Open-plan design spaces have become a popular choice in Australian homes—and for a good reason! Instead of having multiple rooms that are closed off from one another and isolated, an open-plan living space allows for more light, more space, and a larger area for entertaining and relaxing.
Some homeowners may become a little overwhelmed when first moving into a home with open-space living. After all, how do you make the most of all the space, and how much is too much furniture?
Many of our expertly designed homes include open-plan living spaces here at Icon Homes. To help you make the most of your new space and perhaps get inspired to knock a few walls down, here are some tips for maximising open-plan living.
1. Create zones
The power of open-plan designs is that they allow you to create functional, visually appealing zones within a larger area. By creating zones, you create individual ‘rooms’ within an open-plan space without making the space feel cluttered.
You can create zones by placing furniture in deliberate places, different colour schemes, and even decorative wall dividers. For example, facing sofas and chairs towards each other with a coffee table in the middle creates a nice lounge area and helps differentiate between the dining and cooking zones.
2. Create walkways and paths
How you move through space will ultimately determine how liveable an area of your home is. If you’re constantly climbing over furniture or tiptoeing through crowded spaces, your home will feel less livable and not be as visually pleasing.
To create a walkway through the space, try to leave at least 1.5m between furniture and the zones for your kitchen, dining, and living areas.
3. Rugs are incredible for defining zones and spaces
A few well-placed rugs throughout your home can work wonders. The right sized rug can create a border around part of the room to help define it as a zone. As an added benefit, rugs can also help to add a little colour, coziness, and acoustic control (a must in open-plan spaces with floorboards or tiles).
4. Create focal points in each zone
Create a single focal point or standout feature for every zone or room within your open-plan space. These visual statements help draw the eye, emphasise the purpose of the zone, and help to add a little colour and personality.
Something as simple as a colourful painting, a decorative flower arrangement, or an intricate hanging light can work wonders for the different zones.
5. Turn clutter into decoration with open storage
Got a lot of books or decorations? Turn clutter into decoration with open bookshelves, storage counters, and tables. A free-standing bookshelf can be used to arrange clutter and work as a divider between zones.
6. Embrace negative space
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that your entire open-plan space needs decorations, furniture, or other items. Rather than putting more and more furniture in, an open space works best if you allow for a little negative space. An empty wall or a plain mirror can do wonders for an open plan and help to make everything feel airier.
Fallen in love with open plan designs? You’re not alone! Here at Icon Homes, we have a library of home designs that include open-plan living spaces. If you think your current plan would work perfectly with open-plan living, then speak to one of our consultants to learn how we do custom home designs.
