Design trends and styles change every few years, and right now, the open concept floor plan is in and here to stay. High-end residential designers have been using open floor plan models for the last decade, finding interesting ways to section off areas of a space with furniture, paint, and decor. It’s the new “It Girl” of home design.
If you’ve watched a MasterClass on interior design, you probably already know that open concept floor plans can look high budget without breaking the bank. If you’re searching for ways to modernize and improve the overall look and feel of your home, an open floor plan might be perfect for you.
Before getting started on your “Open Floor Plan Ideas” Pinterest board, there are a few things you’ll want to check off your list that are on a need-to-know basis for the open concept design:
- Does your home already accommodate an open floor plan?
- Will you need to do demolition?
- How will you account for support structures?
- Are you willing to spend money and time on decor?
- Which room will you be remodeling?
Make sure you have a sense of your answer to each question. Going into a construction project with a clear set of intentions will help you along the way. Whether or not you’re planning to employ interior design services like the ones we offer at Bela Development, we’ve got a few tips for you regarding open floor plan ideas. Take a look!
Open Floor Plan Design Tips
Create flow between spaces
Your open concept floor plan should combine sectioning with flow. What we mean by that is you should make a conscious effort to separate spaces that would typically be in different rooms.
Take the kitchen and dining room, for example: in an open concept kitchen, your cabinets would sit against one or two walls, and the room would open up into a living room or dining room. You’ll want to make sure that both the connection and division between the two spaces are clear.
Incorporating different levels of separation can also create flow throughout the space. A low partition along the kitchen bar, high-back dining chairs, or floating walls or bookshelves can form a sense of harmony between two areas.
Invest in interior design
This tip is key if you want to keep your floor plan from looking disorganized. Decorations like paint or wallpaper color, wall art, and tasteful furniture will add to and complete your interior look. Each area should incorporate colors and designs from the rest of the home. An open concept kitchen with black cabinetry should be connected to a dining area with black accents, furniture, or centerpieces.
Furniture Angles
Another thing to keep in mind is the placement of your furniture. If you have pieces sitting in the center of a room, make sure they look good from all angles. Do your end tables look good from behind your living area? Consider a 360º view when purchasing furniture for different spaces.
Rugs!
Adding an area rug is a great way to break up an open concept floor plan. In large spaces with open flooring, use a rug to bring together a specific space. Rugs can be placed under dining room tables, lounge areas, or sofas to give the furniture on top a sense of purpose in its placement.
Create a focal point in your open floor plan
Start with a main focal point and build around it. Your focal point could be the living room or lounge area, the kitchen, an open concept dining area, or even an art piece. The idea here is to choose something that acts as the centerpiece of your space. This way, visitors at your home won’t get as easily distracted by other furniture, and you can do more with your focal point.
How to Decorate an Open Floor Plan
Make sure you choose the right color palette that can be used throughout the home. From there, you can experiment with different furniture colors, accent pillows and pieces, paintings, and other types of decorations. Try to decorate each section with its centerpiece and try your best to avoid making things look too busy. Most open concept floor plans are a bit more modern and toned down simply because the space itself will be fussy.
Are Open Floor Plans Going Out of Style?
Open concept floor plans have been the design choice of most new home builds and remodels for more than a decade, and we don’t expect that to change anytime soon. Now, instead of a completely open look, homeowners are choosing to optimize and customize their spaces to fit their needs and design styles. Flexibility is key. To make this look more timeless, avoid anything too trendy or recently trending modern styles. If you do want to incorporate more trends into your space, purchase furniture and accent pieces that match your ideal look. If in five years that trend has faded away, you can always purchase new furniture.
If you’re interested in remodeling your home and incorporating open floor plan ideas, Bela Development can work with you every step of the way to get you your dream layout. Our team of experts is equipped to handle all parts of the remodeling model process, from demolition to finishing touches to permitting and approval.
To hear more about our ideas and experiences with open floor plans, contact us and set up a free consultation.
