Up and downsides

The clear benefit of going open plan is the increase in floor space once walls are down. Daylight is boosted as partitions are removed and the layout is more sociable as well – you can do your own thing without feeling isolated from the rest of your household. However, the sounds of food preparation and kitchen appliances can compete with the TV, and tasks that need concentration are impacted by the proximity of others. Losing a hallway means more cleaning, and the smallest pile of clutter can be seen from everywhere.