The Art of Open-Concept Living
Open-concept living is not a new idea, but it’s becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. Removing barriers between rooms creates a sense of connectivity and expansiveness within your home. By knocking down walls and integrating different living areas, you maximize square footage and room versatility!
It Allows for Better Connection
An advantage to open-concept living is that it allows people to connect better as they move through the space. Open-concept rooms are usually the kitchen, dining, and living room. If you've ever lived in an apartment where you had a galley or U-shaped kitchen that looked out onto the living room, then you've seen open-concept before. Someone washing dishes at the sink can talk to someone sitting by the TV, and there are no slamming doors to worry about as you call your kids over to the dining table from the living room. And most of all, you don't have to deal with doors when trying to move a plate full of hot food over to the table. Open concept is very convenient and versatile.
It Does Require Noise Insulation Strategies
An open-concept plan means that people in one part of the room will likely be able to hear everything in another part of the room. This can lead to background noise that distracts others from listening to what you're saying or that makes it hard to hear the TV.
You will need to enact some strategies to reduce echoes and noise. Having soft furnishings, wall art, and plants can help. Place area rugs and runners on hard floors, even in the kitchen. Use fabric curtains on windows instead of blinds.
You Can Use Furniture and Area Rugs to Delineate Spaces
Even if you love the idea of everything being in one big open space, you may decide you still want something to indicate boundaries in the big room. You can do this easily with furniture arrangements and area rugs. Sometimes a large but open piece of furniture, like a tall and wide bookcase with no backing board, can easily divide the living room from the dining area. Or, you might install hard flooring in the kitchen and dining area and have the transition to carpet be the visual sign that the living room begins there. Open-concept living should be airy and relaxing, but it doesn't mean you have to leave all the space in the room in one piece.
If you're ready to remodel to transform your house into an open-concept space, contact Q&E Keystone Contracting. Whether you're looking at home additions in Bucks County or need drywall contractors in Allentown, PA, we can help modify your space!