Choose the right colours

Open plan spaces are known for their brightness – bringing lots of light into the room. But they can also feel cold and characterless if left as a blank space.

If you are choosing to create different zones within the space then think carefully about your colours. If you’re looking to create a cosy, snug feel then warm, earthy tones can be a space-changing option. Bringing browns, oranges, terracotta and beige into the space will transform how it feels – you’ll be surprised how versatile these colours can be.

You don’t just have to achieve this with paint on walls or wallpaper. You can pick items of furniture in those colours such as tables, sofas, chairs or dressers. Another option is to consider changing the flooring in the zone to wood or warm carpet colours.

Colour can make all the difference in making your open plan space seem cosy and homely.

Go for texture

Filling your open plan space with plenty of texture will turn a blank canvas into somewhere that is plush and warm.

Texture can be brought in with large rugs, plenty of patterns, curtains and cushions or even through pictures, artwork and tapestries. If you haven’t considered a tapestry, they can be an affordable way to inject a pop of colour and an element of tactility into your space.

Indoor plants are also an easy way to bring texture into your open plan home. “Texture offers a vital sensory element in houseplant displays,” say Fran Bailey & Zia Allaway, authors of The RHS Practical Houseplant Book. “A plant's surface type determines how it interacts with light and shadow, which gives each species a unique presence.”

With a little help and inspiration, using house plants can lift how your inside space feels – making that open plan area feel much more intimate.

Create areas

Just because your house has been knocked through, it doesn’t have to stay open plan. We’re not talking about putting walls back up or spending huge amounts of money to re-work the space.

Creating areas can be done with clever placement of furniture or by using room dividers or shelving units to separate spaces out.

The pandemic has created a shift in how we’re using our homes, with many of use trying to reclaim space for things we’ve never had to do at home before.

Creating mezzanine floors can lift a section of your space to create division and offer some privacy and cosiness. Whether you turn it into a snug, a home office or a play area to keep all those toys in one place, it can make the space feel more intricate and alive.

If you are looking to make some home improvements, you may find some of these services useful