For folks who love open-concept spaces, the recent announcement by HDB that structural walls (non-removable walls) for future BTO flats may soon be eliminated and tucked into the edges should come as good news to you. This, according to HDB, is intended to create a more flexible layout for homeowners.

Image source: HDB, The Straits Times

Open-plan homes are desired because they offer a bright and well-ventilated space as well as a sense of spaciousness. But the absence of concrete dividers can lead to a messy and disorganised home. There are also times when room segregation is actually a good idea as they afford more privacy.

Design: Dezzo

In such instances, these 10 solutions show you how you can separate the spaces in your home without losing the sense of openness you desire.

#1: Dark vs Light

Dividing your space can be as simple as choosing light-coloured furniture for one area and dark-coloured furniture for another. Starkly contrasting hues help to differentiate the different areas and functions in the home.

Design: Amoz Boon (homeowner)

#2: Elevated ground

Raising (or lowering) a part of the home can be a good way to segment the different areas. The added depth is great for visuals, and even more so if you decide to make the raised area more prominent by incorporating patterned tiles on it like in this home:

Design: The Scientist

#3: Glass wall

We’ve all seen a fair share of glass wall dividers in Singapore homes. And the reason for their popularity is because they are particularly useful for retaining the sense of openness while still affording privacy. Concrete walls in each of the room in this flat were hacked away and replaced with glass walls that allow plenty of light from the windows to come through, bathing the rest of the home in daylight.

Design: Third Avenue Studio

#4: Using a tall console table

Get your furniture on double duty and have them serve as room dividers! This display console here functions as a partition between the living room and the dining area. Opt for a see-through piece (e.g. with thin legs) so as to augment that sense of airiness in the home.

Design: Museworks

#5: Rugs & carpets

Vertical partitions are well and good, but horizontal ones like rugs and carpets work just as well as room dividers. If you’re planning to place your furniture on top of them, make sure your rug or carpet is big enough to have all the furniture rest comfortably within.

Design: M3 Studio

#6: Flooring

A good alternative to rugs and carpets is flooring itself. While using flooring as a space segregator is a more permanent feature, you can do wonders depending on the type of material you go for. For greater variety, choose vinyl or tiles that come in all sorts of motifs and colours. The Moroccan-patterned tiles in this kitchen stand out in contrast with the simpler ones in the dining area.

Design: The Scientist

#7: Ceiling feature

Instead of looking down, you might want to look up to the ceiling to divide your spaces. The cement screed indented ceiling helps to define the communal zones in this home, but a drop-down ceiling feature creates a more distinct separation between the living and dining areas.

Design: Poetus

#8: Work with shapes

Work around with shapes to define the different zones in an open space. In this open-concept home, the similar colour palette between the living and dining room would have created a large open space without any distinction in the different zones save for the fact that a long, rectangle dining table was chosen, juxtaposing against a round coffee table.

Design: Fuse Concept

#9: Built-in dining bench

Separate the place you eat from the rest of your home with a custom dining bench. A half wall, rather than a full-height feature, ensures that your space will still look spacious rather than crammed. Having a custom-built piece means you can incorporate whatever features you need. Here, this bench doubles as a display shelf on the other side.

Design: ArtMuse Interior

#10: Dressing table

If you’re planning an open-concept walk-in wardrobe cum bedroom space, here’s an idea: use your vanity table as a divider between your dressing up zone and your sleeping quarters!

Design: Space Atelier

Are you for open-concept homes? We want to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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10 Ways to Divide (and Conquer) Your Open-Concept Home