How to Decorate an Open Floor Space

Posted on: May 10th, 2017

Long gone are the days of oppressive partitions and boxed-in rooms. When you want to achieve an airy aesthetic and contemporary flow free of visual impediments, nothing does the job quite like open spaces and floor plans. Although an expansive room can seem overwhelming to decorate, there are several handy décor tips you can reference to transform big areas into beautiful spaces with distinct identities. Here are our designers’ best suggestions for channeling effortless airiness.

Consider Function First

Before you start picking out furniture and color schemes, it is crucial to get your décor inspiration from function. Make a list of all the different spaces you want within the vast, open room, whether it’s a kitchen, living space, or dining area. This helps you determine how to best utilize your floor plan based on specific needs. Once you understand the distinct areas you want to create, natural pathways will begin to emerge and guide the rest of your décor decisions.

Separate Your Space

Just because open spaces are wall-less does not mean you should avoid adding definition or separation. Instead, try to create division without opaqueness. Give the illusion of distinct areas with these décor tips:
Furniture: Create natural pathways and spaces using chairs, couches, and tables.
Glass partitions: Make a smaller area out of a larger space without impeding your line of sight.
Rugs: Use an appropriately-sized area rug to demarcate different spaces.
Raised or sunken floors: Add two to three small steps up or down to give the impression of a room within a room.
Lighting: Install evenly-spaced recessed lighting for excellent flow, adding touches like a chandelier over the dining table for drama.
If you need décor inspiration for the kitchen, we recommend adding an island to easily create distinction from the rest of the floor.

Stick to a Monochromatic Color Palette

Open spaces tend to call for a uniform aesthetic, as too many colors and ideas can lead to a disjointed or cluttered appearance. For this reason, we recommend taking your décor inspiration from a neutral, monochrome palette. This applies not only to paint, but also flooring, cabinetry, textiles, and trim. To avoid looking boring, one of our best décor tips is to add visual interest with pops of color. We recommend sticking to no more than four accent hues for cohesion. Additionally, you can break up an expansive, monochrome space without distracting from its minimalism by incorporating different textures.
Now that you know how to approach the decorating process, you can turn your open spaces and floor plans into cozy, light-filled abodes.