How to break down open-plan living into family-friendly zones

One busy room can still make space for relaxing, playing, working and eating — without building another wall. Open-plan living can bring a family together, but it can also leave every activity competing for the same space. One open space can work as hard as your family does. Picture: GettyWhen the living room is also the playroom, homework station, dining room and entertaining space, furniture, storage, rugs and sightlines can help it feel calmer and easier to use. Here are three ways to create family-friendly zones in an open-plan living area. 1. Start with the activities, not the furniture Before moving the sofa or buying a rug, think about what happens in the room on a normal day — beyond living and dining. Ask: how much space do you need for this? That answer should take into account the activity’s level of importance in your life. For example, buying a large dining room table for the occasional dinner party, when most nights you eat at the kitchen bench or couch (no judgment!), might not be your best use of space. Similarly, reading, homework and play areas may need different levels of space and access. Think: where should these activities go? A quieter corner can separate slo...