4 design considerations for open concept home plans.
As we head into another season of the Parade of Homes in Minnesota what better time than now to reminisce on this stunning custom design that was featured in the Parade of Homes last spring. In collaboration with Style & Structure, we designed this open concept home plan with a grand living space, floor to ceiling windows, spacious kitchen for entertaining and numerous access points to the exterior.
This particular home was a beautiful open concept plan that connected the home to its natural surroundings. Wether that be the floor to ceiling windows in the two story great room, views from every room looking out or one of the four access points from the main level to the deck, spanning the entire rear of the home.
We love the perks of open concept home plans - enhancing the feel of the space, creating an area for easy social interaction and entertainment, and the seamless flow from one area of the home to the next. Have you considered designing an open home concept but unsure of where to start? We’ve got you 😉
We’re breaking down 4 things to consider when designing your home while trying to achieve that open home concept - multiple access points across the home, connections between rooms, adding catwalks and keeping the space open. Keep scrolling for the goodies!
1. Multiple access points across the home
One of our favorite features in open concept plans are the access points throughout the home. For example, multiple access points to one destination. This particular model had four different access points to the backyard deck that spanned nearly the entire backside of the home. These four access points were from the master bedroom, the office, the dining room and the sunroom.
Creating multiple access points like this allows for easy access from one area of the home to the next, including the outdoor spaces. This feature also highlights that open concept design in a unique way - by adding additional options to flow from one space to the next.
Another lovely thing about these multiple access points is that you are still able to maintain that open concept plan while also making spaces, like the office and sunroom, that can be closed off and used in more privacy when needed.
2. Kitchen, dining & living room connection
When thinking about open concept plans one of the biggest areas of impact are going to be the connection and openness between the kitchen, dining and living room spaces. This particular home had a uniquely angled kitchen, creating its own space while maintaining that open design to the dining and living areas.
So never think that you’re stuck in a complete linear layout here in order to make them all connect. You can easily add simple angles to your plan in order to make a certain room look like its own while still keeping it open and connected to those other larger spaces.
3. Adding catwalks
🎵 Yeah, on the catwalk, on the catwalk, yeah 🎵 okay, we couldn’t help ourselves!
Having a catwalk that spans over a large area adds a fun element that typically oversees the living and dining space as it connects you from one wing of the house to the next - how fun, right? While each sleeping area has its own separate quarters they are seamlessly connected by these open elements.
4. Keeping the space open
And last, but certainly not least for considerations on designing an open concept plan is keeping things open! Which may sound kind of like a no brainer but negative space is sometimes less considered when designing your home. Consider the empty space that will surround each element in your home - where your furniture will be, how people will navigate throughout your home from one room to the next - all of this is super crucial for keeping things open.
Think about your sight lines, your pathways, your wall locations and the amount of natural light from window placement. Think minimalistic when it comes to these things and how they to keep the integrity of the open concept plan versus crowding it and making it seem smaller.
So, what next?
When working with your designer and builder always make sure that they know the flow that you are looking for with your new home design. Creating an open concept versus one that’s more closed off should be one of the first things considered before really diving into the details of the home, here’s a little checklist to help with that new home building process! Your designer will be able to help you visualize and understand how this can come to life while also making sure the flow of it all makes sense and creates that seamless look you are trying to achieve.
If you have any questions or want to know more about designing an open concept plan we’d be more than happy to talk to you about your design ideas with a free consultation here! And if you want to see more of this beautiful home, take a peek here!
