How to Furnish Open Floor Plans
Knowing how to decorate an open floor plan home is essential if you have a modern living space. The concept of having an open floor plan has really taken off in the past few decades, boasting the ability for families to feel "together" no matter where they are in the home. Add to this the fact that open floor plans tend to feel larger, roomier, and feature more light, and it's easy to see why so many people prefer them to the traditional closed-off floor plans of years past.
However, there are furnishing and decor challenges that come with having an open floor plan in your home. Rooms and spaces are less defined, leaving much of the planning up to you and your unique preferences. Additionally, it can be difficult to create an interior design look that is cohesive without appearing too matchy-matchy. After all, you do want some separation between, say, your eating and lounging spaces.
At Mor Furniture for Less, our friendly and knowledgeable design associates can provide you with open floor plan ideas. We'll help you create a living and entertaining space that's warm, cozy, and inviting. Best of all, we'll help you do so on a budget. We believe that stylish furniture and home decor should be affordable for everyone, and making your house feel like a home should never break the bank.
Here are 6 tips to help you learn how to decorate an open floor plan.
1) Follow These Style Rules
It may seem challenging to bring an open floor plan together in a way that doesn't clash. However, by following a few simple style rules, you can simplify the process. First, pick a color palette for the entire area and then repeat the same combination of colors throughout the entire space. A color palette generally has about four total colors, though sometimes people add more pops for accents.
Next, stick to the same patterns throughout the space. You wouldn't wear a polka-dot top with plaid pants, and your home shouldn't have these bold contrasting patterns either. Stick to more neutral patterns, such a sleek lines and strips, small areas of chevron, or neutral florals.
Additionally, you'll want to keep some of the architectural features consistent throughout the space. That means having the same flooring throughout the area, using the same wall and trim paint colors, and keeping the molding uniform.
One exception is for spaces like the bathroom or laundry room. Many people choose to have waterproof and weather-friendly flooring, such as tile, installed in these two areas.
2) Arrange Furniture in a Practical and Pleasing Way
In an open floor plan, furniture is usually the main feature. It's what separates the space into designated areas and helps draw boundaries from room to room. When choosing your furniture for an open floor plan, it's essential to look at each piece from the back. While this may seem counterintuitive, in an open concept living space, it's likely that you'll end up looking at the back of your furniture quite a bit. Make sure that the rear-facing end of furniture is neat, free of damage, and vibes well with the rest of your pieces.
When placing your seating arrangements, it's best to have the seats facing each other in small groups. This creates a cozy and intimate feel in a space that may otherwise feel large and impersonal. Stick to this rule for both the living room and dining area.
You also want to ensure that there are clear walking paths through your space that connect the different "rooms." Ideally, walkways should be at least 36 inches wide and follow straight lines. This helps avoid the appearance of clutter or over-crowding as well.
3) Choose Mix-and-Match Pieces
While you definitely want all of the items in your open floor plan to stick to the same theme, having too many pieces that are too similar can make a space look very matchy-matchy. This can have the opposite effect as intended, making an area feel forced or unnatural. Instead, try mixing and matching pieces that share some of the same features yet are also different in their own right. Choosing a bold accent chair is a great option to accomplish this goal.
This is also where defining your color and texture palette will come into play. Feel free to mix materials, such as upholstery and leather or wood and metal. Play with different colors and patterns in the various spaces until you find a design that speaks to you. Then, use small accents such as colorful throw pillows, kitchen towels, or wall art to tie everything together.
4) Section Off the Space
One of the biggest challenges when considering open floor plan ideas is determining how to best section off the space. While in reality the area is one large, seamless living quarters, you do want to create some boundaries.
First, determine what kind of spaces you'll need within the open floor plan. Common areas include a living room and entertaining space, a dining area or breakfast nook, and the kitchen. Secondary spaces may include a home office area, a front entryway, or a patio exit.
Then, decide on key pieces of furniture you want in each area. A sectional that faces a television, perhaps. A small kitchen table that seats up to four people. Maybe you need a bench and coat rack by the front door with a space for your little ones to store their shoes.
Next, design each area according to your needs. Decide where one "room" will end and where another will begin. Use the furniture to break up the space. The back of a sofa, a long console table, and area rugs can all help accomplish this goal.
5) Create a Kitchen Island
A common issue with open floor plans is that the space can feel quite cold. It may lack that warm, close-knit feel of a traditional living room or eating space, and it can seem that there is simply too much open space for many peoples' liking. This is particularly true in the kitchen if there's no island to serve as the centerpiece.
If your home doesn't have a kitchen island built in, it may be a good idea to purchase one yourself. Kitchen islands serve as a gathering spot, a workstation, and provide plenty of extra storage. They also break up the room and provide an anchor point that will ground your vision.
6) Use Round Furniture and Home Accents
Many people say that open floor plans feel rather clinical or sterile. Full of straight lines and hard corners, an open floor plan can lack some of the softer elements that make a typical space feel cozy and relaxing. If you're looking for open floor plan ideas, consider bringing in more rounded furniture and home accents.
Rounded shapes, such as cylindrical wall art or plush, rounded sofas, can make the area feel a bit more personal and inviting. The rounded edges soften up the cold, angular feel that an open floor space tends to have.
Shop Mor Furniture for Less Today
Shop Mor Furniture for Less today for stylish and affordable open floor plan ideas. We have everything you need, from kitchen and dining sets to large sectionals, and even the smallest details like tabletop accents and hanging wall art. Our design associates are here to help you learn how to decorate an open floor plan in a way that suits your individual needs and taste.
Here at Mor Furniture for Less, the largest family-operated furniture chain on the West Coast, you can shop with total peace of mind knowing that you'll always get the best deal in town. In fact, our Double the Difference Guarantee assures it.
Order online or visit one of our many warehouses or showrooms in person to find the furniture and home decor of your dreams.
