Open-plan living is appealing to many, especially those with sociable households and growing families who wish for an easy space to use for kitchen, dining, and living purposes. Open-plan provides an easy and bright space for either the whole household to get together, or simply for an individual to move more easily around the space they want and need.
If you’re uncertain about how to make the most out of your open-plan living space, here are four tips.
- Be Consistent With Your Color Scheme
While an open-plan living space doesn’t have to be treated in the same way one small room would when decorating, it should still have consistency in mind. Your open space should flow seamlessly and feel balanced when you’re spending time in there. To do this, use the same colors throughout or colors that complement and balance each other.
You can add different colors and textures with extra furnishings, like cushions on the couch or through kitchen gadgets.
If you are looking for a little more variety with colors — for instance, when moving from the kitchen area to the living area — your floor offers you a great base to work from. You can switch from laminate floor to carpet with an effortless look, which offers the potential to change up some of the color schemes. Alternatively, you could use a rug to define the different areas, or you could focus on the higher elements to your home, using shelving to create a wall border.
- Use Furniture to Create Borders
Open plan living doesn’t mean that you can’t have certain sections for certain uses. It’s a good idea to have a clear divide between particular functions of the open space. For example, your living area could be bordered off by a couch, especially if it is a corner couch, as this creates the perfect border for a square living space. You can look to an online retailer to buy a couch that is the size and shape you need.
You can also use other furniture, such as tall bookshelves, to create makeshift walls and in order to better separate sections.
- Add Privacy Features
If you live with others or have a large family, privacy features can be helpful additions to the space. This could be something simple, such as a wooden divider you can easily move around, or a privacy curtain. This can help you to create more privacy when you need it, such as if you want to spend time at your desk within the corner office space, or you’re enjoying a pastime separate from the rest of the household.
- Embrace Natural Light
Open-plan rooms are synonymous with being light and airy. It’s the perfect opportunity to entice in as much natural light as possible. You might want to maximize your window potential by installing new windows, or even skylights if you have extended your property to make room for open plan living.
If new windows aren’t an option, be sure to dress your windows with the best natural light options in mind, and use simple hacks like reflective furniture to encourage a brighter space.