There’s no questioning the appeal of open-plan layouts for easy family living – the whole family can be in one space while doing separate things, such as cooking, working at the dining table, or relaxing on the sofa. But what’s the trick for making this large space feel cosy and inviting, while still creating a cohesive look that doesn’t feel busy and cluttered? It sounds impossible, right?
The secret is to give each zone its own identity, but use a visual device to connect them all together; it could be a similar colour, texture or even a theme. This way, you will create separate intimate areas within the open-plan room, while achieving an overall harmony.
Collected Interiors
Rooms within a room
In a square or rectangular room where there are no visual barriers and each zone flows into the next, creating intimacy in each area is key – otherwise the room will feel cold and cavernous.
The secret: treat each zone like its own room and choose key features that will give that space its own personality. For example, in this room, a pair of statement pendant lights above the dining table highlight the eating area and help to define its busy characteristics. While in the living area, a quieter, more classic shade suggests a more relaxed vibe.
10 questions to ask before going open plan
helsingHouse Fastighetsmäklare
Irregularly shaped rooms
When an open-plan room is more of a ‘T’ or ‘L’ shape, there is natural definition between the zones, therefore creating unity through the decor and furnishings becomes even more important. The simplest and easiest way to do this is to use the same wall colour throughout to create harmony. For example, in this kitchen/living room, crisp white walls connect the zones while an injection of patterns and colour bring individual character to each spot, creating that separate-but-together vibe.
User
Bring focus to a space with artwork
When the walls are the same colour throughout the space, you can go one step further in defining zones by hanging artwork in the centre of each space to bring focus to that area. Be sure to choose prints or paintings that are similar to each other, whether it’s through their colour or theme, to ensure they also work in harmony.
Jigsaw Interior Architecture
Plan the furniture layout carefully
Furniture placement is an important factor when considering the space as a whole. On one hand you need to group the furniture in terms of it’s function; the sofas and armchairs should be arranged together, while dining furniture is set apart. On the other hand, the room should still have cohesion and an easy flow from zone to zone, with no obstacles or barriers.
“The kitchen/living room has to combine many different functions,” says Darren Genner of Minosa. “It’s where we prepare for the day, we entertain and we relax, so integrating these functional spaces with an easy flow from one area to the other will help the homeowner use their home to full advantage.”
Avoid placing furniture in awkward positions or you’ll make the room feel chaotic and disjointed. Try out a few layouts and walk from zone to zone to test out the flow.
Play with scale
Rugs are classic definers, and by introducing a few different sized designs, you can determine the area dedicated to a particular zone. In this long narrow room, a slim runner is placed alongside the kitchen units to specify the cooking area and separate it from the dining table, while a huge standout rug marks off the rest of the room as the living space.
Placing the legs of an armchair and sofa on the rug anchors the seating in this zone and creates a sense of connection between the living room furniture.
Austin Design Associates
Add a pantry
Clutter on kitchen benches can overwhelm an open-plan room, therefore it’s crucial to plan the storage so you can easily hide away functional but unsightly items. “The most important aspect of an open-plan kitchen/living room is to ensure the really messy kitchen stuff, like the blender, bread bin, kettle and toaster can all get hidden, and you need to keep on top of general kitchen mess or the room won’t feel relaxing,” says Fiona Austin of Austin Design Associates.
If you have the space for a pantry cupboard, appliance storage, or even better, a separate butler’s pantry, these will be ideal for storing those less-than-lovely items, leaving your beautiful cabinetry and sleek benchtops to display the pretty bits.
Plan the perfect pantry
Minosa | Design Life Better
Create flow with flooring
Glossy floor tiles have been used throughout this space, making the transition from zone to zone feel seamless. “Keeping the same floor finish throughout the open-plan space is important, as the spaces can then visually borrow from each other – a tiled kitchen area and a carpeted living zone looks dated and will make the space feel visually smaller,” says Austin.
Repeat the palette throughout
When selecting furnishings and fabrics for your kitchen/living room, ensure each zone shares a similar palette so you can build a sense of cohesion. For example, “carrying a feature timber veneer from the kitchen through to the entertainment unit in the living room will tie the areas together,” says Austin.
Similarly, in this open-plan room the island bench draws a connection between the kitchen and sofa, as a similar tone has been used for the upholstery, while the natural wicker pendant and the wooden bar stools at the breakfast bar reflect the natural textures of the rug and sofa legs to create another link.
Highgate House
Use colour and texture as definers
Contrasting materials, such as timber cabinetry against white walls, will help to visually divide the space, while combining a mix of patterns in complementary colours creates a harmonious feel without looking too monotonous.
“For today’s open-plan living, I prefer to combine a generous mix of natural materials for warmth and texture, in the form of wood, porcelain, and textural elements on cabinetry,” says Interior Designer Susan Cleveland of Susan Cleveland Design. “These elements don’t have to match, but they must complement each other in tone and interest.“
Luci.D Interiors
Look up for inspiration
In long rooms where each zone abuts the next, the space can feel like three separate rooms that have their backs to one another and aren’t ‘talking’. A simple way of reuniting this friendship is by fitting a row of pendant lights across the length the room to bind the whole space together. Sticking to the same style of shade and fitting them in a rhythmic pattern will create a sense of calm and cohesion.
Austin Design Associates
Soften the sound
With the whole family working or hanging out together in one space, there’s a chance that noise levels will be increased, so consider choosing quiet appliances such as dishwashers and extractor fans, and TV viewers won’t be disturbed. You can also use plenty of soft furnishings like plush rugs, thick curtains and upholstered furniture, to diffuse the noise.
Turn down the volume at home
Etica Studio
Connect with colour
Look to architectural features or structural details for a helping hand in creating a natural divide in an open-plan space. Here, two pillars draw a visual line around the kitchen to separate it from the living area, while a bold colour helps to enhance the visual barrier. The colour can then be repeated in a different zone to forge a connection through the space.
FMD Architects
Frame it with a feature
Architectural features are also ideal for visually framing a zone, as seen here with a skylight clearly highlighting the working area below.
And one last bit of advice from expert Susan Cleveland before you embark on your open-plan reno: “Decluttering is highly recommended.”
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