Monthly Archives: August 2018

Open Floor Plan Ideas: Tips For Arranging Furniture For Open Floor Plans

Arranging furniture in an open floor plan can be tricky-you want to preserve the open space that makes the room unique while still providing flow, order, and stability.

The typical open floor plan includes a single open space for a kitchen, living room or great room, and dining room, all without walls to indicate where one room ends and another begins. Your goal in arranging furniture for an open floor plan is to create aesthetic and functional boundaries between each space while preserving overall cohesion.

Open floor layout has skyrocketed in demand, and even offices, schools, etc., are also incorporating such design strategies. However, in offices, the cabins can be separated by portable partition walls, which are easy to transport and join together. To gain knowledge about the best partitions for an office, you can either ask around locally or search online.

Designer partition walls can be used in home interior as well. Otherwise, furniture such as shelves, glass cabinets, etc., could also be employed to split the area. You may need the expertise of companies like Easy Bathroom, and others similar to it, to help with anything that requires a renovating aspect, so you are getting it done professionally and exactly how you like it. To design a beautiful, grounded look in your home, start with these ten open floor plan ideas.

1. Choose A Cohesive Color Palette

Before getting started, select a base color, like cream, gray, or tan, that can be carried throughout each room. Paint adjacent walls the same colors and include accessories throughout the space with similar and matching hues.

2. Match Floors, Walls, & Ceilings

Along with matching colors and textures, use the same flooring, ceiling, and wall treatments throughout the space as much as possible. For example, if you choose to have a matte finish on the walls, make sure that you don’t use shiny paint or finish on the ceiling. If you have polished wood floors that are naturally shinier, you might want to use a shiny finish on your wall and ceiling paint.

It could be much better if you can decide on one specification you want in your house, for instance, a hardwood flooring from a company similar to Hardwood Planet. Wondering why, out of all the flooring options, only hardwood flooring has been mentioned as an example? Well, the reason is that hardwood flooring can be durable, easy to maintain, and add a touch of a rustic look to your indoor space. The best part, however, is that this kind of flooring can be installed easily without any hassle if you choose skilled professionals similar to the ones at BM Handyman Watford. So, as you can see, it might be a good idea to go ahead with the choice of hardwood flooring!

That said, once you have decided on the color and finish of the flooring, then you can start looking for a wall and ceiling finish that can go with hardwood, probably something with a wooden texture. This method can build cohesion, underscore the open layout, and create a blank canvas to fill with decor and furniture.

3. Separate Spaces With Furniture

The best way to separate your living room is a well-placed indoor sofa. Heighten the effect by adding a console table with accessories that match the adjacent space. By adding a table you can help visually create a separate space, and provide areas for organization as well. While your whole house can be an open floor plan, creating separate spaces within the floor plan can help foster conversation and relaxation.

4. Build Around Anchor Pieces

Choose an anchor piece for each separate area: a kitchen island, dining room table, and large sofa are traditional. Arrange each of these pieces either perpendicular or parallel with each other to build clean lines and create a balanced, thought-out look.

5. Define Spaces With A Rug

Placing a large rug in your living room will create cohesion within the space and mark it as separate and distinct from the rest of the room. Use rugs to create multiple conversation spaces within the open floor plan. Under the dining room table is another great place for a rug. This can help the space feel warmer and protect your flooring from your chairs. It can also help separate the room from the rest of the house and establish a space for dining.

6. Create Focal Points

Another great way to separate open floor plan spaces is by placing a focal point in each area. For example, use sofas or luxury chairs to point the eye to a fireplace or antique furniture piece, invite natural light into your kitchen with a large bay window, and add a chandelier over your dining room table to make the area seem more formal.

7. Consider Viewpoints

What do you want to look at while you’re chopping vegetables or sitting on the sofa? For example, you may want to position the kitchen island so that it looks into the living room, where you can see the TV or keep an eye on your children. If you have large windows with a great view, this is another great alternative focal point.

8. Plan Travel Paths

As you decide how to arrange furniture in an open floor plan, consider how people will get from one part of the room to another, as well as to stairs and doors. Create clear and open paths of travel that aren’t obstructed by furniture, houseplants, or other decor.

9. Vary Light Fixtures

Use different (but matching) light fixtures in each space. Bright overhead inset lighting is perfect for the kitchen, while you might want more elegant fixtures over the dining room and dimmable lights and lamps for the living room.

10. Break The Rules

Don’t be afraid to blur the lines between rooms a little bit-as long as you still have clear boundaries. Place a built-in bookcase next to your kitchen cabinets, position luxury armchairs near a kitchen island or dining room table, or build a bar into your living room.

These open floor plan ideas and furniture arrangement ideas will get you started on designing a beautiful, functional space in your home.

Backyard Sport Court: Design Tips For The Most Fun

Bocce ball and croquet are great, but have you ever thought about taking backyard fun to the next level with a backyard sport court or green? Backyard greens and sport courts can add an extra dose of fun to an already relaxing and amusing backyard. When you build a sport court, you don’t just want to plop it in the middle of everything; learn how to design your backyard around your sport court with these tips.

Choosing Your Sport

The first sport most people think about when it comes to a backyard sport court is basketball. If you’re passionate about basketball, this is a great option for your yard. There are several different kinds of basketball courts you can put in your backyard: half court, full court, concrete, sport surface, fenced, etc. But basketball isn’t the only kind of court you can put in your yard. Many people enjoy tennis and volleyball courts too. You can even get a sport court where you could play all of these sports.

Is golf more your speed? Backyard greens are more prevalent than ever. With a putting green, you can design it to look however you want. You can put as many holes in the green as you want, and you can make it any shape or size to fit the space you have for it. However you like to golf, you can hone your short game in the comfort of your own yard with a backyard green.

Placing Your Court

Once you’ve decided what kind of sport court or green is best for your yard, you need to decide where to put it. In hotter climates, you may want to put your court in the shade of some trees, so you and your guests don’t overheat when you play. If sports are the main event, find a place front and center, so even people who don’t participate can be part of the fun. Take safety and maintenance into account as well. Design your backyard around the court to provide shade, rest areas, and a pleasant aesthetic effect. When you put a court or green in, your yard is your canvas.

Getting Courtside Seats

So you’ve picked your court and you’ve found the perfect place for it. Your yard design still isn’t complete. You need seating so everyone can enjoy the game, even if they’re not playing. Do you need some comfortable individual seats? Loungers are a great outdoor seating option. For a more group-related approach, try adding an outdoor sofa or sectional to your viewing area. Whatever your outdoor furniture preferences, a relaxing viewing area can go a long way in making your sporty backyard fun and enjoyable.