Over the past few years, many people have started moving away from the traditional notions of how rooms should function. It used to be that houses had many different, smaller rooms, each of which was used for its own, specific purpose. However, more and more people are now starting to embrace the idea of open plan living – having a space that is larger, more open, and has multiple different uses. Creating an open plan home can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Below are some easy ways to create the open plan living space of your dreams and start making the most out of your home.

Use colour to tie your space together

Not all of us are blessed with a home that already has a large, open-plan space to utilise, and knocking down walls is not always an option! This can make it difficult to envisage how you might make your currently separate rooms into a place that feels more cohesive.

One easy way of creating a flowing, open space is to keep a consistent colour scheme throughout your rooms. You may have a separate living room and dining room, however by picking a colour scheme that is the same in both rooms, you can link the two different rooms in a way that makes them feel more connected. This doesn’t just apply to the paint on the walls, though. Think about furniture, accessories, and decorations and how they can be used to tie rooms together into a flowing whole.

Or use colour to differentiate areas

If you do have a multi-functional, open-plan space in your home, it can sometimes be hard to differentiate between areas and stop it from feeling like a big, empty train station. Using colour can help here in a different way. By choosing specific colour themes for specific uses, you can effectively separate your space without having to sacrifice the open design with walls or partitions.

Consider using block colours to create distinct feelings and areas. Think about how you want each area to feel and design accordingly – perhaps warm colours for a cosy living space to relax in at the end of the day, or bright, natural greens to inspire creativity in your workspace. The same can also be done with your furniture and accessories.

Different textures can also be used to great effect to delineate between spaces. Perhaps you have wood flooring but would like something warmer in your living room area – consider adding a rug. In your workspace, consider clean, minimal designs that will help keep your head clear, whereas in the family areas, perhaps give the walls some character with paintings and ornaments. This is your space, so think about what you want to use it for and how it will fit with your lifestyle.

Natural light will enhance space

A surefire way to make a room feel more open and spacious is to flood it with natural light. The more natural light you are able to get into your rooms, the larger they will feel. This will give your living area room to breathe and add to a feeling of openness. When paired with lighter colours, natural light can totally transform the feeling of your indoor spaces.

It can be difficult to increase the amount of natural light in a space, but one great way to do so is by installing bifold doors. Bifold doors provide an effective and stylish way of bringing the outdoors inside by replacing part of an existing wall with a chic set of glass doors. The benefits of this are twofold. Not only will the glass allow lots more natural light to flood into your space, making it feel more open and airy, the bifold doors can also be opened fully, allowing the inside to flow outdoors. This will add to the feeling of spaciousness in your indoor areas, as well as providing much more scope for you to move without being inhibited by walls and doors.

Make furniture work for you

Much like with a cohesive colour scheme, using furniture effectively can really help you to make the most out of your open plan living space. Think about how you arrange your furniture and how it can be used to link or cut off spaces while maintaining that open-plan feel. For example, an L-shaped sofa is a great choice for a seating area, as it provides a natural barrier that encloses part of your room without the need for walls or partitions. This allows you to create a snug living room, while still leaving the room free and open.

Consider using flexible furniture that can be moved or adjusted to accommodate different uses. Instead of a sofa, perhaps some comfortable chairs that can be arranged and rearranged as the need arises would work better. Perhaps your workspace can be transformed into a quiet reading area with a fold-away desk, or the dinner table can become a place for meetings and coffee mornings with the addition of some cushions and throws. The possibilities for your furniture are only limited by your creativity. Don’t work around your furniture, make it work for you.

Partial partitions can create a feeling of openness

Partial divides can allow you to have an open plan living space, without losing smaller rooms and areas within this. Partial divides that cut off one area from another without blocking them entirely can create the illusion that your separate rooms are one big space. Strategic use of furniture and colour schemes can help to link disparate areas together into a flowing space for you to enjoy.

Partial divides may also provide an option for those with blocking walls. It may be more feasible for you to have a section removed from a wall instead of the whole wall taken down in its entirety. It may also be a better option for you to just remove existing doors that stand between your rooms, tying the spaces together while still maintaining something of a barrier between them.

Whatever you decide to do, make your homework for you. An open plan living space doesn’t have to mean a vast, empty room that allows you to move from one side of the house to the other unimpeded. Instead, think about your family’s lifestyle and design it around that. Create a space that suits you and your tastes. And don’t forget to have fun with it!

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