Despite the popularity of open-plan rooms, these spaces are sometimes difficult to use. If you intend for a room to have multiple functions, keeping everything in the same area makes it hard to have multiple activities happen at the same time.
In spaces such as studio apartments, where a single room must function as a personal, social and work space at the same time, the challenges are heightened.
Learning how to section off a room into different areas is the best way to use an open floor plan effectively. Use these methods to create privacy and control in the space and allow your interior design style an additional chance to shine. The perfect option for you depends on the space, its purposes, your budget, and whether you are a renter. Find some of the best options for sectioning off a large room in your home from the list provided below.
Screens
A screen is a useful and practical way to divide up your space. For those who want an adaptable space, screens are easily moved or folded away whenever necessary. For added mobility, purchase a screen on a wheeled base so it can be moved to different areas without the need for lifting or folding.
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There are many different screens available in various styles to suit any type of interior design. You could even make one yourself, if you want a particular look to go with your room. If you are concerned about your room appearing too cluttered and closed off, consider a screen made of an open weave or a translucent material as this allows more light to enter the space.
Hangings
Curtains can be hung from the ceiling for the same effect as a screen. This provides a warmer option, and you can tie the curtain back when needed. Hang a piece of fabric or tapestry in the middle of your space to create the illusion of a wall if you do not find a curtain suiting your personal style or room requirements.
Other items, such as large paintings or decorative objects, can be hung from the ceiling to create a division between spaces. You may choose to use hanging plants as well to achieve the same desired effect.
Furniture
Grouping your furniture together helps demonstrate the different purposes of each part of the room. Place an island or counter to block off a kitchen space, or add a long table designating one space as the dining area. In a large living room, create smaller spaces by placing sofas and armchairs in little groups. You can choose to have single chairs and small tables, perhaps in an alcove or nook, if you want to include more private areas in the space.
Large pieces of furniture such as a bookcase or cabinet can be used to separate the space as well. These pieces create the idea of a wall or screen without closing the space off and double as storage. This is useful in an open-plan space where it is often challenging to accommodate for storage.
Lighting
Use lights to anchor different areas. Hang a pendant light over a dining table in one area while lighting a social seating space with floor lamps. Alternative options include using a window as a central point for a grouping of furniture as this draws natural light into the space while creating a visible division. The difference in lighting types creates the impression of different rooms while keeping the space open and cohesive.
Levels
If you are renovating your home and have the option to add different levels, this defines the space into separate areas. Create a design where one section is slightly raised with the use of a step while still leaving it open to the rest of the room. Stairs are often used as a point at which to divide up a space as well.
Wall Décor
Define different areas of a large room by decorating the walls to create separate sections. Place tiling in a kitchen area that stops when you reach the dining area. As well as tiles, combine wallpaper with a painted wall or with wood panelling to create the same effect in a different area of your home.
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This can be an interesting way to add another dimension to your room design without adding additional furniture or decorations. Make sure to choose wall colors or patterns complimenting each other, but ensure they are different enough to mark the transition between areas.
Flooring
In the same way that different wall designs show area division, different flooring creates separate spaces in your room too. Put in more than one type of flooring in your home if you have the option and budget for this type of design feature. For example, have one area of the room carpeted and keep another area as hardwood. Use rugs to anchor furniture groupings throughout the space or as a way of separating the space when you are unable to add different flooring options throughout your space.
Added Structures
If you have the option to build structures into your space, these are commonly the most effective ways to section off the room. Consider the following options:
- Columns and archways fill the vertical space in a large, high-ceilinged room and offer a physical boundary for the different spaces within it.
- Beams designate different areas within a large room. They draw the eye upwards in a large space and do not encroach on the furnishings and décor.
- Doors section off a space. Large doors such as French doors or sliding glass doors have the option of being left open for a more open plan feel when it is preferred.
- Partial walls separate the space while keeping it open. These may be narrow wall sections reaching the ceiling, or a low wall allowing you to see over the top and can function as a shelf as well. Glass walls keep things open while still offering separation. Frosted glass walls add privacy.
- A fireplace can be built into the center of a space, separating it and creating a focal point at the same time.
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