Open Floor Plans Are Not Going Away

The term “open floor plan” is so simple and self-explanatory, and yet it comes tied with so much meaning besides just “large spaces with few doors.” It brings to mind bright, sun-soaked rooms, large kitchens opening into the living room, and, perhaps most importantly, an opportunity to make the space your own. Open floor plans aren’t just a trend, they’re a lasting, timeless layout, and we're here to explain why they have had, and will continue to have the staying power that they do.

Let’s start with a definition: open floor plans are floor plans in which the living room, kitchen, and dining room are all relatively continuous, typically without walls or doors. They allow all of the primary living spaces to blend together, and are in opposition to the traditional home layout, in which each space is defined and designated for a specific purpose. Besides giving the homeowners the ability to easily communicate with one another across all of the living spaces, open floor plans also create a light, airy, and modern vibe.

Why has this trend become so popular? Part of homeowners’ rationale for wanting these wide, open spaces is very practical – they want to be able to prepare dinner and simultaneously talk to both their son doing homework in the dining room, and their toddlers playing on the floor in the living room. Design plays a big part: with a large, open space, they’re able to truly make it their own – adding walls or French doors up where they’d like, and using other large pieces like kitchen islands, L-couches, or bookcases to create a sense of “flow” that works for them.

The reason that we think this is a lasting style, rather than a fleeting trend, is because open floor plans make sense for the way people live these days. Very few families have formal, sit-down meals at the dining room table, and as a result, very few have a need for a separate, formal space. People also want to be able to multi-task – to socialize while cooking, to watch their kids while eating, and to interact with one another while working on different tasks. Open floor plans are also wonderful for creating a sense of indoor-outdoor living – and in a world where we’re constantly running from one activity to another, rarely taking a moment to enjoy the sunlight, having that light at home can be incredibly valuable.

Does this mean that traditional floor plans are “bad” or undesirable? No, of course not. Many people still enjoy the privacy that separate, clearly defined rooms offer. But open floor plans do fill several needs that traditional floor plans do not, and for that reason, they’ll continue to dominate the housing market for at least a little while longer! If you have any questions regarding open floor plans or how to find homes with open floor plans, please feel free to contact Susan McDonough of Raveis, representative of Meadow’s Edge at Whitney Farms: Susan.McDonough@Raveis.com.