Finding the perfect balance

Open-plan living has become a defining feature of modern home design, favoured for its light-filled spaces, seamless flow and sense of connection. But while the appeal is clear, the key to making it truly successful lies in thoughtful design that supports the way you live. 

We caught up with Kim Baldwin from Landmark Homes Wellington, who shares how clever zoning, smart design choices, and a little creativity can turn an open layout into a home that feels both spacious and perfectly in sync with daily life.

When you picture a modern home, chances are it includes an open-plan living area. It has become one of the most recognisable features of contemporary design, and for good reason. Just a generation ago, most New Zealand homes featured separate rooms for cooking, dining and relaxing. Today, those dividing walls have given way to spaces that feel brighter, more social, and much easier to live in.

“We’ve never had a client ask for a fully partitioned layout,” says Kim. “People want different things in their design, but open plan is something every single homebuilder wants. It just suits how people live now.” 

As the way we live has changed, so too has the way we design our homes. Open-plan layouts make it easier to spend time together, keep an eye on kids while cooking, or entertain without feeling cut off from the action. They also help smaller homes feel more spacious by letting light and air flow more freely throughout the interior.

One of the great things about open-plan living is the flexibility it provides. But with all that open space, it is important to think about how each area will function. Creating subtle zones within a larger layout can help make the space feel more organised, more comfortable and more suited to everyday life.

Kim explains that zoning is not about adding walls back in. It is about using clever design choices to define different areas without breaking up the flow. That might mean including a sliding barn door to close off a media room or designing a scullery that keeps the kitchen clutter out of sight while still feeling connected to the main space. 

“Most people want a bit of separation for things like TV rooms or kitchens,” he says. “You might still have a big open-plan layout, but you can pull a barn door across or step into a different part of the home without losing that sense of openness.”

Other zoning ideas can be even more subtle. Changing up flooring materials, using different wall treatments or playing with ceiling height can all help define areas. 

Without walls to define each room, furniture becomes your toolkit for creating structure and purpose. A dining suite can help anchor the dining zone, while a sofa might act as a soft divide between the living and kitchen areas.

Rugs, lighting, and even ceiling treatments can all play a role in shaping each zone. A well-placed pendant above the dining table, for example, can give that area its own identity without needing any physical separation. Rugs help add warmth and texture while also marking out different spaces within the room.

Kim says one of the most effective design tricks he has used is changing up the ceiling colour in large open-plan spaces. “In our Showhome, the chapel ceiling in the main living area was really high, which made the space feel a bit too expansive. So we painted it black and added a warm textured wallpaper to the walls. It brought everything down visually and made it feel more intimate without changing the layout.”

A great open-plan home doesn’t stop at the back door. Some of the most memorable spaces are the ones that flow easily from inside to out, creating that sense of openness and freedom that makes a home feel bigger and more connected to its surroundings.

Large sliding or stacking doors are one of the simplest ways to open a space up. Kim says an increasingly popular option with Landmark clients is zero-corner sliders, where two walls of glass meet at a corner and both can be pulled right back. “When the doors are open, the whole corner of the room just disappears. You’re standing in the living room, but it feels like you’re outside.”

These outdoor zones are often styled to feel like a natural extension of the interior. Covered patios, outdoor fireplaces or built-in dining areas help create that extra sense of space, especially when they’re well connected to the kitchen or living area. Add in a few drop-down awnings, outdoor lighting, and a bit of heating, and you’ve got a space you can enjoy all year round.

Open-plan homes may feel spacious and airy, but that doesn’t mean they lack warmth. In fact, with today’s materials and technology, they’re often more comfortable and energy efficient than ever before.

Underfloor heating is a popular choice, especially in larger homes where consistent warmth is important. Ducted heat pump systems are also common, quietly distributing warm air throughout the space without interfering with the clean lines of an open-plan design. Even fireplaces have taken on a new role. “A lot of fireplaces are there more for the look than the heat,” says Kim. “The actual warmth often comes from underfloor or ducted systems, which are really effective in big, open areas.”

Improved insulation standards, including updates to the H1 building code, mean homes are better equipped to hold heat and stay comfortable year-round. Kim says that even homes with high ceilings and lots of glazing can still feel cosy if they’re designed well. “You don’t get that cold, echoey feeling people sometimes expect from open spaces. A well-designed home just feels warm by default.”

Open-plan living is about more than just open space. It is about creating a home that works for the way you live, whether that means room to entertain, space to relax, or zones for different parts of daily life. 

With Landmark’s bespoke design approach, finding that balance is easy. Whether you are building from one of our Ready to Build plans or designing your bespoke dream home, you can create an open-plan layout that brings out the best in your home and your lifestyle. Contact your local Landmark team to get started.