Are you dreaming of an open, airy living space that’s flooded with natural light? You’re not alone! Open plan living has become a sought-after design style, and for good reason. It can make a space feel larger, brighter, and more connected. But getting it right takes some careful planning.
As an interior designer based in Aberdeen, UK, I’ve helped many clients achieve the open plan look they crave. And let me tell you, it’s not as easy as tearing down a wall and calling it a day. There are crucial factors to consider, from furniture placement to lighting, to ensure your open plan living room is functional and fabulous.
The Benefits of Open Plan Living
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why open plan living is so appealing in the first place. For starters, it can make a space feel exponentially larger. By knocking down walls and combining rooms, you create a more seamless, free-flowing layout that encourages movement and conversation.
And then there’s the light factor. Open plan designs typically feature larger windows and fewer physical barriers, allowing natural light to flood in and brightening up the entire space. As Cate St Hill, a London-based interiors writer and designer, notes, “That big window bringing in lots of light and the way the tiles have been laid all the way up to the ceiling create a coherent look. It’s clean and bright, but little details like the open shelving, hanging lights and carpet runner on the floor make it feel warm and inviting.”
But the benefits extend beyond just aesthetics. Open plan living can also foster better communication and connection within a household. As one Reddit user points out, “You can be in the kitchen cooking and still be part of the conversation in the living room.” It encourages spending quality time together, whether you’re prepping a meal, playing a game, or just relaxing.
Designing a Successful Open Plan Layout
Okay, so we’ve established the appeal of open plan living. But how do you actually pull it off? It’s not as simple as knocking down a wall and calling it a day. There are several important factors to consider:
Zoning
One of the key challenges with open plan living is defining distinct zones within the larger space. After all, you don’t want your living, dining, and cooking areas to feel like they’re all blending together.
The solution? Get strategic with your furniture placement. As Homes & Gardens notes, “Rugs, lighting and furniture can all be used to zone an open-plan space, creating distinct areas for cooking, dining and relaxing.”
For example, you might situate your sofa and armchairs in one corner to create a cozy living area, with a dining table and chairs in another. Use area rugs to anchor each “zone” and help visually define the spaces. Strategically placed lighting, like pendants over the dining table or floor lamps in the living area, can also reinforce those boundaries.
Furniture Arrangement
Speaking of furniture, the way you arrange your pieces in an open plan space is crucial. You’ll want to strike a balance between creating distinct zones and maintaining an overall cohesive flow.
Start by considering the room’s traffic patterns. Where do people naturally tend to move through the space? Arrange your larger furniture pieces, like the sofa and TV stand, to facilitate easy circulation. Then, fill in the gaps with smaller, more flexible furnishings.
And don’t be afraid to get creative! The folks at House Tweaking suggest using a console table or bookshelf to divide the living and dining areas, or placing a chaise lounge or armchair at an angle to create a cozy reading nook.
Lighting
Lighting is key in any room, but it’s especially important in an open plan space. After all, you’re trying to create distinct zones within a larger, unified area. The right lighting can help define those boundaries and set the mood.
Start with a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting. Recessed or pendant lights can provide overall illumination, while table lamps and sconces can highlight specific areas. As Cate St Hill points out, the hanging lights in the Gothenburg home she featured “make it feel warm and inviting.”
And don’t forget about natural light! Homes & Gardens cautions that an open plan space needs to have plenty of windows and skylights to feel bright and airy. Otherwise, it can start to feel closed off and dreary.
Cohesive Styling
Finally, tying the whole open plan space together requires a cohesive styling approach. While you’ll want to define distinct zones, the overall aesthetic should feel harmonious.
One way to achieve this is by sticking to a consistent color palette and design style throughout the space. Cate St Hill notes that the Gothenburg home features “light grey walls, smart white kitchen, concrete worktops and minimal furniture” – a clean, Scandinavian-inspired look that ties the whole space together.
You can also use complementary materials and textures to create visual continuity. Perhaps the kitchen cabinets feature the same wood finish as the dining table, or the living room rug matches the throw pillows on the sofa.
Embracing the Open Plan Lifestyle
Designing an open plan living space that’s both functional and fabulous takes some work, but the payoff is huge. Not only does it create a brighter, more inviting area, but it can also foster better connection and communication within your household.
And the best part? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The key is to tailor the design to your specific needs and preferences. Maybe you love the idea of a cozy reading nook, or perhaps you’re dreaming of a sprawling kitchen island perfect for casual meals and gatherings.
So, if you’re ready to dive into the world of open plan living, start by considering your lifestyle and how you want to use the space. Then, work with a local design professional to bring your vision to life. With the right plan and a little creativity, you can transform your home into a light-filled, open plan oasis that’s perfect for your family.
And who knows, maybe one day you’ll be the one inspiring others with your beautifully designed open concept living room. After all, ABC Home is always on the lookout for stunning spaces to feature. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started on your open plan transformation!
