The houses of yesteryear with entrance, long corridors, dining room, good living room, storage room and office are now a distant memory.
Most newly built apartments – but also many villas – have adopted a new philosophy of living: that of an open space in which the living room and the kitchen are in a single environment .
It is a type of house that is increasingly in demand and not necessarily due to lack of space. In fact, we are increasingly witnessing a conscious choice with a precise aesthetic intention, aimed at embracing a cosmopolitan and trendy loft style . The concepts of living room, lounge, dining room, kitchen are outdated: today we are talking about LIVING, a living space in which we dedicate ourselves to all daily domestic activities. And this is done informally.
The time when mom stayed in the kitchen while dad read the newspaper in the armchair is (finally) over. Today we cook together, we chat while we do it, we invite guests for an aperitif while we prepare snacks “live”. Today, you can watch the latest episode of your favorite TV series while enjoying a sushi platter on the kitchen peninsula, or organize “masterchef” dinners where everyone sits at the counter integrated into the maxi island in the middle of the room. Those who opt for an open space choose a new way of living the home based on sharing space, free time (less and less and therefore more and more precious!), experiences ranging from a good movie to a 4-handed dinner, or even with the help of friends or family.
Here is an overview of the 10 rules
1. Focus on your needs
Don’t follow fashion, don’t be persuaded by interior designers to buy furniture that might turn out to be too big for the actual use you’ll make of it. Your lifestyle comes first: ask yourself who, how and how much each area of the open space will use and adjust the size and configuration of the furniture accordingly.
An example? If cooking is the very last of your priorities, invest in a mega kitchen with an island “because that’s how it is now and everyone does it”
2. Choose modular and flexible furniture
A modular sofa with movable backrests or completed with detachable poufs, a double-sided modular bookcase, a freestanding TV stand, an armchair that transforms into a bed. These are all freestanding pieces of furniture that you can place wherever you want, even in the middle of the room to separate – even visually – the different areas.
3. Do not combine more than 3 materials
In an environment where many different functions mix, creating a moodboard of colors and materials is essential. Choose a predominant color and complement it with other 2/3 that you will use for elements or details. In this way, you will create a harmonious and relaxing environment.
4. Master the measurements
We all dream of huge kitchens and titanic sofas in the center of the room, but the reality is often far from the glossy pages of furniture catalogs. To design intelligently, we always start from the complete plan with dimensions, doors, windows, load-bearing walls, systems, appliances, sockets, possible pillars, irregularities, etc.
5. Identify the areas
Divide the surface into 3 areas (kitchen, dining area, relaxation area) proportionate to your needs (see point 1). If the electrical systems and sockets are already present and it is not possible to move them, you will be tied to them for the design. If, on the other hand, you have carte blanche, you will certainly be freer to create a tailor-made environment.
6. Less is more…
That is to say: if disorder is unavoidable, at least hide it. An open floor plan does not necessarily mean “everything in plain sight”. We recommend always having cabinets and containers in which to store all the objects of daily use (remote controls, blankets for the sofa, coats and bags at the entrance, shoes, cups, glasses, tumblers, boxes of herbal teas, coffee and cookies, food processor, children’s toys, etc.).
7. High-performance and quiet devices
Choosing the high-end means taking household appliances that will not disturb you while reading on the sofa or watching television, but also objects with a neat design. And you know, in a living room with an open kitchen, aesthetics are essential. Very important is the hood that will prevent the stagnation of odors and humidity.
8. Decorate, yes, but don’t overdo it
Marie Kondo says : you don’t have to give up the things you love, BUT a string of wedding favors from the last 20 years of friends and family ceremonies… not even that. Decluttering is a must for a modern open space. Then come the decorative elements like the rug, the lights and the paintings which have a double function: not only to embellish but also to delimit the relaxation area or delimit the dining area. The same goes for the color of the walls or the wallpaper.
9. Lighting
Each area should shine with its own light and should not leave dark areas. The kitchen will need more powerful lighting, while in the living room you will opt for more diffuse and relaxing lighting. It is better not to overdo it with the number and types of lamps. Pay special attention to the temperature: avoid combining warm and cold lights.
10. Invest in professional advice
Decorators, interior designers, architects, can make a RADICAL change to your interior. Sometimes the right lighting or moving a few pieces of furniture is enough, other times a more radical intervention is necessary, but we are sure that it is always worth it. Entering the house and finding yourself in a welcoming and ultimately harmonious environment is a priceless feeling.
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