The secret to decorating an open floor plan is to create smaller spaces within a large space. While this sounds like something only a contractor could help you with, there are plenty of construction-free ways you can define areas of an open layout. Here are some ideas for breaking up a large open floor plan space into more manageable and comfortable parts.
Backless bookcases with cube-style cubbies have been all the rage in interior design for some time, and it’s easy to see why. You can just as easily place one of these shelving units against a wall for a modern look and traditional function, but you can also use them as room dividers. One of the best things about this type of room divider is that it won’t block out natural light or restrict airflow. It also allows you to keep enjoying key benefits of your open floor plan while also separating the space in a simple and decorative way.
Curtains have always been a mainstay room divider option for open-layout studio apartments, but they have their place in larger spaces too. Hanging curtains from the ceiling to break up a room adds privacy and definition while also giving you a chance to add some personal style.
You can hang colorful blinds or even blackout curtains to cut out glare in a media center corner of the room. Install smart blind systems right into the ceiling for automated options that can open and close with a single command. Curtains are an excellent room divider because they are permanent enough to make a solid statement but also mobile enough to open and close whenever you please.
Barn doors are another more rustic and heavy-duty option for dividing up a large space. While it certainly doesn’t require as much effort as building a brand new wall, there is a bit of construction involved in the installation. However, they are perfect for separating a space into distinct rooms as if it were an actual wall between them. A solid barn door is perfect for adding privacy, peace and quiet. Even when the door is open, it makes a great design statement in your home.
It’s possible to separate a room into smaller pieces adding nothing vertical into the design. One expert designer tip is to use strategically placed area rugs to define specific “zones” of an open floor plan with no actual barriers. Two different rugs with space between them creates a natural feeling of transition when you pass from one area into the next, but is unobtrusive and lower maintenance than brand new furniture or installations. Try mixing different rug styles, colors, textures and sizes to make bold separations between spaces. You can also use multiples of the same rug for a sleek modern vibe that achieves the same separation effect.
These are just a few ideas for ways to divide up an open floor plan for your design needs. One or more of these strategies will help you define a space and make it your own, no matter the size or shape.
I'm John Mahan, Sales Associate with William Raveis Real Estate, Harwich Port Office.
Throughout his childhood, John Mahan spent summers on Cape Cod at his parents’ home in Dennis Port. His intro to the Cape was, as he puts it, when his parents “carried me down the stairs at Sea Street Beach when I was a week old.” With a lifelong connection to Cape Cod, it seemed only natural for John and his wife, Mary, to move to Harwich – where they still reside – with their two young children in 1996.
Prior to moving to Cape Cod, John lived in the Worcester-Auburn area where he worked for Mass Electric for 10 years and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Utility Workers. When John and his family moved to the Cape, he worked at NSTAR for six years.
John began his career in real estate in 2002 when he joined Team Waystack Realty in Harwich Port. He has been a consistent top producing realtor in the Harwich area for the past 20 years. John’s approachable demeanor, combined with an integral understanding of the Cape Cod residential real estate market, have allowed him to build trusting, long-term relationships with his clients – both sellers and buyers.
