Does an Open Floor Plan Suit Your Family's Lifestyle?

When choosing the floor plan best suited for you and your needs, there are many options to consider. As trends change, so do the options to choose from. Since the '90s, open floor plans, whether achieved through new construction or remodeling, have become the trend. Open and airy floor plans are very popular and you’ll have a hard time finding a home built in recent years that isn’t an open concept floor plan.  That being said, it seems some homebuyers are having second thoughts on whether this is the ideal way to live and are considering going back to more traditional floor plans. Let’s explore the pros and cons of open concept plans below and why they may or may not work for you. 

• Spaces can be multifunctional
  • With an open floor plan, each space can serve many purposes. It can be used for entertaining as well as a home office.
• Easier accessibility
  • Open concept plans are much more flexible when it comes to furniture layout, traffic flow, and room design. This accessibility is also advantageous to caregivers and parents of small children as their loved ones are always in their line of sight, which typically wouldn’t be the case in a more traditional floor plan.
• Improved socialization
  • Open floor plans make entertaining much easier by not breaking up rooms as a traditional floor plan would. When the holidays roll around, you can cook and socialize at the same time which makes playing host or hostess a breeze.

• Lack of privacy
  • While an open floor plan can be ideal for socializing, the lack of doors and walls can make quiet or private activities such as reading or studying more difficult due to poor sound control.
• Spaces can appear cluttered
  • Hiding clutter behind a closed door is simply not an option in an open floor plan. Homeowners with busy lives or small children may find the constant maintenance a little overwhelming.
• Heating and cooling costs
  • Although high ceilings and large windows are beautiful, they often contribute to higher bills due to the energy drains that may accompany those features.

-Written by our Building Coordinator, Suzanah Hajrula