One trend we’re seeing more this year is defined spaces. Cozy, intimate living rooms with lots of texture and layers, for example. The surge in popularity of arch doorways and ceiling detailing have left many wondering if open concept is something of the past.

I don’t think open concept is a trend or a design element that will phase out, but lately especially due to covid and much more time at home, the use of separate spaces is a lot more alluring than years ago.

FURNITURE PLACEMENT & LAYOUT

Furniture placement and overall layout can break up areas in an open concept and create intentional definition. The natural definition occurs in the furniture positioning making living areas separate while still flowing area to area.

AREA RUGS

The easiest and most cost-effective way to define a space is with a rug. Area rugs are the finishing touch for a space. It’s grounding and pulls the entire room together, making it feel complete. With the use of an area rug in separate areas within an open concept space it creates natural definition.

STRUCTURAL ADDITIONS

Beams, headers, and mini walls are all structural options to define spaces within an open concept. Not only do they intentionally create definition they’re really unique ways to add character.

Little butt out walls especially with use of a header wrapped with beams creates the most intentional design element in keeping open concept flowing while defining specific living areas like a kitchen, breakfast nook, and living/great room.

Large archways are a beautiful addition to the design that create some definition between spaces.

COHESIVE COLOR PALETTE + FURNITURE SELECTION

The most important part of the design process is in color palette and selections creating a cohesive feeling throughout the whole home. We always recommend a neutral with accent colors that repeat a few times in each space. This also applies to furniture selection. Repeating wood tones, finishes, and paint colors help define spaces. Furniture is such an easy way by repeating the same finishes and colors like a black sideboard in a dining room, black coffee table in living room and a wood console for the media stand in the living room. The repeat of specific wood finishes and black accents define these spaces while also being cohesive.

Whether you have a large open concept or tucked away defined living areas creating separate spaces is important in making the home feel elevated, cozy, and overall finished. Through the use of rugs with intentional furniture placement, and structural elements full of charm can make all the difference in defining open concept spaces.