Open-plan living has become the go-to choice in modern home design over the last two decades, with many homeowners removing walls to create spacious, light-filled interiors. By eliminating partitions, open-plan spaces create the illusion of a larger footprint while maximizing natural light—a winning combination for contemporary living.
However, in recent years, as home life has evolved, broken-plan living has gained popularity. This design approach maintains the openness of traditional open-plan layouts but introduces subtle separations through clever design features, such as:
- Half-walls for partial division
- Strategic furniture placement to define zones
- Feature walls to create focal points
- Internal glazing to allow light flow
- Bespoke joinery for functional partitions
When considering broken-plan living, a thoughtfully designed interior is essential to maintain a harmonious flow throughout the home. Before deciding which layout works best for you, it's important to assess how you use your home daily and what design best supports your lifestyle.
Broken-Plan vs. Open-Plan: Which One is Right for You?
Who Benefits from Broken-Plan Living?
If you work from home, need dedicated zones for exercise, or prefer quiet retreats within your living space, a broken-plan layout could be the ideal solution.
A common concern is that broken-plan homes may feel darker, but this isn’t the case! By incorporating slimline aluminium-framed internal glazing, you can ensure that daylight flows seamlessly between spaces, maintaining a bright and airy feel.
When Open-Plan Living Works Best
On the other hand, if you and your family spend less time at home—perhaps working in offices and exercising outdoors—then an open-plan layout may be a better fit.
One of the biggest advantages of open-plan living is uninterrupted light flow. Without walls, doors, or dark hallways breaking up the space, natural daylight illuminates the entire home, creating an inviting and expansive feel.
Making the Right Choice for Your Home
At the end of the day, your home should reflect how you live. Thinking outside the box and working with a skilled interior architectural designer will help ensure that your layout enhances functionality while maintaining a seamless design flow.
At A7 Architecture, we specialize in bespoke home transformations, helping homeowners create tailored, stylish spaces that fit their needs. Whether you’re considering a renovation or planning a new-build project, our architectural team is here to help.
Book a no-obligation consultation today and let’s discuss what’s possible for your home.
