Separating Areas of an Open Space Plan via Interior Design
Many modern homes have an open living space rather than a more traditional, partitioned area. Rather than creating a dining, kitchenette, and living room space, a single larger space is utilized to let in light and offer a greater variety of customization. This can make it a challenge to differentiate between separate spaces.
Rugs and Carpet Squares
Rugs are the easiest and most traditional way to separate out areas of an open space. Rugs are used to block areas in both geometrically, through their shape, and thematically, through their color and patterns. There are also carpet squares, which are purchased as tiles and can be used together to build "rugs" of unusual shape and size. Carpet squares can be used for a more flexible design, while rugs can be fairly detailed and intricate.
Furniture Placement
Furniture in each separate area should generally be turned to a single central point. In a dining area, all furnishings (including standing lamps and decorations) will be primarily focused on the center of the dining room table. Likewise, the living room will generally be pointed towards a television, fireplace, or coffee table. Appropriate furniture placement makes it easier to visually determine the focus of each room area.
Color and Theme
Items of similar color and theme tend to look as though they are grouped and belong together, thereby making it clearer that there are entirely separate areas of a home. As an example, a living area may use the colors purple, white, and yellow, while the nearby dining area is done dominantly in blue. Different tones of light (whether warm or cool) can further emphasize this distinction.
Walls and Drapery
Placing accent walls and changing the window hangings from room area to room area is another way to further emphasize the separation between disparate parts. Accent walls can be themed in a bright color related to the room area. Windows are often uniform throughout a home, so changing up the window dressings within a single area can strongly emphasize a shift in focus.
When dealing with an open floor plan, interior design in Sioux Falls becomes even more important. Interior design is the primary way to create purpose and utility within a single large space -- at least without the installation of half walls or other barriers.
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7293578@N02/2437147517">Tuscan delight</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)</a>
