4 Tips for Open Spaces in Home

The idea of open plan living has truly consolidated over the last decade or so, with studies suggesting that around one-fifth of all homeowners have opened up their own homes, demolishing walls and changing floorplans in the process, to give them the light, bright, open spaces they’re looking for. And it’s not just a fashionable idea either; in fact, it’s one that maximises the sense of space and light, as well as the quality of human interaction.

Almost any home can benefit from this concept, and with some foresight and imagination – as well as a good architect and contractors – everything from compact Victorian villas to sprawling bungalows can become an open plan dream.

If you are looking for ways to change your home into an open place haven and create more comfort than ever before (especially useful if the trend in homeworking is to continue, as it seems likely to do), or if you have already taken this step and want to ensure you’re making the most of your open plan scheme, here are some useful tips that will help you to elevate your open plan living experience as much as possible.

Create Zones

The main focus behind having an open plan home is to create fluidity and ease of movement. However, although this may be the driving force behind it all, it’s also important to create zones within the large open area you’re living in; this strategy will give you the opportunity to define various areas so that it makes using the space easier, and allows anyone who enters your home to understand immediately how it all works.

One thing you might consider is using your furniture in your favour. An example of this would be using the backs of your sofas to create or reinforce some definition, and show where the living area begins and ends. Another idea might be to include a breakfast bar within the kitchen area. As long as your view is never obstructed, there are several strategies to define the areas within your home.

Make It Flexible

If you open absolutely everything up, you’ll have one large room to fit everything into. While this won’t be an issue for some people, for others it can be too much of an open plan. For others still, it can work at some times and not at others. This last group might benefit from the idea of flexible open plan living. In other words, finding ways to open and close different areas as and when you see fit, or as and when required.

The ideal open plan arrangement in this would include sliding doors, for example – to create and optimise niche spaces.

The Right Lighting

Lighting plays such a large part in any interior design strategy that it shouldn’t be ignored when it comes to open plan living; in fact, when done the right way, it can truly elevate your home from something good to something great.

Using different lighting styles in the various zones or areas of your open plan home will not only help to differentiate each living space but will also help to make any tasks that need to be carried out there easier; living in the property will be more comfortable. In a kitchen, for example, lighting will need to be used to illuminate the work surfaces, the sink, the hob, and so on – spotlights could be used for this task. In the dining area, a pendant light above the dining table could be the perfect solution, giving light in just the right spot. In the living area, a dimmer could be utilised to ensure that those who want to relax can do so comfortably.

Don’t forget that using floor lamps can be an ideal option too. These can also be moved around as needed, offering much more flexible living within your already supremely flexible open plan spaces.

Use The Outdoors

Open plan living is often associated with the inside of a home, but what if you were able to include your garden space as well? It would enhance your living area hugely, whilst encouraging better mental health and self-care.

It wouldn’t take much to do this: a combination of full, floor to ceiling, bi-fold glass doors would be ideal, opening up the space and allowing your indoor and outdoor spaces to benefit from the light. No matter whether you have a large, sprawling garden or a small patio area, or anything in between, using it to its fullest, and using it within the scope of open plan living, is a key element towards a happy, healthy, comfortable living space.