I have a kitchen extension with a dining area and a separate lounge and 2 bedrooms. That is the perfect compromise for me kitchen smells are seperate to the living area I can serve the food for a dinner party direclty from the kitchen and after we have eaten we can move on to the lounge. The only way I would accept a combined kitchen dining and living area was if if was a particularly large room like 20 ft square so we could spread out. The modern convention in UK is to have a kitchen with folding wide doors to a patio area with a a sofa and tv for people to cook and talk to their guests, and then have a separate more formal lounge sometimes on a higher floor of say a three story house with a lounge bathroom and two bedrooms on the 1st floor and master bedroom and en suite bathroom on the 2nd floor

No (and a little yes!). Last Christmas I spent a day at my cousin's flat. It was open plan, so when people were cooking, watching TV or chatting, we were all trying to do it over each other's noise. I live on my own, so for one person or a couple, it would be fine. However, as soon as you put the washing machine on, the noise will permeate everywhere (unless you are lucky enough to have a separate utility room).

For a family, there is no escape from each other unless you spend time in your bedrooms. However, a family with young children can keep an eye on them whilst getting on with their daily chores. There are fors and againsts, so in the end, it is up to you to decide what is more important to you. For me, peace and quiet!

Hi,

http://blaydonarchitecturaldesign.com/rear-extension-north-gosforth

Do you like open plan kitchen/living/dining areas similar to the above? If so, why and if not, why not? Thanks.