How open do you want your new home to be? If you’re like most people today, you want your real living rooms (where real, everyday living is actually done) open to each other. But how much is too much?
A good place to start is by asking yourself this question: Do I really want all the living being done in my home to exist in one large, open space? When this is the case everyone has to hear the TV or music system whenever one person has it on. While you may like the way it feels in a model home, will you always like how it plays out in everyday life?
If the answer is “Yes,” then one large area is for you. If it’s “No,” then there are some ways to address this without losing your open concept. In other words, you can still have the kitchen, living room, and main eating area open to each other while creating some isolation, even if a small amount.
One method is with a study or home office that can be closed off when needed. Double French doors can keep the overall open feeling even when closed off.
A formal dining room, living room, or sitting area (even a small one) can provide some refuge. These rooms can be open to a foyer that is open to the living room/kitchen area so that continuous flow is maintained.
Then there’s the bonus room/media room/game room options that are often placed upstairs with the secondary bedrooms.
Even in large open living areas, you can have a sense of separation without putting walls between spaces. Large cased or arched openings between the spaces helps with this. An eating island or bar is another good method.
Alcoves are also a great way to create a modest sense of isolation. It can be as simple as an offset connected to the main living area. A lowered ceiling and a wall of windows creates both isolation from the inside and connection to the outside. If privacy is desired more than a connection to the outside then the windows can be place high on the wall. You just don’t want an alcove to lack natural light because unattractive spaces don’t get used, even if placed perfectly in the floor plan. Window seats work well in smaller alcoves. An enlarged stair landing on an outside wall is another good place for one.