With the property cost on the rise, homes are getting smaller and smaller in order to produce affordable habitats. Our rooms are small on the verge of claustrophobic, making open plan living our fuel for renovation projects. Open plan layouts are an excellent way to open up spaces and maximizing the use of space that already exists. Below is a list that highlights the advantages of living in open plan layouts.
Image source from Decorating Ideas
- It brightens up the room
When combining two or three rooms into one [for example kitchen-living-dining], the dividing walls are eliminated thus allowing for natural light to bounce off throughout the entire space which enhances the feeling of lightness and boosts a sense of an airy interior. Exposure to natural light is strongly linked to better quality of life as it instigates good moods and higher energy levels.
- It is a family hub
The majority of families consist of both partners or parents
that work long hours. Open plan living creates multi-functional spaces where individuals may be carrying out different tasks simultaneously. Whilst different tasks are being carried out, the family can still be together. For example, while the children are watching tv and the parents simultaneously cooking, the family is still interacting and making use of the otherwise lost time.
- It is excellent for entertainment
Having a larger space means more guests at the same time and more of a cheerful and intimate atmosphere. It also provides the flexibility to start preparing food or clearing up whilst the guests are having a drink without the host being left out.
Of course, nothing comes without its disadvantages; whilst open plan living improves the space in a small home, privacy may become an issue together with higher heating and cooling costs due to the larger space. Food aromas will spread all over the room whereas keeping an area such as the kitchen tidy might be tricky. Therefore, innovative storage solutions are needed to hide away mess and accommodate day-to-day objects.
Deciding whether to go for an open plan depends on lifestyle – listing and weighing the pros and cons of such a layout is the best way to establish whether to go for an open plan layout or not!
