Decorating Tips for Open Floorplans

Open floorplans make apartments feel more spacious; however, they also present challenges when it comes to decorating. Nevertheless, with the following decorating tips you can throw your uncertainties aside and decorate your apartment so it looks comfortable and inviting.

Use Transitional Colors

In open floorplans, colorization of walls, ceilings and trim is the key to obtaining harmony and balance. Instead of one color for the walls, ceilings and woodwork, choose an accented neutral color scheme or harmonious scheme of three colors.

Pick shades from warm colors like red, rose, orange, purple, yellow or green, earth tones like brown or neutral shades such as taupe or tan. The color you choose for the trim should be the lightest color of the grouping you select while the middle and darkest colors can be used interchangeably on the walls and ceilings. For instance, say you have a color grouping of rust, taupe and tan. Use the lightest color, tan, to color the woodwork and trim throughout the apartment. Choose rust on the walls in secondary areas such as the dining room or kitchen. Paint the walls of the main area of your living area in the middle shade or taupe. In the main section or living area, paint the ceiling the darker shade of rust and paint the ceiling in the kitchen or dining area taupe. Always use the darkest color in the largest area of the apartment on the ceiling. By using this type of color scheme you’re coordinating the colors so they harmonize yet adding interest and contrast.

Choose Darker Flooring

When choosing flooring, a darker color is preferable. Suitable shades include various dark hardwoods such as cherry or mahogany, darker colored carpets in warm, neutral or earth tones such as brown or olive and laminate flooring that looks like wood in darker hues.

Select Furniture with a Particular Theme in Mind

Use furniture throughout your open floorplan that follows a particular theme, such as Mission styling, traditional, vintage, Gothic or Victorian. Use solid furniture pieces made of dark woods and bold and textured patterns on the upholstery. Vary furniture arrangements to break up the room and to distinguish one area from another. Include accessories for a cozy feel.

Divide the Area

You can also divide an open area with folding screens or the long side of a couch. Double-sided bookshelves can also be incorporated to section areas off. Open shelves affixed to walls can be used to indicate, say, an office area of an apartment. Rugs can also be used to divide areas of an open floorplan. Place a rug in front of a fireplace or between the dining area and living area to denote boundaries. Select striking prints and warm colors for visual interest. Thick plushes are excellent choices in an open floorplan.

Choose the Right Lighting

Use light fixtures that hang low to seemingly bring down the height of the ceiling. Using lighting with dimmers and downlights will create a subdued and tranquil effect. Just make sure your lighting doesn’t cast too much of a glow on the ceiling.

Follow the above tips and you can create spaces in your open floorplan that will result in an apartment that is homey yet elegant.