Skip to main content

How to Master the Open Floor Plan in Your Home

By U.S. News & World Report

An open floor plan is high on a buyer’s wish list these days, becoming the norm in every new home. A layout that’s open refrains from using walls between common spaces to define each function of a room. Modern homes embrace rooms that flow to promote sociability, traffic patterns and to enhance open, airy, light and bright spaces.

The problem with this type of layout, though, is that the large, unstructured space can feel endless, less personable and even a bit cold. That’s why it’s important to visually divide sections of the large room to create intimate functional zones that have their own identity, while incorporating a cohesive feel throughout the entire floor plan.

Here are a few tips to remember that will help you organize and define these popular spaces without propping up walls.

[See: Current Design Trends That Will Date Your Home.]

Public versus private space. Think about whether you want some of the space to be private. A bedroom in an open layout should have some privacy, and office space should be located in a quieter areas of the layout. Kitchens are a public area, but what about your dining space? Should it be accessible and out in the open, or more formal? Establish what you want more open and more closed off as you design the space.

Functionality and flow. In an open layout, first determine all the functional spaces that will be needed in the area. Most open floor plans are used in the main living areas of the home connecting an entryway, eat-in kitchen, formal dining and living room together. Once the functionality is defined you can zone the large space into each function and begin to set the scene to emerge a traffic flow. Make sure to consider each zone’s purpose that each correlate with the other — for instance, the dining room zone should be close to the kitchen, rather than placed near the front door.

Linear organization. When mapping out the traffic flow, determine how to add linear organization to the layout. Linear organization is a series of spaces arranged in a single line. It’s a flexible arrangement that allows the sizes and shapes in each zone to be different as long as they relate to a straight line.

[See: 8 Easy Renovation Projects Every Homeowner Can Do Now.]

Grouping furnishings. Now that you’ve sectioned off each area of the open floor plan, placing furniture in close proximity to each other automatically causes a person’s eyes to process those pieces as an entire group. Keep in mind furniture should be placed in each section no more than 10 feet apart to easily have a conversation without screaming across the room.

Sectional furniture. Looking to add some privacy in an open layout? Strategically place furniture in positions to visually divide up the space. While you can use a large bookcase or screens to section off areas, try using your large sofa to break up the room and double-down on the divider by using a sofa table or dresser against the back of the couch that directs the traffic flow without compromising square footage.

Define the floor. Rugs are a convenient way to define various spaces in an open floor plan. Area rugs can instantly add personality into the layout, helping to determine the style, colors and patterns that will be used in the open area. Use large rugs in the space for furniture to rest on and opt for a formal-looking rug in a dining room, while using a playful pattern, bold color or shag rug in the living room.

Using color. Color is extremely powerful in an open layout and can define the style and mood of the entire space. Plan on using a neutral color on the walls and repeat 2 to 3 pops of color several times throughout the open layout to connect each section of the open layout together.

[See: The Best Apps for House Hunting.]

Light up the space. Add a variety of lighting to set the scene in an open layout. Beyond recessed lighting throughout the entire floor plan, use a dramatic chandelier over the dining room, pendant lighting over a kitchen island and a combination of floor and table lamps in the living room and entryway. The placement of lighting gives the eye a subconscious indication of how large a particular zone is.

These tips will surely help you add unique personality in a large, open floor plan to connect each space together, creating a warm, welcoming and cohesive feel.

More from U.S. News

12 Home Improvement Shortcuts That Are a Bad Idea

10 Ways Millennials Are Changing Homebuying

10 Unorthodox Ways Your Real Estate Agent May Market Your Home

How to Master the Open Floor Plan in Your Home originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote