Open plan living is a popular trend that shows no sign of going anywhere any time soon. If you love the idea of a bright and airy living space for your family to play, cook, and relax in, there are a few pointers that you need to consider before you make any drastic changes to the layout of your home.
Think Before Knocking Down Walls
It might be super exciting to think about pulling down walls and opening up your space but you must take into account any structural factors before you start swinging any sledgehammers about.
If any wall you want to remove is a load-bearing one, you’ll need to add a rolling steel joist to support the adjoining walls and the ceiling above. The cost of installing an RSJ can be considerable so make sure this is factored into your budget while making your initial plans so you don’t come across any nasty surprises on your journey to open plan living.
Consider consulting a structural engineer or architect before making any grand plans to keep your dream plans in check and avoid
Zone Out Areas
Even though you’re creating one large living space, it’s important to keep specific areas mapped out to prevent your new space from becoming one unfocused mess.
Use different colored walls or decor to separate off areas such as the living room or dining room to give a sense of order while still keeping the space open and accessible. Large pieces of furniture such as sofas, console tables, or open-backed bookcases can be used to break the space up. Different flooring types or rugs can also help accentuate the move from one area to another without cluttering up your open plan.
Think About Light
Use the natural light in your home as well as artificial light to your advantage to create different moods for different spaces. Add lamps and layers of lighting options for spaces such as dining areas that will be used at different points throughout the day.
Consider your family’s needs when thinking of a layout and remember that you don’t have to stick to the room designs used before the walls came down. Choose an area with plenty of natural light if creating a play area that will be used mostly during the daytime and place a snuggle chair in a darker corner, perfect for cozying up in during the evening.
Create Flow
Consider the natural way in which your family moves between spaces when organizing your new open plan layout.
It makes sense to keep the dining area close to the kitchen so hot plates of food don’t need to be carried through space after space on their way to the table. If you’ve little ones in the house, make sure that where they play most is within sight of the kitchen so that you can keep an eye on things while you fix their dinner.
Also, keep in mind practical aspects such as how noise will travel in your new space. If you run a noisy kitchen in your home, it might be best to place the TV at some distance from the pots and pans.
There are no fixed rules as to how a good flow must be achieved in your open plan home. Customize the space to fit in with your family’s lifestyle!
Creating an open living space in your home can completely change the way in which you and your family live and make your living space a much more cohesive and accessible area. However, it does come with a range of pitfalls so be sure to plan ahead and have a solid idea of how each area will be used to ensure a stylish space that will work for your family for years to come.