Decorating: How to Make Open-plan Design Work in Any Property
From zoning areas to cleverly positioning furniture, check out these tricks for creating a cohesive and flowing open-plan space
Laura Wheat
31 December 2014
Houzz UK Contributor. Freelance Journalist and interiors obsessive, newly ensconced in a handsome Edwardian semi on top of a hill.
Houzz UK Contributor. Freelance Journalist and interiors obsessive, newly ensconced... More
While open-plan design might be more commonly associated with trendy loft apartments than period houses, its inherent adaptability means that an open layout can suit almost any space. But for open-plan living to work gracefully in your home, you’ll need to make sure the interior style is considered, overarching and cohesive. Whether your property has already been converted and you want to make the look work beautifully, or you’re thinking about ‘knocking through’ from one room to another, take on board these top tips for incorporating open-plan design in a period property.
Zone your space
It might seem counterintuitive to separate areas in an open-plan layout that’s purposely designed without divisions. However, creating ‘zones’ based on how you want to use each part of the space can really help to define different uses – such as eating, cooking or relaxing – while making the most of the airy, open aesthetic.
Check out more ways to work an open-plan kitchen and living space
It might seem counterintuitive to separate areas in an open-plan layout that’s purposely designed without divisions. However, creating ‘zones’ based on how you want to use each part of the space can really help to define different uses – such as eating, cooking or relaxing – while making the most of the airy, open aesthetic.
Check out more ways to work an open-plan kitchen and living space
Define areas by style
While you are zoning your open-plan spaces according to use, you can also define them by style. This property contrasts a shiny quartz island worktop and all-white kitchen with a rustic and colourful dining area, where a weathered wood table and chairs are matched with an artfully arranged book display. These distinct styles change the feel of each area, but sit neatly alongside one another as well.
While you are zoning your open-plan spaces according to use, you can also define them by style. This property contrasts a shiny quartz island worktop and all-white kitchen with a rustic and colourful dining area, where a weathered wood table and chairs are matched with an artfully arranged book display. These distinct styles change the feel of each area, but sit neatly alongside one another as well.
Install smart storage
Fewer walls equals less storage space, meaning that clever solutions are a must in open-plan homes. In this London flat, what could easily have been a blank wall behind the mezzanine stairs has instead been used to create a full-height bookcase.
Fewer walls equals less storage space, meaning that clever solutions are a must in open-plan homes. In this London flat, what could easily have been a blank wall behind the mezzanine stairs has instead been used to create a full-height bookcase.
Get the best of both worlds
Large dividing doors or screens between reception rooms can be used to enable you to separate the spaces when you want to. However, it’s important the rooms function together as well as individually. Here, twin fireplaces and mirrors serve to unify the living and dining areas, while a palette of taupe and cream is continued throughout to create two soothing spaces with separate roles.
Large dividing doors or screens between reception rooms can be used to enable you to separate the spaces when you want to. However, it’s important the rooms function together as well as individually. Here, twin fireplaces and mirrors serve to unify the living and dining areas, while a palette of taupe and cream is continued throughout to create two soothing spaces with separate roles.
Consider sightlines
One of the biggest challenges with open-plan rooms is ensuring all parts blend seamlessly. Consider which furniture, floor and wall space can be seen from one room to another and choose a theme to tie each area together. In this home, the leather sofa in the foreground matches the tan seat at the far end, drawing the eye towards the garden.
One of the biggest challenges with open-plan rooms is ensuring all parts blend seamlessly. Consider which furniture, floor and wall space can be seen from one room to another and choose a theme to tie each area together. In this home, the leather sofa in the foreground matches the tan seat at the far end, drawing the eye towards the garden.
Make the most of extra light
When opening up areas of your house, think in terms of natural light as well as space. The owners of this Victorian home created one large bathroom out of two small ones, resulting in a room with two windows. They made the most of this by adding frosted glass double doors to allow light to flood through to the landing area beyond.
See more of this light and airy redesign of a Victorian property
When opening up areas of your house, think in terms of natural light as well as space. The owners of this Victorian home created one large bathroom out of two small ones, resulting in a room with two windows. They made the most of this by adding frosted glass double doors to allow light to flood through to the landing area beyond.
See more of this light and airy redesign of a Victorian property
Go big on fixtures
Period properties with vast open-plan reception rooms require statement furniture and fixtures that won’t get lost. Go for drama with elaborate chandeliers and pendants that make the most of high ceilings and add much-needed ambience on dark evenings.
Period properties with vast open-plan reception rooms require statement furniture and fixtures that won’t get lost. Go for drama with elaborate chandeliers and pendants that make the most of high ceilings and add much-needed ambience on dark evenings.
Maintain clear pathways
While it may be tempting to group furniture together at either side of your room in order to vary the layout, it’s more effective to maintain a direct ‘corridor’ through the space. This New York home includes three zones for relaxing, dining and food preparation, with routes for foot traffic on either side.
While it may be tempting to group furniture together at either side of your room in order to vary the layout, it’s more effective to maintain a direct ‘corridor’ through the space. This New York home includes three zones for relaxing, dining and food preparation, with routes for foot traffic on either side.
Maintain original features
When removing dividing walls, consider retaining original features, such as cornicing, even though it may reveal the previous floor plan. Our homes are always evolving – let yours tell its story.
When removing dividing walls, consider retaining original features, such as cornicing, even though it may reveal the previous floor plan. Our homes are always evolving – let yours tell its story.
Blend contemporary and traditional
An obvious side effect of introducing an open-plan layout is that a property will look more modern. Use this to your advantage by bringing in other contemporary features to sit sympathetically alongside traditional elements.
This glass stair divide makes no attempt to mimic the original banisters. Instead, it creates the illusion of extra width in the hallway and allows light into the basement.
TELL US…
Are you considering going open plan, or do you already have an open-plan layout? Share what works (or not!) for you in the Comments below.
An obvious side effect of introducing an open-plan layout is that a property will look more modern. Use this to your advantage by bringing in other contemporary features to sit sympathetically alongside traditional elements.
This glass stair divide makes no attempt to mimic the original banisters. Instead, it creates the illusion of extra width in the hallway and allows light into the basement.
TELL US…
Are you considering going open plan, or do you already have an open-plan layout? Share what works (or not!) for you in the Comments below.
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We need to take out what remains of the -supporting- wall which has already been knocked through to create an open plan living dining room in our Victorian Terrace, make way for stairs. We don't want to trouble the neighbours by fitting in an RSJs frame into the party walls each side. So we're left with nibs jutting out. Anyone know a really good staircase and terraced property architect?
End result was great and more than happy clients.
Just so you know I finally decided on a full height wall, but left the attic open plan for the rest of the bedroom and walk in wardrobe.
I will look through my portfolio and post more pics of the overall attic conversion when I am in the office.