Knocking down walls: living with one big space

I’m still figuring out how to make the space feel cozy without cluttering it up. Open layouts are definitely more work than they look on Pinterest.

Totally hear you on that. I did a big reno for a couple last year and they thought the open plan would make everything feel bigger and easier, but then it was like, “Where do we even put stuff?” Echoes were wild at first - almost like yelling into a cave. We ended up hanging a few woven wall panels, which actually looked better than I expected and helped with the sound. Plants... yeah, hit or miss, especially if you forget to water them (guilty). Sometimes I wonder if a little clutter is just what an open space needs to not feel like a showroom.

Man, echoes in an open plan are no joke. I remember walking into one of my flips right after demo day - no walls, nothing on the floors, just this cavernous echo that made me feel like I should’ve brought a megaphone. Took me way too long to realize rugs and curtains weren’t just for looks. I thought I was being clever by going minimal, but it was more like living in a gymnasium.

Funny thing is, everyone wants that “light and airy” Pinterest vibe, but nobody talks about where you stash your mail, your shoes, or all the random stuff that just... accumulates. I tried those sleek storage benches and baskets, which helped, but at a certain point I just accepted that a little lived-in clutter actually makes the place feel like home. Otherwise it starts to look like one of those houses they stage for open houses - nice, but you’re scared to breathe too hard.

Plants are hit or miss for me too. I had a snake plant that survived everything, but somehow the pothos turned into a crispy noodle within weeks. Now I just rotate the survivors and hope for the best.

Honestly, sometimes I miss the days when you could just close a door and hide the mess. Open plans look killer in photos, but real life? Bit more complicated. Still, when you hit the right balance, it does feel pretty great. Just gotta accept that your laundry pile might occasionally become part of the decor.

Rugs and curtains really are lifesavers for those acoustics - learned that the hard way too. I’ve found adding some bookshelves or even a big sectional can help break up the sound and “zones” a bit, without losing that open feel. The clutter thing’s real though… I try to stick to a rule: if it doesn’t have a spot, it’s gotta go, but that only works until the mail or kids’ stuff piles up. Ever tried using those freestanding room dividers or shelving units as makeshift walls? Curious if anyone else found a good balance between flexible space and actually feeling like you can hide a mess.

I hear you on the clutter - open spaces are great until you realize there’s nowhere to hide the chaos. I’ve actually used those cube shelving units as dividers in a couple of my places. Here’s what’s worked for me:

1. Pick a shelving unit that’s open on both sides, so it doesn’t block light or make things feel boxed in.
2. Use baskets or bins on the lower shelves for all the random stuff (mail, toys, dog leashes... you name it). That way, at least the mess is contained and not staring you down from across the room.
3. Anchor the unit with a big plant or lamp at one end - makes it feel intentional, not just like you’re hiding behind furniture.

I’ve tried those folding screens too, but honestly, they always end up as coat racks or get knocked over by the dog. Shelving feels sturdier and more useful. Still, no matter what I do, there’s always that one pile of “stuff” that migrates around... maybe that’s just life with kids?

I’ve actually used those cube shelving units as dividers in a couple of my places.

That “one pile of ‘stuff’ that migrates around” is honestly the most relatable thing I’ve read all week. I see it in every open-plan home, with or without kids. It’s like clutter just finds a way, no matter how many baskets you buy.

I do like your shelving divider idea, especially the part about keeping it open so light flows through. Have you ever tried using a bench or low credenza instead? Sometimes a lower piece can break up the space without feeling like a wall, and you can stash baskets underneath for even more hidden storage. Plus, it doubles as extra seating when you’ve got people over.

Folding screens always seem like a good idea until pets or kids get involved. I’ve seen some folks hang lightweight curtains from the ceiling as a flexible divider - less likely to get knocked over, but maybe not as sturdy as shelves. Curious if anyone’s had luck with that?

At the end of the day, I think a little visible chaos just comes with the territory. Maybe the trick is just making peace with that “stuff” pile moving around...

Funny you mention the migrating “stuff” pile - my own house has a basket that’s supposed to corral it, but somehow the pile just hops right over and keeps going. I’ve actually built a few low credenzas for clients who wanted to break up their open spaces without blocking sightlines. Works pretty well, especially if you add a cushion on top for bonus seating. Curtains from the ceiling look cool in theory, but I’ve seen too many cats treat them like jungle gyms... not pretty. At some point, you just have to accept a little chaos as part of the open-plan charm.

- Totally get the “stuff” pile - mine just migrates from basket to table to floor, like it’s got legs.
- Low credenzas are a solid idea. I’ve used reclaimed wood for a couple, and it adds some warmth to all that open space.
- Not sure about curtains either... they’re dust magnets and my dog thinks they’re for tug-of-war.
- Chaos is inevitable, but I do wonder if more built-in storage (with doors) would help, or just hide the mess for later?

Chaos is inevitable, but I do wonder if more built-in storage (with doors) would help, or just hide the mess for later?

Built-ins with doors are a double-edged sword. I put in a wall of cabinets thinking it’d solve everything - turns out, I just stash stuff and forget about it until I need to find something... then the chaos resurfaces. But at least it’s out of sight, which helps my sanity day-to-day. If you’re disciplined about purging, it can actually work pretty well. Otherwise, it’s just a fancier way to hide the mess.

Totally agree - built-ins with doors can be a blessing and a curse. I’ve seen people add tons of cabinetry after opening up their space, thinking it’ll keep things tidy, but unless you’re actually sorting through what you store, it just becomes a hidden dumping ground. One thing that helps is using adjustable shelving and clear bins inside the cabinets. That way, at least you can see what’s in there without pulling everything out. It’s not foolproof, but it beats the “black hole” effect.

