Open-concept spaces are coveted for many reasons. Instead of cramped, closed-off kitchens, dining rooms, and living areas, open layouts offer a singular, airy space that’s ideal for entertaining. Their benefits extend beyond dinner parties, allowing for more flexible furniture arrangements, better natural light flow, and an overall inviting feel.
However, there’s one notable downside to open-concept spaces: With no walls or partitions, it can be challenging to delineate distinct and functional zones without compromising flow or aesthetics. “Open-concept rooms are popular for making spaces feel bigger, but without the right furniture layout, they can actually make your space feel smaller and undefined,” says Miles Smith, senior solutions manager at Graphisoft, an architectural design software company.
Rethink Your Layout
Fortunately, there’s a simple, designer-approved solution to creating zones — and it doesn’t cost a penny. The key is to strategically orient large furniture, such as a sofa and dining table, perpendicular to one another. Just think: If your sofa, console, and dining table are all aligned in the same direction, the space can feel like one long, undefined corridor.
The perpendicular approach visually divides the space while maintaining a cohesive, open feel. “This small shift creates a visual split in your room,” Smith says. “For many of us, our living rooms have multiple purposes: a place to watch TV, a place where we dine, maybe even a home office. Think of each purpose your room serves and create separate sections with your furniture.”
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To further accentuate these zones, use area rugs, end tables, and other home decor items to help visually distinguish the space. By simply rotating a few key pieces of furniture, you’ll instantly transform a wishy-washy open-concept layout into a dynamic, multifunctional space that feels both cohesive and comfortable.
The backs of most sofas aren’t designed to be visually appealing. That’s why many designers place long, shallow console tables behind floating sofas. “This is a great technique to not only define space, but to display a tabletop sculpture, art, or literature,” Smith says.
