Decorating
Decorating: Flexible Ideas for Open-plan Living
There are lots of ways to do open plan, but however you shape your space, the result is light, bright and sociable, as these schemes show
All over the land, walls are coming down and once poky rooms are being opened up into large, light living spaces. And it’s easy to see why. Open kitchen-diner/living rooms are not only bright and airy, but super sociable. Throw a party and instead of half your guests sitting in the dining room with the rest exiled to the living room, everyone – including the host preparing nibbles and pouring drinks – can be together. Open-plan spaces are also great for families, with parents able to keep an eye on small kids, or keep a connection with their teenagers.
This selection shows there are numerous ways to work the look, from completely open to zoned or partially divided, so take a look for brilliant inspiration.
This selection shows there are numerous ways to work the look, from completely open to zoned or partially divided, so take a look for brilliant inspiration.
Connect to the outdoors
This space blends effortlessly with the outdoors. Concertina doors mean the kitchen flows into the living room and out to the patio in one seamless stretch, with the outdoor dining table reinforcing the link. The glass roof and entirely glass back wall mean this space would feel sunny on the gloomiest of days.
This space blends effortlessly with the outdoors. Concertina doors mean the kitchen flows into the living room and out to the patio in one seamless stretch, with the outdoor dining table reinforcing the link. The glass roof and entirely glass back wall mean this space would feel sunny on the gloomiest of days.
Big up a compact home
Separate rooms would be cramped in this little flat, but the open-plan design gives it a wonderfully spacious feel. The pale natural wood walls and ceiling show off the beautiful grain while making the most of the light.
Discover how to make open-plan design work in any home
Separate rooms would be cramped in this little flat, but the open-plan design gives it a wonderfully spacious feel. The pale natural wood walls and ceiling show off the beautiful grain while making the most of the light.
Discover how to make open-plan design work in any home
Harmonise with white
It’s a classic trick, but opting for all white is a brilliant way to both unify a space and max the light. This open-plan living, dining and kitchen area feels large and uncluttered thanks to the plain white surfaces. The beams have been left to add wonderful architectural interest, but lightly whitewashed to knock them back and keep the airy mood.
Explore crisp white design schemes
It’s a classic trick, but opting for all white is a brilliant way to both unify a space and max the light. This open-plan living, dining and kitchen area feels large and uncluttered thanks to the plain white surfaces. The beams have been left to add wonderful architectural interest, but lightly whitewashed to knock them back and keep the airy mood.
Explore crisp white design schemes
Zone with panache
The areas in this huge space are beautifully zoned, so that each has an identity while the room as a whole still feels cohesive. The living area is cosied up with a rug, and the kitchen is tucked under the mezzanine, but they are unified by the wooden flooring and white walls. The glass wall of the mezzanine retains the open feel and pulls additional light into the main room from the roof windows.
The areas in this huge space are beautifully zoned, so that each has an identity while the room as a whole still feels cohesive. The living area is cosied up with a rug, and the kitchen is tucked under the mezzanine, but they are unified by the wooden flooring and white walls. The glass wall of the mezzanine retains the open feel and pulls additional light into the main room from the roof windows.
Glam it up
How elegant is this little kitchen-diner? Just because it’s only a breakfast bar, it doesn’t mean it can’t have all the oomph of a dining room. The zebrano base and glass top surrounded by padded white chairs and topped with a floral centrepiece is worthy of any formal dinner.
How elegant is this little kitchen-diner? Just because it’s only a breakfast bar, it doesn’t mean it can’t have all the oomph of a dining room. The zebrano base and glass top surrounded by padded white chairs and topped with a floral centrepiece is worthy of any formal dinner.
Mix it up with sliding doors
For those who sometimes like a little privacy, open plan doesn’t have to be a permanent fixture. This living area features sliding doors that can create a dining room for a more intimate mood.
For those who sometimes like a little privacy, open plan doesn’t have to be a permanent fixture. This living area features sliding doors that can create a dining room for a more intimate mood.
Employ an L-shaped sofa
It’s an open-plan hero – the classic L-shaped sofa perfectly separates the living area from the rest of the space, but at a light-maximising low level. A scheme like this proves open-plan spaces don’t have to be cavernous and airy, they can also be intimate and cosy.
It’s an open-plan hero – the classic L-shaped sofa perfectly separates the living area from the rest of the space, but at a light-maximising low level. A scheme like this proves open-plan spaces don’t have to be cavernous and airy, they can also be intimate and cosy.
Go halves
This open-plan space has been divided slightly with a wall between the kitchen and dining area. The division creates two clear areas while keeping a connection between them.
This open-plan space has been divided slightly with a wall between the kitchen and dining area. The division creates two clear areas while keeping a connection between them.
Throw it wide open
We talk about zoning, and giving each area its own identity, but what about just having a totally open space? This room has just that, with areas mingling very successfully. It makes for a very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
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How would you decorate an open-plan living scheme? Share your tips in the Comments below.
We talk about zoning, and giving each area its own identity, but what about just having a totally open space? This room has just that, with areas mingling very successfully. It makes for a very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
TELL US...
How would you decorate an open-plan living scheme? Share your tips in the Comments below.
This open-plan space is so cleverly zoned, with the key pieces in each space forming the divisions, so no additional furniture is needed and the room remains uncluttered. This largely transparent wood-burning stove is genius – it’s a key element in the cosy living area, but also subtly sections it off. The breakfast bar, meanwhile, zones the dining area.