If you've ever watched a home design TV show, you've probably heard the term "open-concept living" thrown around quite a bit. And for good reason — it’s a popular design trend that creates an open, spacious, and airy area, great for maximising foot traffic and entertaining.
Simply put, open-concept homes feature a floor plan that cuts back on walls and doors. Instead, living spaces such as living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms merge into a single, large space. While ideal for connecting families as they cook, eat, and relax, creating an open-concept design can be a challenge. Seeff covers how to make it work with advice for designing a spacious floor plan.
Keep to a consistent colour palette: Because you’re covering a sizeable area, you should stick to a set colour scheme. This can rein in the chaos and allow the eye to move seamlessly from one area to the next. Stick to neutral tones to create a calming base and add a touch of excitement with a pop of colour here and there to highlight specific areas.
Carry over stylistic elements: A great way to keep the visual connection between your different areas is with common decor elements. A repeating pattern, texture, material, or art piece can bring harmony to your space and make your large area feel cohesive.
Define your space’s area zones: With so much space to play with, it’s a good idea to define zones of use. Besides being practical, it will also make your area feel cosy! You can use furniture, room dividers, and rugs to help segment different areas for eating, cooking, dining, or relaxing. You can even use paint for a nook or accent wall to establish an area as a home office or hobby area.
Create a focal point in each area: Divided up your zones? Great! Don’t stop there but proceed to place a centrepiece in each zone to help draw the eye. For example, the lounge area with your open-plan space could have a stunning sofa while the kitchen area could be dominated by your fridge.
Embrace symmetry for balance: In an open-concept room, using the power of symmetry will create a winning look. Symmetry is familiar and pleasing to the brain and there are plenty of ways to harness it. Try doubling up sofas, artwork, or using an even number of chairs around a dining room table.
Watch out for scale when decorating: If your scale is off balance, your open-concept space could wind up feeling too cavernous or too cramped on the other end of the spectrum. A smart move is to plan your space on paper and measure up any new furniture and decor you wish to add. There are even 3D visualisation tools you can find online to plan your layout.
Choose the right flooring: To maximise your open-concept room, go for large-format tiles to create a feeling of spaciousness. To cut down on the cold factor that comes with expansive spaces, opt for warm-toned tiles, wood, or carpeting in comfortable colours such as beige, brown, yellow, terracotta, or cream.
Arrange your furniture with care: Avoid placing furniture on the outskirts of the room as this will create a large, empty, open space. Instead, create areas of use surrounded by your focal points such as television sets, dining room tables, and kitchen islands. Also, consider your foot traffic by giving more space to popular features.
Bridge the gap between the outdoors: For an even more airy feel, why not add more floor space by letting your indoor space flow into the outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows and similar floor materials can create the transition and make your open-concept room feel both boundless and majestic.
Get creative with your space: Your flooring can benefit from an inspired eye. Why settle for a flat surface when you can create a sunken floor that adds depth and interest? You can also paint your trim and moulding in the same colour as your walls for a space-stretching feel.
Light it the right way: Lighting can be used strategically to define spaces and create a mood around them. For example, chandeliers can be placed to draw attention to your dining area while a standing light can cast a soft glow in a lounge area. Be sure to embrace recessed lighting and let in ambient light to cut back on any shadows in your space.
Put these open-concept ideas into action
With an open-plan space, you can reap the benefits of airy, open living while stretching your creativity with these ideas. If you’re on the search for the perfect open-concept home, Seeff is here to help. Our property practitioners are ready to pinpoint your dream property and help you style an open living space you’ll love. Reach out to our team today.
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