As more of us take this time at home to renovate our space into a modern, open floorplan – ideal for family-friendly living or entertaining – it means viewing our existing decor in a whole new way.
“I’ve noticed a lot of people coming in to furnish their open-concept homes. It’s been a lot of fun working with them and helping them create a custom space that’s entirely their own,” says Liam Horner, from Valley Direct Furniture.
As more are flocking to this floorplan, it’s easy to see why!
Boasting a spacious design, often without halls or doorways, an open concept layout optimizes your square footage. Natural light is welcomed into areas that might not have previously seen the sun, adding to a brighter, inviting space.
By combining living spaces, you can stay connected to other spaces in your home, and the people in them! While you prep dinner in the kitchen, chat with the kids watching TV, and as you catch up with a little work at your dining room table, you can keep a close eye on the little ones in the living room.
But the extra space you might achieve from removing walls can present new design challenges – what worked in your former footprint might not work in this new open concept.
“Many turn to the living room, dining room, kitchen combo when it comes to their open-concept homes. Even though you technically have all these areas in one space, it’s still important to designate certain spaces for certain purposes,” Horner explains.
Designate spaces
Try using couches, chairs and sectionals to frame your living room, with a carpet underneath helping delineate the area.
A dining suite will help identify the dining area, and in your kitchen, appliances, countertops and bar stools for added seating make it clear where you put your culinary skills to the test!
If you’re tight on space, multifunctional pieces make the most of what you have. The two-tiered Clapp II Coffee Table, for example, has a bottom table to pull out or tuck away depending on the table space you need.
Make it your own
With customizable pieces, such as sofas and sectionals by Stylus, Canada’s largest furniture manufacturer, their offerings are the perfect fit for any space (because you can make it the perfect fit for any space!) Using local suppliers such as Abbotsford’s Woodworks and Vancouver-based LH Imports, you can also feel good furnishing your home with charming Canadian pieces.
To learn more about outfitting your new home in style, visit Valley Direct Furniture online or browse their showroom in person!