Ways to Use Colour in an Open Floor Plan
Large, open spaces can be tricky when it comes to painting walls and trim and adding accessories. These strategies can help
Kelly Porter
5 August 2019
Houzz Contributor
I’m a colour consultant, and one of the biggest concerns my clients have is how to use colour with an open floor plan. These days, many homes are built where the rooms open up to one another. This is great for entertaining and keeping an eye on the kids, but when it comes to painting, many homeowners aren’t sure where to start and stop each colour.
Some people decide to use one colour throughout the entire area, but they are still challenged by how to use accent colours to unify the space and make it feel more intimate. If this is your dilemma, here are some helpful tips.
Some people decide to use one colour throughout the entire area, but they are still challenged by how to use accent colours to unify the space and make it feel more intimate. If this is your dilemma, here are some helpful tips.
If your space has a bulkhead (dividing wall or barrier) or soffit (the underside of an architectural structure such as an arch, a balcony, or overhanging eaves), treat this portion differently than the rest of the ceiling and walls, and continue this treatment throughout. Use paint or wallpaper, or be innovative. In this home, the designer used stained bamboo plywood on the bulkhead and wrapped it around the entire space like a ribbon.
Take a look at more living room from around the world
Take a look at more living room from around the world
In a large open area where the walls are white, colour is essential to help ground the space and keep it from feeling too sterile. Add colour with accessories. This space is unified with the same grey and brown used in the living area and the dining furniture.
Check out these stunning spaces where accessories rule
Check out these stunning spaces where accessories rule
Another way to anchor a large space is to create a central seating area. With fun, eye-catching cushions to go with it, this semi-circular sofa not only provides comfortable seating, but makes a great focal point.
Find an interior designer to help design your open plan living room
Find an interior designer to help design your open plan living room
When choosing a main colour, use a warm, happy hue on the walls. Using sunny yellow is a sure way to cozy up an open space. Notice where the secondary colour – a complementary shade of blue – was used in the kitchen and on the accent fabrics and accessories.
Find out how to light up spaces using yellow
Find out how to light up spaces using yellow
Don’t limit your room to one paint colour. Even open spaces have angles and corners where you can naturally start and stop different colours, so be creative. Bold hues and patterns will make your large room feel more comfortable.
Large, open kitchens can feel stark – especially if the cabinets are white. To remedy this, one trick is to use vivid accent colours. Red is great colour to use in the kitchen. It’s a lively, energetic colour that will create an inviting space.
Wondering if open kitchens are right for Indian homes?
Wondering if open kitchens are right for Indian homes?
If you have an open kitchen and you prefer to stain your cabinets, go for a dark finish. Deeper stains provide a rich, elegant look that also help to make a cavernous kitchen feel more welcoming.
Give your large space a sense of humour. Big, open areas can sometimes look too serious, but you can inject a bit of whimsy by doing the unexpected. This designer used chairs in several different colours. The result is a fun, flirty space.
Read more:
6 Ways to Tackle the Decorating Dilemma in Open-Plan Homes
Tell us:
How have you made open plan work in your home? Tell us in the Comments below.
Read more:
6 Ways to Tackle the Decorating Dilemma in Open-Plan Homes
Tell us:
How have you made open plan work in your home? Tell us in the Comments below.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Photo Books
30 Best Sofa Designs
This guide gives a rundown of sofa types that will leave you spoilt for choices
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
How to Make Your Living Room Look Bigger
By Neila Deen
Decorating a small living room? These 10 tips will help you make it more beautiful and welcoming
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
12 Sofa Colour Combinations You Can Blindly Trust
We've put together a tasteful mix of sofa shades that can take your living room from meh to magnificent
Full Story
Indian Homes
Design-Forward Indian Living Rooms, Bedrooms & Kitchens on Houzz
Take cues, ideas and inspiration from this compilation of 50 inspiring Indian spaces
Full Story
Most Popular
Which False Ceiling Material is Better: Gypsum or POP?
Here is all you need to know about the difference between gypsum and POP before you commit to a ceiling
Full Story
Small Spaces
9 Seating Arrangement Ideas for Small Living Rooms
Discover ways to live large with these pocket-sized living areas
Full Story
Colour Guides
5 Best Colours for Small Living Rooms
These paint colours will set the mood, update your space and make a small space seem larger than it is
Full Story
Dining Rooms
Remarkable Pairings: 40 Gorgeous Living Dining Combos
Here are inspiring living and dining room ideas for small and big spaces
Full Story
Decorating Guides
Contemporary Chic: How to Design a Modern Rustic Living Room
Love natural, rustic style, but want to keep it contemporary? Take a look at these design ideas
Full Story
Colour Guides
What Colour Curtains Go With Cream Walls?
Here are exciting and surprising curtain colours that match cream walls
Full Story
Style stool be same in my opinion and I would do accent wall in both