Home Insights

February 3, 2020

Open Concept vs. Closed Floor Plan Design

Which do you prefer: Open Concept or a Closed/Traditional Floor Plan?

As you know, in a traditional or closed floor plan, each designated area of the home becomes a separate space or room, enclosed with walls. In an open concept, no walls exist between the different areas, so a living room, kitchen, and dining area may all share one large space.

Open concept floor plans receive a lot of attention in real estate and interior design plan, but they are not always the best choice for every home or family. What choice is right for you when buying or even renovating a home? Let’s take a look at the Pros and Cons of each.

OPEN FLOOR PLAN

    PROS

  • Accessibility
  • Line of sight
  • Better natural light
  • More contemporary aesthetic
  • Better resale value

    CONS

  • May appear messier
  • Smells travel
  • Less privacy
  • Potentially higher energy costs
  • Fewer design options

CLOSED FLOOR PLAN / TRADITIONAL

    PROS

  • Privacy
  • Cozier rooms
  • Better sound control
  • May appear less cluttered
  • Potentially lower energy bills

    CONS

  • Less natural light
  • Rooms may feel small or cramped
  • No line of sight
  • Less accessible
  • Potentially lower resale value

There’s a lot of things to consider when choosing either an open concept or traditional floor plan design. The question to as yourself is what is the best use of available space for how you live and take the time to think about how you can best use your home and the space it provides.

If you do decide an open concept floor plan is for you and want to renovate, start by identifying the load bearing walls in your home. Then, we recommend getting in touch with a contractor to see if you can start knocking down a wall or two.

Get Fast Answers!