Open plan living

10 pros and cons of open plan living

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Open plan layouts have been fuelling renovation projects across the country for the past few years. Whether it’s an open-plan kitchen diner or an open plan kitchen diner and living room, it seems we’re keen to open up our homes, choosing large multi-functional rooms over several smaller hideaways. And with new builds becoming increasingly smaller, open-plan is a great way to combat small boxy rooms and maximise the space we already have.

The Real Homes Show talks you though how to transform a reader’s cramped-feeling home into an airy, more open plan space, but don’t make any design decisions until you’ve read our pros and cons of this modern layout.

Pros

Let's take a look at the good things an open plan room can achieve:

1. Brings the family together

Whether you’re helping the kids with homework while you're cooking, chatting to your siblings while making cocktails, or reading a magazine while watching your partner make breakfast, open-plan living creates multi-functional spaces where living and being together becomes all round easier.

(Image credit: Matt Cant)

2. Great for entertaining

Fewer rooms means bigger rooms, which means more space to gather the troops and have fun. You'll have enough space to extend your dining area and feed the five thousand, so prepare for your home to be the go-to party pad, where all your family and friends can sit, eat, chat and boogie in the same room. Choose bi-folds doors and open up your home to the garden too for the ultimate summer party space.

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

3. Brighter and lighter

The more natural light we’re exposed to, the happier and more energised we feel. With less walls, there’s less light-blocking barriers, meaning the natural light from your windows and rooflights can spread to more of your home, making for a more pleasant, light and airy space.

(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)

4. Adds value to your property

As the most sort after layout for all kinds of properties from family homes to one bed flats, those with an open plan layout sell for more money than those with several smaller rooms. Creating an open plan home will make your home more visually appealing, whilst being a financial investment, should you choose to sell.

(Image credit: Fiona Walker-Arnott)

5. Easier to keep an eye on the kids

If you ever feel like you need to be in two places at once, open plan means you can bring those two places together. You can be cooking the dinner whilst ensuring your toddler doesn't start eating crayons again, you can catch up with friends whilst keeping an eye on how long your teen spends on the laptop. All in all, it can help you to be an all-seeing super parent, all while getting on with other things.

(Image credit: Future/Chris Snook)

Cons

And... why wouldn't you go open plan?

1. Noise levels

A multi-functional space is all well and good, until the kids are screaming because they can’t hear the TV while you’re boiling the kettle, or the thunder of the dishwasher is ruining your dinner party vibes. While using rugs and fabrics can minimise noise, you may well find yourself hiding in your bedroom just to avoid the kids’ singing toys.

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

2. Messy kitchen = messy home

With no walls between living areas, you can’t close the door on a messy kitchen and leave the tidying until later while you relax in a tranquil dining room. ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ isn’t really an option, so if you’re the kind of person that can’t relax until everything’s in order, open-plan living may be tricky for you.

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

3.

Lingering smells

That delicious healthy fish you relished for dinner won't be so great when you’re still smelling it in the dining area as you’re trying to eat your porridge the next morning. No doors mean no scent barriers, which means dispersing smells you can’t escape from.

(Image credit: Julia Currie)

4. More costly to heat

In homes with more walls, you can heat only the rooms you're using, meaning the space gets warmer, quicker, whilst costing you less. Whereas in an open plan layout, you need to heat the entire space, so it takes longer to heat, whilst costing you more. Definitely something to bear in mind!

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

5. Less privacy

A multi functional space means lots going on at once, all in the same room, and that can become a little chaotic. If you like your privacy and enjoy being on your own, open plan could be quite overwhelming, not to mention exhausting. If the thought of having no where to go when your partner brings the rugby team home and steals your peaceful Sunday is not a pleasant one, consider keeping a snug just for you, too.

(Image credit: Fiona Walker-Arnott)

More on open plan living

How to design an open plan kitchen
Open plan kitchen ideas: 16 room designs to inspire
Real home: a colourful open plan kitchen transformation

After joining Real Homes as content producer in 2016, Amelia has taken on several different roles and is now content editor. She specializes in style and decorating features and loves nothing more than finding the most beautiful new furniture, fabrics and accessories and sharing them with our readers. As a newbie London renter, Amelia’s loving exploring the big city and mooching around vintage markets to kit out her new home.

22 open-plan living room ideas to create a seamless space

These days you're more likely to find free flowing living spaces than more smaller, closed off rooms. Open-plan living room ideas are a hallmark of contemporary homes, thanks to their ability to cater to nearly any occasion.

