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Open plan living has become one of the most sought-after design trends in home renovation. Homeowners often love the idea of creating light-filled, spacious environments where cooking, dining and relaxing all happen in one flowing space. For many families it’s the perfect solution.
But as with all home design choices, open plan living isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. At Adamson Construction, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners across South Manchester and Cheshire create transformations that work for their lifestyles with both closed and open floor plans.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of open plan living, and explore the increasingly popular alternatives like broken-plan and hybrid layouts, so you can make the right decision for your renovation.
Open plan living refers to a house layout where two or more traditionally separate rooms (usually the kitchen, dining room, and living room) are combined into one large, continuous space. This can be achieved by removing interior walls, or by designing an extension to create a naturally open layout from scratch.
It’s especially popular in home renovations, where homeowners are looking to modernise their home, make better use of space, or improve the flow of daily life.
Removing dividing walls allows light to travel more freely through the space, making your home feel brighter and more spacious. It’s a brilliant solution for darker homes or homes with smaller, separated rooms.
An open plan living space makes it easier to share everyday moments: spontaneous chats over coffee, kids doing homework while you prep dinner, or a friend popping by and naturally drifting into the heart of the home. It encourages a kind of informal, easy interaction that’s hard to achieve in a more closed-off space.
Open plan kitchens with islands and large dining tables make entertaining seamless. No more dashing between rooms or missing out on conversation while cooking: everything happens in one sociable space.
Without multiple doorways and broken sightlines, statement features like an island, pendant lights, or large artworks have space to shine. The continuity of an open plan layout allows your design vision to feel calm, considered and effortless.
Many buyers now look for an open plan layout, especially in kitchen/dining areas. A carefully considered open plan space can increase your home’s appeal and its market value.
Sound travels and sometimes lingers. Boiling a kettle or your kids/grandkids playing with that brand new drum-kit, open plan spaces don’t absorb much noise. This isn’t always a deal-breaker, but it does mean the TV might compete with the dishwasher more than you’d like.
Open layouts mean smells from cooking can waft through the whole space. Good ventilation (like quality extractors) is a must if your hob and sofa share the same airspace.
Without the ability to ‘close the door on it’, everyday clutter is always visible. If you’re keen to go for an open plan layout, we advise you spend extra time considering your storage solutions and how you’ll be using the space day to day.
While socialising is easier, personal downtime can be harder. If you like to escape to a quiet lounge or separate snug, a fully open plan design might not work for you long-term.
Temperature control in an open plan home can be tricky. Heat rises, cold air spreads, and you may find you’re too warm in one spot and chilly in another. Smart heating systems or zoning can help but it’s something to consider from the start.
Before you knock down walls or start sketching out an island, here are a few questions we ask our clients:
For those who want the feel of open plan without the downsides, broken-plan living is growing in popularity. This style uses subtle divisions like partial walls, glazed screens, double-sided fireplaces or different flooring levels to separate zones while still keeping the flow.
Another smart approach? Keep the kitchen and dining space open, but retain a separate snug or living room for quiet time.
At Adamsons, we often work with clients to explore these hybrid layouts. They offer the best of both worlds light, openness, and sociability plus the privacy and quiet many households need.
We’ve been designing homes in South Manchester and Cheshire for over 40 years, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this: the right layout depends on you and your lifestyle.
That’s why our process always starts with a conversation. We take time to understand how you live, what frustrates you about your current space, and what you want more of. Whether it’s a bold open plan kitchen-diner or a carefully zoned family layout, we’ll help you shape a space that truly works.
We’ve created a free kitchen renovation guide to help you plan your perfect space with insights into layouts, storage, appliances, budgeting and more. Or, chat to our friendly architectural designers today to get a free, bespoke consultation for your home.
