OpenPlannedOpen plan living is very popular and it’s suitable for families or those who simply love entertaining, but it can be tricky to get the layout right. We’ve put together a guide on how to find the best advice and inspiration to help make your open plan living area the contemporary, light and airy space you’ve dreamed of.
Magazines
When it comes to designing your open plan space, there are plenty of magazines on the market to help advise and inspire you. From the more traditional House Beautiful and Ideal Home to the more contemporary Living Etc. and Elle Decoration, there’s plenty to inspire. When it comes to more practical advice, try Homebuilding, Real Homes or Build it Magazine.
Friends and family
Talk to friends and family. Get contacts for trusted builders or advice on what went right (or wrong!) with their projects. Take a walk around their space and decide if open plan living would work for you. Ask about unexpected costs, where they sourced materials and what inspired them. It could save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
TV Programmes
Home renovations TV programmes are perennially popular. From DIY SOS to Property Ladder, from Grand Designs to Location, Location, Location, there’s plenty to inspire and plenty of advice on hand. Sit back, put your feet up, and relax with the remote. Researching your new open plan layout couldn’t be easier.
Internet
The Internet is a brilliant way to research the best open plan layout for your space. Get inspired by celebrity homes or follow online renovation projects. Put together a Pinterest mood board for each zone, follow some designer blogs or ask questions and advice on Twitter.
Designers, Architects & Builders
Finding the right interior designer or design team that understands your vision for your space is essential. It’s worth asking for a recommendation or, if you’re not sure where to start, talk to your architect. Note down the names of any you see on TV or in a magazine that inspire you, and make contact to see if they’re right for your project. For an architect, Find an Architect can help you search more than 3000 UK RIBA Chartered Practices by name, location, area of expertise and services offered. Most will give you a one-off consultation, which is really worthwhile. When it comes to builders, make sure you use a firm that’s registered with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). It’s worth contacting a number of designers, architects and builders to compare their quotes.