APARTMENT DESIGN OFTEN INVOLVES AN OPEN FLOOR PLAN – HERE’S HOW TO DIVVY UP THE SPACE WHILE KEEPING IT ALL FEELING FABULOUS (AND BIG)
FEATURE HUGH METCALF
1 Define with colour
A considered palette is an easy way to zone an open-plan living, dining and cooking space. ‘A contrasting colour will clearly define an area, creating focus, while using the same shade in a lighter or darker hue will create a more harmonious transition.’
2 Say yes to sliding doors
‘Think about the function of each of the rooms and how much privacy you need. An open-plan mezzanine bedroom is great in an apartment for one person or a couple, but it probably won’t work very well for a family or if you regularly have guests. If rooms do need to be properly divided with partitions, consider if they can be made of a transparent material or use big sliding pocket doors so you retain a sense of open plan but can also achieve some privacy.’
3 Use built-in furniture
‘Built-in furniture can be used both as a clever way to create storage and to divide uses in a space. For instance, you could design a custom divider that acts as a headboard with nightstands for a bedroom on one side and a media centre or bookcases for a living area on the other.’
4 Play with the position of a sofa
‘You can use existing furniture to divide your open-plan space. For example, positioning a sofa with its back to the kitchen to separate it from the living room, though you’ll need to plan this carefully so that people can move from zone to zone without obstruction. If you decide to zone your space with a sofa, remember that no one likes to look at its back. One solution is to add a console table decorated with table lamps.’
5 Embrace the room divider
‘Depending on the design of the divider, you can see around, over or through it, which allows for the smaller space to coexist within a large room. It can also be used as a screen to provide privacy, such as around a WC in a bathroom.’
6 Add differences in texture
‘Working in small projects, like this one, challenges you to make the most of each square metre. You can create a rich space through a well-thought combination of textures, materials and details. The dining area is set apart with precast concrete slabs, while creating a serene space for the eyes and mind.’
7 Size up ru
