Many homeowners are taking steps to make the most of their space with more natural light and openness. By creating and incorporating open floor plans, homeowners have the ability to maintain a connection with their guests or family while preparing dinner in the kitchen or caring for the children in the living room. An open floor plan is not limited to the style or size of home. Most contemporary house plans are best known for their open, flexible floor space, but remember, you can create more space and light whether you live in a small cottage house plan or bungalow house plan. With a little creativity, your dream home can reflect a contemporary house plan, with an abundance of windows and open space that is truly functional for your lifestyle.

These simple steps allow homeowners to make the most of their open space, allowing their home to accommodate them perfectly:

• Spread Out – Even homes with modest square footage can be transformed into airy and open space. Wherever possible, eliminate doorways, widen passages, and remove boundaries. Allowing traffic to flow easily from one “room” to another is important in spreading out.
• Lighten Up – Natural light can make any space inviting and warm. Use large windows and long views to connect with the outdoors and make an open room appear even larger. If window walls are not appropriate, consider skylights and strategically placed mirrors to make the most of some natural light and space.
• Family Functionality – Open floor plans in kitchens, dining, and living rooms are imperative for busy families. When open, these spaces transition easily into one another, allowing family members to take on various tasks without being entirely separated or tripping over one another. A great addition to open kitchens is the snack bar/preparation island. Kids can keep busy and close while still allowing mom and dad enough room to visit and get meals underway.
• Use It or Lose It – It’s important to make the most of the space you have, using every corner and nook. The formal dining room is a space of the past, typically unused by today’s busy families. Eliminating the extra walls can turn this formal space into usable dining space, allowing an easy transition from the kitchen to the table, while still maintaining lovely presentations for guests. Most often windows, deck access, fireplaces, and bay windows can be incorporated into these new open spaces.
• Get Together, Open Up – Like the dining room and kitchen, opening the great room presents numerous benefits to families. This once formally enclosed space can be a spacious area ideal for accommodating family members on game night or can transition seamlessly into the center of the party when having houseguests.

Open floor plans are a perfect way to create a sense of unity between the designated rooms in your home. There is no reason to limit your spaces to particular rooms or areas. By adding a few extra features and eliminating extra walls and unused space, you can make the most of every space and entertain guests and children for years to come.