POLL: Open-plan or closed layout?
Jenny Drew
8 years ago
Open-plan layouts are very, very popular, and for good reason. They're a great way to maximise space, whether you have a big or a small home.
However, tearing down walls can be expensive and some homeowners prefer to leave the smells and mess behind in the kitchen, so a closed layout is a better option for them.
What do you prefer – open or closed layouts?
Open-plan
Closed
Other – tell us below!
Featured Answer
Comments (14)
dlextension
8 years agoRelated Discussions
POLL: Best Open Plan Kitchen Layout Idea
Comments (6)Hello, I’m not speaking as a Pro but I have a young family and also having a ground floor extension this year. I would prefer to keep the living room as it is as it’s nice to have a room for some quiet time ( also knocking down walls and having big bifolds will add extra cost to your renovation). I’m not keen on the kitchen units all stretching down the whole wall on the left, even though you have made room for a ‘living area’ as it will feel like you are always in a kitchen. If you keep the kitchen area in the first half of the room and have the ‘living space’ towards the section near the garden/back then you have a defined ‘living space’, you can use that for a dining area, watching tv, sofa and relaxing looking out onto the garden. Also as the area is clearly defined, parents can keep an eye on their young kids in the rear section whilst they are preparing dinner etc. I hope that helps....See MoreKitchen/living layout dilemma - can I avoid open plan?
Comments (8)Personally I don't think you will gain much extra space by blocking up either opening and if you were to open up the kitchen through the hatch you might get more light but you will create flooring problems. I think many people would also want to see an approximate floor plan to provide a more definitive opinion. From what I can see I think that you keep a similar layout but perhaps move the sink and hob further apart to create more work space. I think modern cabinets will help it feel more contemporary- given that it is a small space with no window I would choose a handleless kitchen with integrated appliances and have cabinets, work surfaces and splash backs in the same pale colour. Modern lighting will also help....See MoreMaster bedroom layouts - open plan dressing room/en-suite
Comments (8)Hi quick sketch attached which hopefully will get you thinking on non standard options to avail of the triple aspect and views. The bed is centred on the West facing window, so even though there isn't symmetry in the rest of the room, balance is created, focused on the bed. I've shown a freestanding headboard behind the bed - something along these lines....there are design options available which means no need for a bedside locker to the side. I've stolen a small amount of space from the adjacent bedroom (sorry kids!) & pushed the entrance door back into the hall slightly. There is no door to ensuite, but the curved wall which becomes part of the shower creates an entrance & cuts of what you don't want to see (the wc) but allows light in, views out to and from the North. This curve also creates a natural line to change floor covering - say from carpet to tile. Theres approx 5m of wardrobe tucked under the eaves with curved ends (if budget will allow!) and also His & Hers drawer sets either side of entrance door....See MoreGround floor layout - open plan - HELP!
Comments (7)Hi vaivadr, I think a simple solution would be to put a quarter turn on the steps and then move the WC further back. That will give you a much more spacious entrance. In a small place like this you need to minimise the amount of corridors so I would make the corridor smaller and give more space to the kitchen. I would move the kitchen to the other side because you have much better option on that side with the much longer wall. I would use the space where the kitchen is now as the dining area with bench seating to save space, providing seating for up to 6. This will now allow you to open up the entire back wall with bi fold doors. Filling the house with natural light. I would add a long island with bar stool seating in parallel to the kitchen rather than peninsular as that will add to the illusion of depth to the house making it feel more spacious. The remaining area would be the lounge. This layout gives you a more usable front entrance and gives you a lot of flexibility with regards to your kitchen size, for example if you prefer a bigger kitchen you could extend it further into the living area and vice versa. It also means you are free to remove the back wall and bring the outdoors in with a large bi fold door, producing a spacious light filled home....See Morehowde1
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