Why Open Concept Home Design is So Hot Right Now
To begin, an open concept is a house that has common spaces; is a house that has no walls or partial walls between them. Basically an open concept allows a larger traffic flow and offers a sense of openness from one room to another.
Examples of open concepts are a kitchen and dining room that share a common space. Or, another example is a dining room/living room area. They both occupy one area. To visually divide the rooms you might see a short set of stairs, two different paint colors or a handrail.
There are a variety of benefits of open concept rooms; however, the most desired aspect of open concept rooms is minimal walls that separate spaces. In other words, you can visually see all rooms without the division of walls.
Open concepts create areas that are warm, inviting, wonderful for entertaining and comfortable. Another benefit is that you can enjoy more natural light in open concept rooms. If you add large windows or large glass doors that lead outside, you add more depth and light into the rooms.
Keep in mind; an open concept brings people together. This kind of setup fosters family togetherness. It is important to note; open concept areas also provide you, the homeowner, various ways to customize your home. For example, you can expand your living room if you want to. Or, you can arrange the furniture and design the lighting to show individuality to the rooms, giving the look of different rooms without the division of walls.
Most importantly, if you have children or elderly parents living in your home, you want them to be safe. Keep in mind; an open concept gives you clear vision throughout the rooms, making it easier to watch little ones or those who struggle with movement.
Also, with an open concept you can improve the energy efficiency of your home. In most cases, you will see a difference in your energy bills. The reason for this is because an open concept is easier to heat and cool. This makes it more energy efficient.
Most importantly, there are pros and cons to open concept living. One pro is that it works well when entertaining and you can keep a close eye on children and seniors.
As with most living conditions, there are cons with open concept such as if there is a mess, your entire home will look and feel messy.
There is little you can do to hide messes when they can be seen from almost every angle. In addition, too many colors in an open concept can make it look uneven and small. By using the same color scheme, an open space flows evenly and well.
To conclude, an open concept is when a house that has common spaces has no walls or partial walls between them. Basically an open concept allows a larger traffic flow and offers a sense of openness from one room to another. Visit your local home improvement store and find out more!