Tips and tricks for open plan living

Open plan architecture has been the dominant form of floor plan design for the past few decades. Its aim? To join areas of your house that would once have been separate rooms together, to create more light, space, and flow in your home. Architects spend years developing their unique open plan style but what are some easy tips for the beginners amongst us?

Consider a ‘broken plan’ layout

So, let’s throw another architectural term into the mix. A ‘broken plan’! With the same core principles as an open-plan, a ‘broken plan’ expands on this well-known format to create ‘zones’ in your home. Take your kitchen for example. To many, this would be the heart of the home and a place where the family comes together. In a conventional open-plan format, this cherished space can sometimes get lost. However, with subtle changes like a different floor or a small room divider, you can keep that homely feel and modernise your space! Check out one of our recent projects ‘Rose’ to see a real-life example of a ‘broken plan’.

Use colour

Once you’ve decided on the layout for your new open-plan home the next step is maintaining continuity. One of the best ways to achieve this is colour. Colour themes and tones can really make your home flow from one space to another, linking your kitchen to your bathroom, or your dining room to your hallway. So why not add a pop of colour to your design to make your home your happy place?

Contrast your ceiling levels

The benefits of an open plan design are undeniable, but how do you get the ‘wow’ factor in a modern home? One of the best ways to get your eyes glistening is a double-height or low-level ceiling. Varying the levels in your ceiling will allow your spaces to breathe all while creating a natural flow. Let’s say you have a snug, you’ll want that to have a low-lying ceiling to get that cosy feel. However, the hallway needs to be wide and inviting, so your best bet is a high ceiling. To add a bit of extra spice consider creating a double-height space to really make your modern house sing!

Focus on your furniture

Just like in any home, furniture is a key part of an open-plan home. Your new design will do away with walls and other natural dividers in your space. Therefore, you may want to think about a few key pieces of furniture that can do this job for you. A well-designed sofa for example can be a great solution.

To get the wheels of your open-plan dream rolling contact us here!