• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work & Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
      • Readers’ Choice Awards
        • hotelier Robert HauckHis Story: Robert helps launch a new hotel in Singapore
        • horoscopes for julyHoroscopes for April 2023!
        • What’s On: Things to do, what’s new and more
        • luxury villas in BaliLuxury villas in Bali to buy or rent!
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • horoscopes for julyHoroscopes for April 2023!
        • HSBC Singapore Sevens 2022What’s on this week and beyond
        • Art course and drawing lessonsParties and themed camps to captivate your kids!
        • easter events toy shops in SingaporeHave a Hoppin’ Good Time this April at Tanglin Mall
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • Art course and drawing lessonsParties and themed camps to captivate your kids!
        • Too much OCD or ADHD medication for kids?
        • Seriously cool children’s furniture & kids beds
        • easter events toy shops in SingaporeHave a Hoppin’ Good Time this April at Tanglin Mall
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • Home News: New furniture, home décor & services
        • Seriously cool children’s furniture & kids beds
        • Contemporary Rugs and Floor Coverings – who bought what?
        • Havana Interiors home stylistsNeed decorators, home stylists or an interior designer?
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • Travel News & Hotel Deals
        • luxury villas in BaliLuxury villas in Bali to buy or rent!
        • property in sydneyBuying property in Sydney
        • international health insurance for singapore expatsHealth insurance for Singapore expats
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • New Nibbles: Foodie news!
        • tadcaster best steak sandwich singaporeThe ‘best steak sandwich’ makes its debut in Singapore!
        • easter brunches and buffets singaporeEaster Brunches – Easter food buffets & free-flow!
        • All you need to know about Crab Bee Hoon in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • Beauty news: New beauty products, makeup and more!
        • Fashion News and Sales in Singapore!
        • Niessing gold jewellery in SingaporeI discovered a 150-year-old jeweller in Singapore!
        • slimming facial massage review facial ginzaWe review a Japanese slimming facial massage!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • health supplements singaporeProbiotics and health supplements to boost your immunity!
        • Health News: What’s up!
        • Too much OCD or ADHD medication for kids?
        • weight gainLondon Weight Management reviews dangers of weight gain
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

How to maximise an open-plan living room design

20th May 2021 by Amy Brook-Partridge 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/open-plan-living-room-design/

There are many reasons why an open-plan living room design might suit a particular home. It might be to create an open environment conducive to connecting and socialising with all the family. It could be the ease of keeping an eye on little ones playing or watching TV while you cook, or even creating additional light in an area by tearing down walls.

Once you’ve got the open space, how do you make the most of it? VISHA NELSON from The Cinnamon Room gives us her list of do’s and don’ts for living room layouts, which she adheres to when working with clients’ homes. Her experience at transforming a wide-open space into a cosy home environment has given her great insight. Here she talks tips to help guide you through the process.

living room design open plan

Don’t shove everything against the walls. This is the instinct in a traditional living room layout, and it often works very well, but in an open plan, it can make things look sparse, temporary and ungrounded. Provide structure by creating focal points based upon the functionality of each space. Area rugs are perfect for this in defining areas! With all that space, move your furniture away from the walls to create a natural flow around functional spaces and create a more intimate feeling in your space.

Do anchor any floating furniture with a rug. You can plan a space perfectly, but without a rug to provide a “home base”, you’ll always be wondering whether you should move things around. Large pieces, like the sofa and the dining table, can look adrift without a rug to serve as an anchor.

open plan living rugs

Don’t forget to vary the lighting. If you stick with the standard overhead lighting, you’ll be missing the cosy vibe that lower light sources can provide. Floor and table lamps work well, but bringing in ambient lighting like tealights and lanterns does wonders to add visual interest and a feeling of intimacy and warmth so often missing in a large open-plan space.

Do create zones. With an open plan living room design, you need to think about how different areas will be used and then lay them out for success. Again, a well-placed carpet will create both boundaries and pockets of space. A round rug can create a small reading or conversation nook, while the more commonly found rectangle rug will frame a living or dining area well.

Don’t be afraid of colour. If you’ve been eyeing a vibrant piece of furniture then go for it! A statement piece can work double-duty to give unique character to a zone while also providing an opportunity to bring in some accent pieces in complementary shades. Simply balance it with neutral tones in the carpets, and then tie it all together with some art or accessories. Likewise, if you fall in love with a colourful rug, pair it with a neutral sofa and choose some accent cushions to bridge the colour families.open plan living room design rugs

 

Do bring in layers and textures. This is especially for those neutral lovers out there. An all-neutral colour scheme can be wonderfully zen, but it falls flat when you forget to layer and contrast. A variety of textures, materials and shades will give your home so much richness and depth. Our rugs in leather, jute or cotton are a great place to start: their interesting textures added to our signature features such as geometrics and metallics will give your neutral design scheme a unique look. Remember, neutral does not need to be dull!

open plan living room design rugs

Don’t match your carpet to your floor. You’d be surprised how often this happens by accident! Contrast is the key to an effective floor treatment. You want to see that beautiful rug, don’t you? If you’re sticking with neutrals, ensure the rug sufficiently contrasts with the floor when choosing a floor treatment.

Do remember it’s not an exact science. Use these tips to guide you but choose what you love and find what feels right for your living room layout. We’re always here to help at The Cinnamon Room, so give us a call to discuss any decorating dilemmas you might be facing and we will be more than happy to assist you in achieving a home you’ll love being in always!

For more expert advice and styling tips, contact Visha at vishanelson@thecinnamonroom.com or go to thecinnamonroom.com to find out the store’s opening times and location and pay her a visit.

This article first appeared in the May 2021 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!

Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox
Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox

Categories: Home Decor Homes Tags: The Cinnamon Room

Amy Brook-Partridge

Amy has two kids, one dog and one husband - although she'd love to have more than one (dog, that is). She's mad about F45 training, running and playing Gaelic football, when she isn't injured or drinking a little too much wine.

You May Also Like

home cleaning sendhelper

Here’s how you can get your rental deposit back

Living a full life!

king albert park living near the rail corridor

Living next to the Rail Corridor and nature!

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.