This week we’re responding to an article arguing that open floor plans are outdated. We’ve removed walls and widened doorways in each of our three homes to create better flow and a more open feel, but there are valid reasons why an open plan isn’t always the best choice. Below we outline the pros and cons of open-concept living, explain situations where you might want to resist the urge to open up a space, and offer practical ideas if you already live in a very open layout. We also share a quick curb appeal update we completed in an afternoon, Sherry’s go-to sources for extra-long curtains and why she prefers them, and a short rant about the recent proliferation of storage-unit facilities.
You can download this episode from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio — or listen to it via the embedded player below. Use this page to find links, notes, and photos referenced in the episode. Note: If you’re reading in a feed reader you may need to click through to the post to view the player.
What’s New
- We installed a metal mailbox post and a black mailbox that fit our house’s new curb appeal. The mailbox post we used comes in multiple finishes, and we added adhesive metal house numbers in a dark bronze finish for a clean, modern look. Below is a quick photo recap of the project.
- We used adhesive metal house numbers that fit perfectly on the front of the post. The darker finish we chose blends well with the mailbox and post for a cohesive front-yard update.
What’s Not
- If you’re interested in Joanna Gaines’ paint line, there’s a full range available under her collection.
- We also shared a reader-submitted kitchen redesign from 2013 that predates Fixer Upper, which is a fun look back at how people were reimagining spaces even before that show popularized the style.
Open Floor Plans
- We discussed a House Beautiful piece titled “Why We Need To Just Stop With Open Floor Plans” and weigh its points against our own experiences.
- Here are a few of our past projects that involved altering layouts to open or partially open rooms:
- Widening doorways — and in one case, actually closing one up — in our first house to improve flow while keeping some room separation.
- Creating a large opening in a previously closed wall in our second house to connect spaces while maintaining distinct zones.
- Opening up the living room and kitchen in our current home to make the ground floor feel more cohesive and hospitable.
- Designing a very open living room and kitchen floor plan for our showhouse, where function and flow were top priorities.
- For reference, below is a photo showing how open our current house could have been had we removed the wall entirely. Instead we left a wide doorway and added built-in bookcases to create visual separation and additional storage.
- Here’s how the space looks after we left a wide opening without removing the wall completely—offering both connection and definition between rooms.
- Leaving that partial wall allowed us to add built-in bookcases on the other side, which provided useful storage and a framing element that helps the rooms feel distinct yet connected.
- We also recently helped a friend with a living room makeover where she debated removing a wall. In her case, keeping the wall gave her options for both TV placement and furnishing, which illustrate why a full open plan isn’t always the best move.
We’re Digging
- Sherry rounded up several favorite 96″ (or longer) curtains that work beautifully even with standard 8′ ceilings. Using longer curtains can visually raise the ceiling and create a more polished look in virtually any room.
- Her favorite places to source long curtains include West Elm, Pottery Barn, Wayfair (search by length), and Ikea. Tip: wash cotton curtains before hanging to avoid them looking too short after a first wash.
- John’s current read is So, You’ve Been Publicly Shamed, which we discussed on the show. He first heard about it on a podcast episode that covered the Lindsay Stone story mentioned in our conversation.
Psst — if you’re trying to remember something we recommended in a past episode, we maintain a master list of everything we’ve been digging across past shows.
Explore Delta Faucet’s products and finishes, including that split-finish option we mentioned, at DeltaFaucet.com/YHL.
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