Blended living solutions for a cohesive design throughout the home

In a relatively short period, especially during the pandemic, our work/life habits and balance changed, and many of us decided or had to work from home but also continue running the household as expected; this led us to much thought into how our living and workspaces could coexist and seamlessly integrate. The increasingly on-trend and widely sought-after "blended living" or fusion living" styles offer whole-house design and interior solutions to integrate the entire home cohesively. Blended living works well incorporated into any home style, from broken-plan living spaces to intelligent storage solutions. The integral factor to consider is carefully adapting the existing living space if you are not fortunate enough to have a spare room as an office or workshop. The most common fusion living spaces are ones where the living room and diners are combined; quite often, sliding doors are an attractive way to blend the two areas, but with the option to close them for privacy when required, for study, work or video calls.

Similarly, the kitchen area offers an excellent place for homework, relaxing and cooking! Ask any home designer, and they will agree; kitchens usually benefit from lots of natural light. More modern homes tend to have a larger kitchen/living area due to the demand, ideal for working and socialising and where you can multitask kitchen and household duties with homeworking!

Speak to a home design specialist.

Working with a home design professional is a great way to envision beyond what you felt possible; this is particularly important for blended living spaces and solutions. A home builder will help you visualise the potential to expand and integrate your existing living areas to create a sense of unity and a seamless flow of fusion living. Depending on your existing space and theme, there are many ways to achieve this, from the favoured broken style living area with multiple smaller rooms and annexes creating a combined work/living zone but independently separated for privacy but remaining part of the central hub of activity. Evolving ideas and adapting our lifestyles within modern home design have enabled us to think outside the box, be more creative and explore fresh avenues of our "new normal". A simple change, like a bookcase, breakfast bar or dresser to divide an area, offers a simple yet incredibly effective and low-cost way to create an open space but with a separation for work and relaxation.

Creating a cohesive design that balances the surrounding area is essential for any fusion or blended living space; avoiding clutter or a disjointed feel may harm your overall ambience and the purpose of the blended zone. Slab-style units and cabinetry are popular in modern home design and other modern themed kitchens, such as timeless classics. There are no restrictions on where slab units can be suitable. For example, they will work effectively throughout any kitchen but also other areas of the home, such as fitted bedroom furniture and within living areas for TV and media cabinets, keeping a seamless and attractive symmetry throughout the blended living room, which often assists in creating a perception of more space. This process also applies to other zones throughout the home; for example, if you are looking for built-in furniture ideas, the slab units are an ideal choice due to their fluidity and compact nature, delivering a simple yet effective modern storage solution that blends within the theme of any room design. Opting for custom built-in bedroom furniture has many practical and aesthetical attributes. Working with a designer and planner will ensure you maximise the workable area, using all space to create impressive storage solutions that are also attractive on the outside as they are practical on the inside!

You can incorporate the on-trend style of blended living into your home in many practical ways.

Aside from the extensive range of furniture and adapting spaces to be more "fusion living", colour and textures also play an essential role. A popular way to bring a unified sense of clarity to the home is by using neutral colour palettes and when blended with natural materials such as stone, wood, granite, and sustainable metal fixings, will help to create an inviting ambience, a space in which to work, rest and play! From the busy kitchen/living area to the bedroom and home office space, many people opt for organic and natural tones to counteract the hectic modern-day lifestyles many of us lead. Blended living solutions that enhance calm and relaxation are more in-demand than ever. The natural and organic theme applies to any room in the home and especially the kitchen/living area, where many of us now spend the majority of our time; it's a great space to explore new possibilities of how to blend and fuse both areas whilst ensuring they still retain their unique differences. Using natural colours, lighting, organic materials, patterned decor, and integrated furnishings between the two zones can invigorate and elevate the overall blended living space and create the perfect multi-use zone for all the family.

Blended living solutions are incredibly versatile; all sizes and styles of homes are adaptable, from modern apartments to traditional houses. In many cases, the combined living solution comes into its own, especially in smaller and more compact spaces, such as terrace houses, where traditionally, there may have been a small reception room with a sitting/dining room divided by a wall. A broken plan style will increase the overall space and offer a walk-through area, but it will also provide natural light from the front and back of the house to meet in the middle, offering a more spacious and lighter perceived feel. The broken plan style will also work well in new builds, where extending further at the back and side of the property means even more blended living space will be available, not just adding an extra room. Still, it will increase the property's value, offering an excellent return on investment and combining practicality with aesthetics.

Visit Plum Kitchens in Worcestershire for a consultation with home design and planning experts.

Our professional and passionate team is always available to discuss our extensive kitchen styles and integrated home design themes to suit all budgets. Contact and schedule a consultation with one of our home design planners and let them guide you through the impressive range of blended living designs, whether a traditional style or a modern home. They will also explain Plum's complete package, covering everything from kitchen design, new kitchen installation, built-in office furniture, cleverly designed fitted bedroom units and more.

Our Plum home showroom is easy to reach from South Birmingham, Barnt Green, Alvechurch, Solihull and the surrounding towns of Bromsgrove, Droitwhich, Studley and Redditch.