efficiency of usable living space. When designing an open floor plan, it’s important to make the space to look cohesive and all areas will be considered as one whole. However, making rooms flow together in an open concept space can be a challenge, and it’s critical to make sure all your design elements work well together.
Instead of simply copy an idea you have seen from somewhere, start considering what you will need from the space and how it will serve your lifestyle, and this is the key to make an open plan work for you. Since your space is going to work on a day-to-day basis, your priority must be practicality over aesthetics.
Here are our design tips to make the most of your open-concept space:
Use a Monochromatic Colour Scheme
Decorating with a monochromatic colour scheme is one of the safest options for open floor plan. We suggest to use a monochromatic colour scheme to prevent a disjointed appearance. You can stick to neutral shades that are easy to eyes to be the dominant colour, then one or two bolder hues to add pops of visual interest. The more neutral palette will lend the open area a sense of cohesion.
Paint all adjoining walls and architectural details the same colour, so as not to disrupt the visual flow. Then further the link between the kitchen, eating, and sitting areas with similarly hued accents. You can also add a touch of them to each individual area in the form of fabrics, rugs and accessories.
Don’t be afraid to go bold! Large open spaces without enough colour can read as bland or empty.
Define your Zones
Large open spaces can feel cavernous if specific zones aren’t demarcated according to their function. You need to define different zones to ensure that each function independently as well as harmoniously, with the other zones.
One of the best ways to define a space is with an area rug. Rugs work because they provide subtle boundaries without compromising the visual airspace. Rugs not only delineate your conversation spaces and guide foot traffic, but also make the large open space feel cosy and grounded.
Another way to do this is to use an island or kitchen bar to separate the kitchen from the living and dining zones. Other than keeping the two spaces separate, it also used as a handy extra spot for storage and to eat or work. Lighting also helps to define different parts of a room. Anchor a dining table with a chandelier, or place a large ceiling fan in the centre of the living space.
To achieve a spacious feel, don’t squeeze too much into each zone, and make sure you allow enough room to move from zone to zone comfortably.
Light It Right
The right lighting goes a long way in dividing your open floor plans into workable areas. You can hang eye-catching light fixtures to distinguish different areas in an open floor plan. A pendant or chandelier over the dining table also helps to define that space in a vertical sense and can create an effective focal point in your dining space.
While in the living room, wall sconces or floor lamps are necessary, and a table lamp on side tables will illuminate those areas distinctly and cohesively. And most importantly, install recessed lighting both as an ambient source and to guide the flow of the room.
For continuity's sake, ensure there's a commonality through your lighting. Choose fixtures that have similar style that mirror a material, colour, or finish used, it’s a great way of visually connecting the spaces.
All about Cohesiveness
Your open floor spaces should be a visual link or cohesiveness from space to space. It should be read as one cohesive whole and make sure you maintain design continuity. You can maintain an aesthetic flow throughout an open-concept by having consistent flooring and recessed lighting. Lay the same type of flooring in all areas and duplicate ceiling treatments whenever possible. Also, colour palettes in different spaces should complement one another.
To balance cohesiveness with interest, it can be introduced through accessorising, cushions and drapery, smaller furniture accents, and artwork, whilst larger items could be slightly more paired back.
Keep the Space Open and Flexible
Open-concept plans are popular because they allow eyes and feet to move freely between areas. When planning out your space, allow enough empty space for people to easily move between each area, which also gives the eye a chance to rest and refocus between each grouping. Make sure that walkways are wide that direct and carry traffic safely through the different spaces.
For a successful open floor plan design, be stylish but strategic with placement, don’t clutter the sightlines with tall bookcases or inappropriately large furniture or accessories. Pay attention to furniture height and where hanging light fixtures fall, to ensure that sightlines remain unblocked.
If you prefer to keep space flexible, incorporate methods for closing off spaces when required. Sliding doors that glide away into cavities within the walls when not needed, are a great example of how open plan layouts can be kept flexible. Glazed walls and doors are a great idea too, which allowing light to move through the layout, while keeping zones separate.
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