London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

How to zone out an open-plan space – with dedicated areas to separate tasks

How to zone out an open-plan space – with dedicated areas to separate tasks

Give each area a sense of purpose

Our hoes have never needed to work so hard, to accommodate the recent changes in lifestyle. Homeowners are now spending more time at home, and are therefore looking for ways to utilise every inch of space available. There’s a new trend for turning a multifunctional large space into smaller specific areas to relax, work, eat and sleep.

Give your current space new purpose with these simple ideas for dividing up open-plan rooms without building walls or engaging in major renovation.

These open-plan zones can be temporary measures that fold away when you don’t need them or more permanent structures to give purpose to a large empty room. Try different materials and be inspired by these creative solutions to managing space in your home.

1. Put down different flooring


                          

There are lots of benefits to using different types of flooring for different areas in the same room. Visually, it helps separate the spaces, and practically it works brilliantly. In the kitchen area you can have tiles that are easy to clean so dealing with dropped food isn’t an issue. But in the dining area you can lay wood, which is grippier underfoot and gives a warmer, cosier feel.

2. Lay multiple rugs


                            

If changing the floor isn’t an option, rugs are the next best thing. They create pools of focus in an open-plan space, around which you can group furniture for different tasks – dining, lounging, chatting, working, and so on. You can even reflect the mood of the area in the style of rug you pick. For example, an imperfect woven rug suggests informal and restful, a very colourful rug remarks fun and creativity, while an antique pattern could dress a more formal entertaining space.

3. Add an open shelving divider


                        

Separate living and dining areas with freestanding shelves. They’ll add storage that can easily be accessed from both sides. Ikea’s famous Kallax designs are a favourite among music lovers and workaholics alike, as the compartments have the perfect dimensions for holding vinyl and A4 files.

4. Invest in a corner sofa


                        

An L-shaped sofa isn’t just great for extra lounging space – it can be positioned to visually corner off a part of a larger room, as seen here. However, be careful when choosing a left- or right-hand design when you order. Get it wrong and you’ll end up playing a confusing game of furniture Tetris.

5. Plan in a peninsula


                        

Mark the cook’s territory with a peninsular breakfast bar. It will keep the kids (and guests) out from under your feet when you’re making meals, without you having to hide away from the action.

6. Build a banquette


                        

What was potentially an awkward space has been transformed – and divided – with this booth-style dining area. They’re easily space for 10 at the banquette, and you could make the space work even harder by concealing storage underneath the seats.

7. Paint the walls different colours


                        

Creating a little separation between spaces can be as easy as picking up a paintbrush – in this case, blue for the kitchen and a deep grey-taupe for the dining area. Yellow accents and dark wood flooring maintain a visual link, so that the colour scheme, isn’t too messy.

Are you ready to get your home into the ‘zone’?

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×