Are open floor plans here to stay?
Homes have changed significantly in the last 50+ years. The average home size in 1950 was less than 1000 square feet. In 2004, it grew to more than 2,300 square feet according to the National Association of Home Builders. Families are bigger now with multi-generations living together. These families want to spend more time together and want more room. In response to these changes, builders are changing the way they approach a new build to create a flowing and more open floor plan. I don’t know if open floor plans are here to stay but I do know that sometimes it can cause a homeowner some pause when it comes to decorating the space.
Plan the space
Determine what activities you want to do in the space. Do you want to watch movies, sit down with a book, have a meal, or visit with friends? If your answer is yes to all then you can accomplish your goals. You just have to allocate the space for each of these activities. While an open floor plan visually makes the room big you can divide up the area into small sections without putting up a wall. Many different pieces of furniture can help you section off an area such as low couches, short bookcases, or a sofa table while still giving you the open floor plan you want.
Color
An open floor plan can be functional in many aspects as long as you keep everything cohesive. Starting with the wall color, use one color in the large space. The flooring should also be the same and if you have wood flooring it should all be laid in the same direction. Use coordinating accent colors to brighten each section of the room. If you use a beige neutral color on the walls select a rug or a favorite piece of art with multiple colors you can use throughout the room. Let the art help you decide what accents you can use to unify the space such as reds or blues.
Lighting
Lighting is another area that can help you bring your space together. Use recessed lights if you can for general lighting in the open floor plan. Place table lamps or pendants in other areas related to the intended task. In the end you can still have separate yet distinct areas in an open floor plan.
An open floor plan doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. Using color, lighting and a plan on how you want to use the space, you can decorate the room of your dreams.