Zone In

THE GOAL ZONE IN to maximize an open space, and create separate areas which cater to specific functions such as entertainment, relaxation, and dining. CREATING MULTIPLE ZONES THE CHALLENGE WITHIN AN OPEN FLOOR PLAN to achieve a cohesive look within a room despite the introduction of segments. GETTING STARTED Come up with a scaled diagram of built-in architectural details such as windows, overhangs, fireplace, bookcases, and other elements that directly affect space usage. Make use of an online room planning program or template kit to best ascertain how to maximize available area. Come up with a list of items/furniture planned for the space. Mind traffic flow before deciding on furniture placement. THE PERIPHERY P PAINT FLOORING/ CARPETING LIGHTING A change in color is an effective way to delineate sub-areas within an open floor space. Lighting scheme is another reliable means to delineate spaces within a room. Rugs and other flooring materials/accents provide instant visual boundaries. Example: using two different accent colors on the wall can differentiate the dining and entertainment areas. Example: use a white pendant lamp over the dining area and change the ambience by installing dimmable corner/accent lights in the adjacent entertainment space. Traffic patterns-desired entry and exit points-can be determined by carpet runners and other flooring materials. THE CENTER DRAPERY/CURTAINS These are inexpensive and temporary ways to provide privacy to specific sub-areas within an open floor space, without sacrificing aesthetics. For a cozy and traditional feel, opt for warm fabric colors such as earthy brown, burnished gold, or olive green. For a modern ambience, choose cool colors such as steel gray, frosty blue, or mint green. Remember that the kind of fabric affects the level of visual privacy and light availability: velvet and denim offer more visual privacy and less light compared to lace and cotton, which achieve the opposite. Use decorative curtain hooks and tie-backs to allow easy/stylish clamping should a larger room without visual boundaries be needed. BOOKSHELVES Bookshelves can be either open or backed: the former are accessible from either side of the divide: thus, they provide less visual privacy but retain a more spacious feel in the The width and depth of shelves should be ample enough to divide the room while still allowing comfortable passage between the divided areas. room. SCREEN Lightweight screens/partitions are an inexpensive and versatile means to divide an open floor space. Folding, freestanding, and shoji screens are the easiest to set up and dismantle. Popular materials include carved light wood, wire-mesh panels, plywood panels, and stained-glass panes. HALF-WALL A half-wall is a convenient option for homeowners who wish to divide a room into smaller areas without closing it off. Pair a half-wall with two columns to create a sense of formal entry. A half-wall can also be turned into a decorative fireplace, bookshelf, or other ornamental project. FURNITURE Use furniture pieces to direct traffic flow. Decorative elements such as sofa tables and ladder-backed chairs provide natural dividing lines. HE SOURCES exclusiveMOD http://homeguides.sfgate.com/visually-divide-rooms-88201.html http://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-drapery-divide-room-54507.html http://homeguides.sfgate.com/divide-room-using-curtains-60192.html http://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-bookshelves-divide-room-56857.html http://homeguides.sfgate.com/divide-room-screen-85346.html http://homeguides.sfgate.com/divide-living-room-half-wall-42119.html http://www.wikihow.com/Divide-a-Room-With-Decor