Opentofresh ideas

Open to fresh ideas

BYONEROOF

Here are some clever tricks to put every bit of space in your open-plan home to good use.

It’s highly likelyyou’reliving in one, and your neighbours probably are too– and their neighbours,for that matter.Open-plan homes have become the people’schoice inrecent decades– adevelopment that has necessitated some creative thinking.

Aswell as an enhanced sense of spaciousness, open-plan layouts foster a greater sense ofconnection among the members of a household and are excellent for entertaining, plusfewer interiorwalls means more natural light. Sometimes, though, pocketsof that abundant space canend up beingwasted. Puta stop to that with some clever tacticsfor puttingevery bitto good use, not clutteringyour home but improving its functionality through thewell-considered use ofcolour, texture, furniture and lighting.

The book nook Let’s start inyour living space.You may have a central seating area, but how about turning that disusedcorner into a snug witha comfortable armchairyou canquietlyread in?Createzonal definition withina neutralcolour scheme bypainting thewalls ina contemplative counterpart, such as perennialfavourite Resene Quarter Duck Egg Blue,calm-and-misty green ResenePaleLeaf or dusty umberResene Soothe. Cosytextiles such as linen cushions, or a woollen throwwill further invite relaxation, andyou couldextend this sentimenttoyour walls witha textured design from theResene Wallpaper Collectiontoprovide bothcolour and depth. Visityour localResene ColorShopto see the latestreleases in theirwallpaper library.

A ceiling treatment isa high-impact way togive acorner its own identity. Youcould keepyourwalls as they arebut applyResene SpaceCoteFlat in a dramatic greylike Resene Nocturnalfor aluxe look orgofor abold geometricceiling print created usingpaint andstencils orpaste up cut-out motifs from a graphicResenewallpaper design.

Business and pleasure A study nook neatly housed inyour living areais a hack that lets youclock upextra hours while keeping up with theeveryday play. A built-in desk will truly maximise the space, orbargain huntfor asecond-hand desk and chairto updatewithpaint, optingfor adistinct colour or one that ties in with therestof theroom. Wipe it witha clean dry cloth, then apply ReseneWaterborne Smooth Surface Sealerfor aneven finishfollowed by ReseneLustacryl semi-gloss orResene Enamacryl gloss tinted withyour chosen hue.

Separateyourstudyzone from therestofan open-plan space with: • Abank of freestanding open shelving in a chic shade, such aspale greenResene

Edgewater or Resene Colorwood Driftwood timberstain. Shelvingformsa low-key partition that alsoworks asstorage for essential professional accoutrements and displayfor decorative objects. • Acurtainyou can draw aroundyour nook whenyou’reworkingandfling it open whenyou’renot.Choosea fabric that looksgoodfrom both sides– an ethereal sheer or heavierweight tomitigatenoise such as theVoile designs from theResene

Curtain Collection. • Ascreenyou canfold away if wished. Timber orrattan room dividers area natural fitfor a neutralcolour scheme butcould also be customised withResenepaint or timber stain in the sameway youwoulda desk.

Takea seat,light the lights Modular seating is idealfor allowing spaces in an open-plan living area todo double duty, providing visualcohesion. AnL-shaped sofa will definefor your mainrelaxation area, and you couldreconfigure additional modules with someeasily moved chairs to forma separate conversationzone– with or withouta coffee table oncastor wheels that’s alsoa cinchto reposition. Matchingottomans andoversized cushions are greatfor childrentomovefrom A to B. Lighting is aneasily manipulatableway toset distinct moods. Affixa wall light near your desk ora pendant lightover your snug. If beautifyinga rice paper orfabric lightshade withResenetestpots, use thepaint sparinglyto stop itgettingtoo wet.

Collector’s items Keepsakesand curioscan imbue open-plan areas with individuality. Take your time to collect pieces that aremeaningfultoyou –scented candles, ornaments, vintagevessels, dried flowersandforaged treasures such as shells and feathers –and arrange them on shelves, sideboards ortables usingthe designers’ golden rule of odd numbers (three, five or seven items)to get the bestbalance.A tray can be an additionalway topulla vignette together, painted ina metallic finish using ReseneFX Metallicpaintsin hues such asResene Solid Gold,ReseneRose GoldorResene Allusive.

What’s in store Storage can be at a premium in open-plan homes.Remedy the issue ina generous master bedroombyinstallinga half-wall that can becomea headboard on one side and cupboards on theother, painted in a hue that complements your décor. If storagefor children’stoys is lacking,paint timber cubes or wooden boxes in playfulpastels like ReseneTuft Bush,Resene Snowy Mint andResene Onahau. If there’s adisusedvoid underyourstairs, you might wishtostore them there and turn the space into a children’scraftstation witha desk painted ina pale primrose like Resene Shalimar.

Deck the hall Though not the traditional long hallwaysyou find in closed floor-plan homes, open-plan homesgenerally include thoroughfares that are readyfor anything. Make yoursa funextra play areafor the kidsbypaintinga hopscotchcourt on the floor withReseneWalk-on tintedtoyour colours of choice. Or, adda vintage bench seat that can fitbasketsorcontainers beneath it to stowaway shoes or accessoriespainted in a differentcolourfor each member ofyourfamily. Then,paint orstain the timber in theResene hue ofyour choice and once dry, topwith flat cushions or an upholstered squab.

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