Open plan living promises freedom, flow, and flexibility—until you're left staring at a cavernous room that feels more chaotic than curated. While it may seem like the dream layout, styling an open plan space comes with its own unique set of challenges. And there are a few unspoken rules that no one really talks about—until now.
Whether your layout combines kitchen, dining, and lounge into one shared expanse or simply blurs the line between two rooms, knowing how to style it can be the difference between “disjointed” and “deliberately designed”.
The Illusion of Simplicity
Open plan layouts often masquerade as easy to decorate, with their expansive square footage and fewer walls. But in practice, they require even more careful styling decisions. There’s no corner to hide clutter in, no door to shut on a half-finished vignette.
This is where zoning becomes critical.
Start by Defining Zones
It’s tempting to arrange furniture by instinct, but an open plan space needs clearly defined zones. These aren’t walls—but subtle cues that signal transitions between areas.
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Rugs: One of the easiest ways to ground a space. A well-proportioned rug under your sofa or dining table instantly sets visual boundaries.
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Lighting: Use pendant lights over a dining area or floor lamps beside a sofa to anchor activity zones.
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Furniture Placement: Floating furniture away from walls and arranging it to create “rooms within rooms” adds structure without compromising flow.
Each zone should feel intentional—like it belongs exactly where it is.
Don’t Match—Coordinate
Matching everything in an open plan space is the fast track to a flat, uninspired result. Instead, look for pieces that coordinate.
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Vary your materials: A timber dining table doesn’t need matching chairs; contrast it with upholstered seats or a metal base.
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Repeat tones: Echo colours or finishes in small, subtle ways across each zone. For example, a bronze side table leg can be echoed in a kitchen tap finish or picture frame.
By thinking in terms of cohesion rather than duplication, the space feels unified but far from monotonous.
Embrace Asymmetry
Not every corner needs symmetry. In fact, leaning into asymmetry can bring energy and visual intrigue. Offset a sofa with a single armchair or balance a low cabinet with tall artwork. This keeps your space from feeling too “placed” and lets each area breathe.
The Power of Vertical Styling
In a space without many walls, it’s easy to forget to look up. But vertical styling is a game-changer.
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Tall shelving units can act like visual bookends for your zones.
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Art hung higher than eye level draws attention upwards and adds drama.
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Hanging plants or trailing greenery soften hard edges and bring life to forgotten corners.
If you’re feeling like your space lacks dimension, start thinking taller.
Multipurpose Without Compromising Style
When space needs to work hard—dining, lounging, even working from home—dual-function furniture is your friend. But practicality doesn’t have to mean compromising on looks.
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Look for benches that double as storage or sideboards that work as a desk base.
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A round dining table can double as a work zone or game night table without feeling like a compromise.
The trick is to prioritise pieces that earn their place both functionally and aesthetically.
Anchor With Statement Pieces
Amid all the coordination, let at least one or two hero pieces take centre stage. A sculptural light fixture, oversized artwork, or bold-coloured sofa can anchor your entire open plan palette.
Think of it as setting the tone: once your statement is made, everything else falls into place around it.
Get Comfortable With Negative Space
It’s tempting to fill every corner, especially when there's so much room to play with. But restraint is key.
Negative space—those moments of pause in your layout—actually make the styled zones feel more intentional. That empty wall might be doing more than you think by keeping the space from feeling too busy.
A Few Final Tips They Don’t Mention
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Test walkways: Leave at least 90cm for walkways so people can move freely between zones.
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Think acoustics: Rugs, curtains, and soft furnishings help absorb sound in large open spaces.
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Avoid pushing everything to the edges: Pulling furniture away from the walls creates intimacy and improves flow.
Open plan spaces are not blank canvases—they're puzzles. But with a few strategic moves and a strong sense of cohesion, they can feel less like sprawling rooms and more like a beautifully curated home. It’s not just about where you put your sofa. It’s about how the whole space moves with you, supports your lifestyle, and looks stunning doing it.
Because no one tells you that the best open plan spaces are the ones that know when to show off—and when to hold back.