A Part of a Home Remodel Designing an Open Concept Floorplan
The popularity of open floor plans in Dallas homes is growing. These plans offer the best way to create more living space, and also increase the Home Remodel Designing perceived size.
Open floor plans include traditional enclosed rooms like bedrooms and bathrooms, but have as their core an open, spacious “great room” – which typically includes the living, dining, and kitchen. This space increases communication, room flow and multifunctionality as well as daylight. It can also maximize the potential of a home for large parties.
These are some options to consider if you’re interested in designing an open floor plan for your next home remodel.
Open Floor Plan Possibilities
There are many options for open floor plans depending on what you have and how you live. Open kitchens and large dining rooms are great for families who love to cook together and entertain guests. It is possible to cook and chat with others at the table while you prepare the food. A kitchen island could be used to create a subtle functional divide if needed. The main living space is kept apart.
The open layout of the living room and dining room is great for entertaining friends and family. This arrangement allows the kitchen to be kept separate. This configuration is ideal if you like to cook in relative solitude and want to minimize the food odor that may be carried into the main living area.
The best of both worlds is an open kitchen, dining and living space. This arrangement is perfect if you don’t want any divisions in the main areas. You can chat with guests or family members while you cook, and also enjoy a drink at the kitchen island or sharing stories about vacations on the sofa.
Discover the Secrets
Before you begin to remove walls and open up your floor plan, consider how it might affect your family. Many television shows make it seem simpler than it is. However, professional guidance can make it much easier.
Knowing what’s in walls is key. You might find water pipes, HVAC conduits, or electrical wiring in interior walls. These should be identified and then carefully rerouted Home Remodel Designing.
Also, foundational limitations must be considered. You might find that the removal of inner walls could put greater pressure on areas of your foundations.
Load Bearing Walls
Internal walls are vital to your home’s structural integrity. These walls, also called load-bearing walls (or structure walls), carry a large portion of a building’s total weight from its foundations to its roof.
It can be hard to recognize load-bearing walls without professional assistance. They are also dependent on how many stories you have. Although it is possible to remove a load-bearing section of a wall, this will require another way of supporting the building.
Half walls and flush beams are popular ways to open a wall without compromising structural integrity.
Design considerations
The perfect open floor plan requires more than technical and structural considerations. There are also many design considerations.
MAXIMIZE PERCEIVED SPACE
A raised ceiling or altered shape can enhance the airy feeling of an open plan interior. Vaulted ceilings are a great way to increase the space’s perceived size.
The expansive appearance can be enhanced by modifying existing staircases. Flanking walls can also be removed to create more staircases. A floating staircase will be created by removing risers between each step. You can replace heavy banisters with metal rails.
ENHANCE YOUR SIGHTLINES
What are you able to see from one space into another? When designing your residential interior, it is important to consider the sightline.
A good sightline can increase the feeling of openness and flow. However, a poor one can make an interior feel closed off and restrictive. Consider where your important sightlines are and how you will view them from your home’s most-used areas before you begin to open up your floorplan.
It is important to consider where you want your privacy to be, such as in bathrooms and bedrooms. Safety-related issues like being able to watch over young children are also important.
KEEP THE SCALE ALIVE
Scale is an important consideration when designing an open-plan floor plan. A large kitchen area shouldn’t dominate the space. An open plan design is all about balance and providing plenty of space for each zone.
The same applies to furniture and lighting. Think about how each addition will affect the space.
DEFINE ZONES
Zones should be defined in some way. Open plan design can create a space that is cohesive, but each zone still serves a unique purpose. Rugs and furniture are great visual barriers between zones, while still keeping the space open.
Paint is another great way to further define spaces. You can achieve this effect by painting a wall, part of a nook, or ceiling a different color.
RESTORE YOUR STORAGE SPACE
Sometimes, the removal of walls or the widening and enlarging of windows will cause the cabinetry and closets to disappear. Think about how you can regain valuable storage space with innovative storage solutions that open up floor plans.
Multifunctional roomdividers with built in shelves, for example, can help you create more space and define zones. They also increase your storage possibilities. You can also think vertically. Consider raising the height of cabinets and shelving mounted on walls, particularly if your ceilings are high.
Buy furniture with built-in storage, such as ottomans, coffee tables and kitchen carts. You can make shelves, cabinets, or hooks from any corner of the room, including under stairs, in ceiling arches, underneath flush beams, and around doorsways.
Unsafe Floor Plans
Although open-plan interiors can have many advantages, they also have some disadvantages that should be considered before you remodel.
The Covid-19 epidemic had major implications for how we work together. Private spaces in the home became increasingly desirable features. Open floor plans can be difficult to work from home and homeschool.
You should also consider the cost of heating and cooling an open space. It is more expensive to keep larger spaces warmer or colder than it is for traditional enclosed rooms.
Noise can also pose a problem. Sound can travel farther than usual. Without proper ventilation, odors from cooking and eating may also persist in the living-room zone.
There’s also upkeep. You will need to keep your space clean and tidy with fewer walls to conceal untidy areas. The worst part is that even the smallest amount clutter can make an entire space look messy.
However, these drawbacks can be overcome by planning for your lifestyle and preferences.
Renovating Your Dallas Home
Expert remodeling professionals are a great resource to have before embarking on any home renovation project. The right guidance and proper planning will help you achieve the home remodeling project of your dreams.
Blackline Renovations Dallas’ design-build remodeling team can help with all aspects of your home renovation. We will be there for you from the first meetings through to creative design and construction.
Additional Resource:
https://gordonreese.com/planning-a-whole-house-remodel-without-stressing/
https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/20-tips-for-planning-a-successful-house-remodel/
https://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/