Will an Open Floor Plan Work in my Space?

For the young couple in this project, just starting out along the path of home ownership, an open plan was the perfect choice for them. It is just the two of them (and some kitties), and they wanted a space to interact and entertain.

The home consisted of a very typical ranch layout with the living side on the right and the bedrooms and bath along a hall on the left. As you can see from the existing floor plan, walking in the front door, you were originally met with a small space that housed the living and dining areas, and then walking through a doorway entrance to find the kitchen and very tiny breakfast area. The space was pretty choppy for a smaller home. 

 

 

By eliminating the wall between the living/dining and kitchen, we opened up the space so that the homeowners could now easily interact while cooking dinner, and the space becomes much more useful for entertaining. Eliminating the walls allowed space for a large island that provides work space and additional storage.   

 

 

We also eliminated the tiny breakfast bar in the kitchen as well as two corner windows in the same area, and utilized that area to create a more typical L-shaped workspace. We kept the sink in the original location and relocated the range and refrigerator to take advantage of the new layout.   

 

 

Warm wood cabinets contrast nicely with the green backsplash tile, and the quartz countertops are a popular low-maintenance neutral hardworking countertop selection. We mixed metals with matte black and antique gold to add some interest to the space. Open shelving in the corner keeps the cabinetry arrangement from feeling too boxy, and new appliances and loads of prep space give the cook the tools she needs to create her specialty — gluten free baked goods.

 

  

We also flipped the dining and living zones, and created a custom bench seat with a removeable screen that provides some privacy from the front door. The screen was designed in a way that it can be slid off its supports and removed so that moving larger pieces of furniture in and out of the space is possible. The bench allowed us to push the dining space back a bit farther and create more room for the living area and walkways. We were able to keep all the windows and doors in their original locations which saved on cost.

 

 

Next stop in this project was the primary bath. As in many ranch homes, the primary bath consisted of a small tub shower, small pedestal sink and toilet configuration. The main issue here was how do we provide useable storage, and how do we make it a bit more special as a primary/guest bath than your typical hall bath?

 

 

We started out by creating an extra wide but shallow vanity — shallow storage is some of the most functional because you don’t have to hunt for things in the back. We then used a semi-recessed sink that cantilevers out over the cabinetry adding a unique design feature, and allowed for a larger sink to work with the clearances that were available in the existing space. This also moves the user away from the door so that the room overall feels a bit more spacious.   

Next, we extended the countertop to the right over the toilet and added more shallow storage above for bath products. A low profile toilet ensures that the lid is accessible should the commode need service. 

 

 

A new acrylic tub with a modern profile, matte black plumbing and accessories, and terra cotta porcelain tile adds a fun but updated midcentury vibe. We kept with the mixed metals we had going on in the kitchen by using some statement wall sconces that incorporate both black and antique brass. In the shower, we had a pocket of space at the foot of the tub where we created an oversized niche for more bath storage.

 

 

We love how this small space lives large in terms of function and style!  

Interested in making the most of your space? If you’d like to find out how, give us a call at (630) 858-4848.