Zone your space with colour and give problem areas a new lease of life

Promotional feature with B&Q

While large rooms and open-plan spaces are the dream, they can be a challenge to pull off in terms of how they function and giving them a cohesive look. Creating different zones for different activities can be the key to making open-plan spaces work successfully and is easily achieved.

Create a break-out zone

office room with table and wall clock

(Image credit: B&Q)

Colour is one of the easiest ways to zone a space, with no upheaval or re-building work required. Perfect for renters or novice DIYers, all that’s needed is a pot of paint, roll of wallpaper or a simple change of flooring. Try creating a ‘break-out’ area with a colourful painted panel or feature wallpaper to act as a visual divide. It can make the perfect spot for a study space or a cosy snug in an open-plan living area, and the GoodHome Yarra wall light pendant light, £22, is perfect for adding accent lighting.

Make a colourful focal point

B&Q is working with a team of Changemakers to transform one of the spaces in their home, using B&Q's incredible range of interior products. B&Q is inspiring the nation to pick up their brushes and create the change they’ve always dreamed of in their homes.

Talented @thepajaamahub created a renter-friendly bedroom area by designing her own colourful headboard. ‘Working as a Changemaker for B&Q was so exciting. I created a cosy area in my guest bedroom by using brightly coloured wallpaper and MDF to make a headboard – a great idea for renters like myself. I’m so pleased with it.’

With the colourful headboard, covered in the GoodHome Nivosa Teal Concrete Effect wallpaper (£18, B&Q), as a focal point, @thepajaamahub has layered up the bed with bright bedding and colourful cushions for a fun look. She chose Salem floral cushions (£10, B&Q), Tiga plain red cushion (£10, B&Q) and the Klama plain green cushion (£8, B&Q) for a relaxed mix-and-match style. Finally, bringing in a statement rug will add colour and warmth to your space.

Focus on flooring

grey armchair with wooden and tiled flooring

(Image credit: B&Q)

A change of flooring can help create a visual break in an open-plan space. Try mixing wooden flooring and tiling, with contrast colours and wood grains or a change from wood to tiles to separate the kitchen from a living area. Rugs are an easy option too – bringing in a large rug will act as an anchor point in a seating area. To make choosing flooring easy, you can now order sample flooring online at B&Q and use their in-store and online pack calculator to find out how much you’ll need.

There's no better way to finish off a space than with a striking light. We love the designer-style GoodHome Monzoni pendant ceiling light, £60, B&Q.

Lisa Fazzani
Freelance content editor

Lisa is a freelance journalist who has written about interiors for more than 25 years. Previously editor of Style at Home magazine, she has worked on all the major homes titles, including Ideal Home, Country Homes & Interiors, 25 Beautiful Homes and Homes & Gardens. She has covered pretty much every area of the home, from shopping and decorating, crafts and DIY to real homes and makeovers and now regularly writes gardening stories for Ideal Home.