How to Decorate for Privacy With an Open Floor Plan
Open floor plans give a home a spacious feel, and offer a variety of decorating options. For example, with fewer walls it's easy to create a cohesive look in the home by coordinating colors and patterns in the living area, dining area and kitchen. An alternative approach is to set each area off with different colors and materials. Creating separation between the main living area and home office or dining area allows for various activities in these spaces with less distractions. It's possible to create privacy within an open floor plan by screening one area from another. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tall plants
- Room screens
- Free-standing cabinets, bookcases or other large furniture
Instructions
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Assess the area to decorate for privacy. Decide whether you prefer a solid barrier or something that will allow light to come through.
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Determine areas to keep clear of screening materials, such as doorways, walkways, heating and air ducts and overhead lighting fixtures.
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Create a living privacy screen in the open floor plan with tall plants. If there's sufficient natural light, ficus trees grow well indoors. Potted plants provide screening between areas and bring a feeling of nature indoors. Unlike solid barriers, plants allow light to come through from one area to another. For example, use a trio of ficus trees or palms behind and to one side of a computer desk to screen off a home office in one corner.
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Consider room screens. Shoji screens (Japanese folding screens made from rice paper) and screens made with light fabric allow light through. Other portable room screen options include wicker, bamboo, rattan, wood, and metal. Screens have the advantage of being easy to move.
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Place freestanding furniture as room dividers to increase privacy. Tall cabinets, bookcases, open-shelf units, wardrobes, china cabinets and computer desks with hutches all may be used to divide an open floor plan and screen one area from another.
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Tips & Warnings
Large furniture may help the acoustics and reduce noise between areas. Open-shelf units will work well where less screening is wanted. Use the shelves for plants, art objects and books.
Use tapestries or other fabric to cover the backs of freestanding furniture.
Look into retractable room screens. These attach to the walls and allow the option of having them open or closed. Also consider ceiling-mounted vertical blinds or drapes.
Plants help clean the air and add oxygen.
Beware of using flammable materials.
Anchor freestanding furniture for safety.
