Open plan living has been a growing trend since the 1950s. Despite multiple designers stating that open plan living has had its day, homeowners don’t agree, and it continues to be one of the most sought after home features. But to ensure that your household benefits from all that open plan living offers, you need to plan the architectural design of it impeccably.
Create designated zones
When your kitchen, dining area and living space are all interconnected, there’s the risk that they all merge into one and no one’s quite sure where the food prep area ends and the chill out space begins. To prevent this from becoming a problem, your plans should highlight the importance of designated zones. Adding one or two central columns is an ideal way to achieve this. Central columns are also recommended, as they can be used as striking design features, and can be decorated in a funky print or bold paint. Alternatively, bi-fold doors should be considered to improve privacy and to determine which zone is for specific activities.
Adjust ceiling & floor levels
Adjusting the ceiling level and the floor level of each zone in your open plan living space will help to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. In the dining area, consider lowering the height of the ceiling to make it feel more intimate and relaxing. In contrast, you want the kitchen to feel functional and powerful, so you should raise the floor height to give the heart of the home the importance that it deserves. While this might sound like a distinctive and difficult job, Mangum Builders explain how it’s possible to “Bring ideas to life with a skilled, innovative design team,” so you shouldn’t be concerned about putting this request in your remodeling plans.
Clever storage solutions
67% of homeowners state that a lack of storage is their home’s biggest bugbear. Unfortunately, having an open floor plan can add to this problem due to the lack of walls, so you’ll want to ensure that the architect you hire can tackle this problem during the remodel. Redesigning your staircase so that there’s ample shelving and cupboard space beneath it is wise. You should also think about having alcoves inserted at various points in the walls to create multiple storage areas.
When you’re considering creating an open plan living space, it’s important that you spend time perfecting the finer details so that you avoid problems down the line. Thankfully, these tried and tested methods will ensure that you and your family have only happy experiences in your newly designed home.