Our homes need to be more fluid than ever before, and your choice of living room ideas play a big part in this. After all, you need to create a space that works for the whole family in a range of different situations.

'We know by now that our homes need to be ready to transform into whatever we need, be that a home gym, classroom or office – often with just a moment’s notice,' says Rebecca Snowden, interior style advisor, Furniture And Choice . 'Creating these dedicated spaces in our home doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style.'

'Open-plan spaces are increasingly popular and are great for entertaining, but can sometimes feel sparse or empty,' continues Martin Waller, Founder, Andrew Martin . 'Use contrasting colours to demarcate distinct spaces and inject personality into different areas of the room. Wallpaper can also be used in certain areas of the space to create a distinct zone.

'Use statement lighting to create different zones, that each have a purpose. Open furniture, such as cabinets, bookcases, or shelving can be used to create different zones, without making the space feel closed in. Alternatively, a folding screen can provide privacy, something that is often lacking in open plan living.'

Open-plan living room ideas

'Whether it’s a big project like adding some sliding doors or a divider wall, or simply laying out your furniture in an intelligent way,' says Rebecca from Furniture and Choice, 'there are plenty of ways to create self-contained spaces within open-plan living room ideas in a way that works for you.'

1. Create cohesion through colour palettes

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark C. O'Flaherty)

'It is easy for the different areas to get lost and feel disjointed if the design is not cohesive,' notes Rob Ellis, Head of Design, dwell . 'So it important to zone the different areas, whilst keeping a common colour palette throughout.'

'Start by deciding how you will use the rooms, for example a distinctive dining space for friends and family, paired with a relaxing living room. To keep a consistent feel throughout, choose similar colours and textures across the two rooms. '

'If your scheme is blue, avoid it looking one dimensional by including different tones of blue to create layers and depth. This could be a soft, dusty blue rug under the dining table paired with a statement dark blue velvet sofa.'

This is especially useful in tandem with small living room ideas, as too many colours and textures can be overwhelming.

2. Zone with an oversized rug

(Image credit: Interior Fox/Daniel Villarreal)

You can visually zone spaces without any building work or big projects. A large, oversized rug goes a long way with open-plan living room ideas.

Choose an option which can comfortably fit your sofa, armchairs and coffee table. This 'island' created by the rug becomes a room in its own right, differentiating it from the dining or kitchen areas in the same space.

For modern living room ideas, choose a rug with pattens that reflect the graphic shapes and lines used elsewhere in the area.

3. Use the same flooring throughout

(Image credit: Future PLC/Georgia Burns)

'In today’s modern home, people are choosing open-plan layouts to maximise the feeling of space and light,' says Simon Myatt, Brand Ambassador, Havwoods . 'This remains a popular trend in the living areas, where flooring is used to transition seamlessly from one room into the next, without interruption from door bars or floor strips.'

'Alternatively, use living room flooring ideas to zone. In this way, you can create zoned areas, perhaps by layering your floorboards in alternate patterns, or choosing slightly different tones or textures.'

4. Make it work for every function

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)

'An open-plan living area is often a multifunctional space that is home to entertaining, relaxing and dining,' reminds Rob from dwell. And while that it is on the whole a positive thing, it can be tricky to fully visually close off one function to focus on another. For example, tucking away the family/entertainment side of things when you want a relaxed, conservational space, or a WFH location.

Learning how to hide a TV is a great example of the ways you can keep all these elements in one space, but gloss over them when not in use.

5. Use steps for a subtle division of space

(Image credit: Future PLC/Robert Sanderson)

Not all home layouts are created equal. If you don't have a large, flat space to explore open-plan living room ideas, then think outside the box. A few steps leading to the dining or kitchen space will allow the spaces to stay open and connected, even if on slightly different levels.

This can provide a welcome small feeling of separation for family living room ideas, so you can easily keep an eye on the kids while still feeling as though you each have your own space.

Keep the colour palettes the same across the areas to really hone the link between the spaces.

(Image credit: Future PLC/James Balston)

'When designing an open-plan living room, think about the scheme as a whole,' advises Ann Marie Cousins, Founder, AMC Design . 'The different spaces need definition but there needs to be a thread that ties it all together.'

'So, if you have a navy sofa in your open-plan sitting room with richly-patterned scatter cushions with orange, teal and green, you might then opt for a leather upholstered bar stool at navy kitchen island ideas to merge the two together. '

'By bringing colour from one space to the other with pattern and texture, but allowing for differentiation, the spaces will tie together but not match.'

