Open plan living spaces have been very popular for a number of years now because it enables a more relaxed and sociable way of life and allows for more spacious and bright living areas where multiple functions are to be performed harmoniously.
However, since lockdown and with many more people now working remotely, the emergent broken plan concept has evolved into one of the biggest current design trends.
There is a greater need for privacy and personal space and for us to add boundaries to our living and work zones so they don’t constantly spill over onto one another and, without returning to traditional smaller separate rooms, the most practical and economical solution is to shift from open- plan to broken-plan living.
What exactly is broken plan design?
Broken-plan design is still an open-plan concept but the focus is on the clever use of a space to create more integrated living.
You retain the spacious airiness of open-plan living but distinct zones are created through the use of different floor finishes, split-levels and semi-permanent partitions, such as bookcases and screens.
These subtle divides retain the spacious feel that open-plan living provides, but also give a sense of separation to enable more flexible use throughout the day, enabling people to have their own space away from each other.
Essentially, you are creating separate personal hubs in your home for working, family time, dining, study and leisure which is not only practical, it also adds visual interest, and enhances the livable aspect of an open-plan area.
How to implement the concept
This can be achieved in a number of ways, including the use of different floor finishes, split-levels, semi-permanent partitions, such as bookcases and screens and even mezzanine levels but, although it is a simple concept, it takes some thought and planning in order to get it right or the result could be disjointed and impractical.
To get an open plan living spot on, when designing the space it can be useful to imagine where walls might be if the space were to be carved up into separate rooms.
Optimise light: A key consideration when embracing a broken-plan concept is how to preserve this same flow of light as with an open plan. And, for night time illumination, with the room divided into distinct zones for different uses, you can further distinguish each area with its own light source. Think statement lamps or standing lights.
Half walls: Yes, this dated concept is making a comeback as they are a great way to break up rooms without affecting sight lines and light. You can modernise a half wall by making it a statement feature in the room. Paint it a vibrant or contrasting colour, add texture using brick or wood or you can even have it double as a bookshelf.
Glass partitions: If you need more privacy or peace and quiet for your work, glass walls are a great way to achieve clear definition while keeping your home bright and spacious without blocking light or the view.
Sunken levels: Another old feature making a comeback, the sunken room is an area of a room that is lowered about half a metre below than the rest of the living space and it does an excellent job of demarcating a separate area without any risk of impacting light or flow. Small tricks, such as having just two or three steps between areas, can be all it takes to provide that crucial mental and physical divide.
Flooring focus: Using different flooring is great for creating the perception of distinct zones without interfering with the overall flow of the space. For instance, you could use tiles in the kitchen area and hardwood floors in the main living space with colourful rugs strategically placed to add further distinction. If your budget doesn’t stretch to that, then a few cleverly-placed rugs will do the trick.
Go up: Mezzanines are a great way to create extra space in smaller rooms which would appear very cluttered if broken up into more than two or three zones. It’s also the perfect solution for a work area as it’s above the main activity and distractions in the room.
Flexible solutions: Portable dividers like screens allow you to change the configuration depending on the need for privacy or space. You can also use furniture items like open shelving which is a bit less flexible but no less temporary. Indoor plants and even just rearranging the furniture will also help to create separate spaces.
Essentially, broken plan design gives you the best of both worlds – all the benefits of open-plan living but with considerably more privacy and functionality.
And the best thing about it is that all it really requires is a little imagination. Even a shoestring budget isn’t a stumbling block to transforming your living area into a multifunctional live/work/play space.
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