Creating Zones with Different Flooring

Creating Zones with Different Flooring

Open-style floor plans are increasing in popularity and for good reason. The free flow of natural light, the open atmosphere and ease of daily routine are all benefits of having an open floor plan. Families especially love the open styles as it’s easier to keep watch of little ones throughout the home. 

One of the assumed downsides of an open floor plan in a home is the feeling of no designated “rooms”, such as the living room being separated from the dining room. This can easily be approached by breaking up each area with different flooring. 

Designate Zones

Zones are designated spaces for specific functions. Each zone should be created based on a family’s particular need for that space. Some ideas for zones within an open floor plan may be: 

• Dining area 
• Entryway
• Kitchen
• Office
• Living room
• Study space

Different Flooring Types

Flooring is one of the best ways to break up zones in a home as it gives variety and designation without losing the openness of the floor plan. To help make different zones more clear, try using tile in one area and hardwood in another. Different colors and designs help to break things up as well. It could even be as simple as using different shades of hardwood or vinyl between each zone. 

If switching up the flooring isn’t in the budget right now, rugs are a cheaper and quicker option to still give some definition to a certain zone. The various colors, textures and patterns make it easy to freshen up a space and enjoy the open floor plan even more. 

Different flooring types will help define the areas of a home in a subtle way. Give these various techniques a try to see what works best and enjoy each space in the home.