Open-concept living
STORY MICHELLE BERWICK
Get ready for the easy breezy vibes of the open living concepts. We find there is always the great debate between leaving things compartmentalized or have in the words of the Dixie Chick's "wide open spaces". We feel like it is so nice to have the main living areas of your home open to one another, especially if you have young children and are big entertainers. Being able to socialize with your guests or watch your children fight... I mean... play with each other in the next room is super important. Let's take a look at how you can perfect that open concept living in your own space.
Furniture placement
One of the biggest mistakes we see people make is pushing all of their furniture to the walls. This can make a room feel disconnected and vast. By floating that furniture in a purposeful manner will create a more cozy intimate space which can be an issue with having a large open space.
Rugs
This is a biggie, using rugs to create a landing spot for at minimum the front legs of each piece of furniture to land creates a designated "room" area. We don't want our furniture to feel like it is all floating off into la-la land.
Make it flow
Let's chat about how to bring your style and flair throughout your open space. You most definitely don't need to make each spot match each other exactly. Choose elements from each space to carry through to the next room, this could be colours, patterns, wood finishes, fabrics, and tiles. Mix and match is the key to having a cohesive open floor plan.
drapes and soft furnishings
Knock that should down. One of the biggest downsides to having a large open space is the echo. We are always making sure we are filling each space with soft furnishing, wall treatments, and window covering! Drapery is the perfect way to add colour, texture, and softness to knockdown your potential echo.
layered lighting
Layering in lighting is a great way to combine spaces, or establish separation. Incorporating not only general lighting but decorative lighting in each space, floor lamps and table lamps can all contribute to the perfect lighting scheme in each space.
Electrical planning
While we are on the topic of lighting, we always do an electrical walk-through with our clients. Each person will be using their spaces differently. We love to know how people walk through their homes and function within each room. Incorporating multiple dimmer switches, and locations of your switching is important. Maybe you are having a nice dinner in your dining room and you would like just that room and the hallway lit for your guest to clearly see the way to the powder room and the rest of your lighting dim. This is a prime example of how a good lighting plan can affect how you use a space. More importantly, I'm sure you don't want to be on your way for a late-night snack in the kitchen and have to light up your whole main floor like a football field.
Open concept living is easy breezy and created to enjoy everyone's company all at once. Our good old tried and true, tips and tricks will allow you to create a cozy open floor plan that will seamlessly flow from one room to the next.
About Michelle Berwick Designs
Award winning Designer Michelle Berwick is the Principal & Creative Founder of Michelle Berwick Design. For almost a decade, this notable GTA firm has become sought-after for providing livable stylish and uniquely personal interiors.
Learn more: michelleberwickdesign.com