7. Use paint to define different zones

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Jo Henderson)

Open-plan living room ideas needn't be devoid of different personalities for different purposes. Opening up a living room and dining area is great to create a more generous space, ideal for busy family life. But it does blur the lines when it comes to lifestyle choices.

Simple paint ideas on architectural details, such as widened doorframes and arches, helps to gently signify different zones within the open space.

Creating zones within the larger space helps to give a sense of purpose for a living room end to that of a dining area or a kids playroom. This unimposing way of dividing the living space doesn't defeat the object of making it open – it merely gives more structure to how you use the space.

8. Continue a style throughout

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Create a seamless flow from one living area into the next by way of a considered decorating scheme throughout.

'Keeping a cohesive scheme will allow the style of the space to flow seamlessly from room to room,' explains Juliette Thomas, Founder & Director, Juliettes Interiors.

'Whether that’s using the same paint colour across your living room wall decor or incorporating the same textures across your soft furnishings, from curtains to scatter cushions, this will tie everything in together.'

9. Cheat it with broken plan

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Veronica Rodriguez)

Broken plan is the newer take on open-plan living room ideas. All the benefits of the latter, but allows you extra flexibility.

Replacing traditional doors with a unique glass door frame helps the open layout onto the space beyond. A feat in interior design, using glass in place of hard materials makes the walls disappear - while allowing you to shut off the living room for more intimate use, as and when some 'me time' is needed.

10. Leave a partition wall to benefit both areas

(Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith)

While you may desire the feeling of openness, you might not want to create one vast space that is devoid of structure. If this is the case consider leaving a section of wall still in place, to divide one end of the room to the other.

Having an element of division allows you to retain a living room layout – not losing a wall to place furniture against or hang wall art for instance. A smart space could use the diving wall to situate open living room fireplace ideas to ensure both areas either side of the wall benefit.

11. Add personality with block painted zones

(Image credit: Dulux)

While lounging, eating and working may all take place in one large open-plan area, it doesn't mean you can't zone each area with a different colour. Signify a change of purpose with a splash of colour, with a thoughtful living room paint idea to transform with accent walls.

12. Utilise a neutral scheme

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Rowland Roques O'Neil)

Create an effortlessly sophisticated and inviting open-plan lounge by choosing neutral living room ideas, using the same paint shade and flooring throughout.

This soft approach helps to make the space feel more grounded, and adaptable for all uses. Echo tonal accent pieces, such as lilac-grey and charcoal, to add soft colour contrasts without making the space feel overwhelmed.

13. Choose a sliding door

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachael Smith)

'Sliding doors work well for larger spaces and can really make a difference in a room' explains Rebecca from Furniture and Choice. 'While they require more work to incorporate into a space, including sliding doors into your interior design will enable you to separate an open space with style and versatility.'

'As an example, incorporating a sliding door into your kitchen/dining/living area will provide you with the flexibility to close off one space when you need to. Perhaps for home working, but then seamlessly transform it back into a vibrant space for dining and entertaining when needed.'

14. Create distinct areas with different textures

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

Instead of zoning with paint colours or furniture, you can go a long way by playing with materials. Using different textures can be used to create distinct divides in open-plan living room ideas, separating off the dining or cooking areas.

You might want to overload the former with softer, plush items to hone the relaxed element of the area, while kitchen ideas or dining spaces may be filled with harder surfaces and materials.

15. Use partitions to display items to reflect the zones

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)

When planning how to design a living room, partially divide an open-plan space with a central column. Within that partition wall add handy alcoves to provide extra storage and also helps to add a decorative touch.

Each side of the partition can be used to display items relevant to the use of that space. For example, decorative kitchen items in the dining area, and books and plants in the living section.

16. Open up a period property

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Don't let the age of your property deter you from making modern alterations. Formal front rooms in older properties can often feel dark and enclosed, so knocking through to form an open-plan living room is a popular choice. Removing a wall between rooms offers greater flexibility for the space and enhances the light in townhouses and terraces particularly.

Before undertaking any work make sure to consult a structural engineer and research any planning permission required.

17. Make rooms work on another level

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

Not all homes have horizontal ceilings and single-level floors. Highlight these features by building clever storage and outside-of-the-box zones. Play with the levels in tandem with your open-plan living room ideas.

Be savvy with heigh ceilings and create a mezzanine to act as extra living space – such as a home office or guest bedroom. Using a tonal colour palette throughout will help tie the areas together.

