Your best solutions for open-plan living spaces

5 February, 2016

In our recent Kitchen Trends Study we found that the majority of
renovating homeowners are making their kitchens more open to other living spaces, with
35% of kitchens completely open to other interior spaces post renovation.

Open-plan spaces can be quite tricky to keep neat and clutter-free, which is why I'm turning to you for help. Do you have any good tips for keeping your space spotless. Perhaps you've invested in hiding solutions, sliding doors, or cupboards that keep everything in one place?

Share here please!

Hampton Court Contemporary Kitchen · More Info

Comments (7)

lindsay58
Have a storage space for everything; large drawers with dividers in various sizes keep everything neat and visible. Ikea is great for these.
6 February, 2016
PRO
Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer
As you can see in this picture you can distract from any untidy kitchen with a fabulous view of the outside!
18 February, 2016
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Thanks for your comments. I think we've decided on wooden flooring throughout the open plan space but it's just what we do in living area. We had wanted carpet to get that warm cosy affect. We are considering under floor heating but I understand that can be expensive. I know we can put a rug down although I'm not sure whether that will have the desired warm and cosy feel. The other option is to fit carpet in a rectangle or circle shape in the living area. Just not sure how that's going to look and how best to join it to the wood so that it looks good. I've not seen open areas with carpet and tiles/wooden flooring...it seems that usually flooring is the same throughout with a rug in the living area. Any suggestions? I attach a plan which shows what it will hopefully look like. The dining table will go near to the patio doors. The sofa will be in an L shape with the back to the kitchen on one side and the other back to the dining area on the other side. Any flooring ideas would be appreciated!
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Other Houzzers are great at furniture placement, but I wanted to note that you really should have seating facing the fireplace and/or the t.v.
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Hi Louise, The editorial team have written some useful guides on open-plan living: [https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/decorating-10-ways-to-use-room-dividers-to-boost-your-open-plan-space-stsetivw-vs~50557778[(https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/decorating-10-ways-to-use-room-dividers-to-boost-your-open-plan-space-stsetivw-vs~50557778) [https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/architecture-8-architectural-tricks-to-enhance-an-open-plan-space-stsetivw-vs~46596876[(https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/architecture-8-architectural-tricks-to-enhance-an-open-plan-space-stsetivw-vs~46596876) [https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/decorating-how-to-divide-and-conquer-your-open-plan-space-stsetivw-vs~28437034[(https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/decorating-how-to-divide-and-conquer-your-open-plan-space-stsetivw-vs~28437034) Hope this helps!
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I hadn't spotted it was mahogany tbh when I first looked! I probably wouldn't go for a light wood with the mahogany, perhaps something medium in tone rather than mahogany just to balance out with the rest of the room? You could of course go for a different material for the console and add wood for accessories. For the bookcases I might actually paint them in the ŵall colour or the White otherwise they might overpower that area and the fire? Another option is to paint the actual fire surround. If you decided on blue for an accent colour for example you could paint it an Inky blue. It's quite hard to say without knowing what/if you'll bring colour to the rest of the room as you could end up with a living area dark in tone and everything else very light. The bookcases will also visually widen the living space so you may find you also need side tables for the sofa to balance it (or a chair angled in front of the bookcase if it fits) but perhaps see how it looks first before making any decisions! Art or mirror over the fire would work but I think art for colour/pattern.
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Katie Wilkinson
Storage storage storage! I'm a bit of a hoarder, so we have really gone to town with the amount of built in storage.
Also a cupboard with sockets in the back allows us to keep the toaster etc tucked away and not on the counter.
18 February, 2016
Julia Butterfield
To keep all the surfaces smooth and uncluttered have a walk in larder keeping the same sleek lines of the cupboards.
22 February, 2016
June Hulton
I do agree with all saying storage is paramount.. If you are purchasing furniture and items for your home, use the theory of how many people will be there.. Do you need six chairs when there is only normally the two of you... Improvise.. But we also hoard things that haven't been used in days or weeks. Sometimes months... My Mum had a a theory if it's not used within 6 months you don't need it... I have always tried to do the same.. A tidy home is a tidy mind. Makes your life so much easier.. Never be a slave to your home. Tidy as you go.. Use it move it.. Then you won't have to spend time cleaning and you can enjoy more of a life... Life is to short to spend time looking for things.. And after all.. If it has a place you will find it immediately... Simplest things that's it....
22 February, 2016
PRO
Conneely Wessels Architects
Another good sugggestion is to raise the surround of the island unit-and create a bar height counter top. It not only provides additional seating/dining space, but also hides all the dirty dishes, pots and pans from view.
12 January, 2017
PRO
Topology Interiors
We offer virtual interior design services starting from £75 if you want to speak to one of our designers about this. www.topologylondon.co.uk
12 January, 2017

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Your best solutions for open-plan living spaces

Comments (7)

lindsay58

Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer

Related Discussions

Katie Wilkinson

Julia Butterfield

June Hulton

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Topology Interiors