I’m sure you have all tossed around the phrase “size matters”, and joked about it amongst friends. Well it seems that when it comes to baby gates and pet gates today, that size truly does matter.

In the past a gate that could extend in width to 38 inches, would be the standard. These gates were most often used across doorways. Even in today’s home construction, average door sizes are around 34 inches.

However we are seeing a very different demand in the gate marketplace today. The average size of gate that is now being purchased, extends from 38 to 50 inches.

Obviously the doorway sizes have not been changing, so why is the size demand changing? I believe that it is mostly a phenomenon of the movement toward open concept homes.

Although there are still doorways, today we will usually only find actual doors for bedrooms, bathrooms and perhaps a stairway door.

Instead of the old standard for doorways, we now see architected walls that represent a separation from one room to another, without detracting from the open concept of the home.

These could be archways or half walls where the opening between rooms is much wider than the old standard door frames.

This change in home design also creates a very different approach to home decor. Adjoining rooms need to have a flow to them and yet provide distinct design features.

The opening between these adjoining rooms needs to fit equally well in both design worlds.

The new standard in baby gates and pet gates is not only a width requirement, it now must also enable this design flow between adjoining rooms.

To address this new standard for gates, manufacturers now need to consider multiple width options, various color possibilities and even gate designs that are more architecturally pleasing to the eye.

If you are considering your gate purchase, it is important not to focus only on the functionality of the gate. Yes, this is still critically important and must be part of the formula for gate selection, but you also need to consider that your gate will likely be a fixture in your home for several years.

Once you have identified the dimension requirement, and how you want the gate to operate, you should then consider the color that will best enable the design flow between rooms, and whether an enhanced gate design would add to the decor or detract from it.

I think that gate manufacturers are doing a good job of trying to address these needs, but I think they could go a step further in their color options or wood stain options.

In my mind it would be great if a manufacturer was to step forward and offer a design-a-gate service, where you could pick the width, height, gate operation style, design and color that would work best in your home, and they would then create your unique gate.

We are probably several years away from a service like this, but it doesn’t hurt to dream a little.