How to Design a Broken-plan Space
Want to add privacy and functionality to an open-plan room while keeping a spacious feel? These experts have some tips
Open-plan living has become mainstream in recent decades for good reason. Removing internal walls adds a sense of space, sociability and fluidity that makes homes feel modern, bigger and brighter. However, there are sacrifices – a loss of privacy, fewer defined zones to retreat to, and a lack of walls that can incorporate storage.
Broken-plan living offers a smart compromise – half walls, steps, internal windows, oversized doorways and other design tricks keep things open, but help you make the most of your home.
Professional advice from: Chris Rodgers of Guy Taylor Associates; Teo Iancu of Scenario Architecture; Micah Sarut of Inter Urban Studios
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Broken-plan living offers a smart compromise – half walls, steps, internal windows, oversized doorways and other design tricks keep things open, but help you make the most of your home.
Professional advice from: Chris Rodgers of Guy Taylor Associates; Teo Iancu of Scenario Architecture; Micah Sarut of Inter Urban Studios
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Go split-level
While you might want to level out the floor in an open-plan room, a broken-plan space can benefit from different levels.
“Having living areas with different floor levels creates a sequence of spaces throughout your home without the need for mixing different materials or colours,” Micah Sarut says.
“It can create a ‘wow factor’, and allows for different floor-to-ceiling heights,” he adds. “For example, one space can become more intimate, while another has a soaring ceiling for added living room drama.”
While you might want to level out the floor in an open-plan room, a broken-plan space can benefit from different levels.
“Having living areas with different floor levels creates a sequence of spaces throughout your home without the need for mixing different materials or colours,” Micah Sarut says.
“It can create a ‘wow factor’, and allows for different floor-to-ceiling heights,” he adds. “For example, one space can become more intimate, while another has a soaring ceiling for added living room drama.”
Slot in some sliding doors
An easy way to go broken-plan in a through-room is to install pocket doors. “For a simple broken-plan solution, pocket doors [which slide into a recess] can be closed when you want privacy and opened when you want to be part of the action,” Teo Iancu says.
Find out everything you need to know about pocket doors.
An easy way to go broken-plan in a through-room is to install pocket doors. “For a simple broken-plan solution, pocket doors [which slide into a recess] can be closed when you want privacy and opened when you want to be part of the action,” Teo Iancu says.
Find out everything you need to know about pocket doors.
Fit a central fireplace
Try using a fireplace as a way to break up a space, rather than tucking it in a corner or plonking it in the middle of an existing wall.
“A fireplace positioned strategically can define an area, but needn’t interrupt flow,” Teo says. “A double-sided fire connects and separates spaces at the same time.”
Try using a fireplace as a way to break up a space, rather than tucking it in a corner or plonking it in the middle of an existing wall.
“A fireplace positioned strategically can define an area, but needn’t interrupt flow,” Teo says. “A double-sided fire connects and separates spaces at the same time.”
Plan your finishes
Colours and materials can be used to both separate zones and give the space a coherent feel.
“The key is to make the whole area feel connected while having marked areas of difference,” Chris says. “This can be achieved by having, for example, common flooring throughout, but different colour schemes for different areas that work tonally together.
Alternatively, Chris suggests keeping your paintwork consistent and using different flooring to separate the kitchen, living and dining areas. “You can also unite different spaces with simple touches, such as furniture with a common finish and lighting in a similar style,” he adds.
Colours and materials can be used to both separate zones and give the space a coherent feel.
“The key is to make the whole area feel connected while having marked areas of difference,” Chris says. “This can be achieved by having, for example, common flooring throughout, but different colour schemes for different areas that work tonally together.
Alternatively, Chris suggests keeping your paintwork consistent and using different flooring to separate the kitchen, living and dining areas. “You can also unite different spaces with simple touches, such as furniture with a common finish and lighting in a similar style,” he adds.
Divide with glazing
“Internal glass doors and windows add architectural interest as well as helping to divide a space,” Chris says.
