An open concept home creates a spacious and airy feel and is ideal for entertaining and families with young children. The openness also maximizes the square footage of livable space. However, creating distinct areas within an open floor plan can feel challenging because of the lack of walls and hallways. Read on to learn creative room divider ideas to separate your open concept room so you can maximize every square inch of functional living space.
Separate Seating Spaces
In an open concept home, the floor plan is the first step to creating distinct spaces. One of the easiest ways to divide a room is the way you position your furniture. For every separate area, arrange the furniture towards each other, so each zone has a conversation area. This configuration also means the back of the furniture will face the different zones, creating a visual ending of one space and beginning of the next.
Below is a suggested furniture combination to create a distinct seating space in a living room, separate from the other areas of the open concept.
- An elegant, linen-coloured sectional: A neutral sectional, like the Jairo 3-Piece Linen-Look Fabric Sectional, provides ample seating and is a foundational piece that creates sual lines to define a living area.
- A navy accent chair: An accent chair in a bold, yet neutral color, such as the Sylvie Linen-Look Fabric Modular Chair, serves as both a statement piece, as well as a functional seat.
- Coffee table: Every seat in the sitting area should have immediate access to a flat surface to rest a beverage, book or snack. Nesting coffee table in the center of the furniture layout, similar to the Veranasi Nesting Coffee Tables, provides the benefit of a singular coffee table, with the option of separating the two tables to provide extra surface space.
Rug Rules
Rugs are an excellent way to define particular areas in an open floor plan. To create distinct zones, every space should have its own rug. This more or less draws a line around that particular area. A fool-proof equation is as follows:
- Entryway: Lay down a runner that goes from the front door down the hallway.
- Dining area: Place an area rug that goes under the dining table and chairs. The rug should extend beyond the chairs when you pull them out from the table.
- Living area: Use an area rug under the sofa, accent seating and coffee table. The rug should anchor the furniture. The front legs — if not all of the legs — of the sofa and chairs should be on the rug.
Selecting neutral rugs will provide visual continuity and allow you to layer different, coordinating colors within each space. An off-white linen rug, like the Ankara Linen Area Rug, will coordinate with nearly every style and color.
Create Space with Console Tables
Console tables can serve as a room divider and visually break up different living spaces within an open concept space. Placing a console table behind a sofa, for example, creates a partition to mark where the living area ends and the dining area begins. Styling the console table with lamps, frames and decorative accents adds additional height, creating more separation.
A neutral console table, like the Kimberly Hall Table doubles as a functional storage solution as well, which is necessary in an open floor plan.
Bring In Bookcases
A bookcase has a similar effect on an open floor plan room as a console table, but it offers more privacy because of its height. Several bookcases side by side can create the impact of a wall due to the height they offer. When you’re shopping for bookcases, make sure that they are either open shelving or finished on the back.
A bookcase that is open on top and has storage on the bottom, like the Taryn Office Credenza, is ideal for an open concept space. The open top creates a seamless divide between areas, and the sliding doors on the lower quadrant provides hidden storage space.
Open concept floor plans are a great way to make your home feel more extensive and expansive, but creating distinct zones can make the space more functional and visually warmer. Now that you know how to divide a room, a few strategic furniture adjustments, coupled with adding some new pieces, will create an open concept that is both airy and cozy at the same time.
