As I am looking around my living/dining/kitchen area at the numerous toys still out…the laundry folded and in baskets in front of the fireplace…the junk all over my counters…I am making a decision:
Never again will I have a house that embraces the “open-living” concept!!
Here’s why:
- I cannot escape the mess of my house unless I clean all of the open areas.
- If I use the oven, I warm up the entire living area of my house.
- Too much counter space = too many places to leave your junk.
- I can see how dirty my kitchen floor is from my couch…
- I can see how dirty my living room floor is from my dining room table…
- I can see my dirty dishes on the stove from my couch and my dining room table! (really I cannot right now since I cleaned the kitchen)
Needless to say, having a “open-living” plan in my house is making my life more stressful.
I want need to be able to escape from the mess.
Any of you ever feel this way? I just for once wish that I could clean one room, turn around and relish how lovely it looks without raising my eyes to see the way that the next room looks.
The Mom Blogs
Posted by terrepruitt on June 19, 2009 at 3:03 AM
This is funny. Reminds me of when I was looking for my first apartment. A studio was more affordable. I told my dad I was looking at studios. He looked in my room and said, “You need an apartment that has a door you can close to the bedroom.” Granted, I was in my early 20s and living in my room, so I had a lot of “stuff”, but still, he was sooooo right. And I always think of that and mentally thank him!
Separation of living areas is good. Doors are great!
Posted by joz1234 on June 19, 2009 at 9:03 AM
Brings to mind many, many times when my mother had me close my door when I was growing up. She got tired of looking at my mess and finally just had me clean it every week instead of trying for every day. In the meantime, she used the door to get it out of her mind.
I think this is essential if you have kids….or if I live there. I try–I pick up most nights…I try to pick up during the day…but it is like tornados follow me. Seriously.
Posted by Melisa on June 19, 2009 at 10:27 PM
I would take an open floor plan over what I have now! Okay. I am not going to go there…
Posted by joz1234 on June 19, 2009 at 10:44 PM
okay, I get the picture…I’m whining. On the bright side? I now know what I don’t want when we buy our next house.
Posted by amber on June 23, 2009 at 9:30 AM
the problem with a non-open floor plan is that you can’t see the kids when in the kitchen and the house will seem smaller, which will be a problem when you go to re-sell (if you re-sell) we are running into that problem now.
my solution? suck it up and clean your damn kitchen! hahahahahaha!!!!! had to say it!!! you know i luv ya!!!
Posted by joz1234 on June 24, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Point Taken! Definitely need to be able to resell a house. ;D
It’s really not the kitchen, as it gets cleaned everyday…it’s just the idea that I have to clean the entire living/kitchen/dining/laundry area EVERYDAY in order for my open living plan to be presentable.
Let’s face it…I have a hard enough time staying on task with something that doesn’t interest me for more than 30 minutes…let alone 1 hour EVERYDAY!!!
I know, more whining! I’ll get over it–I promise!
The next place I live will probably be a tiny apartment with a stinky stove (Sorry Melisa!!–had to get that one in!!!) and I will be wishing to have a house like the one I have now!!!
Posted by Melisa on June 24, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Oh goody! I get to be the poster child of a crappy house!!!
) It wouldn’t be so bad if I hadn’t lived in my beloved MI house for 2 years. I got incredible spoiled. On the other hand, I’m grateful for 2 yrs of blissful living conditions…
And I’m getting a new stove. In 15 minutes. But who is counting.
)
Posted by joz1234 on June 24, 2009 at 7:01 PM
Hey, we did get an interview in Philly, so who knows? I might end up in an a place just like yours. I totally didn’t mean to offend you if I did, by the way.
Posted by Kathi the Wingspouse on June 24, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Some day you’ll grow into the open floor plan. That day will come when your children are old enough to avoid you and forget what they were instructed to do. Then you will dream of a floor plan where you can do the dishes while yelling, “The washer is done, would you please move the clothes to the dryer?” Or you will be setting the table and glance over to scold, “You don’t need to be watching that. Turn the channel.”
Secret to still having privacy? A media room upstairs with a lock that only you control. Fabulous!
Posted by joz1234 on June 24, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Hopefully I will “see the light” one day. ;0)