open plan living

tuskar rock

hi guys, any negatives to open plan living in bali? ive never done it before and have found a villa i like but im worried about rodents. should i be worried or is there a way around this?

Mark

The outdoor shitter concept seems especially popular in Bali (not sure why - I'm guessing that it's cheaper since it usually means building two fewer walls), but be prepared to share your toilet time with all manner of things flying, crawling and potentially even slithering. As for the other open plan rooms, rodents are just one of the members of nature that will likely visit you. One way around this is to get a cat or a pet snake, personally I'd choose the cat.

tuskar rock

thanks mark. the toilets are indoors (ensuite) but the kitchen and living area is open planned (roof, no walls). looks great but not sure if practical. i like cats but it wouldnt prevent flying bugs at night. not worried about snakes, more the rats. i may have to pass on it which is a shame as its right price, right location and has everything im after except the walls

davita

I bought my villa when 90%+ completed by the developer and it had the open-plan living/dining/ kitchen. I drew up plans for a surrounding 1 metre wall, large sliding windows and a Balinese carved double-entrance door and negotiated the final price based on that construction. I'm delighted with the result as it is wide open to the garden and pool during the day but in the evening we slide the windows and door shut, put on the air-con, and still get the view without the bugs and humidity. It also allowed a more flexible furniture arrangement.

spicyayam

You could put in some of those folding glass doors and have the best of both worlds.

ronb

We love our open living. You occasionally may be visited by frogs, snakes, monitor lizards, rats if you don't have cats, or bats. But you'll only keep them out of a closed living space if you keep the doors closed and if you are not using aircon then you will have everything open. Issues are: 1. rain coming in when there is wind with the rain - bamboo blinds hellp 2. security of valuables when away - we put small portable items in the lockable office but also benefit from being is a safe area

tel522

I think ,in these tropical places the bugs and other nasties should be kept away from the living space , nevert mind the risk of dengy fever.

tel522

My house is open in the morning when its cool but closed for the next 18 hours ,ya sterile if you like , if I want the open air I have the gardens and the surrounding forests and of course the ocean nearby . I dont like living in the midst of flies and mosys , and of course the risks of dengy which can be a killer if you catch it 2 or 3 times . I have lived in dengy and malaria risk zones in Africa ,a sterile house was the way to go . But ya my choice , an open house is not my "cup of tea" for sure .

ronb

So tel522, you not only want to keep animals out, but insects too. So I think you lean towards closed rooms with aircon. People do that and presumably are happy. But, not the option I would choose.

hermit

tuskar rock wrotethanks mark. the toilets are indoors (ensuite) but the kitchen and living area is open planned (roof, no walls). looks great but not sure if practical. i like cats but it wouldnt prevent flying bugs at night. not worried about snakes, more the rats. i may have to pass on it which is a shame as its right price, right location and has everything im after except the walls

Congratulations with even considering an open lifestyle.Too many people do reject it without trying. Davita is right,you could make some adjustments,especially for the kitchen,but i think it is advisable to try and live there to see what bothers you. In my household,the best rat/mouse catcher is one of my Bali dogs.Better than the cat.