“Glass partitions are a way to separate spaces acoustically, but not visually,” Teo adds. “For example, from a quieter lounge area you can still see the different textures, materials and activities taking place in the kitchen.”
Search for local architects in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
“Internal glass doors and windows add architectural interest as well as helping to divide a space,” Chris says.
“Glass partitions are a way to separate spaces acoustically, but not visually,” Teo adds. “For example, from a quieter lounge area you can still see the different textures, materials and activities taking place in the kitchen.”
Search for local architects in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Invest in clever storage
“One of the issues with open-plan living is that the lack of internal walls leaves fewer places against which to place storage,” Chris says.
He recommends you consider bespoke furniture that allows you to zone areas and keep the space tidy, too. This unit, for instance, offers similar storage to wall units and keeps kitchen clutter out of sight, while still allowing the room to feel open and conversation to flow.
“One of the issues with open-plan living is that the lack of internal walls leaves fewer places against which to place storage,” Chris says.
He recommends you consider bespoke furniture that allows you to zone areas and keep the space tidy, too. This unit, for instance, offers similar storage to wall units and keeps kitchen clutter out of sight, while still allowing the room to feel open and conversation to flow.
Have a half
“If you want to create more defined areas while maintaining a sense of space, consider a half wall,” Chris suggests. “This can create a feeling of separation without isolating an area as a separate room.”
Remember, what works in a large, square space may be different in a long, skinny one. In this room, steps and a sliver of wall add a subtle mood change without blocking light or flow.
“If you want to create more defined areas while maintaining a sense of space, consider a half wall,” Chris suggests. “This can create a feeling of separation without isolating an area as a separate room.”
Remember, what works in a large, square space may be different in a long, skinny one. In this room, steps and a sliver of wall add a subtle mood change without blocking light or flow.
Don’t forget lighting
Illumination can have a big impact, Micah says. “Artificial lighting, such as directed spotlights, strip lighting, lamps, or floor lighting, will create pockets of variety.
“You can create further separation by varying lighting either side of a division,” he says. “For example, you could have low-level mood lighting in a lounge area and task lighting for a reading spot.”
Think about the impact of natural light, too. “A more involved solution would be to use large areas of glazing or rooflights in one area and very little in the other, creating two different spacial experiences throughout the day,” Micah says.
Illumination can have a big impact, Micah says. “Artificial lighting, such as directed spotlights, strip lighting, lamps, or floor lighting, will create pockets of variety.
“You can create further separation by varying lighting either side of a division,” he says. “For example, you could have low-level mood lighting in a lounge area and task lighting for a reading spot.”
Think about the impact of natural light, too. “A more involved solution would be to use large areas of glazing or rooflights in one area and very little in the other, creating two different spacial experiences throughout the day,” Micah says.
Think outside the box
Don’t be afraid to come up with a unique solution that works just for you.
“Inserting a small storage cupboard, utility room or staircase in the middle of a larger open-plan space can be a really effective way to add useful space while creating a broken-plan effect,” Micah says.
Tell us…
Have you gone for broken-plan living, and are you happy with the layout? Share your thoughts and experiences in the Comments section.
Don’t be afraid to come up with a unique solution that works just for you.
“Inserting a small storage cupboard, utility room or staircase in the middle of a larger open-plan space can be a really effective way to add useful space while creating a broken-plan effect,” Micah says.
Tell us…
Have you gone for broken-plan living, and are you happy with the layout? Share your thoughts and experiences in the Comments section.
Before you go ahead, it’s important to decide whether broken-plan is the right layout for your home.
Chris Rodgers spells out the benefits of broken-plan. “Your space can work longer term, allowing young children to stay close and play while the grown-ups cook, and encouraging older children to stay in the main living area by giving them some privacy,” he says.
“A broken-plan space also gives you the option of being sociable one day, but having a cosier corner to retreat to when you want some peace the next,” Chris says.
“Build your space around the way you want to live,” he adds. “Consider all the different elements you want the room to accommodate, then zone accordingly.”