How to Ace Open-Plan Living in India
Here's what you need to know to get an open floor plan right
Open-plan living has made its way to every country in the world and India is no exception. Architects, interior designers and homeowners are leaning towards this style for more reasons than one. The seamless flow of space seems more natural and inviting, while the disappearance of walls bring in more light. This is ideal for nuclear families and weekend homes. In urban India, where space is a constant constraint, an open floor plan makes the best of the situation. So, goodbye small rooms, dead spaces and dark corners. Here are some great suggestions for when you opt for an open floor plan; some design professionals also weigh in.
Invest in an industrial-strength kitchen exhaust
You don’t need to have a large loft-like space to embrace an open floor plan. You do, however, need a strong exhaust system in the kitchen and proper ventilation. Iram Sultan, one of principal designers of Studio Strato, suggests, “Our cooking uses multiple spices as well as frying and roasting methods in pans. If the exhaust system is not effective enough, your room will have a lingering smell. It will cling to the fabric of your furniture and curtains. So ensure that you have an effective and balanced air-conditioning plus exhaust system in place.”
Browse images of kitchens in Houzz photos
You don’t need to have a large loft-like space to embrace an open floor plan. You do, however, need a strong exhaust system in the kitchen and proper ventilation. Iram Sultan, one of principal designers of Studio Strato, suggests, “Our cooking uses multiple spices as well as frying and roasting methods in pans. If the exhaust system is not effective enough, your room will have a lingering smell. It will cling to the fabric of your furniture and curtains. So ensure that you have an effective and balanced air-conditioning plus exhaust system in place.”
Browse images of kitchens in Houzz photos
Don’t go overboard
When your home is neatly compartmentalised into separate rooms, you can take liberties and break some interior-designing rules, such as blending colours, themes and so on. However, it’s best to keep those rules in mind when planning an open-plan living area for a seamless and continuous space. Mumbai-based interior designer Ravi Vazirani of ravi vazirani design studio stresses on the importance of holding back. “Stick to a restricted colour and material palette. You want the space to feel like one, not a medley of materials all clashing against each other,” he explains. The space pictured here runs an all-white theme that not only helps make the space look airy and large but also helps give it a cohesive look. The yellow wooden tabletop and burgundy sofa provide pops of colour that add a dash of vibrancy.
When your home is neatly compartmentalised into separate rooms, you can take liberties and break some interior-designing rules, such as blending colours, themes and so on. However, it’s best to keep those rules in mind when planning an open-plan living area for a seamless and continuous space. Mumbai-based interior designer Ravi Vazirani of ravi vazirani design studio stresses on the importance of holding back. “Stick to a restricted colour and material palette. You want the space to feel like one, not a medley of materials all clashing against each other,” he explains. The space pictured here runs an all-white theme that not only helps make the space look airy and large but also helps give it a cohesive look. The yellow wooden tabletop and burgundy sofa provide pops of colour that add a dash of vibrancy.
Let your furniture multi-task
Using too many pieces of furniture might tend to overcrowd the space, making it look chaotic. Sultan advises keeping the style and space clean and clutter-free.
Vazirani says compartmentalising is key. This allows you to have more utility in the same space. When lacking the luxury of space, as in most urban Indian apartments, multi-functional furniture as well as mobile pieces are worth the investment. This Mumbai kitchen uses the kitchen island for quick meals. The bar stools here can be moved to the living space for extra seating whenever needed.
Choose from the vast range of furniture in Houzz products
Using too many pieces of furniture might tend to overcrowd the space, making it look chaotic. Sultan advises keeping the style and space clean and clutter-free.
Vazirani says compartmentalising is key. This allows you to have more utility in the same space. When lacking the luxury of space, as in most urban Indian apartments, multi-functional furniture as well as mobile pieces are worth the investment. This Mumbai kitchen uses the kitchen island for quick meals. The bar stools here can be moved to the living space for extra seating whenever needed.
Choose from the vast range of furniture in Houzz products
Experiment with layouts
If you are lucky enough to have the luxury of space, why not use it creatively? Almost like a habit, most us of place furniture in predictable areas. But it’s the twenty-first century and change we simply must.
If you are lucky enough to have the luxury of space, why not use it creatively? Almost like a habit, most us of place furniture in predictable areas. But it’s the twenty-first century and change we simply must.
Edge away from partition and embrace fluidity. It’s time to experiment. Architect Saket Sethi of Archilogics affirms, “Move away from the usual style of propping furniture against the wall and settling for typical arrangements. Have fun with it, steer clear of the pathways and play around with elements.”
Don’t be rigid
Nothing is written in stone. It’s completely acceptable if your open-plan living room doesn’t include a kitchen. As cooking is an elaborate affair in the Indian household, a kitchen might not be a good fit for this space. Instead, take a cue from this room, where the kitchen is a separate area. The living, dining and bar area have been brought together, making it the perfect place to host parties.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: An actor’s getaway that has an open plan layout
10 Indian Kitchens on Houzz That Evoke Envy
Tell us:
Does open plan living work in Indian homes? Tell us what has worked for you and what hasn’t in the Comments section below.
Nothing is written in stone. It’s completely acceptable if your open-plan living room doesn’t include a kitchen. As cooking is an elaborate affair in the Indian household, a kitchen might not be a good fit for this space. Instead, take a cue from this room, where the kitchen is a separate area. The living, dining and bar area have been brought together, making it the perfect place to host parties.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: An actor’s getaway that has an open plan layout
10 Indian Kitchens on Houzz That Evoke Envy
Tell us:
Does open plan living work in Indian homes? Tell us what has worked for you and what hasn’t in the Comments section below.
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Open floor plans usually consolidate the living, dining and cooking spaces into one sprawling area sans the restriction of walls. Interior designer Ninad Pardeshi suggests taking things a step further by including the outdoors to this equation. “Capture the view with large French windows that allow the outdoors in,” he says. Like in this particular space, where an entire wall of the open-plan living room is dominated with floor-to-ceiling doors that bring in a hint of green and lots of natural light. The skylights flood the room with more light and brightness.
Find an architect from Houzz professionals to design your open-plan home