Open concept homes seem to be the up-and-coming trend for interior design. For those who don’t follow the interior design scene, it might be hard to understand why. After all, having your kitchen, dining, and living room together may seem like you’ll be living in clutter, but if done right, an open concept plan can feel cozy while giving you all the space you need.

With tinier and tinier apartments on the market, an open space concept might be just the thing to make them feel bigger and brighter. What’s more, it’s great when you have company, as well as for keeping an eye on your kids. Let’s not forget that it opens up innumerable opportunities for thinking out of the box.

1. Think about wall art

Don’t leave your walls bleak and empty, as it will surely make your open-plan space seem incomplete. You can come up with different art for each part of your home. For example, the dining room can be decorated with family photos, while the light in the living room can be a striking and thought-provoking painting.

You can get your family to participate, thus adding a nice personal touch to your home. Nothing will make it feel cozier than your family spirit.

2. Play with the lights

Now that you’re working with one huge space, why not control the lights from one space, too? You can create a light pattern throughout the room, and add one control station where you can play with the pattern. Turn on just the lights along the kitchen wall, or make sure the light in the living room stays off. If you want to set the mood, include the option to dim the lights.

This will make for movie nights that resemble those at the cinema, as well as create an intimate and private atmosphere in the bedroom. You can create a romantic setting in the dining room over dinner, too.

3. Consider adding a room divider

No matter how much you may love your new open space home, you may still feel like you need some privacy in the bedroom. This is why room dividers are great. They don’t take away from the cohesion of the space nor upset the coziness of your home, but they give you the privacy you need. This is especially important in the evenings when you want to go to bed, or when you have company and don’t want them peeking into your bedroom.

Room dividers can be of all shapes and functions- from sliding ones to those made of wood which resembles blinds. On top of these benefits, they make for very interesting décor.

4. Choose a cohesive color theme

The neutral color you choose should be the same for all of your areas. This will create a unifying tone and give an impression of a true and comfortable open space home. Of course, by keeping just that color, you risk having an unappealing and drab home, just short of elegance. This is why you should choose a different accentual color for each area.

So, for instance, your natural color is beige, but the main color in your kitchen is turquoise. Your dining area is marked by a soft green, while your living room is made up of a calming orange. This way, each room has something unique while still sharing the overall beige tone that ties the place together. It can be tricky finding the right balance of colors though, so it’s best to research the best color schemes before you start painting.

5. Use area rugs to your advantage

Area rugs are a great and simple way to create an impression of separate rooms in your open space home. This way, you can indicate to people which areas are for eating and which are for talking. Your kids can get their own play area, too. It’s the perfect way to stay cozy without feeling cluttered by the furniture and people. It also helps you keep things neat and clean, while not taking away from creativity.

Of course, since rugs can be hard to clean, you might want to opt for quality floor mats. They have the same aesthetic appeal of rugs but come with a much easier maintenance manual. While you’ll have to vacuum and even get your rugs professionally cleaned, you can simply wipe off any stain from your floor mat and live in a pristine environment once again.

6. Move your furniture from the walls

Now that you don’t have to save space in a small room confined by thick walls, you get to display the full beauty of your furniture. In conventional apartment plans, the furniture is usually put up right next to the walls, so you can have at least some space to move around. In an open concept home, there isn’t much point in aligning your goods next to the walls.

You’re working with one huge space, so you can easily place your furniture in the middle of the room. It gives structure and shape to your home. For example, if the kitchen counters are against the wall, the kitchen isle can be just between the living room and kitchen. This separates the two rooms while keeping them together at the same time. It’s also going to be much easier to eat when you have space to move about your dining table. Finally, the living area will be much more relaxed and cozy.

Conclusion

An open concept home might be just the thing you need to spice things up. Separate rooms usually cut off any natural supply you can get, while making the space smaller than it already is. You can be as creative as you want with this design, allowing you to fully express your uniqueness and completely reinvent the space you live in. Be free and weightless in an environment full of positive energy, natural light, and your favorite decoration.

Bio: Emma Williams is an Australian writer with an MBA in Business Administration, who has a passion for anything lifestyle and design-related. She spends most of her time redecorating and participating in house projects. As a great nature lover, her biggest pleasure is spending time in a small cottage by the river.
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