huskergal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,002 
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Post by huskergal on Oct 11, 2015 23:19:02 GMT
Almost every new home in our area is open concept. We have an open concept. I love it and hate it. Great when we have people over. Our kitchen is tucked in behind a wall so you can't see it from the entry way. When we downsize after our kids are gone, I want a house with defined rooms. My must have is a huge kitchen. Fences vary here. Our neighborhood only allows for open fences. They are not privacy fences. I want a black chain link fence for our dog, but doubt that will happen. Our yard is completely open as are the two yards next to us.
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Post by mikklynn on Oct 12, 2015 0:32:38 GMT
My house was built in the mid 80's. It's a multi-level that is fairly open concept. There is a wall between the LR and kitchen. The dining area, formal dining room, and entry are all open to the LR. The family room is partially open to the kitchen, but down 5 steps.
Our yard (garden) is very open. Our neighborhood was designed to be open and looks very park-like. I love it. All the neighbor kids run all over the place. One neighbor just put in a fence and the rest of us are disappointed.
I love watching House Hunters International on HGTV to see what other types of housing are like. I think British homes are so cozy and the gardens amazing.
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Post by melanell on Oct 12, 2015 0:44:10 GMT
I live in a smallish (1,500+ sq. ft.) one and a half story bungalow with a full basement. Our house was built in 1913 and additions were added on three sides in the 1930's. We changed our interior somewhat after we bought in 1981 but left all load-bearing walls in place so all but the kitchen and dining area are separate rooms, which is my preference. We have two bedrooms upstairs and two down, all quite small in size, and only one bathroom. Our area is more rural than suburb but we're still only 15 minutes from the nearest hospital and good-sized city. We have no close neighbors behind or on either side and don't have a fenced yard. We do have several neighbors across the street from us however. I love my little house.. it has lots of character and one of a kind charm. I like smaller homes. Yours sounds lovely.  |
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
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Post by Mystie on Oct 12, 2015 1:12:04 GMT
My home is from the mid- '80s, so it is not open-plan. We do have a combo kitchen/dining area at the back of the house.
Many, many of the homes we looked at had fenced-in back yards, but we found one that is open to a small woods in the back. We do have the back side of our neighbor's wood fence on one side, but it's very unobtrusive. I love having an open yard.
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Post by winogirl on Oct 12, 2015 1:17:31 GMT
My house is old, so defined rooms, but the doorway between the kitchen and dining room is large so it's kinda open, but otherwise, I don't like the open concept. I prefer separate rooms.
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Post by stampinbetsy on Oct 12, 2015 1:47:39 GMT
Our house was built in 1990, and would be considered open concept. The kitchen/breakfast nook/den are all open to each other (the breakfast nook is really just part of the kitchen, but it is kind of a separate area). The formal living and dining areas are together with a wall that sticks out about 4 feet in the middle, which kind of divides it (and a pillar that is in the middle of the open space between the dining/living area and the entry hall).
Our house has a 6 foot fence - some people around here build 8 foot fences. I've never felt the need to have anything higher than 6 feet, though. It is somewhat rare around here to not have a fenced backyard.
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Post by genealopea on Oct 12, 2015 3:45:52 GMT
My house was built in 2007, so it's not too old. It's fairly open, but not all one big space. On the first floor, the living room and dining room are adjoining but separated by half walls and columns. The kitchen has a breakfast area, and then beyond that is the family room. (There's an open doorway between the kitchen and DR.) There's also an office, but that is totally separate and has french doors into it.
Our HOA prohibits privacy fences; only black aluminum fencing is allowed. About half of our neighbors have fenced their yards; mostly if they have pools (they're required then), young children or pets. We don't have one - our dogs have an invisible fence, and that works for us. Many families have planted trees and shrubs for privacy in the back yards.
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Post by angel97701 on Oct 12, 2015 3:46:55 GMT
We live on 6 acres, 4 of which are irrigated so we can raise two steer a year  . This area is fenced for obvious reasons! We also have chickens, ducks, turkeys, and German Shepherds. Our home is about 4000 sq ft, and originally built in 1967 with extensive remodeling and additions. The main part of the home is the open concept with the kitchen, dining room, and living room all having wide access. The playroom (former 2 car garage, now with a huge window) is separate and convenient for when we need the kids to be in a different space. My craft cave is a room off the living room that was a guest bedroom of sorts for the previous owner. DH has the whole space about the 4 car garage for his office, magazines, and model building. We are blessed to be in this home. We also have 3 out buildings, two that are shops with insulation and rolling doors. One houses part of our business, the other is home to our outdoor toys. The last is an open barn where we store farm stuff, outdoor furniture, extra dog kennels, and of course the flock. I like the open concept for the great room of the home, but also like the fact that the door can be closed on my craft cave and the mess concealed! No one has to venture into DH's model den! |
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Post by katlady on Oct 12, 2015 3:47:41 GMT
I live in So. Cal. and it is very rare to find a house in an urban area without a fence. It is pretty much the norm here. The fences in my neighborhood are 8-10' high. You would have to stand on a stool to peek into your neighbor's yard.  Most of the newer homes are open floor plan. |
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,646
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on Oct 12, 2015 3:57:13 GMT
We are currently renting an open concept house which seems to be all you can find these days. I hate open concept. Hopefully our house will sell next year and we can find something older that is chopped up into separate rooms. The yard here is smallish and fenced. I need fenced with a dog.
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. This area is fenced for obvious reasons! We also have chickens, ducks, turkeys, and German Shepherds. 
Most of the newer homes are open floor plan.