Expert Eye: 6 Ways to Solve Open-Plan Decorating Dilemmas
How to make the most of your open living area, using materials, arrangements, architectural forms and furniture
Ioanna Lennox
6 August 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Creative Director at Ioanna Lennox Interiors, a Sydney award-winning interior design firm specialising in residential interiors. I've been fascinated by architecture and interiors since childhood and after spending 15+ years in the finance industry, I decided to study interior design and set up my own design studio to follow my passion.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Creative Director at Ioanna Lennox Interiors, a Sydney... More
Residential architecture of the last few decades has steered more towards open-plan living areas and less towards segregated spaces – not only because of the sense of depth and space that open areas create in a house, but because of their cohesive flow and inclusive, familial nature. However, even though the love affair with open-plan living spaces continues, so does the dilemma of how to best decorate them so they’re not only functional but aesthetically pleasing. Here are my go-to solutions to divide and conquer any open-plan living dilemmas you may have.
1. Unified palette
If you have a large open space that comprises a kitchen, lounge and dining area, as my clients did in this Federation house renovation, decide on your colour palette and stick to it. This will weave an invisible thread around the elements in your room and visually tie all the different areas together.
Here, we used a calming palette of blues and teals and kept the walls white to let those colours pop. The floors were resurfaced and stained a warm walnut, which was also the timber finish of the dining and side tables. Finally, black was used as the definition colour to delineate and add contrast; the kitchen benchtops referenced this in the black granite with flecks of blue mica surfaces.
If you have a large open space that comprises a kitchen, lounge and dining area, as my clients did in this Federation house renovation, decide on your colour palette and stick to it. This will weave an invisible thread around the elements in your room and visually tie all the different areas together.
Here, we used a calming palette of blues and teals and kept the walls white to let those colours pop. The floors were resurfaced and stained a warm walnut, which was also the timber finish of the dining and side tables. Finally, black was used as the definition colour to delineate and add contrast; the kitchen benchtops referenced this in the black granite with flecks of blue mica surfaces.
2. Linear arrangement
Open-plan living areas are usually long and rectangular, square and more symmetrical, or L-shaped. If your living space belongs to the first category, start from the kitchen and sequentially divide the living areas into zones, e.g. the dining zone, lounge area to the family/TV zone.
By delineating the areas by function you can furnish them accordingly. Make sure you leave enough space between zones for getting around easily, and consider how much space you need with dining chairs pulled out (usually at least 80 centimetres, or 100 centimetres for a high-traffic area).
Tip: Imagine the letter ‘H’ and try to leave access corridors along the sides and middle as if you were tracing a H in your space.
Open-plan living areas are usually long and rectangular, square and more symmetrical, or L-shaped. If your living space belongs to the first category, start from the kitchen and sequentially divide the living areas into zones, e.g. the dining zone, lounge area to the family/TV zone.
By delineating the areas by function you can furnish them accordingly. Make sure you leave enough space between zones for getting around easily, and consider how much space you need with dining chairs pulled out (usually at least 80 centimetres, or 100 centimetres for a high-traffic area).
Tip: Imagine the letter ‘H’ and try to leave access corridors along the sides and middle as if you were tracing a H in your space.
3. Visual division
A favourite way for architects and designers to provide visual segregation between two areas are dividers, screens or joinery. This is an opportunity to inject some design flair into an open-plan space, as dividers often serve more than one purpose.
This contemporary home in WA uses the back wall cabinetry with its media wall and fireplace as the unifying element, but deliberately creates visual separation between the lounge and dining rooms. The timber vertical slats that run floor to ceiling open and close, allowing the occupants to dial up or dial down the brightness and privacy of each space.
Why use dividers in open-plan space?
A favourite way for architects and designers to provide visual segregation between two areas are dividers, screens or joinery. This is an opportunity to inject some design flair into an open-plan space, as dividers often serve more than one purpose.
This contemporary home in WA uses the back wall cabinetry with its media wall and fireplace as the unifying element, but deliberately creates visual separation between the lounge and dining rooms. The timber vertical slats that run floor to ceiling open and close, allowing the occupants to dial up or dial down the brightness and privacy of each space.
Why use dividers in open-plan space?
In this San Francisco home, a custom-made bookcase/display cabinet is used as a room divider, serving two functions: a storage unit and visual separation for two living spaces.
Tip: Be mindful when building a solid dividing structure if your second zone doesn’t have any windows and is relying on getting natural light from the first zone.
Tip: Be mindful when building a solid dividing structure if your second zone doesn’t have any windows and is relying on getting natural light from the first zone.
4. Material consistency
When working with a large open-plan space, consistency in materials is key. Narrow down your primary materials or surfaces to three (maximum four) and, in a similar way to keeping a unified colour palette, stick to them. Using too many materials can create visual noise – in this case repetition is your friend and more is not necessarily better.
The three materials used in this heritage house include oak timber floors, which were continued in the kitchen cabinets, marble splashbacks and island bench surround, and the vertical panels of the floating ceiling. Reinforced through multiple applications, these elements keep the space tightly cohesive and elegant.
