Open Plan To Broken Plan: How To Zone Your Living Space

Open plan living spaces are a typical feature of contemporary interior design. They can help a home to appear lighter and more spacious, and promote unity and sociability. However, there is a growing trend to create more defined zones within an open layout in order to allow household members to carry out different activities without disturbing each other.

For example, it’s possible that some family members need to work from home in one area of the space, while others might want to relax and watch television, socialise, dine or cook. Here are some creative zoning solutions to help you move from an open space to a ‘broken plan’ multifunctional room.

Consider the needs of the household

Start by thinking about how the space is used on a regular basis. For example, do you need a compact office space for working from home or teenagers to study? It might be the case that this area will need to be separated from a space where children can play or watch TV. 

If the space includes a kitchen, you may want this to be used flexibly so it can be opened up or screened off, with a defined area for dining and socialising.

Consider the structure of the room

Certain features of the architectural structure of the room may suggest solutions, such as a nook that is perfect for shelves and a compact fold away desk, or an archway or narrower space that suggests a natural position for a partition or room divider. Try to work with the existing flow of the room rather than against it. 

Define zones with furniture

The placement of furniture is another natural way to divide up the space. Use larger pieces such as shelving units or luxury sideboards to provide visual barriers. Choose open shelves to allow light to flow through while still providing some degree of separation. A large corner sofa that faces away from the rest of the room can be used to create a relaxed seating area.

Make use of rugs and flooring 

Large rugs are a very simple yet effective way of marking out different zones in the room. They also provide a degree of sound insulation and protection if you have hard flooring. Place a durable rug under a dining table to muffle the noise of chairs scraping on the floor, and use textured or patterned rugs to add interest and uniqueness to sitting areas. 

You may want to consider breaking the space up with different types of flooring, such as hardwood or laminate in the living space, and stone flags in the kitchen area. 

Use room dividers and screens

If you want a more definite barrier that will provide a degree of soundproofing or privacy, you may want to consider installing openable glass partitions or screens. Glass can be tinted or frosted to provide some privacy whilst also still allowing the light to flow through. Sliding doors will give you the option of closing the room off or leaving it open.