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Open plan layouts have become a defining feature of the modern home. Many UK homeowners are reconfiguring their floor plans to create light-filled kitchen/diners or cosy family hubs. Whatever the dream is, edits to a traditional home layout can drastically improve day to day living.
At Adamsons, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners across Manchester and Cheshire design open plan spaces that feel stylish, sociable, and (of course) practical. But as beautiful as they can be, these layouts require more thought than you might expect. Without the right planning, an open plan home can quickly feel echoey, messy, or overwhelming.
We’ve been improving homes for over 40 years, here’s what we’ve learned about making open plan layout homes work in the long run.
Before we get to that though, here are some initial thoughts on open plan living which might help you to decide if it’s right for you and your home:
Like any design decision, going open plan comes with benefits and a few potential pitfalls.
The Advantages:
More light: Removing internal walls allows light to flow throughout the space.
Sociable living: You can cook, chat, and keep an eye on kids all in one shared zone.
Adaptable layouts: Open spaces are easier to rearrange as family life changes.
A sense of luxury: A well-designed open plan layout adds flow and spaciousness.
The Challenges:
Noise & distractions: Without barriers, it’s harder to escape sound (and mess).
Less privacy: Every activity is visible, sometimes too visible!
Heating & acoustics: Open layouts can be harder to insulate or soundproof.
Design cohesion: The whole space needs to feel intentional and well-connected.
Creating a sense of structure in an open plan space is key. Carefully planned layouts such as positioning a kitchen island between the cooking and dining zones, or using a soft rug to ground a living area can visually divide the room without any need for partitions.
Built-in banquette seating, half-height storage, and even changes in flooring or ceiling height can further enhance this subtle zoning.
If you want the flexibility of being able to physically section off areas of the home, a sliding door or pocket door can be a great way to do so without disrupting the flow of the space. This works especially well in busy family homes. Want to shut off the snug during a movie night? Or create a quiet corner for work or study? These doors give you options without compromising the sense of openness.
If your space allows, introducing split levels can help mark out different areas of an open plan home. A sunken lounge or raised dining area naturally creates a boundary while keeping everything visually connected. It’s a trick we often use in larger extensions where we want to enhance interest and variety.
One of the most overlooked aspects of open plan design is lighting and yet it’s what truly makes a space feel comfortable, usable and inviting. So often we hear of customers who have previously had extensions or alterations done to their home, only to come to us for major changes because the space felt too dark and became disused. Here’s how to avoid this common pitfall.
Natural Light: Skylights, glazed doors, and roof lanterns are brilliant for flooding large open areas with daylight. We especially recommend them over kitchen islands or dining zones where you want a sense of airiness.
Layered Artificial Lighting: The right lighting plan can help create mood and purpose. Think task lighting for food prep, pendant lights over the dining table, and wall lights or low-level lamps in lounge areas. It also allows different zones to shift tone as the day changes—from bright and energetic in the morning to soft and ambient in the evening.
One of our favourite transformations was for the Thomson family, who wanted a warm and welcoming open plan kitchen, dining and snug space.
We revisited their home 14 years after our initial project with them to remove internal walls, extend out to the rear, and rework the layout to make it more practical for their day to day life. A central island offered extra prep space and helped separate the cooking zone from the relaxed seating area.
You can read more about the project in the case study here!
At Adamsons, we take the time to understand your lifestyle and design spaces that truly serve your needs. Whether you’re renovating your existing footprint or planning an extension, we can help you create an open plan layout that feels calm, connected and full of character.
Download our free Kitchen Renovation Guide to learn more about designing spaces that combine flow, functionality and elegance.
