It’s no secret Australians love open plan living and large spaces and despite the concept being around for decades, we are – in fact – loving it more than ever. According to conversation.com Australian homes have more than doubled in size over the past 60 or so years, from an average 100 square metres to 240 square metres. This means that on average Australian homes are the largest in the world, beating countries like Canada and the United States.
However, there are some disadvantages of owning a larger, more open planned home, like lack of warmth and comfort. In this blog post we take a look at some of these and provide solutions so you can create a comfortable home for you and your family, no matter the size of your property.
But first, the benefits:
A survey conducted by the Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA) has revealed open plan living is at the top of the list for what makes a ‘perfect’ home in Australia.
By combining living, kitchen and dining areas, open plan living creates functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. This opening of the living areas also means the internal and external areas flow much better into one another, making the most of the beautiful Australian environment. Open plan living creates the illusion of more space, and when executed correctly means there’s more opportunity for families to connect in the communal areas.
Disadvantages:
Despite all of this, there are downsides to larger spaces and open plan living. According to architectureanddesign.com.au, “high density materials, and open spaces and large windows, sees what little heat may be stored in the house from the sun or a heater, quickly lost. This can make for large heating bills and a cold, uncomfortable house.”
As the Home of Comfort, Huxford Grove believes in creating warm and welcoming places that are made for family gatherings, cuddles and kicking your feet up. An open plan home can create a stark and sterile environment if it’s not executed correctly.
Our Solution:
While you could go and pop a few walls or invest in heating, this would be a costly exercise that most of us can’t afford at the drop of a hat. Creating a space with warm and welcoming accents is key in creating comfort in your home, no matter the size
- Consider the entrance
As the first place a visitor will take in when coming into your home, it’s important to create a welcoming environment in the entrance space. Walking into an open plan house that’s either overly cluttered or obviously bare will evoke a sense of unease. So the trick is to create a little warmth in the entrance way in the form of a candle, a side table featuring family photos, or a soft rug underfoot. - Remove bare corners
When you have a large space to style it’s almost inevitable that you’ll come across a corner in your living space that doesn’t feel quite right. If things are looking a little bare, we suggest a large and luxurious beanbag. See our gorgeous range here. - Create comfort
Is your lounge room feeling a bit sparse and lacking warmth? Cushions and throws are the perfect option to inspire cosiness. According to apartmenttherapy.com, we should be going overboard with soft textiles. Here are a few you’ll love. - Add personality
Finally, when a space is looking bare or sterile, one of the best things you can do is put a bit of yourself in there. Don’t be afraid to show who you are with a pop of colour, an artwork by the kids, or your favourite flowers. - So while there are both advantages and disadvantages to open plan living, there’s no reason why spaces can’t be cosy and comfortable all year round and regardless of square meterage. It’s all about creating homeliness through warmth and making sure your space is comfortable for you and your family.