BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
Honestly, it’s where laundry gets folded half the time. Not glamorous, but it works.
That made me smile because I’ve seen this exact thing happen in so many homes I’ve worked on. The “formal” spaces almost always end up being the catch-all for daily life, no matter how carefully you plan.
If I had to start over with a blank slate, here’s the approach I’d take (and have actually recommended to a few clients who wanted to avoid wasted space):
Step 1: List out your actual daily routines. Not just what you *think* you’ll do, but what really happens—where do backpacks land? Where do you fold laundry? Do you ever use that formal dining table except for Thanksgiving?
Step 2: Design for flexibility first. I love the idea of a “flex” dining room, but I’d push it even further—why not make the entire main living area adaptable? Sliding doors or movable partitions can turn one big space into two smaller ones when needed. Built-in benches with storage underneath are a lifesaver for hiding clutter.
Step 3: Prioritize connection over tradition. Most people gather in kitchens and living rooms anyway. If you host big dinners once or twice a year, consider an extendable table or even renting tables/chairs for those rare occasions instead of dedicating a whole room.
Quick story: One family I worked with ditched their formal dining altogether and put in a sunken conversation pit (think ‘70s style) where everyone could lounge, read, or play games. They still hosted holidays—just buffet-style around the kitchen island and everyone loved it.
I get the nostalgia for traditional layouts, but honestly, most folks end up wishing they’d gone bigger on shared spaces and smaller on everything else. There’s something freeing about designing for how you *actually* live rather than how you think you should.
Curious if anyone’s ever regretted going too open or too flexible though... sometimes there’s such a thing as too little privacy. But that’s probably another thread entirely.
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
Funny, I thought I’d be all about the open concept, but now that I’m actually living in it, I kinda miss having a spot to hide the mess. Our “flex” space is basically a dumping ground for laundry baskets and Amazon boxes right now. I do like the idea of sliding doors or partitions—wish I’d thought of that before we built. Privacy is definitely underrated when you’re trying to take a work call and someone’s blending a smoothie ten feet away...
Privacy is definitely underrated when you’re trying to take a work call and someone’s blending a smoothie ten feet away...
I get where you’re coming from, but I actually think the open concept can still work if you tweak how you use the space. Have you tried using big bookshelves or even tall plants as makeshift dividers? I built a rolling wall out of plywood and chalkboard paint—super basic, but it gives me a spot to stash stuff and write reminders. Maybe it’s less about the structure and more about how flexible you make it after the fact?
Maybe it’s less about the structure and more about how flexible you make it after the fact?
I get that, but honestly, I wish I’d planned for more built-in nooks from the start. We tried the bookshelf trick, but sound still travels like crazy—my partner’s Zoom calls echo everywhere. If I could do it over, I’d frame out a small alcove or even just add pocket doors. Plants look great, though... they just don’t muffle much noise.
Honestly, I hear you on the bookshelf thing—it looks cool but doesn’t do much for noise. We tried heavy curtains to section off a corner, and it helped a bit, but not as much as I hoped. If I could go back, I’d probably splurge on those sliding doors or even some soundproof panels. Plants are great for vibes, but yeah, they’re not exactly acoustic wizards. Funny how you don’t think about this stuff until you’re living with it every day...