Open-Plan Living: How to Make It Functional and Stylish
Open plan in architecture and design is a solution in which there are no walls or partitions inside the room, creating a single space. Today, one of the popular offers on the residential real estate market is a free-plan apartment. Developers position them as apartments in which the owner can design the space he needs, arrange partitions at his own discretion, etc. Open planning is mainly a marketing ploy by developers, who thus form the idea in the minds of buyers that when buying such an apartment they will be able to implement any design solutions at their discretion.
Zoning methods
When planning an open-plan interior, it is necessary to adhere to the rules of zoning and proper division of space, otherwise you risk organizing a warehouse of piles of furniture instead of a cozy apartment.
Structurally
Decorative partitions
The most spectacular option. On the one hand, it is a functional fence and a wall on which you can hang a TV or organize shelves, on the other hand, it is a decorative element that can diversify the interior with a finish that is different from the color of the walls.
There are two options for zoning using partitions: walls up to the ceiling with through niches or built-in large decor, for example, in the form of an aquarium or turning into columns. The second type is structures of medium height, below human height, sometimes stepped. If desired, plant compositions or small plastic can be placed on their horizontal surface.
Arches
Arches are one of the most popular options for organizing openings in partitions. In order to organically fit an arch into the space, its shape should be repeated in other decorative elements or furniture. It is recommended to order a drawing of the opening from a professional designer or architect, who will calculate all the dimensions and tolerances, and make clear instructions for the craftsmen.
Sliding partitions
Sliding partitions take up little space and can also isolate the space, which is convenient from a functional point of view: if you cook fish in the kitchen area, the smell will not go into the living quarters. And for receiving guests, you can open the partitions, increasing the space. Despite the fact that sliding partitions are mounted after the renovation is completed, it is necessary to strengthen suspended ceilings in advance.
Visually
If the space is not very spacious, you can use design techniques to zone the space: using different materials for the walls and floor, shades and textures.
Zoning in the interior of an apartment with an open plan can be organized using the "method of different levels" - the ceiling and the floor. To do this, it is necessary to construct a multi-level ceiling and/or a podium, depending on taste and in accordance with the sizes of the zones.
An open layout of an apartment can be delimited with the help of furniture. Turning the sofa with its back to the kitchen, or placing a bar counter on the border of the kitchen-dining room and the living room, finding spectacular designer racks-stands are the most common techniques in zoning the space.
How to choose style, furniture and finishing materials
To make the space look harmonious, you need to decide on the future interior design style. The most appropriate here would be modern, Scandinavian or loft.
Classics suggest a certain aristocracy, and the kitchen is, after all, a utility room. Ethnic options also do not fit very well into the open-plan principle, since it is not always possible to correctly fit a gas stove or refrigerator into the interior style.
If you still want to fill an open-plan space with national or traditional motifs, try to ensure that the living room has a minimal view of the kitchen, or that it is completely excluded.
When choosing furniture for different areas (living room, kitchen, dining room), pay attention to how individual items and collections are combined with each other. This is especially true for cabinet furniture. One of the decorative elements must be repeated. This can be a material, a combination of shades or a shape.
When choosing finishing materials, each zone can be unique. But there should be no bright contrasts or completely incompatible materials on the boundaries of the zones, which can cause visual discomfort.
Decorative accents
Spectacular decor can be used to mark the "center" of a combined space or a separate area. This could be a large-scale aquarium structure, walls with a waterfall or a fireplace - anything that attracts the eye.
Another, less expensive method is spectacular finishing materials in the living room area. Bright or unusual wallpaper, decorative plaster or stone, against which the upholstered furniture will look especially attractive.
When choosing wall decor (pictures, mirrors, etc.) for a combined part of the apartment, it is better to stick to laconism than excess and variety. If there is already a large dominant decorative element, everything else is better to be reduced to a minimum or selected in strict accordance with it.
Lighting
Zoning of an open-plan apartment can be supported by different lighting scenarios and multi-purpose lighting. In such a space, it is possible to provide light sources of different intensity and brightness, which will be used as needed.
In an open-plan space, there is no place for fundamentally dark corners where light never reaches. Therefore, correctly assess the amount of natural light from windows and plan lamps in more remote areas.
Decorative lighting can be used to highlight both large structures and elements, as well as small, effective details, such as niches.
Halls and entrance hall in such an apartment
It is advisable to divide the entrance area into two parts, similar to how it is done for a private house. The area closest to the entrance door is the hallway itself. Here you can organize storage for outerwear and shoes, as well as a corner with a mirror and shelves and, perhaps, a pouf. The choice of materials and decor for this area is limited only by its size and your imagination, and the optimal material for the floor is tiles.
The second part is the boundary between the combined space and the hallway, and its continuation (corridor or hall) leads to the private part of the house. Read above in the section on zoning methods to learn how to separate this part of the hallway from the combined area. The best option is decorative partitions.
Conclusion
Decorating an open-plan living space successfully requires a little thought, but the result is well worth it. By playing with brightness, color harmony, suitable lighting and clever storage solutions, you will achieve a space that is both functional and aesthetic. Don't forget to add a personal touch to make it unique and welcoming.