Open floor plans became popular quite a while ago. The idea of being able to prepare a meal in the kitchen while still being a part of the conversation in the living room is appealing. However, sometimes you might be craving a little more privacy and quiet in your space (Many of us still have the experience of working from home while our children were doing virtual school embedded in our memories.) In these cases, defining spaces within an open floor plan can help make the space feel more functional and purposeful while additional furniture can help to dampen noise. Here are some ideas to help create smaller rooms within an open floor plan.
Furniture Placement
No surprise here! Furniture placement can help define the different areas within an open floor plan. Grouping a set of sofas and chairs in a u-shape with the backs to the kitchen area can help define the living room area. You can place a narrow console table against the sofa to define the “hallway” between the living area and dining. The furniture will help to visually break apart the room into smaller spaces.
Screens and Bookcases
Tall screens or bookcases can help to not only create a visual barrier between spaces in a room, but also to absorb some of the noise that bounces off walls in larger open spaces. Tall screens can be helpful when your work from home office is a section of the large open area on the main floor of your home that is fine when it’s just you but gets a little too noisy when the kids have the day off from school. They are also mobile and can be moved or put away as needed. Bookcases can help to define a space as well. Open bookcases can help to give your eye a visual barrier while still allowing light to flow through the space while solid ones can create a little nook of privacy in the room.
Rugs
Rugs are great in open spaces because they can help to define a specific space like the living or dining area and also absorb sound. Rugs help to create a visual barrier in your mind.
Accent Walls and Art
Just like rugs, accent walls can help to create a smaller room within a larger one. A different color wall behind the couch defines the living room. An office in the corner or a room can be identified by a change in wall color. A collection of art hanging on a wall can also serve the same purpose as an accent wall.
Ceiling
Adding decorative beams to a ceiling can help to define a space within a room. You can create a tray ceiling or add paint or other decorative elements to define the space within a larger room.
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