open plan living

[bevingtonsmith]

I have a very uninspiring 1970's three bed detached bungalow.
I desperately need a fourth bedroom but do not have roof height to convert loft.
I'm thinking of converting the front room to a bedroom.
I have a long skinny dining room next to the kitchen/utility area that I think would work fab as a large open plan living/kitchen/dining area opening up into reasonably sized back garden.
What are your views on open space living and loss of a separate sitting room?

[PitilessYank]

My house was built in the 1950s and it has an open living/dining room area and I love it. I would knock through to the kitchen as well but there are some technical considerations that have made that too difficult.

Go for it!

[ftm123]

Personally I do not like houses that are entirely open plan, I like a snug/living room that can be retreated to - to watch TV without disturbing everyone else, to escape the smell/mess, as an adult space which guests can come to when I don't want them to see the chaos of family living. I also don't see the value in an independent dining room, very few occasions when kitchen/dining is not appropriate and I am never likely to live in a house big enough to justify an entire room for such occasions.

So if I had your house I would happily knock through the dining room to the kitchen, but be reluctant to make the front room a bedroom. However, that's my taste and priorities not yours, and you say you need an extra bedroom, so luxuries like a separate living space may need to be sacrificed if you have no other options.

Good luck!

[bevingtonsmith]

My thinking is that although open plan not ideal for all reasons stated in the long term I can always convert back to a separate lounge when kids eventually leave (!).
Really happy with the area (Whitstable) and planning this as my forever home.
Thanks for your views.

[yomellamoHelly]

Is the arrangement we have. Open plan can be quite noisy and dh often retreats upstairs for peace and quiet. I assume if we had the front room he'd be in there. It could easily be changed back in the future.

[missnevermind]

Our entire ground floor is open plan
It runs - front door, stairs, hall - door to living area - sitting room, dining area/play space kitchen offset at end.
The main thing I was worried about was cooking smells but with good ventilation it's not a problem.