Open or Closed?

[Nostromo]

As we all know, Americans tend to favour the 'open plan' design in their homes downstairs. This concept is not as popular in Britain, where we seem to prefer separate 'reception rooms', kitchen, dining room etc. Since a lot of forum members have lived in both countries, I wonder which type individuals really prefer, if at all.

So, please state your preference:

[brizzle]

The first thing that attracted me to my current home is the fact it is open plan, one big living area and a kitchen downstairs.
That's it.
That and the fact the previous owner had built two conservatories (it's not as weird as it sounds).

Brizzle.

[dbrook]

I love the open plan in America, but prefer a closed plan in Britain. For a start it would be very expensive to heat the open plan area in winter and I like to be 'cosy' in the winter evenings. Another reason is I have three very messy teenagers and at the moment I can at least keep the living area tidy, but imagine if it were open plan - it would look like a tip all the time

I love our open plan villa in Orlando though because it makes it seem so airy and spacious - great for a vacation but not to live in unless you don't have children

[chrizzy100]

We had open plan in England too.....so I like it......
My Cape home is not really open plan.......it has a kitchen/dinner.....but its cold up here....so we have smaller low rooms......

[E. Cosgrove]

I'm far too untidy to live permanently in an open plan home. I like to be able to close the door on the mess!!

[Nostromo]

I am not sure about the problem of heating an open plan house. I have visited an open plan house in Vermont in November when it was pretty cold, but the heating seemed to work well. But personally, I prefer a mixed plan. An open plan for all the downstairs rooms, but with the Kitchen / Breakfast Nook as a separate unit. I also like the small 'family area' with its own TV etc that is often attached to the breakfast nook in US homes.

[bellaepovera]

I have an open plan in my home in Italy and as I do love it the heating part is very expensive as we have no attic and all the heat does rise basically. The heating in Italy is very very expensive compared to the states but I do prefer this over everyone being closed up with doors. Most people do not even use their dining room and is just for show. I made my kitchen smaller, just for the 4 of us so when I do have company the dining must be used. I like using every part of my home.

[stabard]

I love the open plan style but it just gets too untidy with my family. It is great for the hols in florida but I prefer my closed in home in the UK.

[Nostromo]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by bellaepovera
The heating in Italy is very very expensive compared to the states but I do prefer this over everyone being closed up with doors.
[/quote]

Where in Italy do you live? We went to Rome in February (my absolute favourite city on the surface of the earth, though I am not too fond of Italian food) and it was like April-May in the UK. I assumed that in most Italian places you don't need as much heating as in the UK.

[Cruella DeVilla]

I was a bit unsure myself when we first bought but now I like the idea in general. The only thing I still battle with sometimes is the kitchen being open plan but as it is not in the middle of any room as was the case in a showhome I saw, (how would you hide your foopahs)!, I have learnt to love it