See more lighter-toned wood kitchens
When working with a large open-plan space, consistency in materials is key. Narrow down your primary materials or surfaces to three (maximum four) and, in a similar way to keeping a unified colour palette, stick to them. Using too many materials can create visual noise – in this case repetition is your friend and more is not necessarily better.
The three materials used in this heritage house include oak timber floors, which were continued in the kitchen cabinets, marble splashbacks and island bench surround, and the vertical panels of the floating ceiling. Reinforced through multiple applications, these elements keep the space tightly cohesive and elegant.
See more lighter-toned wood kitchens
Similarly, in this sleek contemporary space, the materials used are narrowed down to three: the large concrete sheets that pad the ceiling and are followed through in some of the walls, light-coloured timber floors, and black metal track lights and window frames.
Echoing the materials palette is the restrained colour palette, which has been kept to the same range of greys, blacks and neutrals. What makes this space interesting and dynamic are the multi-dimensional layers that have been built through textures, materiality and an understated refinement.
Echoing the materials palette is the restrained colour palette, which has been kept to the same range of greys, blacks and neutrals. What makes this space interesting and dynamic are the multi-dimensional layers that have been built through textures, materiality and an understated refinement.
5. Scale it up
Open-plan living areas can also be divided through the use of pillars, columns or staircases; all elements of scale. So if you have the ceiling height, be brave and add some architectural drama.
This imposing staircase is a sculptural piece in its own right; it serves a practical function, but also clearly marks the different living zones.
Forget open-plan – try ‘broken plan’
Open-plan living areas can also be divided through the use of pillars, columns or staircases; all elements of scale. So if you have the ceiling height, be brave and add some architectural drama.
This imposing staircase is a sculptural piece in its own right; it serves a practical function, but also clearly marks the different living zones.
Forget open-plan – try ‘broken plan’
6. Seamless transition
A great way to instantly double your open living space is to invite the outdoors in, as DDB has done in this Malvern house. When the bi-fold doors peel back, there is seamless transition between internal and external living, This is achieved by keeping the floor tiles very similar, both levels the same and colours and architectural elements throughout consistent.
It’s ideal because you get to choose when the space becomes one large entertainment or kids’ play area, or when it needs to function as multiple zones.
Tip: Tiles and polished concrete are great for both internal and external spaces. Be sure to check that the tiles are certified for outdoor use before ordering hundreds of square meters.
Tell us
If you found this story helpful, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more open-plan spaces for inspiration
A great way to instantly double your open living space is to invite the outdoors in, as DDB has done in this Malvern house. When the bi-fold doors peel back, there is seamless transition between internal and external living, This is achieved by keeping the floor tiles very similar, both levels the same and colours and architectural elements throughout consistent.
It’s ideal because you get to choose when the space becomes one large entertainment or kids’ play area, or when it needs to function as multiple zones.
Tip: Tiles and polished concrete are great for both internal and external spaces. Be sure to check that the tiles are certified for outdoor use before ordering hundreds of square meters.
Tell us
If you found this story helpful, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more open-plan spaces for inspiration
Related Stories
Interior Design
The Golden Rules of Proportion: Decor Laws You Need to Know
An interior designer reveals the essential rules for achieving a perfectly balanced interior
Full Story
Interior Design
Design Masterclass: A Budget-Friendly Refresh of a Small Home
See how a designer's smart use of colour and considered storage solutions transformed a drab home for AUD$50,000
Full Story
Renovating Advice
Renovation Insight: How to Choose an Interior Designer
A skilled interior designer can help bring your decor dreams to life – three experts reveal how to choose the right one
Full Story
Interior Design
10 Decorating Rules Interior Designers Swear By
By Laura Downie
Want to give your home professional polish? An expert reveals the top 10 decorating rules you need to know
Full Story
Interior Design
8 Ways to Create Flow and Cohesion With Your Interior Design
These eight tips can help you select products, finishes and styles that work together from room to room
Full Story
For Pros
Trade Shows: Why They're Important Events You Don't Want to Miss
From networking to insights into new and emerging trends, here's why trade shows should be a firm 'yes' in your calendar
Full Story
Picture Perfect
22 Curtains That Dare to Be Different
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Full Story
Project Of The Week
Before & After: A Cheap & Cheerful Makeover of a 1980s Caravan
Armed with an AU$1500 budget, a Melbourne couple rolled up their sleeves and transformed a caravan in just three months
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Melbourne Houzz: A Terrace Near Ruin Gets a Second Chance
See how a derelict Victorian terrace in Melbourne was transformed into a luxurious and serene family home
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Melbourne Houzz: A Family's Dream Home, 20 Years in the Making
Timeless, sophisticated and a little bit industrial – this heritage-home renovation is nothing short of spectacular
Full Story
I have open plan rectangular living area, but my kitchen and dining are in one level, the family living is in split level. When I have party, ppl tend to hang around the kitchen-dining level with the food, the living space stays unutilised!