How to Create Different Zones Within a Room

Image of interior open space with zones
(Image used under license from 123rf.com).

Creating different zones within a room makes it a beautiful and fascinating space that provides two or more functions. Zones may not be visually demarcated, but they must flow and meld into each other. And achieving this effect is what professional interior designers do best as space planners.

Space Planning: More Than Creating Rooms Within a Shell

There is more to planning interiors than carving out rooms; living, dining, bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, hallways, etc. Space planning also involves zoning. Making a room multi-functional.

Two zones within a bedroom.
(Image created by author viryabo@polyvore.com)

Zones in Interior Spaces

Whether an interior space is open plan and needs to serve more than one purpose (studio apartment) or one large room that was initially meant to serve one function (sitting room), any room or space within a home can be adapted to serve more than two functions. When this layout is created, it is referred to as zoning.

Zones within interior rooms must be:
  1. Functional.
  2. Purposeful.
  3. Visibly appealing.
  4. Arranged to complement each other.
The arrangement works much better when there is ample floor space. But that does not mean it cannot work for smaller rooms. For instance, the open floor plan of a studio apartment must contain different zones:
  • Living area.
  • Dining area.
  • Home office (if you work from home).
  • Pet corner.
  • Music home studio.
In a smaller space, like the kitchen, for example, zones will be limited to about two, maybe three, maximum:
  • Kitchen area (food preparation and cooking).
  • Breakfast counter (or nook) or dining counter.
  • Utility area (clothes washing and drying).
You don’t want more than these. Too many zones within a small space become meaningless and cluttered.

Ways to Create Areas Within a Room

Each area should seat one or more people, so you can create furniture groupings for each zone.
  • Zone #1 - A living area with a sofa, coffee table, an accent chair and a floor lamp.
  • Zone #2 - A second seating area with two armchairs, a table, and a table lamp.
  • Zone #3 - Work-at-home station with multi-function desk and chair. Great for under-staircase areas.
  • Zone #4 - Pets corner, with pet furniture/bed.
Another effective way to create zones is to add a false floor (multi-level). Different floor levels give the feel of two rooms within one. For instance, a raised dining area (distinctively) separates the living from the dining area.

(Image created by author viryabo@polyvore.com)

How to Demarcate Zones

Zones can have a free-flow walk-through. They can also be separated with high or low no-back bookcases, consoles, display units, stands, and troughed or potted plants. These can serve as partitions and dividers.

Lighting can visually demarcate zones as well. This works particularly well at night, where you can light up one, two, or all zones, depending on the mood desired. Using a combination of pendant lights, table, and floor lamps is best. The result is an amazing ambience.

Zones with free-flow walk-throughs can strategically place sectional rugs to demarcate the different areas. The rugs must vary in texture, size, and shape, while colours must complement each other.

Altogether, your zones must not be designed to clash with each other. Each must complement the other, side by side, within an interior space.

How To Create Designated Zones In An Open-Concept Main Floor (Video)



 


Image source - Viryabo@Polyvore