Did you know open concept homes aren’t a new trend? Back in the ‘70s, my parents built a home with an open design between the kitchen and family room. Like many parents these days, my mother wanted to keep an eye on my three siblings and me when she was busy in the kitchen. We could be rascals!

The formal dining room and living room, on the other hand, remained separated from the kitchen, so that she and my dad could have dinner parties without the mess in the kitchen being visible. Plus, us rambunctious kids could play in the family room without disrupting their gathering.

Nowadays, clients tend to request homes with all three rooms (kitchen, living, and dining) open to one another, making it fluid for living, cooking, and dining, all in a central location. It’s much less formal, and the kids are a part of the action.

However, it’s important to mention that this open concept lifestyle isn’t for everyone or every home.

Today, I’m going to help you decide which is right for you… and you may be surprised at your preference by the end!

Open Concept Floor Plan: Pros and Cons

Pros of an Open Concept Space

Great for Entertaining: Open concept homes are centered around the kitchen, making interacting with friends and family easy, especially when there are more people in the space.

Increases Usable Square Footage: When you eliminate walls, you get more usable square footage, especially in a smaller home. You also have more flexibility to use furniture layouts to create an appearance of more space.

Extra Natural Light: When there aren’t any walls to block the light, it all pours in through the windows and brightens your space beautifully.

Fluid Flow of Traffic: Have you ever been in a house with tight hallways and only one way in and out of a room? (Or maybe this sounds like your home…) Open concepts give you more than one way to enter and exit a space, which makes mobility easier for you, your family, and any guests.

Increases Your Home’s Value: Many prospective buyers seek open concept homes (and especially homes that are light and bright), so your home is likely to be more desirable and profitable if you happen to sell in the next several years.

Cons of an Open Concept Space

More Expensive to Build: Open concept homes don’t have interior walls in the main living area, so the support beams have to be heavy-duty to carry the load of a second floor. This can increase overall construction costs, in addition to elevated costs required to remove the wall.

Noise Control: This is the most common negative feedback I hear about the open concept layout — the excessive noise! Interior walls block noise. Without them, an open concept space can be boisterous. The sound coming from kitchen appliances or the television can be disruptive for others trying to read, do homework, or have a conversation. Generally, the space can feel a bit chaotic at certain times of the day.

Privacy: In addition to noise, an open concept space does remove some of the privacy that naturally comes with having walls. While this may not be a large concern (you do have bedrooms and bathrooms, after all), if you’re the type who likes to cook or watch TV without an audience, you may find an open concept space to be a bit too much “together” time.

Feels Messy: In the real world, the kitchen is usually not picture perfect. Unless you wash and load dishes while you’re preparing a meal, it’s likely that your kitchen will still be a mess while you’re eating your meal. (And for however long after.) Even if you do run a tight ship, you might have items air-drying on the counter. All of this is perfectly normal, but in an open concept space, you will have the mess within sight until it all gets put away… which may not promote daily peace.

Decreased Storage: In many cases, losing walls means losing opportunities for cabinets, drawers, and shelves, which can mean an overall drop in the amount of storage your home can support. If this is a concern for you, we will work together to come up with some solutions.

Whether an open concept space is right for you and your family is one question. Understanding if your home can accommodate it is another. If you’re thinking, “Yes, I still want an open concept space, Adrienne”, keep reading...

The Process of Designing an Open Concept Space

1. Consult an Interior Design Professional

Whatever you do, please do not start tearing down walls yourself! Removing one wall can affect many aspects of your home’s structure and function, so you need to weigh all the options before the walls come down. Who can help?

I highly suggest hiring an interior designer who can develop a floor plan and 3D renderings for you. We will design a floor plan based on standard space requirements and your lifestyle goals, so that you have adequate space for each zone and the functions you need.

A 3D rendering of the Lakefront Kitchen Renovation.

Yes, you will need a structural engineer to tell you if the wall is load-bearing and requires additional support beams elsewhere, but hiring an interior designer first helps you…

Further cement the decision to open up the space and see 3D renderings of what it will look like
Determine where HVAC, electrical, and plumbing are within walls and what will need rerouting
Discuss flooring options, since there will be a gap where the wall used to be
Plan for repairing and repainting ceilings in the locations where the walls used to be
Creating a lighting plan, since existing overhead lighting may now be out of place
Discuss where to add or remove electrical outlets for the new configuration

As you can see, removing a wall comes with MANY other considerations and effects on the space. Having a designer to help you through this will make sure you get the result you really want and is very likely to help you avoid costly mistakes.

However, sometimes, space restrictions mean you can’t have it all. For example, this couple had to decide between a kitchen island and a dining table. I can help you understand the factors and your options, which may influence your decision to proceed with the renovation or simply sell your home and move on to one that better fits your lifestyle. With the right information, you can make the best choice for you.

2. Understand the Investment

This step will technically occur in those initial conversations with your interior designer, because there is such a thing as over renovating. If resale value and ROI is important to you, we’ll work together to determine the project’s costs and ensure that the renovation cost isn’t higher than what the home would sell for.

For example, if you purchased your home for $300,000 and the renovation costs are going to be $120,000, ask yourself, “Will I be able to sell my home for more than $420,00 in the years to follow?”

Unless you add square footage to your home, it may take years for the home to increase in value and merit a return on your investment. Be aware of the comparable house prices in your neighborhood and whether or not people are taking on similar renovations. Basically, don’t overbuild for your neighborhood!

If you’re reasonably confident that the work will be worth it, now is the time to hire your construction team and get some official bids for the scope of work. Pro Tip: Ask your interior designer for contractor recommendations. They usually have someone they trust and work well with.

3. Hire a Contractor

Any structural or construction work will require the services of a general contractor. The contractor will give you a rough estimate and timeline for the project, which usually includes any work conducted by the trades included on their team. Or, you may hire your trades individually if you wish.

Once you’ve done your due diligence and have the right people in place, it’s finally time to take down the walls! If you’re working with me, I will help manage and oversee your project to ensure it’s turning out exactly how we’ve planned it, including ordering any furnishings (like bar stools!) or decor that adds that final touch of home.

Then, you can enjoy your final result knowing you made the best choice for your lifestyle and your home.

Yes, or No to Open Concept? Your Next Step…

So, is an open concept design the right move for your renovation? Consider the pros and cons, and if you have a team in place with a budget that feels right, your answer is yes! If not, that’s okay. There are plenty of well-designed, functional home solutions that don’t require an open floor plan.

What’s your next step? If you’re looking for some design advice and assistance renovating your home, I’m here to help. Book a call with me here to discuss your goals and see what we can do to bring them to life.

Warmly,

Adrienne

All photos by Stephanie Moore Photography