Open-plan living is often billed as the perfect floor plan that brings family together in a single room where cooking, conversation and the screen share the same space.
It has been a popular feature of modern homes for the last three decades and more. However, a growing school of thought – encouraged somewhat by lockdowns – suggests it’s time to reconsider.
Property fashions come and go and come back again, and there is no doubt open-plan has been a stayer. Here are the pros and cons:
Benefits:
- A living area where no boundaries lie between leisure and the kitchen will be a magnet for the entire family at least twice a day. Interaction is essential for a harmonious household – especially if you have teenagers – and open plan living helps you hang out together even if everyone is doing different things.
- Young families benefit because it’s easier for mum or dad to keep an eye on the kids. It also avoids the temptation to pack them off to their bedroom, where they won’t see you or talk to you.
- For anyone who loves entertaining, open plan living is essential. You can continue cooking while not being excluded from your guests.
- An open-plan space naturally lends itself to extending outside and flowing into the garden, patio or deck with sliding doors and lots of glass. This can be great for your sense of health and wellbeing.
Drawbacks:
- Open-plan areas are high-maintenance. With so many activities going on, there’ll inevitably be a mess at the end of the day. Island benches become dumping grounds for bags and keys, while toys and homework can spread everywhere. If you love a tidy home, you might find yourself continually cleaning.
- It’s a privacy killer. It’s hard to read a book when the TV is on, when there’s a conversation in the kitchen, or home-schooling is taking place. If you need to do a Zoom call at the dining room table, everyone else must keep quiet, or you’ll find yourself in the bathroom praying your background filter doesn’t fail!
- Decorating is tricky. Furniture needs to match and be of a similar size. The visual balance of an open plan area can be ruined if your couch is far larger than your dining table.
- Heating and cooling can take a lot of energy. You’ll need an efficient aircon or ducted system to keep you comfortable, or it can get expensive.
This article is provided for general information only and does not take into account the specific needs, objectives or circumstances of the reader. Before acting on any information, you should consider whether it is appropriate for your personal circumstances, carry out your own research and seek professional advice.