Overwhelmed by Your New Open Plan Space? Here’s How to Make It Work for You
Open-plan living is exciting - but can also feel overwhelming. If you’ve just moved into a new home with a large kitchen-diner or are embarking on your own renovation to extend your current space (maybe even in a Victorian house here in Nottingham), you might be wondering where to start. This blog will help you cut through the noise, zone your space, and add style without stress.
Why open-plan spaces can feel overwhelming
So much space, so many decisions – from where to put the sofa to which dining table works best, it can all feel daunting.
The “show home” trap – Instagram-worthy interiors don’t always translate to real life, especially in period homes.
Fear of mistakes - big-ticket buys like sofas (which often need to be scaled up in size to work visually in large spaces) lighting or flooring, feel high-pressure and big investments that need to purchased with longevity in mind.
You’re not alone in feeling stuck
An empty open-plan space/ architects plans can feel daunting at first, I help and support many clients that have had the same experience.
Photograph - Luke Whittemore @luke_makesphotos
The secret: breaking it down into zones
Instead of tackling one big, intimidating space, think in zones. Each zone has a purpose and together they can create a natural flow. Understanding and really thinking about how you want to use each zone and overall space is key. That way you won’t end up with ‘dead’ unused spaces.
Cooking & Dining – Connect all the spaces using the same flooring for a seamless feel. Anchor the space with a statement dining table or island. Pendant lighting helps add definition.
Relaxing – a sofa and large rug instantly mark this area out. Layer in cosy textures like cushions, linen voiles on glazing and soft lighting /lamps to add ambience and cosiness.
Working/Play – even in an open-plan space, a desk nook or kids’ play corner can be subtly zoned with furniture, shelving and lighting.
Awkward Spaces - Filling an alcove or small awkward corner, intentionally, with a lovely piece of furniture, art and a table lamp can create added storage and a lovely focal point in an otherwise forgotten corner. This adds to the effortless feel of the interior.
Also consider Internal glazed doors they are a great way to divide a large open-plan area while still keeping a sense of light and flow. They create defined zones when separating a living space from a kitchen or home office - without the heaviness of a solid wall. Giving you flexibility, quiet and privacy when needed.
Photographs by Sam appature-images Photograph - Luke Whittemore @luke_makesphotos
Adding personality without chaos
Blank spaces need balance – not too bare, not too busy. A few guiding principles:
Colour palette – stick to two or three shades and repeat them across zones for flow. Using paint techniques as we did in the Open Plan House kitchen created a define zone and visually made it feel bigger and more defined, alongside it’s surrounding large space
Texture – wood, wallpaper/fabric, tiles, and metal add warmth and interest. It doesn’t have to be brightly coloured if that’s not your thing, a neutral tile over a large wall, adds texture and creates a statment backdrop in a kitchen area, for example.
Focal point – choose one statement piece, a rug, large artwork, or bold light instead of lots of small items. Work with the scale of your room.
If you’re in a Victorian house, highlight period details like fireplaces, alcoves, or windows to complement modern open-plan living
Photograph - Luke Whittemore @luke_makesphotos
The decision fatigue problem
One of the biggest stresses in creating and open-plan design is second-guessing every decision, which ofter leads to overwhelm. From incorporating built in storage, buying the right size furniture peices, to where to start and stop the paint colours in such large space, it feels like each choice could make or break the whole room. I see it as a creative jigsaw, I love the process of understanding and planning the best layout for your lifestyle, then building a design, so you can add your stamp. An interior designer can really help – you’ll have a clear plan, avoid expensive mistakes, and end up with an open plan space that feels elevated, practical, and reflective of you and your lifestyle.
Ready to love your open-plan space?
If you’re in Nottingham (or nearby) and you’re embarking on your at your kitchen-diner reno or you’ve inherited a large extension with your new home and are thinking, help! – don’t panic. You don’t need to figure it all out alone.
Book a consultation with me, Hilary Marconetto Interiors ( click ‘Contact’ below) and we can turn your overwhelm into excitement. Together, we’ll create a space that’s welcoming, functional, and effortlessly yours.
Photograph - Hilary Marconetto Photograph - Luke Whittemore @luke_makesphotos