Why choose open plan living?
Airy, spacious and versatile open plan rooms are becoming a more popular choice for the modern home as they help to bring the family together. In essence, open plan living provides a social space. Knocking down walls to combine your kitchen, dining and living spaces can quickly make this area the heart of the home for all your family to share. Here are some design tips to help you achieve the best open plan living for your family:
Try to give each distinct area of your room its own focal point. In the kitchen, it could be the island unit or a range cooker. In the dining space, it might be a dramatic pendant light. In the living area, a fireplace is ideal.
Use a corner sofa to define the seating area in a living space and to add a sense of intimacy to a large room. Introduce a rug to divide the area and to create warmth and texture.
A large open space with plenty of light creates a canvas for you to experiment with colour. Dark paint shades will create a cosy and inviting vibe when teamed with warm oak flooring. Add to the mood with pendant feature lights and gentle spotlighting overhead.
Use wall art to visually divide open plan areas into separate zones. Gallery walls with family photographs will personalise your living areas.
Don't be afraid to use just one type of flooring throughout. If flooring needs to be practical, we'd recommend going for wood or stone, and adding rugs for comfort in the living spaces.
If you're extending your home or knocking down or repositioning walls to create a whole new open plan space, why not think about making it L-shaped? An L-shaped room will allow you to create a hidden eating or sitting space or to hide the kitchen neatly away.
A bold feature wall makes a striking addition to a home and creates a clear visual link between adjacent living areas. Painting the walls opposite each other the same colour elongates a small space, but be sure to balance the rich tone with a neutral one to keep the space light and airy.
Strive for Design founder Leigh Hall is an interior designer in Cambridge and offers on-site appointments, so please call us on 01223 622 688 to discuss how we can help you design an open plan space that is perfect for your property.