Open or closed study room

[Milena]

With our plans for the new house I am not sure what to do with the front room. I want to have it as a study but I don't like that there is no wall where the stairs are but if we put a wall you won't see the stairs. Then we also probably have to put doors at the entrance of the study.

So do we close it off as a private study room or do we leave it open with really nice study furniture and maybe have a fancier staircase? We are just not sure what advantages and disadvantages of these options are.

Do you like an open study space or closed study space and which one works better?

Here is the photo of the stairs I took from the display home.

[Julie-Ann]

Hi Milena if it was me I would close the study (living room) but only because I am not as tidy as you. So before looking at your plan I thought it's Milena so keep it open.
But when I looked at the plan I thought close it over. You will save on the cost of a balustrade which is mega expensive. You will gain significant wall space and easier placement of furniture in the study. The staircase is tucked away anyway. Maybe some glass doors to make it a little special.

Let's see what everyone else thinks

[mjm]

I've always wanted an upstairs downstairs, I think staircases are very elegant, if building the wall means you don't see your lovely staircase then no, I'm against it!!

[giggle_smile]

I think if your neat and tidy keep it open for wow factor! but if your like me and will be using and cluttering up the study everyday, close it off! not much help am I lol

[Milena]

Thank you all If we choose the staircase instead of a wall it would be a very modern looking one. We saw a glass style staircase in one of the display homes and dh was the one who said he loved it though I was thinking the same thing It was one of those glass staircases thisisme posted on one of her threads a while ago.
Yesterday we talked to our builder rep and I mentioned to her if we keep it open like it is on the plan we would like to have a staircase with glass sides but she said it would cost quite a lot and you wouldn't really see them anyway.
The staircase we will be having in our new house is not a long one but is made up of 2 small staircases 180 degrees to each other joined by a small landing.
If we choose the wall instead of a staircase then I liked Julie-Ann's idea of having more space and that it would be easier to put the furniture with the walls. And yes for the glass doors too
We have an appointment with her again on Thursday morning so that is why I needed to know all this before we see her again.

[Julie-Ann]

Glad we could help Milena.
I remember the first time I priced a balustrade I think my jaw dropped and I fell off the chair all at the same time. Pricey little things. And the glass is one of the more expensive options. But then it is stunning.
Let us know what else you are planning with your new home.

[Sarah]

hi Milena
We opted for a closed study in our house (it was an open one in the show home, and quite small), we also made ours larger and put it down the other end of the house. People do like to have an open study and make it in a public area, for teenagers, to check on them when they are on the internet. The reason we went for the closed study is because we got a key lock on the door, so we will be locking children out of the study. We also put a network in our home, so that we can unplug children from the network when we want them off the computer (as they spend way too much time on there otherwise!!).


Sarah

[Lanne]

I think it depends more on who uses it. If kids are on a computer in there.. then open door/wall access as much as possible. If you need to think and have peace.. close it off.

[Abigail]

My study/sewing room is open to the family room. Mr 2 yr old came out at the weekend waving scissors around just like Edward Scissorhand. Should have had doors on.

[rachel]

Which room is the study? Is it the front living room?

We have an open (very large) study/office in the front of our house. It works well because the entry is fairly narrow and not too long, so it doesn't feel so cramped or dark this way.

If you're tidy (we are) then the open plan study area can be an advantage. It also depends on what you're going to be doing in there. Our study is currently my office but my husband will be taking it over/sharing once the littlie arrives and kicks him out of his study :P