More Space, Less Arguments?

My last holiday I spent in Israel and most of it was spent in other people houses drinking tea and eating cake. A good holiday for someone who likes to do both.

One of the things that stuck me about all the houses was the fact that the layout was very open plan especially in the living areas i.e the kitchen, the dining room and the lounge. When a child is watching tv, mum can be in the kitchen, another child can be doing their homework at the table and someone else can be using the pc at a desk. They can all see each other and communicate without having to talk/shout through walls. Something I think we are all guilty of ocassionally.

I have to say I really loved the open planned layout and can see the real benefits of better communication, informal chat, more togetherness.  No-one needs to even talk. Sometimes being present in each other’s company is enough to feel relaxed and comfortable with each other. But when you do talk you can do so in a normal voice and can chat whilst you are all doing your individually tasks/interests. Children hate shouting and dislike having to repeat requests and information to their parents and  siblings so perhaps this would be a way forward – no walls.

Yes, there are times needed for privacy and not being in one big room together but does having space and less walls mean better communication?

What do you think?

12 Comments for this entry

• 

  Lauren

  May 25th, 2011 on 4:50 pm

  Hi Naomi, completely agree with the article – we have recently finished building work, where we have a bigger kitchen including a breakfast bar where the kids can do their homework, play games, eat etc whilst I can cook. The kitchen is now open plan to the dining room too…. we are spending all our time here, and hardly use our lounge which isnt part of the open space; interestingly much less TV is being watched by the kids!
• 

  Naomi Richards

  May 25th, 2011 on 6:35 pm

  Thank you for your comment Lauren. I love to have my children in the same room as me and find that we can really get to talk about so many things and the atmosphere can get quite lively. I like the impromptu conversations and feel that open plan can open up communication.
• 

  Lara

  May 25th, 2011 on 6:47 pm

  Hi Naomi, both my children have been raised in an open house. My partner is a builder and we have designed our present home, and the one before that with an open plan kitchen/family room. It really is the heart of our home. Lots of socialising takes place here, both with family and friends. What I love about it, is the fact that someone can be late for dinner, due to work, sport or a club, but they don’t miss the social element that eating together brings, as we all still congretate in the one room.
• 

  Naomi Richards

  May 25th, 2011 on 6:51 pm

  Lara, it sounds wonderful at your house. Can I move in? You are so right about not missing out on the social element. If my children are playing or having a snack in the kitchen I can be ironing, cleaning up, chatting to them about allsorts. I love it. Thank you for your comment and continue enjoying family life.
• 

  Nathalie

  May 25th, 2011 on 7:13 pm

  Love this post:) At weekends when I’m playing work catch up I move my computer out into our family room, so I can be with the kids as they play, with my mum as she watches a movie and hubby works from there too.
  I change some of my lovely families rooms around to have at least one area where the family can be together.
• 

  Naomi Richards

  May 26th, 2011 on 6:37 am

  Yes sometimes you don’t need to talk do you? You can just feel the atmosphere, contentment and love in a room. Thank you Nathalie for your comment. Your house sounds like a great place to be.
• 

  Lori Lite / Stress Free Kids

  May 27th, 2011 on 12:56 pm

  Shouting does create incredible stress for children. I am all for any layout that helps to eliminate stress in the home.
• 

  Naomi Richards

  May 27th, 2011 on 1:05 pm

  I hate to talk between walls. I often link the home environment to one of an office and think to myself – would I shout at my boss through a wall? Thanks for the comment Lori.
• 

  susie@newdaynewlesson

  May 30th, 2011 on 2:35 pm

  LOL-seeing as my house must be one of the ones you are talking about-I wish I had more walls. Funny how that is eh?

  We actually used to have it even more open with only a railing between the split levels-not there is a wall.
• 

  Naomi Richards

  May 30th, 2011 on 8:54 pm

  Susie I loved your house. There was a flow of communication flowing across the rooms. I like how people can congregate in the kitchen or living area whilst somoeone else can be working at the table. It creates a buzz and you can feel the energy and warmth. A little bit of open plan and having a few walls works for me. Thanks for the comment.
• 

  Jenni (Debutots)

  June 15th, 2011 on 12:37 pm

  On a similar note, I recently went on holiday and stayed in a big converted mansion house. The rooms were seperate, but such a huge feeling of space. There were many empty cupboards. My 3 kids (5, nearly 4 and 14 months) had a wonderful time running about and playing hide and seek. Hardly a toy was used during the week – the house was fun enough!
• 

  Naomi Richards

  June 15th, 2011 on 1:03 pm

  I can imagine. I bet you did not see them much. My boys would have loved it too. Thank you Jenny for your comment.

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