When designing an an open-plan apartment, the secret to success lies in creating distinct zones
By its very nature, an apartment tends to be more compact than a house and definitely low maintenance—no mowing the lawn or contemplating repair of the gutters—giving you more time to relax, cook a leisurely meal and welcome friends. So far so good, but how do you make the best use of space, particularly when you might not have acres of it?
Whatever the size of an open-plan room, the answer is ‘zoning’. For example, a living area can be thoughtfully designed to create distinct—but linked—zones for dining, cooking and relaxing. The best solution is often a kitchen area defined by an island that looks onto a dining table and comfortable seating area beyond. A few bar stools at the island signal an area for relaxed conversation as dinner is prepared, then it’s a turn to the table and a few steps more to the sofa after dinner so the conversation can continue uninterrupted.
‘By creating zones in a multi-functional room, you allow activities to take place in an intimate way, yet can still enjoy the openness of the space,’ explains interior designer Audrey Carden of Carden Cunietti.
This story is from the July 19, 2018 edition of Country Life UK.
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This story is from the July 19, 2018 edition of Country Life UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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