When Openness Is Too Much Of A Good Thing —

Open floor plans are a wonderful way to make a home feel inclusive. However, no walls and ill-defined areas can leave us with too much visibility not to mention a lack of understanding on how to use the house in particular. When faced with too much of an open space plan dilemma, start with a walk. Begin at the front door and think about your process and needs as you walk in the door. Put yourself in a guest’s position and think about how, where and when they can and should use the areas in question. By going through the motions in your head, you will already set yourself up for easier delineation planning. Once you’ve determined a plan, use pieces like bookcases to serve as a temporary and open-feeling walls. Because they are typically less severe in their finality, either because they are open or not fully to the ceiling, they set you up for a nice perimeter check, all the while providing something pleasurable and colorful to look at and enjoy. Consoles also serve this purpose well. Lower in nature, they are great in an entryway or at the back of a sofa to help anchor a mud-room area or sofa.

Area rugs are also great definers. Living rooms can easily feel untethered without a rug to ground them. They immediately signal to anyone – this is where the living room begins and say the entryway ends. Lastly, don’t forget to get creative – dressing screens and plants can be used creatively to break up a space as can large baskets or pots. The key to an open-plan space is to give everyone clear direction so it quickly makes sense to enjoy.