Penthouses are luxurious apartments or residential units located on the top or one of the highest floors of a tall building or skyscraper. What makes it different from standard apartments is its exceptional luxury features, expansive space and superior location, often symbolizing a premium lifestyle and status. The open-concept layout (or open plans) that involve eliminating traditional barriers like walls and doors between primary living areas to create a large and multi-functional space, is a great way to bring out the best from opulent penthouses. In this article, we will discuss some of the common space planning strategies that will help you to maximize space, functionality, and visual appeal in penthouse interiors. 

Zoning Without Walls

Zoning without walls refers to dividing a space into different zones without the use of physical walls and doors. Such a method is one of the most common penthouse interior design solutions used by designers to avoid the creation of physical barriers and they usually rely on simple decorative elements such as furniture arrangements, rugs, lights, ceiling designs, and changes in the flooring to mark each zone. For example, a table can be the boundary between the living area and the dining space, or a beautiful sofa can create the perfect living room mood. This way the whole space is not only open, bright, and ventilated but also each individual zone has got its function.

In the same way, penthouse interior design agencies, instead of building walls, separate the kitchen from the living or dining by using kitchen islands and a few pieces of furniture as subtle dividers. Such a kitchen island serves as a perfect boundary between the cooking on one side and dining or living on the other while the space stays open. Similarly, a console or a sideboard can visually separate two areas, say a hallway and a living room, without completely blocking the light or views which is great for making the space feel light, airy and connected. 

Furniture Flow & Layout

Furniture is a basic amenity that every home or commercial space requires. However, if smartly placed, it can serve multiple purposes such as maximizing space or logical movement. This means making simple and direct routes so that people can easily walk through the room and also from one area to another. Generally, it is recommended to have at least 3 feet (around 90 cm) of open space for main walkways so that it does not feel stuffy or congested. 

The layout needs to be in line with the main activities the room is meant for. If for instance, the living room is a place to get together and talk, the furniture arrangement should be in such a way that people can see one another face to face properly. In the case of a home office, a comfortable desk for working in natural light is a must, so the room’s alignment should also be appropriately designed.

Harmonizing Living, Dining & Kitchen Areas

Harmonizing is the trick of artfully putting together the living, dining, and kitchen areas into one unit without losing the natural flow and keeping the individual zones’ functions. Here are a few popular techniques penthouse interior design services leverage to create opulent living spaces.

Color Palettes : Resorting to a cohesive colour palette creates a balanced look. This approach makes sure that the entire area is feeling connected rather than distinct. 

Match materials and finishes : Incorporating similar materials such as wood, metal, or stone into the floor, cabinet and furniture helps to create a visual connection between different zones in the house.

Visual balance : Design your furniture and décor so that everything does not lean toward one spot, and then other areas are not empty either. Try to strike a balance between shapes, size and textures in the different parts to achieve visual harmony.

Lighting for Open-Plan Spaces

Penthouses are opulent spaces and they demand lighting techniques that resonate with its grandeur. Open layout strategies include different types of illumination methods such as layered lighting, statement fixtures and so on. Layered lighting is the widely adapted lighting technique in luxurious open-plan spaces as they are capable of highlighting specific areas like the living, dining or kitchen spaces. Also, statement light fixtures like a chandelier over the dining table or a striking pendant above the kitchen island can serve as focal points, giving character to the space and at the same time clearly demarcating each area.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When planning open concept penthouses, there are certain mistakes that need to be avoided. Overcrowding the spaces with too much furniture can cause hindrance to the natural movement of people using the area.  Ineffective zoning, where the different areas are not properly defined, can disturb the flow and make the arrangement a little bit confusing. Lastly,  using inconsistent design elements such as uneven tones of colors or mismatched materials make the space feel disconnected and lower the visual appeal of the penthouse. Approaching an experienced penthouse interior design company can help you reduce errors and turn your penthouse into an opulent residential space. 

Conclusion

With proper planning and smart space planning, you can turn opulent penthouses into heavenly homes above the city. By applying various techniques such as zoning, furniture flow and lighting strategies, penthouse interior design companies help maximize space and improve everyday living. Additionally, the various lighting techniques further highlight other striking elements in the room while also maintaining the visual appeal of the interior design layout. Here at Safeway, we are committed to transforming spaces, whether it is a complete overhaul or small upgrades for penthouses, to bring out the best version of your luxurious home.