Open floor plan design has become increasingly popular, and for a good reason. An open concept house offers a wealth of benefits that traditional closed-in floor plans just can’t beat. Read on to see if open concept living is right for you, as well as our favorite open floor plan ideas for for a well-designed look throughout!
Open Floor Plan Design 101
Whether you live in a small starter home or a sprawling estate, an open floor plan design can be a great way to make the most of your space. For that reason, this type of layout is ideal for, more or less, anyone. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before making the switch.
Pro Tip: For a cohesive design choose one decor style for your open floor plan. Take our Free Interior Design Style Quiz to discover your unique decorating style today!
What Is an Open-Plan Design?
Open floor plan design eliminates the need to use walls or partitions, making your home feel much airier and more inviting. It conveys the feeling of spaciousness by making living areas flow into each other. In an open floor plan layout, the kitchen, dining room, and living room are typically connected with no walls in between.
Benefits of An Open Concept House
There are plenty of reasons to love an open concept house. Here are a few of the top benefits:
- Easy entertainment. With a stylish combined living, dining and kitchen, you can interact with your guests while cooking or mingling. This is ideal for hosting dinner parties or holiday gatherings.
- Open concept layouts promote togetherness. If you have young kids, this can be a great way to keep them within your sight while they’re playing. The absence of physical barriers also encourages family members to interact more.
- Increased natural light. Without walls blocking the flow, an open concept home lets in plenty of sunlight, improving the overall feel and mood.
Drawbacks of Open Floor Plan Ideas
Naturally, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider before making the switch to an open floor plan. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Less privacy. Fewer physical partitions mean limited seclusion.
- Open floor plan design can increase heating and cooling costs. Large open spaces, especially those with high ceilings are generally more expensive to maintain temperatures in.
- Open floor plans can be challenging to decorate and style to create a cohesive look throughout the space. However, we’re here to help with this!
10 Pro Tips for Decorating an Open Floor Plan
With a little bit of creativity and some simple tips, you can easily make an open floor plan design work for you. Here are the best ways to cohesively design your space:
1. Stick to a Neutral Color Scheme
A neutral color scheme is always a safe bet when decorating an open floor plan. By using neutrals, you can effortlessly create a cohesive look throughout the space without worrying about clashing colors. In addition, neutrals are easy to work with and can be easily enhanced with colorful decoration and dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
2. Use Area Rugs to Define Different Zones
If you want to create visually defined areas within your open floor plan, area rugs are a great way to do it. Using rugs to characterize spaces allows you to easily create a cohesive look that still feels open and airy. Moreover, rugs add an extra comfort level and can help reduce noise levels in your home – something you might appreciate in an open concept layout.
3. Incorporate Plenty of Storage
One of the challenges of an open floor plan design is storage. These solutions often feature less depository space than you would find in a traditional closed-in floor plan. To make up for that, be sure to incorporate plenty of storage varieties. Those could include adding extra cabinets and tall shelves or even investing in some creative hidden storage solutions.
4. Utilize Different Furniture Pieces to Define Areas
If you want to create distinct areas within your open floor plan – but would rather not rely on area rugs only – try using diverse furniture pieces. It could be a pair of accent armchairs for the living room, a home office set, and similar. Feel free to play but don’t clash the styles in order to maintain a united look. Using well-curated furniture pieces will maximize visual interest while keeping the space looking organized and structured.
5. Incorporate Plenty of Lighting
Don’t forget to incorporate plenty of lighting into your open floor plan design. This will help brighten up the space and make it feel more inviting. You can also use a combination of natural and artificial lighting to achieve the perfect look. Just be careful not to go overboard – too much light can be just as bad as too little.
6. Accent Wall Focal Points
When you’re dealing with a large open space it is important to draw the eyes around the room. A perfect solution can be a boldly wallpapered accent wall. Be sure to use a pattern with a color scheme that connects with the rest of the room. While you want the wall to catch people’s attention, you don’t want it to become an eyesore.
7. Invite the Outdoors In
If your climate allows, include the great outdoors into your open concept living arrangement. A retractable wall is a great way to eliminate boundaries between the inside and out – making the two spaces feel like one. Coordinate any patio furniture with the pieces you have selected for the inside. And be sure choose a layout that takes advantage of a view if you’re so lucky to have one.
8. Think Vertical
Tall furniture pieces can be a great way to add interest and definition to an open floor plan. By using floor-to-ceiling pieces like bookcases, cabinets (or even trees in your biophilic design), you can easily break up the space and make it feel more cohesive. The important thing is to maintain balance. Ultimately, you want the elements in the room to work with each other, rather than against.
9. Small-Scale Open Floor Plan
Open concept living isn’t only for houses with massive footprints. The same ideas can apply to smaller homes and apartments. When decorating an open floor plan with less square footage it is important to keep proportions in mind. Opt for pieces that have a more compact build and keep space available for an easy flow of foot traffic.
10. Add Visual Interest with Artwork and Accessories
Last but not least, add distinctive character and visual interest to an open floor plan layout by incorporating artwork and accessories. Feel free to experiment with different types and even styles, but keep in mind that too many accessories can make a space feel cluttered and chaotic.
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Images: [1, Decorilla designer portfolios]
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