Are Open Floorplans Becoming a Thing of the Past?

To open things up or keep it closed is the question. I’m personally team “defined spaces” but not totally closed off.

Not long ago that most common phrase heard on any home renovation show was, “We’re going to knock out these walls to open up the room.” Homeowners across the country were eager to remodel older homes with multiple closed-off spaces to have their kitchen, dining, and living spaces open to one another. Now our homes are serving more functions than ever before. While working from home has been a reality for many Americans over the years, millions of people are experiencing this work-life separation shift for the first time. Will these changes in how we are living alter how our homes are designed in the future?

New construction is not giving up on the open concept any time soon.

The open concept is still in demand in the new construction homes. Nearly all new construction floor plans include a kitchen, dining and family room that open up to each other. In fact, a bigger trend within new construction is to even create an open living space or a loft on the second stories of homes by borrowing square footage from the bedrooms.

Ultimately, builders are designing homes that will be functional for owners for years to come. Once the immediacy of the pandemic has passed, and people are no longer working, attending school, exercising, and relaxing at home, builders believe the open concept will still be preferable.

Open floor plans may be currently inconvenient to those multi-tasking, but people are finding ways to make their floor plan fit their needs.

People need their homes to function a bit differently at the moment, but a year into the pandemic, they are making do and reconfiguring to allow spaces to accommodate work, relaxation, and even exercise. Here are some ingenious ways homeowners are making things work in their homes:

1-     Assigning multiple purposes to one room. Since no guests are coming for the time-being, this space has doubled for many as a home office or schoolhouse– and may continue that way in the future.

2-     Choosing multifunctional furniture. People are saying goodbye to furniture that looks good, but serves no purpose. Instead, they are choosing pieces that have storage and can transition from work day to family game night. Also consider Murphy Beds, desks that disappear, and sectionals that can be reconfigured. When square footage is expensive, making the most of that square footage is the name of the game.  

3-     Embracing minimalism. Being at home all the time has urged many to really assess what they use in their home and purge the clutter that serves no purpose.

The way people are using their open-concept homes has changed, but homeowners still don’t want a house that has every room closed off from each other. They are recognizing the need for flexibility of spaces, but understand that the open concept creates a more inviting and engaging environment. While the functionality of an open floorplan may change as time goes on, its presence seems here to stay.