Top Tips for Decorating When You Have an Open Floor Plan

December 30, 2009

When famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright first broke down the walls that separated rooms in traditional Victorian homes, he couldn't have known the far-ranging effect of his vision. Today, many homes mimic the open floor plan that Wright pioneered. Kitchens flow into family rooms, which flow into dining rooms, allowing even small homes to feel spacious and full of light.

While Wright designed most of the furnishings for his finely detailed homes, many people have trouble decorating their home interiors when there are no clear boundaries between rooms.

Tips for Interior Improvement

Here are a few top tips to help you create a pulled together look that still allows each room of an open floor plan to shine with its own personality:

  • Use furnishings to create visual divisions. A sofa positioned with a table at its back adds a functional division. Open-back bookshelves arranged with coffee table books, vases, and artwork let you add flair and storage. The size of your furnishings ought to match the volume of space you're filling.
  • Define spaces using area rugs and lighting. You might, for example, hang a chandelier over the dining table or add pendant lamps over the breakfast bar.
  • Avoid dark colors in favor of lighter tones on the walls. Add patterns and color with furnishings, curtains, throw pillows, and rugs.

If you follow these simple, home-improvement guidelines, you'll have no trouble decorating your home's interior to not only be stylish but also comfortable. After all, an open floor plan is great for entertaining.

Related Searches

Related Videos & Photos
Stop and Relax in This Tres Chic Red Bathroom Stop and Relax in This Tres Chic Red Bathroom

Find Interior Decorators Now

image

Upcoming Home and Garden Shows:


See all Home and Garden Shows