A sweet gal named Angela wrote in recently and asked this:
…We are about to open up our floor plan, similar to what you guys did with your house this past year. We love your home and feel like you were very intentional with the way that you did it. I was curious if you had any recommendations or advice to consider before doing so? What should we plan for?…
Thanks so much, Angela! We have absolutely adored the “great room” area of our home, and looking back, while every home is different… we’re so glad we took the plunge. Our floorpan was simply begging for it to make things feel larger, and definitely more open. It’s absolutely perfect for both our family and for entertaining.
That being said, there have been a few unexpected elements as a result of the actual living transition part. It’s the ultimate melding of form meets function, and putting it all to the test. We’ve learned a few lessons along the way, in planning and actually inhabiting the space for some time. Since we still aren’t allowed to touch our basement {yes y’all, still waiting – ridiculous} it really was put to the test this winter in a small amount of square footage, two dogs and five people. But based on the look of our great room, people are always surprised when we tell them our home is only 1700 square feet.
We think that’s all because we were intentional with what we did.
While I expect that it will feel very differently when the lower portion of the house is complete, here’s a few unexpected things we learned when our open concept design was seriously put to the test:
• Consider all the options for your space
Be sure to take a step back {of course consulting some structural engineers/contractors} before knocking down those walls, and think through all your needs.
Every home will be different. Every family and need, will be too. For instance, architecturally, will it make sense to bring in more light with dormers? How will the feel of the entire space be changed as soon as those walls are knocked down? What may or may not change with that? Can the ceiling be altered in an area to bring in even more of a change? The possibilities really are endless, and the key is in doing it well.
We’ve stepped into too many houses now where the design concept fell a little short, because there really was none. Almost as if the owners didn’t really consider anything beyond the ‘typical’ and they told us later, that they had regrets. Like, maybe the space shouldn’t be one long area, and something could be done with the ceiling. Or the area of the outer wall could be changed to really affect the overall feeling and flow of the space.
Our biggest piece of advice: Make sure you take your time and thoroughly consider everything before taking the plunge.
That being said, things will feel very different once those walls come down, and you’ll probably be able to think more clearly, too. Stay open to changes, and don’t get bogged down or feel limited by your original plan.
Great spaces and homes have a way of evolving over time in the redo process.
The key is honing in on that to bring out in your homes existing footprint and beauty. It can be one of the most unexpected jewels you work with.
• Organization
Will be put to the test.
From the owner’s standpoint, we’re now in that awkward we-were-at-first-surviving-stage-but-now-it’s-time-to-get-our-act-together stage. In other words, we unpacked. We stuffed a few things away. It’s time to purge and really get it all put together now that we know what it feels like to actually live here.
Something you’ll find in an open concept space, is that you’re really held accountable in the organization department, so that your space is not only attractive, but that it functions well. Make sure you plan for what you want where, and because those walls are probably coming down… plenty of planned storage.
• Visual clutter
You’ll be held accountable for visual clutter.
So know what you want to live with.
While we love ours and it’s perfect for entertaining, and our family, there will be a new set of challenges, just like anything else you choose. Everything comes with its own set of pros and cons.
I know, for instance, that I don’t want ur kiddos’ cups cluttering the countertops after mealtimes. Maybe they can load them in the dishwasher just before bed, as a compromise. {I know this is silly, but it’s just something that drives me a little bit bonkers because you can see it from the sofa and I have no tolerance for it – but I had no idea until we inhabited the space.} Little things like this will rear their head, and you won’t know it bothers you until, well, it does.
The bright side? I clean more and the house is actually super neat and tidy… most days. Because it holds me accountable. So realize that it takes an adjustment period once you actually live with it, and that you may find some unexpected changes you weren’t quite prepared to deal with.
Be flexible and ready to roll with them until you find a solution. It can be easy to get caught up in the frustrating part, instead of changing your perspective.
• Space planning
Be intentional with it all.
In our space, we will eventually also have a walk through to our new addition on the left side, {big dreams, I know} and a functioning desk on the right side of the kitchen. Beyond that, we have plans for the blank wall to the right of the space, along with an existing dining area, a makeshift entryway, and an area for our family to gather at night.
My point? We planned ahead for this. We knew exactly what was going where before those walls ever came down. They will come in different phases, and the plan was tweaked a little. But know what your needs are, and be prepared to meet them.
Make sure you designate spaces within the one larger room for all of your needs. It helps to anchor them visually, and distribute a uniform color scheme throughout to ensure flow in such a large, open space.
Think through it all, and find some solutions so that the space not only looks attractive, but functions amazingly, too.
More on bringing flow to your home, here.
• Do what works for you
As always, we believe that every need, family, owner, and home are different.
Not every space should lose every wall. Not every ceiling can be changed. Not every kitchen needs to look the same. Do what you love and forget the rest when it comes to your house and your own renovation and creating a home that you love. Our biggest recommendation is that you do your research, so you can be fearless in your wise, well-informed choices.
We always say do what you love, and if you do that, you can’t help but love it.
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We hope this helps, Angela! We can’t wait to see what you do.
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Psssstttt… In case you’re new to these here parts: Because we couldn’t talk rehabs without a shameless shout out, did you know we’re now offering contractor, design, and renovation services here in the Nashville area? We’re still offering design consultations nationwide for clients, too.
Be sure to contact us here… we’d love to hear from you!
Be sure to check out our entire great room, and money pit series, here.
Rose Lefebvre says
It looks like you have done a lovely home to express your likes. I never was able to be brave enough to remove walls, but have known people who have and were happy with it.
Laura says
Thoughtful points, Ashley. I’ve lived in several different houses with my family and now know that I don’t like an open floor plan. As an introvert, I like spaces where I can get away andI like dedicated areas for specific things, like our dining room that has its own 4 walls that we use as a library and music room. Also, people don’t always consider how sound travels and that with an open floor plan, you might need a very quiet dishwasher so you don’t have to blast the TV to hear it, etc. Also, open floor plan = less wall space, so where will you hang art or put bookshelves, if those things are important to you—so you make good points about planning for storage.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Very true! Preferences are different for everyone for sure. We’re big art people, so we have missed the wall space for art. Thanks for adding that one!