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THE PROS AND CONS OF AN OPEN FLOOR PLAN:
Design your perfect space with Solid Rock Custom Homes BY LAIN AND BARBARA CHAPPELL OWNERS, SOLID ROCK CUSTOM HOMES
If you are in the midst of designing your dream home or searching for the perfect property, you are surrounded with countless choices. From the size of the rooms to the design of the kitchen and bathroom, there are important considerations at every turn. One of the most important considerations is whether to go with a traditional floor plan or a more open design. As with any home design concept, choosing an open floor plan for your dream home has both benefits and drawbacks. It is important to consider the pros and cons carefully before making a final decision. The most common utilization of the “open floor plan” concept is combining the kitchen, dining room and living room into one large communal space. This design concept has risen in popularity throughout recent years and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon. The popularity of the open design has spread across the United States, originally becoming popular in the 1940’s and 1950’s with the rise of modern architecture influenced by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig
Mies van der Rohe and other modernist architects of the time. One of the biggest benefits of choosing an open floor plan is that this design encourages social living. It provides the space and the accessibility to have family gatherings, dinners, game nights, and parties. Just think, no longer does the cook have to be away from the fun while preparing dinner. The fun; the warmth of family and friends is all around. An open floor plan also makes multitasking and multi-use far easier. The open space enables you to help the kids with their homework, while they enjoy the comfort of the living room sofa, as you prepare a delicious meal for the family in the Kitchen. An open communal space allows more natural light into your home. In taking the idea a step farther by adding a skylight and large windows throughout, one can really get the most of what nature has to offer. Not only will you fully enjoy the cascading light, but the large windows will allow you to truly take advantage of your view of the extraordinary Colorado landscape.
The abundance of natural light will be especially appreciated in the cold winter months, when both warmth and sunlight are limited. The light and airy nature of homes with open floor plans is unmistakable, and natural lighting is another benefit of this design. An open floor plan can also make a smaller space seem bigger, which is important when building a new home. An open floor plan ensures that there is no wasted space; and as every homeowner knows, making the most of each inch of space is paramount. Of course, an open plan home does have a few drawbacks, of which you should be aware before construction begins. Some homeowners, especially those with young children, find the lack of privacy bothersome. The fact that the kids can do their homework in the kitchen is great, but those same kids will be making noise while they do their homework. If you want a very quiet home, an open floor plan may not be the right one for you. Is housework not your thing? You may need to consider that when selecting
Solid Rock Custom Homes
719-494-0932 www.SolidRockCustomHomes.com
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Denver
Spectacular by Nature. Custom Homes & Homesites (719) 649-0605 Classic Homes From the upper $300s (719) 481-9828
Where Tranquil Shores Colorado Springs
Meet Mountain Views
Located South of Monument, just off Baptist Road, West of I-25
470
Castle Rock
Monument Forest Lakes Baptist Rd.
N
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Colorado Springs
ForestLakesColorado.com