thseabreze

open concept..we did ours after buying the house. It is some noisier, but we have a 2 story entrance, that makes it more of an echo..we love it though.

Iraxy

We have a kitchen dining room area that is okay. I would like for the dining area to be larger in my next house. I love my kitchen though. It is big but not too big and uses the triangle concept for sink-stove-refrigerator. Just right for cooking. We also have lots of counter space for helpers. It isn't noisy in here, but I do miss the conversation if they are in the living room. Oh well!

ssgramma

Open for us! We had a lot of trouble finding a house here as everything was all chopped up into tiny rooms. Not what we were used to from CA!

thseabreze

I think carpet on the floors would help with the echos, but we added hardwood floors, and area rugs.

linmid

My last two homes have been open concept and I love it. I say if you want to close it off go for it. Especially if you have no plans now to sell.

jad1044

The open concept is great in one sense for big gatherings, as everyone can file through the line of food, and continue to find seating. Easy access too.

But, then you brought up good points in the other sense as well - I do like quiet - no noise to keep from hearing/watching tv. Or "alone" time to think, sing, hum, whatever your daydreaming takes to make you a happy person.

So, it has it's ups and downs; about like everything.

lsmft

To feel more private, you might try putting some full plants on the counter. i.e., A palm looks lovely as a room divider.

nancy59

I am a closed in person, I love my old house with each room within its own walls. My sister bought a huge house a while ago (each of the 4 bedrooms has it's own bathroom) and all I could think was "who's going to wash all these windows" Her house is wide open and she loves it as much as I love my house.

frauhahn

I love having the two rooms together-they are separated by counter and cupboards, but I can watch tv with my husband or check the quiltingboard while I cook. When we have company, everyone can congregate and converse while I finish meal preparations-I don't miss anything that way. We do have a formal diningroom, which is the first thing anyone sees when they come in the front door, and it's easy to keep it clean, since we don't use it everyday-always in order, so if the kitchen is a mess (like it is at the moment!) if anyone comes to the front door, it appears that I'm fairly organized. Works for me!!!

damaquilts

I agree I like a separate kitchen. But I am one of those that likes the way the old houses were designed big eat in kitchen, farmhouse style. I found my all time perfect house just couldn't afford it. Big square rooms and a kitchen in the center of the house. Lots of long windows.