A Guide To Open Plan Living In Your Home
In the world of home design, the open plan concept is king. A design trend that has not lost any of its popularity in recent years, homeowners seem to love the idea of open plan living for just about any room in the house, but primarily the communal living spaces.
When implemented correctly, an open plan redesign enhances the enjoyment of the building itself and your lifestyle within it. But the fun that might come with knocking down walls to achieve that coveted open plan is definitely something to consider deeply before committing to the renovation, especially if you are planning on revamping the house you’ve already been living in.
Open plan in existing houses
So, you have been thinking about that lovely open plan concept for a while now, and the house you are living in just doesn’t have space and open communication you have been dreaming about. Luckily, you don’t have to put those open-plan concepts and Pinterest boards away! The first step is to determine what you want from an open-plan house.
Do you want your communal spaces to connect better and have each room flow easier into the next? What about natural light, and the views from windows? Can you open up a part of your house to let in more sunshine, altering the atmosphere and potentially saving on electric bills?
Or perhaps you’ve always wanted a dining area that connects smoothly to your garden—all these considerations and more are the first places to start. Try to narrow down what you want from this open plan concept.
What do you need to know about open plan houses?
While any house can typically be renovated to change the way it is set up, some types of homes are easier to open up than others. You can always hire a builder or architect to work on your plans, and they will be able to tell you definitively what is possible in your specific space. But here are some types of homes that can be more suited to open concept renovations:
- Barn or industrial space conversions typically lend themselves well to being opened up, given their original intention to be a large open space already.
- Victorian semis or terraces can be amenable to open concept renovations, especially if their interior is a more simple and stark design. The fewer walls the better!
- Add-ons or extensions onto your home to create that open feel is also a great way to achieve an open plan without disturbing the bones of your house too much.
How to know if open living is right for you?
Open plan housing tends to be a brighter, more friendly-feeling space. Communication is not hindered by labyrinths of walls and corners, and any occupants of the area can usually see and converse easily across relatively large spaces.
Open plans also give a very modern feel to the abode, rather than a more antiquated separation of each room into its own individual sector. Largely an aesthetic choice over industrial, open plan concepts can lead to sunnier, more enjoyable spaces for the entire family to take advantage of.
Open plan living areas for all
Because open-plan concepts tend to be for the communal area of the house, the kitchen, dining room, and living room are an essential part of any renovation project. Open plan design ideas make your kitchen, living, and dining rooms into the heart of the home, where people gather and relax. Open floor plans are so popular because they allow for individual activities and social togetherness to coexist!
What next?
If you are committed to the idea of turning your house into an open plan, that is just the beginning. To get you started, here are some great resources for your open design:
- Information on removing internal walls is crucial to a renovation.
- Kitchen remodel ideas are a great source to begin narrowing down your ideal kitchen.
- How to easily install a new kitchen sink drain.
- Design secrets for creating your successful open-plan design.
Your next steps should be to contact contractors, plumbing companies, and gas/electrical fitters for any further information they can give you. It may look like an extensive task, but the end result will be something you and your family can enjoy for years to come. If you need help with plumbing, then get in touch with Tap This Plumbing today!