Comedian Miranda Hart may be best known for her hit sitcom Miranda, her books or even her current stint in The Traitors castle, but interior design experts say her open-plan living room is a brilliant example of successful zoning ideas.

While an open-plan living room may be a selling feature for many, when it comes to crunch time, having moved into your open-plan space, it can be difficult to know exactly where to place what for a stylish and flowing finish.

This is where it pays to know how to zone an open-plan living room. And one of the best ways to learn is to visualise. So, if you’re stuck for ideas, take a look at Miranda’s example.

In a video displaying Miranda’s skills as a paw-rent, I was just as interested in how the comedian had decorated her living space as I was in Patti (her dog) on camera. With levels to her open-plan layout, her furniture placement looks completely natural, creating a distinct seating area that looks perfectly positioned, without the need for a wall.

‘The room has clear separate functions and doesn’t look too divided up, so this is definitely a good example of zoning. The back of the sectional creates the boundary of the living area and you can immediately see where that zone starts and finishes, but because the sofa sits low it doesn’t block the view across the rest of the room,’ says Blanca Sanchez, director of Halo Design Interiors.

‘Then beyond it, what looks like an exercise area (I think I’m seeing a yoga mat?) feels distinct with the equipment and artwork. The pale timber flooring then runs continuously through both spaces which stops them feeling disconnected. It’s a good example of zoning through layout rather than adding more objects.’

Of course, you can also use the best living room rug ideas to zone off your space, too, but as Blanca points out, the bare flooring ties Miranda’s space together. The room works seamlessly with its different elements.

How to zone an open plan living space

Without zoning, a room can very easily fall into the trap of looking and feeling cluttered. Speaking from experience, when I moved into my flat, which has an open-plan living room, dining room and kitchen space, it was overwhelming trying to work out the best place for my belongings. But, having established zones, it’s now easy to see where each of my belongings naturally fit.

‘Layering rugs with each other and over carpet, over hard floors, is an effective way to zone open-plan spaces, and to add comfort and visual interest throughout the home. A large rug can be used to anchor other pieces of furniture such as a sofa, armchair or coffee table to define your living room and effectively organise your layout,’ says Lizzie Mosley, Creative Director at Hug Rug.

I took this advice and used my Sonia Terra & Sage Rug from Ruggable to anchor my furniture in my ‘living room’. But if you’re starting completely from scratch, Blanca has this advice.

‘I’d start with the largest piece of furniture, usually the sofa, and use that to establish where one zone ends. Turning the back of a sofa towards another area is one of the easiest ways to create a boundary without blocking light or sightlines,’ she says.

‘After that, work out the main walking route through the room before adding side tables, chairs or storage. If people constantly have to weave around furniture, the zoning probably isn’t working. I’d also give each area its own lighting rather than trying to illuminate the whole space in the same way.

‘Softer lamps suit a seating area, while brighter task lighting makes more sense for working, cooking or exercising. You want the zones to feel different in use, but still visually connected as part of the same room.’

Zoning essentials

Miranda does it well: she doesn’t over-zone her space. Her sofa pretty much does all the talking and is complemented by soft lighting and furnishings that suit their ‘zone’. If you’re struggling for inspo, Miranda’s living room is a great example of zoning done well.

Burrowcore has been the emerging ‘cosy’ trend we’re seeing everywhere this autumn, and with warm, layered lighting resting at its core, interior design experts say it’s the ultimate lighting trend to embrace in 2026, as the days get shorter and cooler.

At its very core, Burrowcore is a home decor trend centred on making your home look and feel like a scene from a childhood storybook – think Beatrix Potter. Essentially, you want to create an environment where you can snuggle down and wait out the winter.

Given that this cosy microtrend is characterised by warm, diffused and layered lighting, it makes perfect sense to approach the style from a lighting perspective. Here’s how the experts would use the Burrowcore trend to make their lighting cosier this autumn.

What is Burrowcore?

While I don’t expect Burrowcore to fully replace cottagecore, there’s no denying that it’s the trend surging in popularity this autumn, and this largely comes down to the increasing popularity of whimsical decor. Gone are the days of cold, clinical interiors; instead, we’re all seeking spaces that ooze warmth and personality.

‘Since the beginning of September, searches for ‘Burrowcore’ have increased dramatically, with interest in the trend up 244.8% on Google. The new trend follows on from the whimsical cottagecore trend we saw last year, which leaned into vintage charm, reused furniture, layered rugs and materials like linen and wicker,’ states Pawel Kruszynski, trend expert at Promizi.

‘Burrowcore is a fresh take on that. It’s all about reconnecting with our childhood and creating the feeling that you’re living inside a fairytale. For interiors, that means creating a space that feels cosy and restorative, using everything from lighting to fabrics to bring warmth and personality into the home.

‘The part that really brings Burrowcore together is the cosy lighting. Warmth really is the foundation of the trend. In fact, Pinterest is already seeing growing interest in this, with searches for ‘warm lighting’ up 66% in the past month.’

How to use the Burrowcore trend to make your lighting more cosy

Lighting really is at the core of this microtrend, and while Burrowcore might eventually fall off the trend cycle, warm, cosy lighting is in vogue every autumn and winter.

‘I think the growing popularity of layered, cosy lighting this autumn reflects a wider desire to make our homes feel more comforting and nurturing. As the evenings draw in and we spend more time indoors, people naturally look for ways to create spaces that feel warm, inviting and relaxing. Rather than relying on a single overhead light, layering different light sources allows you to build an atmosphere and adapt a room to suit different moments throughout the day,’ says Victoria Robinson, trend expert at Hillarys.

‘Cosy lighting is absolutely central to the ‘Burrowcore’ trend. The trend is all about creating a home that feels like a sanctuary from the outside world, encouraging us to slow down, unwind and embrace simple comforts. Lighting plays a huge role in setting that mood. Soft, ambient lighting instantly makes a space feel more cocooning, helping to create the sense of comfort and escapism that sits at the heart of Burrowcore.’

The key to achieving this lighting style is to say goodbye to your big light and opt for soft, diffused lamps instead. For example, M&S fabric lamps can add a beautiful, diffused glow to a space; meanwhile, rechargeable lighting can be used to illuminate dark nooks and crannies.

‘To style lighting in line with Burrowcore, the goal is to make every light source feel gentle and diffused. Swap exposed or clear bulbs for frosted or warm-white alternatives and look for materials that soften the output,’ suggests Julian Page, head of design at BHS.

‘A fabric or woven shade instantly mellows overhead glare while adding subtle organic texture. From there, bring the focus down to eye level with low-standing accent lamps. Table lamps introduce a gentle patina and cast a focused, warm glow that sits beautifully on a cluttered bookshelf or beside a reading chair.

‘For larger living spaces, an arched or multi-drop standing light helps envelop a seating area without overpowering the room. Pair these lower pools of light with textured textiles, dark woods and warm, earthy tones to complete that deeply cosy, burrowed-in feel.’

Lighting that nails the Burrowcore trend

Are you ready to hunker down in your cosy ‘burrow’ and wait for winter to pass? I know I am.