Functionality, good lighting, and space must be fundamental characteristics to achieve the necessary comfort in a home.
However, and due to the increasingly smaller urban constructions, professionals resort to increasingly personalized configurations to achieve these characteristics.
An interesting solution to open and expand spaces is to reduce the number of solid partitions or walls and replace them with alternative means of spatial separation.
If applied correctly, this affordable solution optimizes airflow and the propagation of natural light in any environment, saving space. It also creates visual dynamism and movement within the same area.
A first step in replacing entire rooms is to have large openings or cutouts within the non-structural walls. It is a way of ensuring continuity and visual framing of the space.
This simple change can also highlight certain areas that you would like to highlight in the project.
If you vary the levels and heights of the ceiling or the floor this can also be a great solution to replace the partitions.
In fact, different functions may require different vertical dimensions and are more suitable in terms of sound. The change of levels can be performed from the bottom to the bottom or vice versa.
A false ceiling, suspended panels or railings can be seen as a marker for different areas. These can also be very useful when housing mechanical or electrical machines such as the heating system or recessed lighting.
The level change can also be done from the bottom up, creating a very clear separation between two functional spaces.
This is common and, in some countries, it is a traditional construction practice that allows for many integrations, such as heating under the tiles, storage area below or just providing a lower ceiling height with better acoustics.
An additional way of highlighting the different levels or simply alternating areas without partitions is by changing material in contiguous spaces. A different coating layer or contrasting materials is a good, practical and creative way to differentiate spaces.
It is a decorative element that adds dynamism and movement to the project. For example, you can use mosaics in a pattern next to the food preparation and dishwashing area, and wooden flooring in the rest of the area, less subject to aggression and dirt.
The end result gives the feeling of carpet in the kitchen work area, while in the rest of the space the comfort of wood predominates. A very interesting and smart solution!
The same can be done for example in the children’s room when we want to delimit the sleeping area of the leisure and play area.
Another good way to sector areas or spaces is with the simple application of different contrasting colors (including some materials).
It is an extremely interesting solution, if used intelligently and moderately, more economically, and reversible if necessary.
The best solution for dividing space but or at the same time with the feeling of openness and open space is through the use of furniture as a flexible object of division between two areas. Be it an island or kitchen counter or a dining table, they can be used to informally distinguish neighboring areas.
A decorative panel can be used to divide the living room from the dining room. This solution is perfect, as both sides have the same finish.
One could also use a sideboard for example. However, as one of the divisions would turn its back, the aesthetic part would be neglected. So when using this solution do not forget that this furniture must be low and long in order to be able to place a sofa for example.
You can choose the furniture in the same style as the existing ones, or you can innovate and choose another style to emphasize the separation. Be bold!
The space remains in the same division so that in visual terms it creates the necessary fluidity and openness. In this way, the space will appear larger and wider, without restricting the passage or communication between people.
Finally, and if the objective is to create a more flexible space but with some privacy, some panels, screens, light curtains or even pieces of furniture can be used as a partition.
A curtain is always an excellent option for sharing a space. You can use the curtain to hide, for example, the storage area and do away with what helps a lot the storage feeling. They are easy to install, easy to change and usually everyone likes.
For a kitchen the bet should be made on washable and resistant fabrics, whatever the standards, as these are areas prone to stains.
In a room, curtains as partitions are also a good option, and can serve