How to Make Your Open-plan Room Feel Cosy
Try these tricks to bring a snug, intimate mood to an airy space
Amanda Pollard
22 December 2022
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
An open-plan room is great for adding light and a feeling of flow to your home, but, if you’re not careful, it can feel a little cold and uninviting. With a few simple additions, however, you can give a large space a snug, homely feel.
Create focal points
You can ensure your large, open space doesn’t feel cold by breaking it up into zones. Highlight these areas by including a focal point in each one.
Here, for example, the lounge seating is focused on a shelving unit, which includes the TV. The ornaments give the eye something to look at, and help to define this as a snug living zone away from the kitchen and dining areas.
You can ensure your large, open space doesn’t feel cold by breaking it up into zones. Highlight these areas by including a focal point in each one.
Here, for example, the lounge seating is focused on a shelving unit, which includes the TV. The ornaments give the eye something to look at, and help to define this as a snug living zone away from the kitchen and dining areas.
Incorporate conversation areas
Avoid shouting across an expansive room by using the separate zones of your open-plan space to create intimate conversation spots.
Incorporate comfortable seating in each area to make it easy for people to sit and chat. In this scheme by Clare Gaskin Interiors, for example, a sofa and armchair provide a relaxing zone for a cuppa and conversation, and the bar stools with backs ensure guests feel comfy while interacting with the cook.
You can read reviews of builders, architects and other professionals in your area on Houzz.
Avoid shouting across an expansive room by using the separate zones of your open-plan space to create intimate conversation spots.
Incorporate comfortable seating in each area to make it easy for people to sit and chat. In this scheme by Clare Gaskin Interiors, for example, a sofa and armchair provide a relaxing zone for a cuppa and conversation, and the bar stools with backs ensure guests feel comfy while interacting with the cook.
You can read reviews of builders, architects and other professionals in your area on Houzz.
Warm it up with real flames
A foolproof way to bring a snug feel into your open-plan space is to incorporate a fireplace. In this by SHnordic room, for example, the wood-burning stove adds a cosy mood to the seating area.
To have a wood-burning stove installed in your space, you’ll need to hire a professional to construct a flue. Too much hassle? Consider an alternative fireplace, such as a bioethanol design. These can be fitted quickly and easily without the need for a chimney.
A foolproof way to bring a snug feel into your open-plan space is to incorporate a fireplace. In this by SHnordic room, for example, the wood-burning stove adds a cosy mood to the seating area.
To have a wood-burning stove installed in your space, you’ll need to hire a professional to construct a flue. Too much hassle? Consider an alternative fireplace, such as a bioethanol design. These can be fitted quickly and easily without the need for a chimney.
Highlight architectural features
Embrace any architectural elements that help to break up your open-plan space. Each time one area is separated from another, it helps to make the space feel cosier.
A difference in levels, for instance, is a great way to define areas. The steps in this space by Patrick + Rosie provide a transition between the kitchen and dining area, and they’ve been highlighted with decorative tiles to emphasise the different zones.
Embrace any architectural elements that help to break up your open-plan space. Each time one area is separated from another, it helps to make the space feel cosier.
A difference in levels, for instance, is a great way to define areas. The steps in this space by Patrick + Rosie provide a transition between the kitchen and dining area, and they’ve been highlighted with decorative tiles to emphasise the different zones.
Use fabric and colour
In any room, textiles are key to creating a cosy feel – and even more so in an airy space. Use rugs, cushions, upholstery and even window treatments to turn an open area into an intimate room.
Here, the designers have used fabrics in warm, earthy tones to create a snug living area. The coppery hues continue into the kitchen in the form of rich wood cabinet doors.
In any room, textiles are key to creating a cosy feel – and even more so in an airy space. Use rugs, cushions, upholstery and even window treatments to turn an open area into an intimate room.
Here, the designers have used fabrics in warm, earthy tones to create a snug living area. The coppery hues continue into the kitchen in the form of rich wood cabinet doors.
Fill bare walls
A large expanse of empty wall can feel a little cold, so it’s a good idea to fill the space with artwork. Go for one, large-scale painting or print, or create a gallery wall with a few smaller works.
In this design by Roundhouse, a bare surface above the fireplace has been filled with an attractive arrangement of pictures.
