open plan issues

dirty_magic

I like open plan kitchen diners so you can be together while you're cooking but I like a separate living room.

I'm a bit strange because I don't like big living rooms, I think smaller ones are cosier. I've seen some houses online with hardly any walls and I wonder what their heating bills are like!

The main problem with open plan flats is that the kitchens are never big enough. Lot's of worktop space is a must have for me, and usually the kitchens are just a few cupboards, sink and hob along one wall.

sofarbehind

It's one of the few deal breakers for me too. I rented a flat like this once and I hated it because of the smell, noise and having nowhere to hide any mess.

lady1964

When we bought our house, the lounge & dining room were open but there was a wall between the kitchen & dining room.

When we decided to replace the kitchen, we knew we wanted to take the wall down as I wanted an island and we could only have that without the wall. I would have preferred to put a wall back between the dining room & lounge (there is a partial wall that separates the kitchen from the living room so you can't see the kitchen when you walk into the house) but DH wanted it kept open. It's ok, means that when we have a big gathering, we are all in the same room and if one of us wants to watch something else on TV, or just have quiet reading time, we go upstairs.

Like I said before, I'm unlikely to go this open plan again but we are so used to what we have & love our kitchen/dining area that we can deal with the minor irritants.

kinger101

Unfortunately, in the UK, open plan is just EA speak for poxy shoebox with no lounge. Next they'll stick the bathroom in there as well. At least you'll be able to take a dump whilst watching Top Gear.