8 Ways to Solve Minor Open-Plan Living Annoyances
Privacy, noise, overlapping 'zones'... open-plan living looks great but can be tricky to execute
Do you love the idea of open-plan or loft-style living but worry about privacy, noise, separating your living, working and sleeping zones, or finding space to display art when you lack dividing walls? These eight tips – and the accompanying images, which nail open-plan design – show you how to live easily in an open-plan space.
1. Wallpaper the roof
Separating your zones could be as easy as looking up. A dramatic ceiling treatment sets the kitchen zone apart from the living space in this apartment in Miami, Queensland…
Find a local interior designer or decorator on Houzz to help plan your interiors
Separating your zones could be as easy as looking up. A dramatic ceiling treatment sets the kitchen zone apart from the living space in this apartment in Miami, Queensland…
Find a local interior designer or decorator on Houzz to help plan your interiors
2. Mix up your materials
Timber has been used to great effect in this Spanish apartment. The cooking and eating zones are effortlessly separated from the living area by the change in materials.
Timber has been used to great effect in this Spanish apartment. The cooking and eating zones are effortlessly separated from the living area by the change in materials.
3. Invest in some screen time
Dividing screens are another creative way to organise your spaces. Try a fixed wooden screen such as the one seen here…
Dividing screens are another creative way to organise your spaces. Try a fixed wooden screen such as the one seen here…
…Or a more temporary screen such as this amazing steel curtain in this New York, USA loft.
4. Add partial walls
While walls may seem like the antithesis of the loft-style dream, part-walls or nib walls are a useful device for organising your spaces.
While walls may seem like the antithesis of the loft-style dream, part-walls or nib walls are a useful device for organising your spaces.
They also lend an air of privacy to sleeping zones in open-plan interiors. This master bedroom in Melbourne, Victoria, benefits from the addition of a fireplace in the dividing wall.
If you really want to make a statement, consider a suspended fireplace such as the spectacular example seen in this contemporary Melbourne home.
5. Make windows work for you
If you like the idea of open-plan living but need a separate office space, try adding windows to your dividing wall to enjoy the best of both worlds.
If you like the idea of open-plan living but need a separate office space, try adding windows to your dividing wall to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Windows also work wonders separating out this sleeping zone.
14 Reasons to Consider Internal Windows and Glazing
14 Reasons to Consider Internal Windows and Glazing
6. Get clever displaying art
Worried that no walls means no place to display your art? Consider installing a storage wall with a sideboard such as the gorgeous timber example seen in this Austin, USA, home. As a bonus, a large piece of art could be hung on the reverse side.
Worried that no walls means no place to display your art? Consider installing a storage wall with a sideboard such as the gorgeous timber example seen in this Austin, USA, home. As a bonus, a large piece of art could be hung on the reverse side.
Another nifty way to display art when walls are at a minimum is on an easel, as in this Dutch residence. Artwork can easily be moved from room to room and regularly switched out to showcase your whole collection.
It’s worth remembering art doesn’t just hang on walls. An oversize sculpture such as the one seen in this apartment makes a great focal point.
7. Soften the space
Noise can be an issue in open-plan spaces. As well as helping define your zones, rugs are one solution for absorbing sound and keeping noise at a comfortable level.
Noise can be an issue in open-plan spaces. As well as helping define your zones, rugs are one solution for absorbing sound and keeping noise at a comfortable level.
Layering soft furnishings by adding curtains to your windows is another effective noise-reduction method in open-plan spaces.
9 Ideas for Softening Sound in Open-Plan Spaces
9 Ideas for Softening Sound in Open-Plan Spaces
8. Pop in a pod
For a futuristic solution to delineating an open-plan layout, look no further than installing a pod. Two freestanding leaf-shaped curved partitions conceal an office space in this home in Minneapolis, USA. It’s discreet on the outside…
For a futuristic solution to delineating an open-plan layout, look no further than installing a pod. Two freestanding leaf-shaped curved partitions conceal an office space in this home in Minneapolis, USA. It’s discreet on the outside…
…but surprisingly roomy on the inside. And what a bookshelf!
But why stop with a pod? For something completely different, build a room within a room, as in this Melbourne home. Problem solved.
Your turn
Are there any other ways you’ve solved open-plan issues? Tell us how in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like this story, save it, save the photos, and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical advice? Read how to Help Your Open-Plan Living Area Become Great at Multitasking
Your turn
Are there any other ways you’ve solved open-plan issues? Tell us how in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like this story, save it, save the photos, and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical advice? Read how to Help Your Open-Plan Living Area Become Great at Multitasking
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The ceiling in 7 would do more to mitigate the noise than the rug