The designer-clientele demographic of today are inkling towards more open floor plans for their habitable/commercial spaces. This approach to spatial planning kindles a sense of freedom and enhances the visual & physical familiarity of the space.
We see some big positives with this approach towards better management of space:
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The key to zoning spaces in open floor layouts is to still maintain the visual connection but with varying and playful levels of visual intensities. What’s most exciting is that through materiality and pattern, space can be zoned with refreshing renders as well.
In this article, we share with you a few easy ways in which you could apply zoning practices to plan out your spaces.
Furniture
A singular piece of furniture is apt for this function and can include easy to move cabinetry, sideboard, countertop, or even a picnic bench.
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Choose a piece that is unique in finish and design, and treat it as a highlight decor element in your space. This way it participates in the decor and does not become a redundant addition.
Level differences
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Space and its function can be highlighted with a simple increase or decrease in elevation.
If this is an afterthought post-construction of your floor slab, an easy to assemble hardwood platform is the forward.
This zoning practice works well to highlight the seating arrangement of your living space or to create a vantage platform beside a bedroom window imitating a bay window.
Plants
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Movable vertical green scapes always adds a hint of freshness into any space. Mount a standing vertical metal grid/rack with an assortment of dense foliage creepers and planters and you are good to go!
Screens and sliding shutters
Some of our favourites include oils on canvas room dividers, a series of antique door/window/mirror shutters, sheer raw natural fabrics, framed straw and rattan, framed crushed paper/fabrics, carved wood jaali screens, laser-cut brass/copper screens, mandala screens, stained glass mosaics, ribbed glass.
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Since these screens possess their own aesthetic sense, we suggest treating them as a decorative element and include them in the design language of your space.
Shelves or cabinetry
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A two-way open shelf system that spans floor to ceiling decorates spaces on either side of it. It can be used to showcase an assortment of objects like books, planters, memorabilia and statuettes. Using storage elements like this for zoning purposes comes in handy in small spaces.
These are the latest practices in town where the term ‘minimalism’ finds its way into more and more spaces. Their approach is territorial and brings the circumambient space to the fore, reducing physical forms of obstruction of any kind.
Material transitions
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The best material juxtapositions come to light when they are greatly contrasting in palette and texture. For e.g, Kota tile to hardwood flooring, exposed walls to plastered, polished cement floors to tile etc.
Colour transitions
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Assigning a colour scheme for each space can zone spaces very distinctly on a visual level. The more the contrast in tone, the more apparent becomes the space separation. The juxtaposition however makes for very striking compositions.
Pattern and print transitions
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Using one detailed dominant pattern with two or more simpler ones of a similar style calibre, works great to define a single space. A transition best comes into effect when there is a change in pattern/print language from space to space, for example, chintz & stripes to geometric & grunge etc.
With all the possibilities and options listed above, bring out that creative side in you and discover design through this unique method of space making.