18. Boost light and energy with a skylight

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Claire Lloyd Davies)

The beauty of open-plan living room is the sense of space, keeping the mood as light and airy as possible aids this effect. Skylights are the ideal solution for single-floor spaces or extensions.

19. Take windows from floor to ceiling

(Image credit: Future PLC/ James Merrell)

Think about natural light sources to ensure the room stays bright. Making the most of natural light is a great way to keep a room feeling vibrant and lively and can even help a space feel larger than it actually is.

Take things further by optimising your open-plan living room to flow seamlessly out to an adjacent outdoor space. Consider wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling patio doors - they will extend your room and optimise light. Make the transition from inside to out seamless by colour-matching internal flooring with external garden decking ideas.

20. Choose an L-shaped sofa

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Use a corner sofa to define the seating area in a multi-functional open-plan living room ideas, and add a sense of intimacy to a large room. Create a comfy haven and nestle a rug and coffee table into the gap made in front of the living room sofa ideas to give a friendly, more cosy feel.

To further enhance the warm mood and create a cosy feel, paint the wall in this area a darker shade than used in the rest of the room. The moody colour behind the sofa helps to enhance it and make it even more inviting.

21. Plan out your space

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Nicholas Yarsley)

As one of the most social spaces in the house, your living room needs to look good, work hard and function well. Before you begin any work, take a little time to work out how the space functions for you. Is it a relaxing haven, and entertaining space of family central? A sophisticated neutral palette helps create a comfortable feel in this kitchen living area.

The trick is to pay attention to balancing the colour scheme and keeping everything in proportion. After all, open-plan living room ideas are a fundamental part of modern family schemes and need to incorporate all aspects of living.

22. Reconsider furniture placement

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

It's very easy to keep your dining areas in, or linked to the kitchen section of your open-plan living room ideas. However, this really doesn't haven to be the case.

There's no reason why your dining table can't sit at the other end of the space, leading on from the living area.

If you love entertaining, we recommend positioning your dining table and chairs by the window with the most light. It also creates a lovely flow to a dinner party and you will naturally feel more relaxed sitting near the window and the comfier parts of the space.

How do you style an open-plan living room?

The way you style your open-plan living room ideas helps to determine how you use the space for maximum potential. Think carefully about how to arrange living room furniture. 'Use furniture to separate multi-functional spaces,' advises Rebecca from Furniture and Choice. 'Nothing adds personality to the home like the furniture you choose, and beyond adding to the style, furniture can be positioned in such a way to stylishly divide rooms into clear sections.'

'Start by taking measurements of your furniture, then mapping out on paper what you want each area of the space to be used for. Having this plan in place will help you to visualise the finished product and notice where you can use accessories and statement pieces to create clear “zones” within the room.'

'A bookshelf can be a good way to break up and separate a room in two, just fill the shelving with plenty of books and some trailing houseplants to create a cosy but stylishly-vintage reading nook,' suggests Rebecca. 'This style is perfect if you’re living in a studio apartment or have an open floor plan, as you can add a bookshelf next to your bed to separate your sleeping area from the rest of your space.'

How do you divide a room in an open floor plan?

'Dividing open-plan living room ideas can be done in a number of ways,' says Juliette from Juliettes Interiors. 'If you want a physical divide without compromising the light and feeling for space, opt for a glass screen or Crittal doors. These will give both privacy and separation, but still allow for the rooms to flow together.'

'Alternatively, you could zone the spaces with the use of rugs. Whether it's in the centre of a living space or under a dining table, rugs are a great way to create separation.'

Open-plan apartments - zoning rules and open-plan interior design

Open-plan apartments have become popular in the US as a new convenient type of living space organization.

The principle is very rational: private spaces should be isolated, and everything else can be combined for the benefit of the visual impression of space and for the sake of ease of movement.

The open plan method combines the area for family vacations, receiving guests, day cares into one spacious room, and the private part of the apartment - bedrooms, bathrooms, wardrobe and office are isolated.

We will look at the basic principles of an open plan, how to make the "presentation area" convenient and comfortable.

What do we unite?
Zoning methods
• Structural
• Visual
Choice of style, furniture, finishes
Decoration
Lighting
Halls and entrance hall
Bathrooms

In the article "How to choose the layout of an apartment according to your own taste" we considered 3 options depending on the degree of isolation of the premises from each other. And here we will analyze in detail the features of creating a comfortable type of housing that looks spectacular, but quite comfortable. It is optimally suited for family and bachelor apartments. If you like this option, you should find out what an open plan is and how to properly organize its zoning.

