Before, we valued numerous rooms — one for every purpose. Now, we have ‘great’ rooms that serve as multi-functional spaces. Why this major change? It’s not just so we can watch the kids and the television, or converse with guests, while we cook — it’s all about space.

Many of today’s homes, especially those built with less square footage, feature floor plans which put various rooms on double-duty. Rather than having several chopped-up, tiny rooms, we’re seeing open-concept as the trend of the century. Take out the walls and we feel like we have more room to roam — however this also brings about confusion when decorating and placing furniture. This month we’re going to focus on decorating open concept spaces and, specifically, why you don’t need to push your furniture against a wall.

Flow
The key to furnishing open-concept spaces is to keep large pieces neutral. By drawing the eye through a space, and not distracting it halfway with a multitude of colours and patterns, you create flow. Keeping this philosophy will not only create visual space but will also make it easier for you to change your look by swapping out accessories like pillows and throws.

Choosing one fabulous neutral, like a rich grey or crisp white is the best way to create flow in an open concept. Some people are tempted to paint rooms different colours but this too will chop up your rooms like a wall, defeating the purpose of an open-concept space.

Flooring should also remain consistent in an open concept. The more types of flooring you have in a space, the smaller it is going to feel. Be consistent with choosing a fabulous hardwood, cork or laminate to run through your home. If you have a long narrow space, be sure that the floorboards are running lengthwise. This will give the illusion of a larger space.

Also, use the same window treatments, hardware and moulding throughout. This will create even more continuity and visual space, making your home look larger.

Differentiation of Space
Now that I’ve explained that you need to keep your space consistent, here’s how you make your space different. The key is to be subtle and making a large space feel cozy.

Carpets are the greatest way of creating spatial differentiation. If you have hard-surfaced floors (like hardwood), you should always have a carpet down in the living room and under a dining table. They soften a space, give the space warmth and introduce texture and colour.

A carpet will also define a seating area, so choose one of adequate size, one that the front feet of your couch or dining chairs will sit on, and no smaller. If your room is large and carpet is small the scale will be all wrong.

Screens can also go along way in creating some division. Folding screens with glass panels or cutouts are a great way of visually stopping a space without a wall. These can also be the right element to introduce some bold shapes and patterns. I have used screens to divide a living room and kitchen by installing one between an island counter and the ceiling, a small detail that won’t overwhelm the space.

A furniture piece such as a credenza or console can also stop and start a space. Dividing an open-concept with a bookshelf can also work. Be sure to style the shelf sparingly, as too much stuff can make the space look cluttered.

Another great space divider is a sofa. You don’t have to push couches against walls, it is okay to have pieces ‘floating’ in the middle of the room. These ‘floating’ pieces can then act as room dividers as well as being functional pieces.

Open concepts need not be hard to decorate. When you keep flow and space differentiation in mind, you will be more likely to succeed at creating a space that is open, airy, and consistent in its design scheme.

Happy Decorating! NL

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Alykhan Velji
Having a successful design career for the last several years, Alykhan Velji has definitely made a name for himself on the Alberta design scene. Coming in as one of the top three finalists for HGTV’s Designer Superstar Challenge in 2006 and then landing a role as a Stylist/Design Assistant on The Style Dept. also was a great boost to his career.
As well as having his own design business, Alykhan Velji Design, Alykhan has been featured in many local and national publications, offering his expertise on design and trends. Finding inspiration in his travels and keeping abreast with the design industry’s new and innovative trends ensures his design esthetic is always fresh, all the while remaining original and timeless. In its fourth year as a design firm, Alykhan Velji Design specializes in both residential and commercial projects.
http://www.alyveljidesigns.com