Open Plan vs. Broken Plan Living: Finding Harmony in Modern Home Design
In contemporary home design, the layout of living spaces plays a pivotal role in shaping not just aesthetics, but how we live day to day. As luxury living evolves, a new design philosophy is encroaching on the previously dominant architectural space; open plan living. Now, broken plan is a concept taking off, that blends the openness of traditional open-plan layouts, with subtle divisions or zoning techniques to create more defined spaces, without returning to fully enclosed rooms.
At Poggenpohl, we understand that the modern kitchen is not only the heart of the home, but also key in achieving the perfect flow for your family’s needs, whichever layout you choose.
Open plan living has been the hallmark of contemporary design for over two decades. Its hallmark is seamless, expansive spaces where kitchen, dining, and living areas flow into one another without walls to divide them. The result is an airy, sociable environment that maximises natural light and fosters a sense of togetherness.
Perfect for entertaining and family life, open plan allows the cook to remain engaged with guests or children in the adjoining space. With fewer walls to obstruct it, daylight travels further, creating a luminous and welcoming atmosphere. Even modest homes can feel more expansive thanks to unobstructed sight lines.
However, while open plan living offers beauty and versatility, it can pose challenges, particularly when it comes to noise control, storage, and delineating functions. With so much on display, every element needs to earn its place aesthetically and functionally.
While open plan living remains popular, a more nuanced trend is emerging: broken plan living. It retains the core openness of open plan, but introduces subtle divisions through architecture, furniture or finishes, to create distinct but connected zones. This layout acknowledges the complexities of modern life, especially in homes that serve multiple functions: workspace, school, restaurant, and sanctuary.
By carving out intentional zones, families can work, play, cook, and relax without intrusion. Strategic segmentation helps mitigate noise, which is essential in homes where ‘Zoom’ calls and children’s play often overlap; enabling varied activities to coexist in harmony without sacrificing design continuity.
At Poggenpohl, we offer elegant solutions that enhance the broken plan philosophy. Glass-fronted display cabinets, called ‘Showcase’ act as both visual partitions and focal points. Use them to gently divide your kitchen from living areas while displaying curated collections.
Acoustic Wall Panelling is a design-forward way to dampen sound and delineate spaces without the need for full partitions. Whether used behind a workstation or framing a dining nook, these panels bring tactile richness and acoustic calm.
Using islands like Poggenpohl’s exclusive +MODO, can serve as anchors in open or broken spaces. With concealed storage, layered surfaces, and striking contrasting materials, they invite interaction while offering spatial clarity.
Today’s luxury homeowner demands more from every square metre. Kitchens are no longer isolated culinary zones. Whether through open or broken plan design, the goal is a space that is beautiful, intelligent, and responsive to real life.
Open plan suits those who thrive in light-filled, fluid environments and enjoy a communal lifestyle. Broken plan caters to the need for retreat, focus, and flexibility, without sacrificing openness entirely.
Crucially, neither approach is mutually exclusive. Many Poggenpohl clients choose hybrid layouts, using partition walls, shelving, or changes in ceiling height and flooring to subtly distinguish zones. This way, the benefits of both systems are preserved.
In Summary, whether you favour the free-flowing elegance of open plan or the considered segmentation of broken plan, Poggenpohl can provide a foundation of uncompromising quality and design intelligence.
With products like our Showcase cabinets and +MODO islands, and innovations in materials and acoustics, we help you shape a space that is as adaptable as it is beautiful, a home where form, function, and family life are in perfect balance.
Discover how Poggenpohl can transform your space; whether open, broken, or just uniquely yours.