Honestly, I thought built-ins would solve all my clutter problems after we knocked out our kitchen wall. Joke’s on me - now I just have more places to hide the chaos. Last week I found a Halloween pumpkin in a cabinet… in May. Adjustable shelves help, but only if you remember what you actually put in there.

I hear you on the built-ins. I thought adding a wall of cabinets would make me organized by default, but now I just have more doors to open and forget what’s behind them. I started using clear bins and labeling stuff - feels a little over the top, but at least I haven’t found any rogue pumpkins lately. Open shelving helps too, since I can’t hide the mess as easily... forces me to keep it in check.

Funny how more storage doesn’t always mean more organization. I’ve seen a lot of folks go all-in on cabinets, thinking it’ll solve the clutter, but then it just becomes a game of “what’s behind door number three?” Clear bins and labels are a solid move, even if it feels a bit like running a warehouse at home. At least you’re not discovering petrified produce months later - seen that more than once on demo day.

Open shelving’s a double-edged sword. It keeps you honest, but it also means you can’t just shove stuff out of sight when company’s coming over. I’ve had clients who love the look at first, then realize they’re dusting their mugs every week and stressing about mismatched cereal boxes. On the flip side, it does make you think twice about what you actually need to keep around.

If you’re living with one big space after knocking down walls, the storage game changes a bit. You lose some natural “drop zones” that walls and corners used to provide, so everything’s kind of out in the open. I usually suggest mixing in some closed storage for the ugly stuff and open shelves for things you use daily or want to show off. It’s all about balance - too many cabinets and you forget what you have, too much open shelving and it starts looking like a yard sale.

Honestly, there’s no perfect system. People end up tweaking things for years after a remodel. Sometimes the best solution is just getting rid of stuff you don’t use... but that’s easier said than done when you’ve got sentimental mugs or that one appliance you swear you’ll use someday.

Totally get what you mean about storage not always equaling organization. I’ve seen people add a wall of cabinets and still end up with junk drawers everywhere. One thing I’ve noticed - especially in open layouts - is how much more intentional you have to be with what stays out. I had a client who insisted on all open shelving for their kitchen, and after six months they were begging for doors because of the constant dust and visual clutter.

I lean toward built-ins made from reclaimed wood or bamboo - looks good, lasts, and doesn’t scream “storage solution.” But honestly, even the greenest system can’t fix holding onto stuff you never use. It’s wild how attached we get to things like old blenders or souvenir mugs... decluttering is half the battle.

Totally agree that more storage doesn’t mean less clutter - sometimes it just means you’ve got more places to hide the junk. I’m always torn about open shelving. It looks great in magazines, but in real life? Just feels like an invitation for chaos unless you’re super disciplined or have a minimalist streak. I did a kitchen reno for a friend who swore by open shelves, and within a year she was cursing every time she had to dust her mugs.

Built-ins using reclaimed wood are my go-to too, mostly because they add character and don’t look like you raided the Container Store. But here’s what I keep running into: people want the “open” look but hate the reality of having to actually curate what’s on display. Curious - do you think it’s possible to have a truly open layout that feels cozy and lived-in, without it turning into a cluttered mess? Or does the whole idea just work better on Pinterest than in real homes?

It’s wild how open shelving gets romanticized, right? I’ve seen people try to make it work, but unless you’re genuinely tidy or have a pretty ruthless editing habit, it gets overwhelming fast. I do think you can pull off cozy and open, but it takes some real intention - like mixing closed storage with a few open spots for just your favorite pieces. Otherwise, yeah, it ends up more “Pinterest fail” than “magazine spread.”

Totally get what you mean - open shelving looks amazing in photos, but real life is a different story. I’ve found it helps to keep just a few things out, like cool mugs or plants, and stash the rest behind doors. It’s all about balance... and maybe lowering expectations a bit.

- Totally relate to the “looks great in photos” thing - Pinterest has me convinced I can keep open shelves neat, but reality hits different.
- Love your idea of mixing it up with just a few display items. I keep telling myself I’ll rotate things out, but then... clutter.
- Lowering expectations is probably the best advice for any reno project, honestly. Sometimes I feel like I’m chasing an impossible standard.
- Curious - do you find it hard to keep dust off the stuff you do leave out? That’s my main struggle, especially with plants.
- Still, seeing a few favorite mugs out does make the space feel more like home. Maybe that’s worth the trade-off.

Open shelves are definitely a double-edged sword. I tried them in my own kitchen, thinking it’d look airy and organized, but honestly, dust is relentless - especially with plants nearby. I ended up rotating display pieces way less than I planned. Still, I agree, having a few personal items out does make the space feel lived-in. Sometimes I just accept a bit of mess for that homey vibe. The “Pinterest-perfect” look is so hard to maintain in real life...

The “Pinterest-perfect” look is so hard to maintain in real life...

Totally hear you on that. Open shelves look amazing in photos, but the upkeep is real - especially if you cook a lot. I’ve noticed in open-plan spaces, dust and grease travel even further since there aren’t as many barriers. I ended up switching to mostly closed cabinets with just one or two open shelves for stuff I actually use daily. It’s a compromise, but way less cleaning. If you’re knocking down walls, maybe think about airflow and vent placement too - it can make a surprising difference with dust and kitchen smells.

I totally get the struggle with open shelves - been there, wiped that. When we opened up our kitchen to the living room, I thought it’d feel so airy and modern, but I didn’t realize how much further cooking smells and dust would travel. Ended up putting in a beefier range hood and honestly, it made a huge difference. Also, I started using baskets on the open shelves for stuff that gets used less often... hides the dust and looks intentional. It’s not quite Pinterest-perfect, but it works for real life.