Open Concept: A Trend Style That You Should Know
The open concept, which is sometimes known as diaphanous distribution is ideal for small spaces. It’s also suited for those who live alone or with a partner. This is a decorative style that avoids partition type and separating elements such as doors, walls, and corridors. This is because the current pace of life can make this design quite overwhelming for many people.
In fact, studies in this regard have been evaluating the need to create functional, flexible, open, and more sustainable floor plans.
Advantages and disadvantages of the open-concept
You might think that many homes can’t be adapted to the open concept. However, with the advice of an expert professional, you’ll be able to make any necessary adjustments without major works or problems.
In addition to achieving a modern space, you’ll revalue it. So that you can motivate yourself to create this style, we’ll explain more about its main advantages and disadvantages.
There’s more fluidity of light
Good lighting makes our spaces look more alive and enhances our decorative objects. On the floors where the open concept dominates, the light flows much better. This is thanks to the fact that there are no obstacles to prevent light from entering and illuminating every corner.
The open concept makes better use of spaces
If you have a small apartment and you want to make better use of the space, the open concept is ideal. Removing the barriers between rooms, (such as internal walls, doors, and windows) makes an apartment look much larger than it actually is.
In this way, you’ll be able to give your apartment that feeling of spaciousness that we all seek to create.
The open concept is versatile
The absence of separators allows you to easily change the distribution of your belongings, as well as your style.
You’ll create such a versatile space that if you feel a need for partitions, you can install transparent elements to separate your spaces. Among the options are glass walls.
Ensure you keep everything neat and clean
We’re now going to consider the disadvantages of having an open-concept space. But don’t worry, these are very easy to solve.
An open concept means you must always keep it clean and tidy, otherwise, any mess or disorder may overwhelm you. Imagine that you’ve not tidied or cleaned for several days and you arrive home from work feeling stressed from your day. As you open your door, the first thing you’ll find is a mess, as far as the eye can see. In this instance, your stress will rapidly grow.
If you don’t want this to happen, you know what to do!
Your kitchen will need an extractor hood
It’s normal for kitchen odors to spread throughout a home when there are no partitions. To avoid this, the best thing to do is to install an extractor hood to eliminate odors. Alternatively, you can isolate your kitchen with an element that’s also decorative, such as shelving.
Disadvantage: not much privacy when there are visitors
In traditional designs with divisions, it’s normal for visitors to sit in the living room whilst you’re preparing refreshments in the kitchen. However, when you have an open concept, your visitors will have a direct view of everything.
Still, this doesn’t have to be a reason not to have a home with an open concept. As with the issues of kitchen odors, you can install a glass partition or shelving element to isolate the areas that you don’t want to share with your visitors.
Spaces that adapt well to the open concept
Taking into account that the open concept is inspired by the New York loft-style apartments, open spaces should dominate for decoration purposes.
To inspire you, we’ll tell you about the best spaces that adapt to this style:
- Open kitchens and dining rooms: the union of the kitchen and dining room is inspired by the open concept and consists of eliminating the walls that separate both spaces. Instead, we propose that you integrate them, although you can make divisions with an island, table, or rugs.
- Bathroom, bedroom, and dressing room: having an integrated bathroom, bedroom, and dressing room that’s completely united is very useful. It’s not necessary to keep going from the bedroom to the bathroom and then to your dressing room. This is very interesting when you live as a couple and you both have different schedules. In addition to this, your clothes will be more organized and you can enjoy a separate space for yourself and another for your partner. Due to the humidity, your bathroom must be insulated, but you can install indoor windows. This is a very on-trend style.
Did you like the open concept?
Now that you know more about the open concept and how it could work for you, consult a professional to identify if your home has the characteristics to carry this style off. If you have the budget, take advantage and start uniting your spaces.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Jabbour, D. Arquitectura flexible: open building en viviendas. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. 2017.