Flow wasn’t always such an important consideration in home design. As long as homes contained key rooms, floor plan layout was a minor consideration. Luckily, it’s easy to correct flow issues during the home remodeling planning process. Take a look at a few things you may want to consider when renovating your home.
Open Concept versus Separate Rooms
Flow is rarely a problem in open concept homes. When walls between living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens and family rooms are removed, it’s easy to get from one part of the house to another. Open concept design is particularly popular now, especially with younger buyers. If homeowners continue to prefer the layout in the future, it may be easier to eventually sell your home if you’ve converted it to open concept.
Although open concept design is in demand, some people still prefer traditional floor plans. The design does offer important benefits. Separating rooms decreases noise transmission and clearly defines the function of each space. By carefully positioning walls and doors to control foot traffic, flow can be improved in homes with separate rooms without sacrificing traditional features.
Bathroom Location
When indoor plumbing was a novelty, bathrooms were often tacked on anywhere there was a little extra space. Unfortunately, many of those bathrooms were placed in inconvenient places, such as under stairs, next to the front door, in a former closet or on a converted back porch.
Remodeling offers the perfect opportunity to finally improve the placement of your bathrooms, particularly those that open directly into the kitchen or family room. Often, the problem can be corrected simply be relocating the door or creating a buffer zone so that your bathroom habits aren’t shared with the entire family.
Finding a Place for the Stairs
A centrally located staircase makes a dramatic statement, but it also takes up a lot of room. Redesigning or relocating staircases can improve flow and free up extra space that you can use for a study, closet or expanded master bathroom. Your Pittsburgh remodeling contractor can offer suggestions for the ideal staircase placement.
Storage Options
Do you have enough storage on every level of your home, or must you make frequent trips to the basement, garage or attic to retrieve the things you need? Efficient floor plans provide ample living and storage space. The renovation process offers the perfect opportunity to create a kitchen pantry, enlarge your closet or expand storage options throughout your home.
If your family room is cluttered with discarded shoes, briefcases and backpacks, building a mud room just inside the back door can help restore order. Whether you prefer built-in storage or cubbies for each family member, corralling belongings in one room makes it easy to find homework assignments and missing shoes.
Laundry Room
Doing laundry in the basement certainly increases your daily number of steps, but it’s anything but convenient. Moving the laundry room to the first or second floor saves time and makes it easier to throw a load in the washer or put away clothes.
Would you like to improve the flow in your home? Master Remodelers can help you identify traffic pattern issues and offer creative solutions that will improve your floor plan. Contact us to learn how we can help you maximize the potential of your home.
Houzz: How to Create Better Flow in Your House
Washington Post: 6 Key Things to Decide Before Your Home Remodel
