An open-plan apartment is a unique space where all the main rooms of the house are contained within a single floor space. To furnish an open-plan space effectively, it’s essential to carefully calculate the space and choose furnishings with taste and purpose, maximizing the available space.
What is Open Space
By definition, an open space is a very spacious environment where different functions are separated not by walls, but by architectural or furnishing elements that limit the perception of the other function, whether full-height or not. We can identify an open space as a multifunctional space, a never-static room in which one specific function flows into another, where the spaces are delimited but never limited.
It remains a type of architecture that easily identifies with and contrasts with traditional homes, where the separation between rooms and functions was clear-cut. For example, in early 1970s homes, there was a division between the kitchen area, understood as a service area, the dining room, the living room, and the bedrooms.
In those years, a clear separation between functions was preferred. Today, however, the trend is to seek continuous space, especially in the living area. The key idea behind the new open-plan space is to connect the kitchen, a former serving area, with the living room, a convivial and conversational space. This eliminates walls and favors a modern, open-plan living space.
Below is a roundup of tips and ideas to help you design an open-plan space.
Ideas for furnishing an open space: the layout
As we’ve said, furnishing an open space isn’t easy; it can seem like a costly and nerve-wracking undertaking. You might think that furnishing an existing open space is more complex than furnishing one in a new build, but that’s not always the case. During construction of a new build, you often encounter modifications and variations in form and client ideas, which often have a disastrous effect on the home’s ambiance.
Almost all of these uncertainties and fears stem from the belief that furnishing an open space is a matter of furniture, lines, and colors. However, the true nature of the problem lies in the inability to imagine the space and its organization.
This is why the first thing to keep in mind when furnishing an open space is the size and layout. The harmony and livability of a home depends on how the various functions are arranged: where will the kitchen, living room, and bedroom be positioned, so that the final result is functional and orderly. Once the space to dedicate to these three main functions has been identified, we can move on to choosing the furniture and its correct placement to create multiple distinct environments in a single space.
The sleeping area in the open space
Let’s start with the area that creates the fewest problems and doubts regarding both the type of furniture and the layout. The fundamental elements that make up a bedroom are: the bed, the wardrobe, and the bedside tables. Once these furnishings have been defined, their arrangement within the space dedicated to the room is rather limited and directed. The peculiarity of the sleeping area in open-plan layouts is that, in most solutions, it is located on a mezzanine, remaining in a raised position compared to the rest of the home.
The living room in an open space
The living area consists of one or more sofas, possibly armchairs, and a TV cabinet. Along with the kitchen, it is the undisputed centerpiece of the open-plan space. The entire family’s life revolves around this space. It’s important that the lines of the sofa and accessories allow for both conversation and relaxation. For this reason, corner solutions or convertible sofas are preferred, which transform the sofa into a living space with a simple movement of the backrest.
A reading nook can also complement the living room, providing a place for relaxation and privacy within the large living room-kitchen area. Here too, the reading nook should be accented with color, furnishings, or materials that enhance it.
The kitchen in a unique environment
The second main room in the home is the kitchen. Here, the options are endless, from a linear kitchen to a central island—you’re spoiled for choice. What’s truly important is that the kitchen’s function is identified not only by its furniture but also by its aesthetics and the mood it conveys. For example, an island or peninsula could act as a separation between the living room and the kitchen itself, perhaps with a different color or material that enhances the kitchen and the space itself.
The dining area of the open space
This area also plays a key role. Like the kitchen island, the dining table can also act as a dividing line between functions. An elegant table with refined chairs, surrounded by glass windows and a beautiful rug, could be the functional divider between the rooms, without obstructing the overall view. Of course, all the elements, even if different in material and color, must be harmonious in style and aesthetic. Otherwise, the final result will be a jumble of elements.
The entrance to the open space
In an open-plan space, the entrance area can be difficult to identify, as it often opens directly into the living room. To distinguish it and separate it from the rest of the room, you could opt for removable or space-saving dividers. Alternatively, sideboards can be used as partitions, but they also serve as functional storage for shoe racks or pocket empties. A third option is to install a plasterboard wall, but this is recommended only for medium-large spaces, otherwise it will have the opposite effect.
Furnishing a rectangular open space
These spaces are typically very bright and have plenty of windows. Our recommendations are as follows:
Use the longest non-windowed wall to place bulkier and longer furniture, such as the kitchen or TV stand;
Consider the layout carefully so as not to create awkward or slalom-like paths when arranging furniture;
Avoid overfilling the available walls;
Make the most of the space.
Square open space: how to furnish it
Furnishing a regular-shaped open space, such as a square, is even more complex than the previous case. Complicating matters are not only the walls all being the same length, but also the openings of doors and windows, which restrict the available usable space. In this case, it will be necessary to meticulously study the space and the dimensions of the furnishings. Furthermore, to avoid the space becoming monotonous, it is advisable to use different colors and materials to create visual breaks and make the space appear larger.
Furnishing a small open space
Keeping all the solutions described above in mind, what you can do to furnish a small living room/kitchen is to include only the necessary furniture and use minimalist, small-sized pieces that, if possible, offer space-saving solutions.
Pros and cons of an open space
As with all architectural choices, there are pros and cons. Certainly, if you let experts and specialized architects guide you through the project, the cons will be minimized, as everything is carefully planned and studied.
In general, we can say that open-plan living offers the following advantages:
Freeing up space and light, even in smaller rooms and apartments;
Energy savings, both in terms of heating and electricity;
Fluidity of spaces, with linear designs that reflect your style;
Ability to customize the space;
Ability to modify the multifunctional space over time.
On the other hand, there are also disadvantages:
Due to the layout of the building, it requires less space for furniture. This means fewer walls for standard furniture, but in reality, there are many solutions on the market to suit all tastes.
An open-plan living space requires no clear division between the living room and kitchen, which means noise and odors can spread throughout the home.
It’s essential to be tidy, especially in social and conversation areas;
privacy in the various areas is reduced to a minimum.
Mistakes to avoid when furnishing an open space
Furnishing an open space is not easy, especially if you don’t have the necessary skills and don’t seek help from those who do. The most common mistakes made when furnishing a single space without guidance are the following:
Creating functional areas haphazardly, without considering the available space, logical flow, usability, and the overall dimensions of the elements;
Furnishing with everything and more. Cramming all the furniture into one spot and leaving other spaces empty is certainly not the right way to arrange furniture. Instead, it’s best to create a harmonious design that will make the open space feel uniformly furnished. It’s normal to have more lavish areas than others, but what matters is creating a visual and practical balance between the rooms;
Not using color and texture. It’s essential to use colors, materials, and textures to make the space more harmonious, but at the same time to differentiate the various areas and functions. For example, using different flooring in the living room and kitchen could highlight the different functions but also set the tone for the kitchen furniture.
Avoid harmonious shapes. It is essential to create a unique and uniform style throughout the room. Harmony must be sought in the lines of the furniture, furnishings, colors, and materials. Eclectic decor is also possible, but it is important to always maintain a common thread.
Forgo functionality. An open space that is not functional is unacceptable. A balance between aesthetics and functionality must always be present. When furnishing a single space, the usability and practicality of every corner must always be considered.