Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Mistakes to Avoid Space Planning an…

  • July 12, 2023July 12, 2023

How to Space Plan an Open Floorplan

Hello friends! As an interior designer I probably work on more open floorplans (those social spaces with less walls) than any other layout. And I think that’s because open concept homes live bigger visually, plus allow us to include more options. So, today I wanted to share three big mistakes I notice homeowners make with space planning their main living/dining areas that are open to each other. Read on to learn more.

Photo courtesy of Vanguard. Furniture available through our interior design firm.
  1. Lack of zones – The first step to laying out an open concept floorplan begins with creating zones or groupings for lounging, dining, or whatever you need in the space like this seating group shown.
Photo courtesy of Vanguard. Furniture available through our interior design firm.

2. No focal point or no emphasis of focal point. – When you’re creating zones in an open concept living space, it’s critical that each area or zone is focused on an interesting element, whether architectural like the fireplace like shown here or a point of interest like a table, artwork, and lamp grouping. Why? Because an interior design needs to lead the eye in a natural direction.

Photo courtesy of Vanguard. Furniture available through interior designers

3. Lack of cohesiveness – For a room to be successfully designed it must be cohesive in a way that the whole area fits together with the individual zones. In this zone above, the designer achieved cohesiveness with white elements, touches of warm wood, and an overall light airy feel. So, if you continue those elements into the rest of your open concept space, you will be more likely to create a more cohesive look overall.

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 7 Ways to Space Plan an Open…

  • June 1, 2023November 30, 2023

Tips for Making Sense of Your Living and Dining Room Open Floorplan Design by using an Effective Room Layout

photo example

As an interior designer who’s worked on over 1300 projects, I’ve noticed the number one interior design dilemma that our clients struggle with begins with how to space plan, especially in an awkward space or an open concept floorplan. Read on for my seven design secrets to space planning more effectively in an open floorplan.

  1. Create Zones – The first step to space planning an open living area is to determine the areas or zones you need to function well in the space whether it’s a TV watching area, conversational grouping, dining area, or work area. But remember when you’re creating zones to ensure they fit naturally into the architecture of that space.
  2. Emphasize Focal Point – Once you’ve laid out the zones and their functions, you need to determine the focal point for each one like the fireplace above, a fantastic view, or a focal point you’ve created with a furniture grouping (vignette).
  3. Place furniture in a cozy grouping – As an interior designer I recommend starting with your living room zone(s) by creating groupings that emphasize conversation with the main sofa or sectional facing your focal point such as a “L” shape, “U” shape configuration. Here in this living room the sofa faces the fireplace focal point while the wingback chairs emphasize the focal point and encourage conversation with people seating on the sofa.
  4. Create cohesiveness with color, design style, rugs, and finishes – When placing furniture in cozy groupings, ensure that you have repeated the same colors and overall design style to make a harmonious space, while layering a rug underneath as shown in this photo.
  5. Leave ample walkways – As you’re creating these zones, remember to leave 3-4′ wide walkways between each one to get from one zone to another, while also leaving room to weave through conversational areas or push back chairs at a dining table.
  6. Use dividers to further separate space when needed, whether it’s a room divider, pocket doors, glass wall or barn doors. Other great ways to divide space when remodeling or building can include different ceiling treatments, ceiling height, architectural features, or even tall elements like trees.
  7. Layer in Lighting – Chandeliers, sconces, lamps, and accent lighting also provide another way to divide a space visually, while adding an ambiance and task lighting when needed.

To learn more about space planning, click here!

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: Tips for Selecting the Correct Size Rug…

  • July 20, 2022July 20, 2022

Guidelines for Purchase the Right Size Area Rug for Your Living, Dining, and Bedrooms

rug example
Interior design by Karen Mills
  1. Living Room Rug Size – When selecting the right size rug for your living room, look for a rug that will hold all your furniture, but if that isn’t in the budget then ensure the feet of your upholstery sit on top of your rug at a minimum like shown here.  That’s important because a smaller rug or one that doesn’t sit up the feet of your upholstery will feel disconnected as though it’s just floating in your room.  Ideal sizes for living room rugs usually start at 8 x 10 or 9 x 12 sizes.

  3 Tips for Getting Cozy with Area Rugs

Karen Mills' blog rug example
Interior design by Karen Mills

2. Best Bedroom Rug Size – Interior design clients often have difficulty with understanding the concept of flipping an area rug the other direction when placing it under a bed but why that direction is so effective is because it allows the bedside tables to be included so they feel like a part of the focal point, making a more powerful statement.   When placing your rug under the bed lay it perpendicular to your bed ending right at the edge of the nightstands but not under them.  That placement will allow a few feet of the rug to still show beyond the base of your rug like shown.  Ideal rug size for a king size bed would be 9 x 12.

Karen Mills' blog rug example
Interior Design by Karen Mills

3. Best Dining Room Rug Size – As an interior designer I often see rugs that are just too small under the dining room table. Calculating this rug size can be tricky because you want two feet on each side of the table to allow room for sliding back the chairs from the table, but you also need to ensure the final rug size fits into your space like the one shown here. For more design ideas and photos, sign up for our weekly interior design blog here plus become a fan of Kansas City’s interior designer and former host of the Living Large design show, Karen Mills, on Facebook  and Instagram now! If you feel someone you know could benefit from this helpful information, pass it on.