Downstairs layout

[Threebecomesfour]

I'm after opinions on pros and cons of complete open plan living downstairs, please...
Option 1 - Huge kitchen, dining and sitting room in an L shape but open plan. Separate play room.
Option 2 - Big kitchen/diner. Separate sitting room. Separate play room.
Currently at complete loggerheads with husband 😂
I like separate spaces (particularly after lockdown and feeling the need to shut yourself away for a bit!)

Option 2 for me. I also like separate spaces. Kitchen diner, front room, dining come music room and bathroom downstairs, with bedrooms and a study come playroom upstairs.

Give your husband a nice book or TV show to concentrate on, or whatever he enjoys. But he has to read it next to the washing machine on high spin. Then he gets to move on to the extractor fan blasting while you cook something sputtery and noisy. When he finally gets to relax on the sofa, start loading a dishwasher clankily in front of him.

Separate sitting room forever!

Have you got a separate utility room for the washer/dryer?

@burritofan

Give your husband a nice book or TV show to concentrate on, or whatever he enjoys. But he has to read it next to the washing machine on high spin. Then he gets to move on to the extractor fan blasting while you cook something sputtery and noisy. When he finally gets to relax on the sofa, start loading a dishwasher clankily in front of him.

Separate sitting room forever!

Hahaha! Good idea, I'll suggest 😂

@Uptoongirl

Have you got a separate utility room for the washer/dryer?

Yes we have a small utility off the kitchen with washer dryer and cupboards for cleaning bits. V lucky.

@EnglishRain

Option 2 for me. I also like separate spaces. Kitchen diner, front room, dining come music room and bathroom downstairs, with bedrooms and a study come playroom upstairs.

I agree! The pros for option 2 are mounting.

Option 2. Sod open plan. Too much hassle to keep clean, can't shut the door on the washing up, constantly having to keep children out of the kitchen area, cooking smells on sofa fabric, can't hear the TV for dishwasher/extractor fan/whichever noisy kitchen appliance is currently running. Give me separate rooms any day.

Given that you have a separate playroom and utility I think option 1 would be ok, especially with a L-shape. But I still prefer option 2 I think. We will have the same battle soon, as we’re building our house and DH is more pro open plan than me. The kitchen / dining room will definitely be together but I’d like to keep the lounge separate.

Can you swap it so you have kitchen diner and playroom all together, with separate sitting room? Don’t know how old your children are but if they’re not teens they’ll probably choose to play wherever you are, so in effect the playroom will just be a dumping ground. Have it as the sitting room and you can retreat there, toy free, when everyone is in bed.

If children very young a room divider play pen type thing will keep them out of the kitchen but you’ll still be able to see them.

Option 2, you could put glass dividing doors to the lounge area as a compromise though?

@RandomMess

Option 2, you could put glass dividing doors to the lounge area as a compromise though?

That's a good idea. I'll add that to the list!

We had open plan in our old house and it was much better after we did that.

We have an open plan kitchen/diner/family room now and never use the upstairs lounge. The teens complain that we're there when they want to be alone in the kitchen 🙄 and why can't we divide it off (it's too small tbh).

@RandomMess

We had open plan in our old house and it was much better after we did that.

We have an open plan kitchen/diner/family room now and never use the upstairs lounge. The teens complain that we're there when they want to be alone in the kitchen 🙄 and why can't we divide it off (it's too small tbh).

Haha, always ends up with someone not being happy doesn't it!