• Consider all the options and your needs for the 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.
How can the new space serve you better? What do you need for the changes to be made?
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. Walk through it and bounce ideas off of friends and family. Tape off your furniture ideas. 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 home’s existing footprint and beauty. It can be one of the most unexpected gems and main source of inspiration, {limitations = strengths, am I right?} that you work with.
• Define Spaces
With furniture and rugs. You can still have zones divided within one big space, to help keep order and function. This way the space can better serve you.
Once these spaces are defined, you can also help them flow with color. It’s always good to consider what you’re bringing in, and how it works with the entirety of the space. It can be a wakeup call to realize that once everything is in one room, it doesn’t work as well as you thought it would. Once those walls come down, you’ll still want to cleverly divide up the spaces, and then make sure everything works nicely together. With furniture and rug placement, and then bringing in a decided color format, this is a great plan to help the process and make the space feel settled.
• Organization
Will be put to the test. Consider your storage, because you’re giving up more than you realize.
When those walls come down, you forget where you were able to place things before. And in areas like the kitchen, this is crucial. A good way to determine if an open concept floor plan is right for you, is if you have a plan for where things will go. And will it bother you when they’re not in the right place? Just be ready.
I think one of the biggest duh moments for us, was when the kids weren’t putting their cups away after eating. Here I was, with a big beautiful island, and basically I was all, how dare we live here?! The kitchen no longer has walls which means you can see all the things from the seating area, and on and on it goes. There’s a a bit of an adjustment you go through when you’re living in that space. I’ve learned to let go a little, but it also helped to have extra storage and systems in place to help with this.
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 it also functions well. Make sure you plan for what you want where, and because those walls are probably coming down… plenty of planned storage.
• Not all houses were created equal
As we mentioned in the segment, this isn’t HGTV. Magic doesn’t happen in commercial breaks. And the entire house can NOT be done for 20,000. Sorry to burst your bubble, but POP. ;}
Also? Make sure this is something that works for your house plan. We live in a saturated, brainwashed age and the result is that people are rushing to the open concept plan to be the cure all for house purchase regret. Not all houses are conducive to an open space plan. Sometimes, walls are a better plan, with a simple update or two. You can’t force something to happen, if it just wasn’t meant to work out. We think that sometimes, accepting your home for what it is, and moving forward from there, is one of the biggest favors you can do for yourself.
• Do what works for you
As always, just like we said above, we believe that every need, family, owner, and home are different.
Do what you love and forget the rest when it comes to your house and your own renovation, 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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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?
Be sure to contact us here… we’d love to hear from you!
Be sure to check out our portfolio, entire great room, and money pit series, here.
Jeanne says
You guys were awesome on Talk of the Town. I love that show and you were so professional and cute!
Jana says
These tips are awesome! I love how you take things and break them down! Off to watch the segment!
Layla says
So smart and I always love your perspective! LLLove it!