A large expanse of empty wall can feel a little cold, so it’s a good idea to fill the space with artwork. Go for one, large-scale painting or print, or create a gallery wall with a few smaller works.
In this design by Roundhouse, a bare surface above the fireplace has been filled with an attractive arrangement of pictures.
Try some texture
Artwork isn’t the only way to add a cosy feel to your wall, of course. Try bringing in texture with wallpaper, cladding or exposed brick.
In this space by Domus Nova, a brick wall adds a tactile surface to the living area. If you aren’t able to leave the bricks exposed in your room, consider using brick slips – tile-like brick fronts, which can be laid over the wall to create the same effect as an exposed brick surface.
Artwork isn’t the only way to add a cosy feel to your wall, of course. Try bringing in texture with wallpaper, cladding or exposed brick.
In this space by Domus Nova, a brick wall adds a tactile surface to the living area. If you aren’t able to leave the bricks exposed in your room, consider using brick slips – tile-like brick fronts, which can be laid over the wall to create the same effect as an exposed brick surface.
Give it a glow
Lighting is crucial for creating a cosy feel in any room, and it’s a good idea to design a layered scheme in an open-plan space. Complement overhead illumination with ambient lighting, including table, wall and floor lamps.
In this Stealth design kitchen, the designers have used LED strip lighting beneath the cabinets and along the shelving to give a warm glow to the sleek space.
Tell us…
How have you created a cosy feel in your open-plan space? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
Lighting is crucial for creating a cosy feel in any room, and it’s a good idea to design a layered scheme in an open-plan space. Complement overhead illumination with ambient lighting, including table, wall and floor lamps.
In this Stealth design kitchen, the designers have used LED strip lighting beneath the cabinets and along the shelving to give a warm glow to the sleek space.
Tell us…
How have you created a cosy feel in your open-plan space? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
Related Stories
More Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz Right Now
Get decorating ideas for your laundry or utility room from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
Dining Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Dining Rooms on Houzz Right Now
By Kate Burt
Vintage furniture, great lighting and top tables – feast your eyes on dining room ideas collated from your own clicks
Full Story
Colour
8 Clever Ways to Use Strategic Colour Blocking in Your Home
By Kate Burt
Paint can do so much more than refresh your walls. Explore ways to highlight features, zone areas and trick the eye
Full Story
Utility Rooms
15 Richly Coloured Utility Rooms
The trend for strong, earthy tones has reached the utility room, with hues from plum to ochre to deep green adding depth
Full Story
Kitchens
Which Kitchen Worktop Colour Should You Choose?
By tidgboutique
Consider these popular colours and styles to get the look you want, no matter which material you use
Full Story
Colour
8 Ways to Work a Rust Red and Blue Palette in the Bedroom
By Kate Burt
We’re seeing variations of this combination all over Houzz right now. Check out these tips for trying it yourself
Full Story
Colour
Creative Ways to Make a Feature of Structural Beams
Turn your RSJ into something more than just functional with these clever ideas from our Houzz Tours
Full Story
Gardens
9 Ways to Enjoy Colour in Your Garden All Year Round
By Kate Burt
However your garden grows, you can add colour with hardscaping, furniture and accessories
Full Story
Gardens
What Will We Want in Our Gardens in 2024?
Discover the gardening trends homeowners will be bringing into their outdoor spaces this spring and summer
Full Story
Kitchens
What to Expect at the Biggest Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Show
Plan ahead with our rundown of what’s in store at the kbb Birmingham event this March
Full Story
good ideas, i love open space interiors.
My lounge is semi-open to kitchen and for me it’s the perfect balance between open and cosy. Currently the Xmas tree is situated next to what is a large unglazed window between the two rooms (just seen on right of tree top). Lounge fireplace has sofas to each side for coziness.
I absolutely agree with the use of rugs and textile to define and create a sense of comfort in rooms that need to perform several functions. Though rooms with an expanse of space is rarely a problem in UK homes.
We have more personal belongings than prior generations. Storage is the biggest challenge in homes, open plan or not. But open plan simply doesn't work if item don't have designated storage. Worktop and shelves become cluttered dust traps. ..no matter what latest Benjamin Moore colour they are painted.