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When I reno'd my kitchen last year more than one person assumed I would knock down the wall that separated the kitchen from the dining area. But I did not...
I think it comes down to the room sizes (which the trend started as a remedy for).
If the kitchen is large enough on it's own... leave it be.
But if the choice is a tight kitchen and a tight DR... open it up!
I hope this open concept would die, or at least there would be different floor plan choices. Right now most, if not all plans resemble big lofts. I don't like it, never did and would be happy to see more choices on the market.
If you like to entertain, then open floor plan is great. But who wants to entertain all the times??
A closed floor plan provides for ultimate privacy. Each room is a dedicated area as it is isolated by wall partitions that divide each living space. This type of plan is ideal for many people who prefer closed quarters and a certain level of privacy within their home.
Many households have people contending with different ages and schedules, enclosed spaces work better in a house where everyone needs their space. You can create specialty rooms dedicated to individual uses, such as home offices, art studios, craft rooms, workout rooms, and guest rooms.
Enclosed spaces are easier to clean/contain messes. Their are quieter, because noise doesn't travel as far.
I like privacy. I like designated areas for different task. I like walls to display arts.
One tend to lose a level of complete privacy with open plans and that is the one sticking point with this design arrangement.
I understand people want to be able to watch kids while in each room but at what price. I had a house that had three levels all open to each other. We had the bottom level walled up and put in a door. As my kid grew up I was so glad they had a separate space to go and watch their movie and play music with out wafting over the whole house. And no, I didn't let my kid hide away down there and I knew what was going on with a nice glass door.
Kitchens that are open to the rest of the house is a pain too, I don't like to have to keep it perfectly clean at all times, miss the door we had growing up.
I hope this open concept would die, or at least there would be different floor plan choices. Right now most, if not all plans resemble big lofts. I don't like it, never did and would be happy to see more choices on the market.
If you like to entertain, then open floor plan is great. But who wants to entertain all the times??
A closed floor plan provides for ultimate privacy. Each room is a dedicated area as it is isolated by wall partitions that divide each living space. This type of plan is ideal for many people who prefer closed quarters and a certain level of privacy within their home.
Many households have people contending with different ages and schedules, enclosed spaces work better in a house where everyone needs their space. You can create specialty rooms dedicated to individual uses, such as home offices, art studios, craft rooms, workout rooms, and guest rooms.
Enclosed spaces are easier to clean/contain messes. Their are quieter, because noise doesn't travel as far.
I like privacy. I like designated areas for different task. I like walls to display arts.
One tend to lose a level of complete privacy with open plans and that is the one sticking point with this design arrangement.
Many households have people contending with different ages and schedules, enclosed spaces work better in a house where everyone needs their space. You can create specialty rooms dedicated to individual uses, such as home offices, art studios, craft rooms, workout rooms, and guest rooms.
Enclosed spaces are easier to clean/contain messes. Their are quieter, because noise doesn't travel as far.
I like privacy. I like designated areas for different task. I like walls to display arts.
One tend to lose a level of complete privacy with open plans and that is the one sticking point with this design arrangement.
Wow. How often do we have 10 consecutive one sided likes. All are not for open floor plans so far. I'm really surprised. Very interesting.........................
I have lived in historic homes with separate rooms, and homes with separate rooms but a circular flow (no dead ends, in other words), and now live in an open floorplan home.
All three sorts have their pros and cons, depending on lifestyle, decorating, etc.
Personally, I prefer option two - the separate rooms with a good flow. These are great for entertaining, but they are also good if you want to enjoy a little seclusion or privacy without having to hole up in your bedroom.
One of the drawbacks to an open floor plan that I frankly didn't anticipate is that there aren't many walls to hold art, or to put furniture against. I have a lot of original art pieces, as well as some nice antiques. It's been a real challenge decorating. We will be moving soon, and it will be a hard sell to get us to buy another open floor plan.
Oh -- and if you cook anything, or have people over and some are in the kitchen and some are in the living room, the noise can be deafening. Not to mention that every scent from the kitchen soon permeates the entire living area. That's nice if you're baking cookies - but not so nice if you're searing chilean sea bass!
I like the open concept in moderation. My current home has the family room and kitchen open to each other. That is good enough for me. My living room is a separate room at the front of the house. I looked at a lot of homes where you walked in the front door and you could see the kitchen. I didnt like that. My husband's sister bought a traditional cape cod built in the 50's. She knocked down the wall in her kitchen to open it up to the dining room and living room. It looks odd. She also lost a good amount of wall space for cabinets so her kitchen is actually less functional even though its open and appears bigger.
I love, love, love my mostly open floor plan (except for the lack of a utility closet). It's basically open with one strategically placed wall with a cut-out and a wall on the backside of kitchen cabinets. The areas are defined yet open, but you cannot see the kitchen from the living room. It is so bright and open. It's great for entertaining and it's great for the family. As a family where both parents work, we are not looking for time away from one another, quite the contrary, we want to spend time together when we can, so being able to share our day while preparing dinner/playing on the wii/checking the mail/feeding the dog/relaxing is important to us.
Wow. How often do we have 10 consecutive one sided likes. All are not for open floor plans so far. I'm really surprised. Very interesting.........................
I think that the open floor plans are "in" long enough, so the younger generation has no idea what closed floor plan is about, therefore they go with the flow ( or the Jones ) and opt for what is available on market.
Maybe most younger people have no way to know what to appreciate in closed floors plans ...?
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