Open Concept Design Tips

If you’re living in a house that’s been built within the last 35 years, there’s probably some element of an open concept because today’s family lifestyle just leans toward that open feel. Thinking about “opening things up” in your home? This HGTV video presents five open concept design tips:

1. Open up sightlines. The more sightlines you can open up, the better. That’s because you get more light flowing through, and it provides a better opportunity for family interaction.

2. Install big windows to let the outdoors in.

3. Check before you take down walls. If the home you’re living in is not as open concept as you’d like, you can take down some walls. But before you do, make sure you know definitively if they’re load bearing or not. It always seems like the ones you want to take down are the ones that have hidden surprises like plumbing, HVAC or electrical. Not that that should stop you, but it does mean calling in a professional that can tell you if it’s load bearing or if you have to move pipes or electrical. Doing it right means doing it safely and bringing in a pro who knows what they’re doing.

4. Define each space. Once the walls are down and the construction is finished, the next big challenge is to design around a big open area. This can be tricky because you want to be able to define the spaces without closing them off. One way to do this is by using area rugs. Area rugs can add color and drama to a space, ground all of the furniture pieces and actually define the purpose of that space.

5. Use light fixtures to define living spaces. Another thing that is very important when designing your space is to think about the lighting in advance. A chandelier over your dining room table or even pendant lights over your island can really make a statement. It’s all about balance; you don’ want your light fixtures to obstruct your open sightlines, but they can definitely add warmth and visual interest.