Creating Visual Divisions Between Rooms

Homes with open floor plans tend to be airy and filled with light. Instead of moving through rooms separated by walls, you can flow through these spaces, moving from one area to the next. However, if you don’t create separate spaces, it can feel like one big, chaotic room with many purposes, which is not what you want.

Here are different ways to create distinct areas in your open plan by using patterns, colors, and even your furniture!

Arrange your furniture to create distinct spaces.  Our first tip might be the most straightforward and obvious. Arrange your furniture to create natural divisions between areas, such as your kitchen and your living room. Turn your couch or chairs, so their backs are facing away from the focal point – your TV, fireplace, bookcase, whatever. Doing this creates a direct visual line that separates this purposeful living space from the rest of your home. Repeat this in each area – kitchen, dining room, family room – to define specific zones in your home.

Use area rugs.  You can find area rugs in just about every shape, size, and color. Use area rugs in your living space, quiet reading corner, family room, wherever! Area rugs contrast with the rest of the flooring to create an immediate, visually distinct setting. Make sure the rug you choose matches the rest of the furniture in this area and is the right size for the space. You don’t want to have a huge rug that encompasses more space than your couch or chairs.

Separate rooms with curtains.   Install rods toward the ceiling and use different drapery to separate rooms. Use similar color palette for rooms that are close together, like the breakfast area and the family room for example.

Designate spaces with color.  If you’re looking to create visually distinct areas while maintaining the flexibility and flow of an open concept, color is your friend. Pick a color for each space and weave it into your furniture, artwork, area rugs, and other decorations as much as possible. Don’t opt for a bold, solid color on everything, or you’ll be drowning in it. Instead, incorporate the color or colors you choose into patterns or subtle accents on furniture or rug fabric.

 

Divide areas with shelving or storage. Maybe you want a bit more than the back of a couch to separate your living area from your dining area. Shelving or closed storage works great for this! If you want a more dramatic division, opt for a tall open wood or metal shelving unit. You’ll maintain the openness of the space while maintaining separation. You can use open shelving to store everything from books to dishware and plants. Fill the shelves as much or as little as you want for the level of openness you desire.

Your open concept home should feel relaxed and livable, not unstructured and chaotic. You need to create separate areas to lounge on the couch, quietly read a book, cook a meal, and entertain guests. And by following these tips, you can accomplish all of that!  You can see a full list of all of our open concept floor plans by clicking here.