Open Your Home to New Possibilities

Do you find it hard to concentrate in a small office space? Do you wish your family was able to communicate better? Do you wish your family would spend more time together but find that they are each in a different room doing their own thing? Why not try an open floor plan?

An open floor plan can increase the space of any existing home environment. With traditional floor plans all the rooms are separated by solid walls which create barriers for communication while making it easier for family members to do their own thing. An open floor plan would use different approaches to separate rooms. One such approach is “The Island”. An kitchen Island counter workspace or snack bar, for example, can create a separation point as well as a transition between your family room and your kitchen and at the same time provide added functionality. Another approach is “Levels”. A change in floor level by a single step can separate one room from another without creating a barrier and hence bringing everyone closer together. Still another method to make it easier to communicate between two rooms is to provide visual separation by varying the ceiling heights of the respective rooms. For example, the family room may have a 10' ceiling and the kitchen an 8' ceiling and the result is an additional benefit – enhancing the enjoyment of the family room.

Why not make your office bigger and maybe make the wall with the door a sliding door so that it can be left open when not in use to allow it to become part of that open area that you and your family dwell in. This will help with both work and family stress as you are not confined to a small space, the open space will help to relieve it.

Just imagine coming home from a stressful day of work, unwinding from the day looking out at the snow covered mountains from your great room. The extra physical space does something to the spirit that helps to relax the mind.

Sometimes, and in some rooms, it will be advantageous to maintain walls between rooms. For example, for privacy bedrooms are often protected from the common rooms by walls buffered by closets to insure that you have a serene retreat. Or consider that you may want to have an office, study or library where you can enjoy a quiet time away from the bustle of other household activities.

So, have you decided what type of floor plan you will build? Consider an open floor plan for some of your rooms to enhance communication, gain space visually for the room or to enhance the functionality of each room. How else could you enjoy the comforts of your big leather chair in your great room while keeping in touch with your children settled in at the snack bar? And for those areas of the house where privacy is essential, consider a plan that has a blend with open spaces in some rooms while not in others.

Archway Press house plans has been selling affordable single family home plans –many with open floor plans– as well as garage plans since 1946. Richard Campen, president, has more than 30 years experience working with customers, builders and architects to develop plans that meet the varied needs of Americans at different times in their lives. His commitment is to helping people realize their dream home in the most affordable way.

Archway Press house plans has been selling affordable, open floor plans , and single-family home plans and garage plans since 1946. Richard Campen, president, has more than 30 years experience working with customers, builders and architects to develop plans that meet the varied needs of Americans at different times in their lives. His commitment is to helping people realize their dream home in the most affordable way.