What do we combine?

The most popular option is to link the living room, dining room and kitchen. These premises are included in the "orbit of receiving guests" and combine the interests of all family members.

Also, an open-plan interior may include the placement of a home office in the open part of the apartment. This option is suitable for bachelor housing and those who are not distracted by communication with household members.

Open plan interior design doesn't always have to be strictly rectangular.

Turns, circles and separate "alcoves" zone the room, creating a more multifaceted perspective and diversity. Such "architecture" is created by the perimeter of the bathroom or the walls of other rooms, specially constructed structures and furniture arrangement.

Zoning methods

When planning an open-plan interior, you must adhere to the rules of zoning and proper division of space, otherwise you risk organizing a warehouse from a pile of furniture instead of a cozy apartment.

Structurally

Decorative partitions

The most effective option. On the one hand, this 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 with partitions: walls 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 in shape. 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 partition walls. In order to organically fit the arch into space, its shape should be repeated in other elements of decor or furniture. It is recommended to order a drawing of the opening from a professional designer or architect who will calculate all 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 in terms of functionality: if you cook fish in the kitchen area, the smell will not go into the living areas. And for receiving guests, you can open the partitions, increasing the space. Despite the fact that sliding partitions are mounted at the end of the repair, it is necessary to strengthen suspended ceilings in advance.

Visually

If the space is not spacious, you can use design techniques for zoning the space: using different materials for walls and floors, shades and textures.

Zoning in the interior of an open-plan apartment can be organized using the "different levels method" - ceiling and floor. To do this, it is necessary to build a multi-level ceiling and / or podium, depending on taste and in accordance with the size of the zones.

The open floor plan of the apartment can be demarcated with furniture. Turn the sofa with its back in relation to the kitchen, or put a bar counter on the border of the kitchen-dining room and living room, look for spectacular designer shelving-racks - the most common techniques in space zoning.

How to choose style, furniture and finishing materials

To make the space look harmonious, you need to decide on the future style of interior design. 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 keep the view to the kitchen from the living room minimal, or completely excluded.

When choosing furniture for different areas (living room, kitchen, dining room), pay attention to how individual items and collections fit together. This is especially true for cabinet furniture. One of the decorative elements must be repeated. It can be a material, a combination of shades or a shape.

When choosing finishing materials, each zone can be unique. But at the boundaries of the zones there should not be bright contrasts or completely incomparable materials, which can cause visual discomfort.

Decorative accents

Spectacular decor can be used to mark the "center" of a combined space or a separate zone. It can be a large-scale design of an aquarium, walls with a waterfall or a fireplace - anything that attracts the eye.

Another, less expensive method is spectacular finishing materials in the living area. Bright or unusual wallpaper, decorative plaster or stone, against which upholstered furniture will look especially attractive.

When choosing wall decor (pictures, mirrors, etc.) for the united part of the apartment, it is better to stick to conciseness than excess and variety. If there is already a large dominant decor element here, everything else is best minimized or selected in strict accordance with it. Even if we are talking about different zones.

Lighting

The zoning of an open-plan apartment can be supported by different lighting scenarios and diversified 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 room for fundamentally dark corners where no light ever enters. Therefore, correctly assess the amount of natural light from the windows and plan the fixtures in more remote areas.

Decorative light can highlight both large structures and elements, as well as small spectacular details, such as niches.

Halls and entrance hall in such an apartment

It is desirable to divide the entrance area into two parts, similar to how it is done for a private house. The closest area to the front door is the entrance hall itself. It organizes the storage of outerwear and shoes, as well as a corner with a mirror and shelves and, possibly, a pouffe. The choice of materials and decor for this area is limited only by its size and your imagination, and the best material for the floor is tiles.

The second part is the border between the united space and the hallway, and its continuation (corridor or hall) leads to the private part of the house. For information on how to separate this part of the hallway from the combined territory, read above in the section on zoning methods. The best option is decorative partitions.

Bathrooms in an open-plan apartment

It's very short here. The best option is two bathrooms: guest and master.

It is desirable to place the first one so that the door to it is not visible from the open part, i.e. closer to the front door. Sometimes for the sake of this it is worth making a choice in favor of a decorative partition.

The second one, larger in size, is being built not far from the private part of the apartment, next to the bedrooms and wardrobe.

That's all the most important thing that you want to know about the zoning and decor of the apartment, if you like the open layout in its guest part. Let this choice provide you with optimal comfort and spectacular views of your home!