What Are the Benefits of an Open Floor Plan?
A trend that began in the late 1980s in home design is still as popular today as ever. It is the open floor plan, which features fewer walls with kitchen, dining and living spaces melding into one large open space. Does this Spark an idea?
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Function
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Homes with an open floor plan still have the necessary "rooms" that modern families need, even though the lines are blurred. Dining area, study or library, for example, may all be operating in the same general space.
Features
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Open floor plans allow the homeowner to divide the large space for different uses. An open floor plan permits greater interaction between family members because walls are not a barrier.
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Benefits
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Large open space, increased capacity for light, togetherness and even glamor are characteristics of this modern design. The flexibility of fewer walls allows for increasing or decreasing the size of a particular area as the need arises. The dining area could "double" in size for large family dinners.
Drawbacks
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Difficulty in where paint colors begin and end, placement of furnishings and a cavernous feel to the space can present challenges.
Considerations
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Use furniture that identifies the "room." Using furniture for dividers, forming groups within the open space and using area rugs, lighting fixtures and movable dividers can define the expanse.
Expert Insight
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Choose a color palette of two or three colors and use them throughout the house. Float furniture out into the room. Use pieces that are finished on all sides, and keep the wood tones similar.
Select one floor covering for the whole area, as this provides unity and flow.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of woodley wonderworks
