Maximizing Your Open Floor Plan: Design and Functionality Tips

Maximizing Your Open Floor Plan: Design and Functionality Tips

A frequent request by new home shoppers is an open floorplan, where the living room, kitchen, and eating areas flow easily from space to space. The flexibility of an open living space offers many benefits but can also present some challenges. Here are some tips and ideas for making the most of your open floor plan.

Open Floor Plans: The New Standard of Home Design

An open floor plan allows for lots of space and an uninterrupted flow between the rooms in your home. For those who are used to placing a sofa against a wall, however, an open floor plan may be a challenge to furnish. So, how do you get the most out of a floor plan that allows for open living? Below, we’ll discuss how to utilize this type of plan in terms of decorating, differentiating spaces, keeping the space tidy, and entertaining.

Wide Open Spaces

One reason many homeowners appreciate open floor plans is that this layout is ideal for entertaining. Guests have enough room to mingle in a large space without being separated by walls, and you’re able to serve food, drinks, and play music all in one space—or even entertain while cooking, making the kitchen a gathering space for host and guests alike.

Also, rooms are expandable for your needs—you can have a dining space for small gatherings or move furniture out of the way to expand the space for larger groups.

Another advantage of an open floor plan is that it’s a great layout for families. Open floor plans provide the ability to supervise children easily, as you can keep an eye on them from any part of the living area. For older kids, you can communicate with them or monitor what they’re watching on TV—all while cooking dinner in the kitchen.

“The open plan works well for the modern family. Families today are typically multitasking between kids and work. It is helpful to have a room that supports many functions, such as preparing dinner while helping children with homework.”

Differentiating Spaces

While an open floor plan is ideal for hosting guests and staying connected with family, decorating can be an issue. There are fewer walls to hang artwork, and it may be difficult to differentiate each space. You may also have to commit to one overall design theme, which could mean buying more cohesive furniture if you’re coming from a home with separate rooms.

Key questions in an open floor plan include: “Where does one room stop and the other start? How do you fill up such a large space?”

One of the easiest ways to break up an open floor plan is by adding rugs in certain areas to define each space. Overhead lighting, like a chandelier, can also suggest where to place the dining area.

Other challenges include unsightly furniture backs and maintaining a cohesive color scheme. Low bookcases or console tables behind couches can help conceal furniture backs. Architectural features like columns can also help define spaces.

Using a consistent color palette—such as blues, greens, and browns—while varying shades in different areas can help separate spaces while maintaining harmony.

Keeping It Tidy

An open floor plan requires thoughtful organization to keep the large space tidy. Built-in storage shelves are ideal, but movable shelves can also work well and double as room dividers.

Take advantage of every corner—add a study area with a desk and bookshelf, or create a breakfast nook between the kitchen and family room. Storage ottomans are useful for stowing blankets, coasters, or toys, while entertainment centers with concealed shelving help maintain a clutter-free look.

Entertaining with Ease

As mentioned earlier, an open floor plan is especially useful for entertaining. The possibilities are endless—you can serve cocktails in a bar area, place appetizers on the kitchen island, host a sit-down dinner in the dining area, and then relax on the couch for conversation and games.