Broken Floor Plans Are Trending. Here's How Glass Can Help You Get The Look In Your Space

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Do you enjoy a home that is light, airy, and easy to navigate? Do you like being able to watch TV, work, and do your hobbies without feeling like you and your family members are in each other's way? If you answered yes to both of these questions, there is a good chance that neither an open-plan layout nor a closed-plan is actually best for you. Instead, you may want to look into a third option that bridges the gap between the two, often referred to as a broken floor plan layout, which is currently trending. As founding principal of 1100 Architect, David Piscuskas, told House Beautiful, "All too often, interior environments have been understood as either-or propositions—either open or closed, modern or traditional, warm or cool—but there is so much to explore in between any of those dualities."

This alternative uses a range of elements such as archways, furniture, and partial or alternative walls to create spaces that are separate but not entirely closed off. This works well if you find closed layouts annoying to negotiate, but you also enjoy having distinct areas for various activities. For example, if you work from home, it can be helpful to have another space to move into after hours to switch out of work mode. One of the best materials to help break up an open floor plan is glass. This see-through wall option is perfect for the half-and-half style of a broken-plan layout because it creates a delineation between two spaces while still allowing visual flow and light between them. So, what are the benefits of using glass to create a broken floor plan, and how exactly can you utilize the material to transform the feel of your space?

One key way to achieve a broken-style floor plan with glass is to use a partition or room divider. These can be full-length options that act like a real wall, stretching from one end of the room to the other and often featuring a sliding element for easy access. This option is great for rooms that need a little more soundproofing between them — certain glass walls or glass brick options use multiple layers or sealed frames to create a strong soundproofing effect — but that would still benefit from shared visibility and natural light. For example, if you have a home office next to a living room, the wall can help you focus on your work while still keeping an eye on family activities on the other side.

Alternatively, if you don't like the idea of a full glass wall, you could opt for a simple partition. These stand-up dividers — such as the RCJCQSR decorative room partition — are movable, so you can place them in different areas of the home to change up your broken floor plan with ease. In addition, many options come with frosted glass, which is great for adding privacy to an area without completely cutting it off by building a new wall. Are you sold on using this versatile material to create a broken layout that adds dimension and flow? Then let's have a look at some key tips for styling a broken floor plan using glass.

When thinking about how best to style your glass partitions or walls, positioning should certainly be at the top of the list of considerations. Try thinking about how you would like to use the space, whether a full wall or a partition will work best, and where to place it to split the room most effectively. For example, if you want to separate your kitchen from your living room, you may want to use a full wall with a sliding panel so you can move between the spaces or shut them off at will. Or, if you're hoping to split a bedroom into two separate areas for kids, you could position the glass so both residents have access to storage, minimizing the need to move between the two.

One reason broken floor plans work well is the flow between distinct spaces. To enhance that in your own broken layout, try using similar design elements on either side of your glass wall or partition. By placing matching art, rugs, or furniture on both sides, you can emphasize that sense of continuity while still benefiting from the separation provided by the glass structure. It can also be helpful to style this layout by selecting a wall or partition that complements your home's architecture and design aesthetic. For example, if your house has a modern, industrial feel, you might opt for a glass wall with black metal framing. Alternatively, try looking for one with a burnished gold frame to emphasize a luxurious feel.