Today’s homeowners want open floor plans for better views, easy entertaining, and to create the feeling of more space. Most older homes were designed with many smaller rooms which can be complex and costly to open up. At Airy Kitchens we specialize in creating modern spaces in older homes that open floor plans without removing the character. In this post we will discuss pros and cons of open plan living, compare layout ideas for opening your home, and offer tips for creating open plans that are cohesive and practical.
This rear addition opened up the house and created a bigger kitchen and great room.
Open Plan Layout Pros and Cons
Open plan layouts are popular and functional. So let’s start with the pros.
PROS
More light and better views
Larger rooms are great for entertaining
It’s easy to communicate and watch the kids
When done properly, open plan details don’t have to ruin your old home charm.
A large opening adds light and makes for easy conversation between rooms. See more of this Two Tone Traditional in Ardmore
What are the cons of open floor plans?
CONS
You can’t close out the mess, the noise, the smells, or the dog.
Larger rooms feel colder and less intimate.
Less privacy
Load bearing walls, HVAC, and plumbing in older homes can make open plans expensive to create.
The casings on this enlarged opening match the moldings throughout the home. See more of the Ardmore Eclectic Kitchen.
Layout Ideas For Opening Up Old Houses
1) Enlarge Existing Openings and keep the feel of separate rooms.
In the home below our clients wanted to open up their kitchen and turn a butlers pantry into a wet bar. By keeping the walls and enlarging the openings we were able to create all the benefits of an open floor plan and preserve the character and intimacy of separate rooms.
Larger openings offer better light and views, but still allow for floor and wall transitions. See more of the West Mount Airy Open Concept.
Before and after floor plans from our West Mount Airy open concept project.
2) Change walls, ceilings, floors, and window locations to create one big room.
To create this mediterranean inspired kitchen we combined two rooms that had a load bearing wall and a chimney dividing them. We thickened the side walls to hide new structural columns then used new floors, ceilings, and moldings to create one cohesive space. Often when taking this approach we will change window locations to ensure that the space doesn't feel like it was two rooms combined.
Now it feels like one big room. See more of this Ardmore Mediterranean Kitchen.
Before and after floor plans from our Ardmore mediterranean kitchen.
3) Add islands and peninsulas between rooms to gain seating space.
This is a trick you will see a lot in our work. In the project below we wanted to save the floors, moldings, and add wallpaper to the dining room. We decided to enlarge the doorway and set the kitchen peninsula right under the new opening. By extending the counter into the adjacent room we added kitchen seating without taking up cooking space. This not only adds to the kitchen area, but also helps cover up unsightly floor transitions and offers additional storage on the dining room side.
Locating the peninsula below the new opening increases the kitchen size without removing the wall. See more of this Wyndmoor Transitional Kitchen.
Tips For Creating Open Floor Plans in Old Houses
1) Use cabinetry to create symmetry and make sense of odd window placements.
Changing window openings is expensive and not always possible in historic homes. A good designer can make uneven windows work. Learn more about replacing windows during your kitchen remodel.
2) Use moldings to create consistency in an awkward room.
Blue Heron moldings wrap the walls and windows to unify two spaces. See more of this Main Line Classic Kitchen.
3) No moldings to replicate? Use an arch to add a special touch between rooms.
This flipped row home had no partitions and no historic moldings left. A new arch adds a sense of separation and keeps the open floor plan. Love the counters? Read about counter options here.
4) Floor and wall color can make two rooms feel connected.
Different ceiling heights make the back room feel like an addition, but consistent wall and floor color help the spaces feel like one large room. Learn the six best floors for your kitchen renovation.
Ready to open up your old house?
Whether you want to remove interior walls or build an addition, the best way to get started is to consult a designer. Our interior design team can help you create an open floor plan that is respectful of your historic home without sacrificing the original character. Our network of local architects and structural engineers will ensure that your dream renovation is beautiful and solid. Click the button above to learn more about our process and pricing.