Breaking Up is Easy to Do: Partition Your Way to Zones at Home
Double the functionality of a room or add structure to an open-plan space with some creative partitioning
Sometimes open plan is, well, a little too open. Open plan might work perfectly, for instance, when your kids are young and you need to keep your eye on them, but then when they’re big boisterous teenagers, you might not want to look at them (or hear them) quite as much. In a large space you might want to break things up a bit or create zones, while maintaining airflow and visual connection. Or, if you live in a small space you may find it helpful to divide areas to create more living space.
To get the best of both worlds, you can use partitioning effectively to expand a small space or to structure a large space, while still maintaining light and flow. It can be functional – by providing storage – or could simply be decorative. Take a look at some of these great ideas to discover the many advantages of creative partitioning.
To get the best of both worlds, you can use partitioning effectively to expand a small space or to structure a large space, while still maintaining light and flow. It can be functional – by providing storage – or could simply be decorative. Take a look at some of these great ideas to discover the many advantages of creative partitioning.
In a small space, such as this studio, open shelving is an effective way to create the impression of two rooms while still allowing connection – and light – into both spaces.
Tip: Don’t be tempted to fill every single one of your open shelves. If possible, curate a small selection of ornaments so that it’s not too busy or cluttered looking, especially when you aim to maintain a visual connection between one area and another.
Tip: Don’t be tempted to fill every single one of your open shelves. If possible, curate a small selection of ornaments so that it’s not too busy or cluttered looking, especially when you aim to maintain a visual connection between one area and another.
This kind of cabinetry as screening can either be built-in or freestanding, with the advantage that it can be moved around or taken away as your needs change. Shelves fixed in place have the advantage of solidity, but are a more permanent feature. If you do change your mind in future and decide to open up a space, however, it wouldn’t be as big a job as removing a structural wall.
Tour this dream home
Tour this dream home
This is a beautiful example of a screen between a bedroom and a lounge area – with just a single opening for light and ornamentation.
Get creative
This ‘60s-inspired apartment features a dining nook separated from the open-plan kitchen/living area with the help of a macrame-style screen. So retro, so effective.
This ‘60s-inspired apartment features a dining nook separated from the open-plan kitchen/living area with the help of a macrame-style screen. So retro, so effective.
Put curtains to use
One of the simplest ways we can partition a space is with a good old-fashioned curtain and rail. The beauty of the curtain is that it’s totally flexible so it’s easy to open up the space or close it off.
One of the simplest ways we can partition a space is with a good old-fashioned curtain and rail. The beauty of the curtain is that it’s totally flexible so it’s easy to open up the space or close it off.
Using curtains to divide a bedroom can create cosiness and allow privacy when needed. You can still let in light if and when you choose, making them a perfect choice to allow flexibility in a small space.
Tip: When selecting fabric for your dividing curtain, think about what you want it to do. If it’s to create privacy and promote cosiness, go for a heavy drape. If you still want to let in light, go for sheer. If you want it to do both, try two curtains – one full block-out and one sheer – on a double rail for even greater flexibility.
Tip: When selecting fabric for your dividing curtain, think about what you want it to do. If it’s to create privacy and promote cosiness, go for a heavy drape. If you still want to let in light, go for sheer. If you want it to do both, try two curtains – one full block-out and one sheer – on a double rail for even greater flexibility.
Use decorative structures
Some of the many screens around today allow you to partition spaces while still allowing some light and visual connection, but they are also beautiful pieces of design in their own right, as the following photos reveal.
16 ways to create zones in open-plan spaces
Some of the many screens around today allow you to partition spaces while still allowing some light and visual connection, but they are also beautiful pieces of design in their own right, as the following photos reveal.
16 ways to create zones in open-plan spaces
Structures such as these provide a subtle screen, creating just a hint of partition, but mostly allowing the light and views through.
Between a living room and a kitchen, a screen such as this one provides a physical divide but still maintains a visual connection.
Whereas pretty screens such as these allow light through but create a more solid partition.
Make use of windows
Another interesting screen idea is to install windows – this allows you to maintain a visual connection between areas, but allows more screening for blocking out noise and cooking odours.
Another interesting screen idea is to install windows – this allows you to maintain a visual connection between areas, but allows more screening for blocking out noise and cooking odours.
This makes windows an effective way to screen between a kitchen area and a television or lounge room.
Browse more interior photos
Browse more interior photos
Add some sliding doors
Simple and beautiful, sliding doors allow you to have your cake and eat it too. They create seamless flow between two areas when pushed back, but easily separate spaces when privacy is preferred. Here they allow for two separate rooms in one moment, and voilà, an open-plan space the next.
Simple and beautiful, sliding doors allow you to have your cake and eat it too. They create seamless flow between two areas when pushed back, but easily separate spaces when privacy is preferred. Here they allow for two separate rooms in one moment, and voilà, an open-plan space the next.
Tell us
Do you like to create separation at home, or do you prefer open plan? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Browse more living area design ideas
Do you like to create separation at home, or do you prefer open plan? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
Browse more living area design ideas
A simple open bookshelf is one of the easiest ways to create a temporary or flexible form of separation between one area and another. And the wonderful thing is, because the shelving is open, it lets the light through. You have a partition, but you still have a bright, open space.