Need help with open floor plan

13 years ago

Hello! We recently built a new house and I am having trouble figuring out to make it feel like home. The middle of the house is one room...kitchen, den, dining combination. I feel like its a warehouse rather then a home. My husband uses a wheelchair so the openness is wonderful for him but I am having a hard time with it. I need ideas on how to make the 3 areas look cohesive, yet separate. We are about to paint the walls a grayish green which I hope will help warm things up. I am open to new furniture in both the den and dining as the current is 11 years old and oversized. The den is 14x19, dining is 10x11. Suggestions on furniture, furniture placement, window treatments, accessories, etc is greatly appreciated!

Featured Answer

nasmijati

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

Greetings. It sounds as if you you do not need plexiglass on the lower walls to protect them from wheelchair dents. That is a plus.

I suggest a single, light wall color. Just because you use one room for three activities does not mean that the three spaces need different color and/or decor.
Think in terms of a main color (60%), a secondary color/pattern (30%), and a "ribbon" of color that appears in small amounts on each wall in the space (10%). I probably have my percentages off by a few points. A professional decorator will know.

Using artwork on the walls to be the secondary color/pattern might work well.

I suggest NOT getting a glass topped coffee table. I would be running my wheelchair feet and my lower legs into it all the time.

I do like the idea of a pedestal dining table. I have one that is round, but has an integrated leaf to make it oval. I sit on the "skinny" end of the oval to give myself more foot room.

Your television looks high on the wall to me. Do y'all get neck aches from tilting your head back to watch? Do you have a tilt-mounted screen to make it more comfortable for viewing?

To "warm things up," I suggest soft, fluffy couch cushions, a soft throw with fringe, maybe an easy-to-wash table runner, and other textiles.

I hope at least one of my ideas is helpful to you. I can only speak from my own experience.

Best wishes.

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Comments (9)

charleee
13 years ago
The only suggestion I have is to go with a round dining table, the round shape will soften up that dining area. I think you've done well with what you have! For window treatments, I'm a fan of the top down bottom up shades, especially if privacy is an issue but you still need light coming in. [houzz=
Top down, bottom up Silhouette. Privacy with a view. · More Info
]
PRO
Dytecture
13 years ago
Unfortunately spaces are either opened or closed as far as design goes. There isn't much that can be done without doing major renovations to make each area more separate but accessible at the same time.
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Sue T
13 years ago
I'd add a few window treatments and some art work.
PRO
It's a Beautiful World!
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Kelly, you can bring in wall art you enjoy and then replicate colors found in art throughout your house: in rugs, drapes, pillows and other accessories. Since it is all open and you want it to look cohesive, you should probably opt for a limited number of colors and shades of the same colors for visual unity. If you are looking for new art, you can check out our galleries... Raisa
ceciliame
13 years ago
I would move the bigger couch under the window and the chair, where the big couch is. That will provide a lot more open space to flow between the kitchen and family room.
ceciliame
13 years ago
If you are going to buy new furniture, I would consider a sectional under the window and on wall. Maybe an ottoman or bench I front of the kitchen bar area. A small glass coffee table, it will provide less weight on the eye. I would also add a console behind the sectional, where the windows are with some pictures, lamps...
Paint: I would go with a grey, eggshell, Benjamin Moore.
Curtains: if you add silver rods with silk curtains it will make the room feel warmer. (Restoration hardware)
Console: under the current mirror in the dinning room
I have more ideas....
elcieg
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
if you could find a sectional to fit your room, I would do this. No other seating, no rug (wheelchair), no sage green, everything light and bright…drapes on the windows the same as the walls. That little bench idea next to the fireplace would look great in your living room.
Living Room · More Info

Bring the same colors, same window treatments into the dining room..No rug, again.

I no nothing about handicapped design, but I would think a round table, metal pedestal might make things easier.

We have a pal here on houzz who uses a chair and she would have some ideas. Will see if she is around today.

Eztia is her name.
elcieg
13 years ago
Thanks, ez