Designing an Open Concept Floor Plan as Part of a Home Remodel

Open concept floor plans have been a popular design feature in residential homes for decades, and their popularity is only growing. A home with an open floor plan typically has separate bedrooms and bathrooms, but its standout feature is a spacious 'great room' that serves as the central living area – typically including the living room, dining room, and kitchen. This open space employs a more natural flow of communication, traffic, and daylight while also allowing for greater versatility and potential to entertain large groups.

If you're considering a remodel and want to include an open concept floor plan, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, think about how you want the space to flow. An open concept floor plan can be great for entertaining, but it's also important to consider how your family will use the space on a daily basis. Will there be enough room for everyone to move around comfortably?

Open Floor Plan Possibilities

There are several different open floor plan configurations from which to choose, depending on your existing property and lifestyle preferences.

The most popular option is the single-level open floor plan, which includes removing walls to create one large living space. Other common possibilities include: Connecting two rooms with a wide opening, removing a partial wall to open up the kitchen to the living room, and knocking out a wall to create a breakfast nook.

An open kitchen and dining room area is ideal if you enjoy cooking and eating with your family as a whole. You may also host dinner guests in this scenario.You may cook while conversing with those at the dining table. If required, a kitchen island might function as a tiny practical barrier. The primary living area is kept distinct from the secondary living area.

A open concept dining room and living room is perfect for friends and families who love to eat and entertain together. In this configuration, the kitchen is kept separate. If you're the type of person who likes to cook in peaceful privacy and don't want potent cooking smells invading your living quarters, this could be a good option for you.

An open kitchen, dining room, and living room space is the best of all worlds. If you want no split between your major sections of your house, this plan is ideal. With this cooking method, you can interact with guests or family members seated at the dining table, kitchen island, or sofa – all while preparing a meal.

Second, take into account the layout of your home. If you have a smaller home, you'll need to be more thoughtful about where you place walls and doors. In a larger home, you may have more flexibility.

Design Considerations

There are a number of design considerations that go into creating the perfect open floor plan.

KEEP SCALE IN MIND

When you're removing walls, it's important to keep scale in mind. You don't want the remaining furniture and decor to look dwarfed by the open space. Likewise, you don't want the space to feel too empty or cavernous.

MAXIMIZE THE PERCEIVED SPACE

You can make an open plan interior feel even more spacious by increasing the ceilings or changing their shape. Typical coffered ceilings, eye-catching recessed tray ceilings, and vaulted ceilingstend to alter the perceived size of a room.

You may also make existing staircases appear larger by modifying them. Flanking walls may be taken down, opening up stairs. The risers between each step can be removed to create a floating staircase appearance. You could replace old bulky banisters with modern metal rails for an upgraded look.

DEFINE ZONES

Even though the open concept removes traditional barriers between rooms, you'll still want to define distinct zones. Zoning will help toanchor furniture and encourage people to use the space in specific ways.

There are a few different ways to zone an open floor plan. You can use area rugs, changes in flooring material, or even different ceiling heights. Furniture placement is also key. For example, you might place sofas and chairs around a coffee table to create a conversation area. Alternatively, you might use a dining room table as a boundary between the kitchen and living room.

Color and texture can also be used to zone an open floor plan. You might paint one wall in the kitchen a different color from the living room. This will help to create a visual boundary between the two spaces. Likewise, you can use different textures to define areas. For example, you might use a plush area rug in the living room to make it feel cozier. In the kitchen, you might opt for tile or stone floors that are easy to clean.

With a little bit of planning, you can create the perfect open concept floor plan for your home remodel.

RECOVER STORAGE SPACE

In a traditional home, each room has its own closet or storage space. When you open up the floor plan, you might lose some of this valuable storage.

One way to recover storage space is to build floor-to-ceiling cabinets along one wall. This will give you plenty of space to store items out of sight. Alternatively, you might use freestanding furniture with built-in storage, such as a buffet or hutch. Multifunctional room dividers with built-in shelves allow you to create more definition for different zones while also increasing your storage potential. Think vertically as well. You might seek to increase the height of wall-based shelving and cabinets, especially if you have high ceilings.

You could also create additional storage space by remodeling an attic or basement. These areas can be turned into extra bedrooms, home offices, or playrooms. If you finish these spaces, they'll blend seamlessly with the rest of your open concept layout.

Additionally, invest in furniture pieces with inbuilt storage features, such as coffee tables, ottomans, and kitchen carts. Use any nooks and crannies to develop shelving, cabinets, or hooks, such as around doorways, under staircases, beneath flush beams, and in ceiling arches.

By being thoughtful about where you place furniture and walls, you can create a beautiful and functional space that the whole family will enjoy.

The Benefits of an Open Floor Plan

There are many reasons why homeowners love open floor plans. In addition to the increased sense of togetherness they promote, open floor plans also:

• Make small homes feel larger and more spacious

• Allow for more natural light and better airflow throughout the home

• Can make entertaining large groups easier

• Make it easier to keep an eye on young children

Drawbacks of an Open Floor Plan

Of course, open floor plans also have a few potential drawbacks. They can:

• Lead to more noise overall, as sound carries further in larger spaces

• Feel less cozy and intimate than traditional layouts

• Be less private, as there are fewer places to retreat to for some alone time

• Be more challenging to decorate and furnish, as you have to be mindful of how each piece affects the overall aesthetic and flow of the space

If you're considering a remodel that includes an open concept floor plan, weigh the pros and cons carefully to decide if it's the right choice for your home.

Finally, don't forget to factor in your budget. An open concept floor plan can be a great way to save money on your remodel, but it's important to make sure you're not overspending. Talk to a remodeling contractor about your options and get an estimate of what the project will cost. With careful planning, you can have the beautiful and functional open concept floor plan you've always wanted.

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