Creating a spacious feel with an open kitchen and living area
As a space designer, Éléonore has made her apartment her personal laboratory.
It is here that she undertook a refurbishment project aimed at enlarging the spaces, creating a kitchen area, and energy efficiency.
Éléonore shares the stages of the project and reveals how she transformed a dark attic apartment into a bright and modern home with an open space solution that is entirely worth copying.
The open space solution to enlarge the space
The apartment where Éléonore lives with her son Camille and her dog Chewbecca, consists of a room that serves as both a living room and kitchen, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms.
Éléonore tells us: "When I bought this apartment, it was very dark and it didn't have a kitchen. To expand the space, I opted for an open space with an open kitchen."
The integration of the kitchen and the living room allows for a more efficient use of space. By removing the separating wall, the impression of a larger and better-lit space is immediately noticeable.
To maximise natural light, Éléonore opted to use the roof as a fifth wall, by replacing the existing small openings with VELUX roof windows. This allows light from above to spread more freely, making the open space living room and kitchen brighter and more pleasant.
Playing with mirrors to amplify light
Light plays a central role in creating a welcoming and warm space. In Éléonore's case, it also becomes an element to visually enlarge a space.
Éléonore has integrated numerous mirrors into the living space. By placing them at strategic points, opposite the light source from the windows, they amplify the light and enhance the room, making it appear more spacious.
“My favorite is a mirror in the shape of a semicircle, which gives the impression of opening a door to another room,” reveals Éléonore.
Decor: Choosing style and colours
When well-designed, an open space can have a continuous visual aspect, which can be aesthetically pleasing and modern. Éléonore confirms that the choice of style and colours was an essential element of the refurbishment.
“The apartment had a very rustic character, with its exposed beams and abundance of wood,” explains Éléonore. “I decided to break away from this traditional style with a burst of colours to bring joy and vitality.”
Éléonore chose a modern style with graphic patterns that create a visual cohesion element in the room. Éléonore emphasises the importance she placed on the use of colour.
“I painted all the wainscoting in Yves Klein blue. This color was the guiding thread of the apartment, it catches the light wonderfully.”
The advantages of an open kitchen
Having an open kitchen has proven to be a decision that is both aesthetic and practical.
In addition to ensuring an efficient use of space, it allows family members to stay connected while engaging in their respective activities.
"The open kitchen allows me to cook while keeping an eye on my son Camille or helping him with his homework," says Éléonore. Moreover, Chewbacca, the dog, can rest on the couch and quickly go to the kitchen to snatch a treat while Éléonore is cooking. The addition of roof windows was the key element in reinventing the kitchen space. To eliminate the concern of odours, Éléonore installed two VELUX windows on opposite sides of the roof. One of the windows is right above the cooking hob. This allows for optimal and rapid ventilation, taking advantage of the chimney effect, which eliminates any concerns about vapours.
Acting as a substitute for the ventilation hood, the roof window also allows keeping the space above the stove free, contributing to a sense of order.
Energy efficiency and indoor climate
The installation of VELUX windows was also motivated by energy efficiency considerations.
To regulate the temperature inside her home and protect it from the heat, Éléonore chose blinds, which block the sun's rays, thus limiting overheating.
“The impact on our energy consumption has been considerable. Our consumption has been greatly reduced,” confirms Éléonore. “As the apartment is under the roof, summer can sometimes be quite hot. The blinds that I installed help to regulate the temperature and to enjoy the space in all seasons.”
Éléonore concludes: "We feel incredibly good in this apartment. If I had to do it again, I would do it with the same enthusiasm. The before and after are incredible, the VELUX windows have transformed our home."
How to better enjoy your open space
Designing and organising an open space requires different preliminary considerations. Éléonore's apartment is a successful example that combines practical aspects with interior decoration, with the aim of optimising space and creating a bright environment.
Here are the 3 main tips for creating the open space of your dreams in the living area, according to Éléonore:
Design the space based on natural light
Natural light plays an important role in creating a welcoming space. It is useful to design a lighting plan for an open space living room from the start. Solutions such as roof windows allow the use of the ceiling as a fifth surface and benefit from daylight.
Minor additional adjustments, such as installing mirrors in strategic locations, further enhance the impact of light, making the room visually more spacious without resorting to costly structural changes.
Pay attention to decoration to create cohesion
The choice of materials, colours, and decorative style are factors that have a visual impact on the space. By using similar shapes, materials, or textures throughout the room, you will visually unify the space and help to keep it simple and uncluttered. Choosing a consistent style with bolder color accents will contribute to creating a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.
Consider ventilation and thermal comfort
Ensuring effective ventilation in an open space is essential. Cooking activities produce odors and humidity. By placing one or more roof windows near the cooktop, you can quickly ventilate the room and regulate the temperature throughout the space. Finally, adding accessories such as blinds ensures thermal comfort throughout the year.