Open plan apartments are attractive for many reasons – being able to move freely between different areas creates the feeling of space and can make an apartment feel bigger than it is. However, furnishing an open plan apartment requires a little more thought than other properties, as it needs to be carefully balanced to provide a good division of space without depriving an area of light or making the room feel overcrowded.
In this article, we’ll offer some tips and advice on the best way to furnish an open plan apartment, such as:
● Identifying the Different Areas
● Choosing the Right Furniture
● Lighting Tips
● Decorative Touches
Identifying the Different Areas
The key to furnishing an open plan apartment is to identify different areas within the space. This could mean physically separating the room with furniture, or just creating a mental division of space. Creating different areas lets you keep different activities within each area and makes the best use of the space.
For example, you may designate an area for watching TV, a space for meals and a separate area for working or reading.
The size and shape of your apartment will determine how many areas you can identify and split the space into. A very small apartment may only have two areas – it may be best to have the dining area and living area together with a couch forming the ‘wall’ between them.
Choosing the Right Furniture
When it comes to furnishing an open plan apartment, it’s important to choose the right furniture pieces. The size and shape of the furniture you choose should reflect the size and shape of the room. For instance, a small apartment will look crowded and cluttered with too large pieces of furniture.
In larger open plan apartments, you can think about including more furniture pieces – such as individual armchairs, side tables and coffee tables. When choosing furniture pieces for open plan apartments, it’s best to make use of space-saving furniture. Wall-mounted shelves and foldable furniture pieces, like daybeds and wall-mounted foldable tables, are a great way to make the most of the space without overcrowding the room.
Lighting Tips
Lighting can also be used to break up the space in an open plan apartment and create a better division of the space. Lighting can be used to focus finer details, like wall decorations, or to create a different atmosphere in each area.
It can also be used to bring more light into certain parts of the apartment that would otherwise be too dark. For example, a wall sconce placed in a dark corner can help to create the illusion of a larger, brighter area. Similarly, adjustable spotlights can be used to create an ‘office’ area by highlighting a desk or laptop area.
Choosing the right lighting fixtures is key. When choosing lighting fixtures, it’s important to consider the size and style of the room – a bright, overly complicated light fixture may be too much in a small, minimalist apartment.
Decorative Touches
Once you’ve chosen the right furniture and lighting, you can start to add those finishing touches – like rugs, wall hangings and cushions. Of course, it’s important to make sure you don’t go overboard with decorations and furnishings. As it’s an open plan space, you don’t want it to appear too cluttered.
You may also want to consider using colour to help break up the space. For example, you could paint the walls or use accent colours on the furniture or cushions. You don’t need to stick to one colour though, as different shades and tones can bring out the best in each area. For instance, a darker shade of blue could be used in the living area, while a lighter shade of blue could be used in the dining area.
Furnishing an open plan apartment can be both fun and challenging. By splitting the space into different areas and considering the right furniture pieces and lighting fixtures, you can create a perfect balance between individual spaces and make the best use of the space.
Adding decorative touches, like rugs, cushions and wall hangings, can help to bring different areas and elements together. With a little thought and planning, you can create a beautiful and cosy open plan apartment that you’ll love spending time in.
