By Christian Raab Open floor plans have become a hallmark of modern home design, and for good reason. They offer a sense of space, light, and connection that traditional layouts often lack. But before you start knocking down walls, it’s important to understand the full picture. At Pinnacle, we believe in designing spaces that suit your lifestyle, not just trends. Let’s explore the pros and cons of open floor plans to help you decide if this concept is right for your next remodel. Pros of Open Floor Plans:   Entertainment:  I think the biggest benefit of an open floor plan is connection with family and friends. If you love having friends and family over, an open floor plan makes it easy to cook, socialize, and relax all in one connected space. You’re no longer stuck in the kitchen while everyone else gathers in the living room. I know this is a big pro for my family. We love to host people at our home, and an open floor plan enables us to do that better.  Natural Light: Another benefit of an open floor plan is that natural light can freely flow through the space. The space feels more open and airy. This not only brightens your home, but also creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Improved Traffic Flow: I have a large family, and our open floor plan really eliminates the potential for bottlenecks that can come from narrow hallways and small doorways. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or just moving from the kitchen to the living room, the space feels more accessible and user-friendly. Cons of Open Floor Plans   While I wish I could say there were no cons to an open floor plan, I wouldn’t be giving you the whole picture. There are a few things that I don’t like about an open floor plan.  Less Private: With fewer walls, it can be difficult to find a quiet spot when you need it. If you work from home, have young children, or just appreciate some solitude, the openness may pose a challenge. There are many times I’ve wished for a quiet living room where I could close a door and focus on my book!  Sounds Carry Easily: Open spaces mean open acoustics. Conversations, TVs, and kitchen noise travel more freely, which can lead to a noisier living environment -- especially if you have a bunch of kids like me! I know there are times my wife wishes that there was a separate, isolated room for Sunday afternoon Pittsburgh Steelers games!  Is an open floor plan right for you? Ultimately, the decision comes down to how you live!  Written by: Christian Raab Christian is the founder and owner of Pinnacle. He began the company here in Wichita in January of 2012. He grew up in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, working the summers with his neighbor, who was a contractor. He later went to school to earn his degree in business with a construction emphasis. Christian’s vision for the company has always been to provide homeowners with a great experience as they work with a professional team they can trust. ​ When Christian isn’t at the office, you can find him spending time with his five  kids, woodworking, and watching the Steelers.

Why is having a designer so important? A designer helps clients narrow down their style preferences, refining what they like (and don’t like) to create a clear design plan. Through 3D modeling, clients can visualize different layout options, making it easier to transform their existing space with confidence. Choosing a design-build company means working with a team that handles both the design and construction in-house, ensuring a seamless process from concept to completion. This approach not only brings your vision to life but also ensures that the design is practical and buildable when it's time to construct.

The Bakers’ home underwent a stunning transformation! Their main goal was to open up their main living area—including the kitchen, dining nook, and living room—to create a brighter, more inviting space for their family. By reworking the kitchen cabinetry layout and updating the finishes, we transformed their home from dark and closed-off to open, airy, and full of life. Watch as we bring new energy into their space, turning it into a bright and welcoming place to gather and make memories!

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In this series, we'll be exploring different interior design styles and sharing some of the key components of each. In the first video of this series, we explore the Modern Farmhouse style.

Selecting the right hardware for your cabinetry can make all the difference when it comes to achieving a particular look. Pinnacle owner, Rachel Raab, shares her advice when it comes to picking out cabinet pulls.

Cabinetry replacement is typically one of the biggest ticket items in a remodel. And many homeowners don't know what their options are when it comes to cabinets. In this video, Pinnacle Owner, Christian Raab, shares a few questions we can ask to determine if it's time to replace the cabinetry, and if not, some options to bring existing cabinets up-to-date.

Finding someone to remodel your kitchen or bathroom can be one of the hardest and most stressful things you will ever do. It’s very important to choose your contractor wisely… I’m sure you’ve heard the horror stories! Below we list four common blunders people make when choosing a contractor and some helpful tips for avoiding these mistakes. 1. Using price as a determining factor:  I’m sure you’ve heard not to go with the lowest price for your remodel. But does that mean you should go with the highest price? Or should you go with the middle guy? I believe it’s very important to spend a lot of time interviewing your potential contractor. You need to be able to work with them well. If they are a reputable remodeling business they won’t have anything to hide and will welcome the opportunity to explain their process, look at their past projects, etc. Try to determine what value the company will bring you. I just spoke with a client today who had hired a guy to remodel their small master bathroom and four months later, he still isn’t done. He gave them a great deal, but I bet they would’ve gladly spent a lot more money on the project to have it completed in a timely manner.  2. Neglecting to design the project:  This is a huge mistake! It is nice to save a few bucks and go and pick out the selections yourself, but in the long run, you will most likely regret it. You are going to see the space you are remodeling every single day. You want the space to be impressive and cohesive. Be sure to hire a remodeling company that has a design specialist to help you through the process!  3. Not paying attention to what’s behind the walls:  Just because a company has a lot of nice pictures and maybe the finished product looks nice, doesn’t mean that it’s a quality job. The quality behind the walls is crucial: plumbing, electrical, insulation, and waterproofing, to name a few, need to be done well in order to keep your home safe and protected from costly problems down the road. We have demoed so many bathrooms where the shower waterproofing failed – the outside looked great but the studs were molding and rotted! It’s important not to try to save a buck by going with a company that doesn’t pay attention to “behind the scenes” details.  4. Rushing into the job:  Remodeling a kitchen or a bathroom takes a lot of time . We wish we could start the Monday after you call and be in and out in a couple of days, but that simply is not the case. It can take months to plan, provide details and drawings, and purchase all items for the project. That’s even before we start demo! Details get missed when things are rushed. Make sure the company you hire is not rushing into the job!  If you're ready to start your project the right way—with a trusted, detail-oriented team— reach out to us today for a consultation. Let’s bring your dream space to life!

Traditional Kitchen remodel in Derby, KS.

Pinnacle owners, Christian and Rachel Raab, explain the difference between two flooring options: engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank (LVP), and what to consider when deciding between them.

Love the idea of an open concept kitchen, but are afraid of the sacrifices you'll have to make in the way of storage? Don't worry -- we have options!