Hey Friends, Thank you for joining me for another short post to help with the pros and cons of Open Concept houses.

If this is your first time here, WELCOME!

My name is Niki and I do more than just sell houses, I help you put the HEART into your HOME and I love doing that through tips on my blog. Let’s get started!

Open floor plans have been popular for several years now and we’re also seeing the majority of new construction homes being designed with an open floor plan. Did you know that 84% of new single family homes have full or partially open layouts according to the National Association of Home Builders? That’s a lot!

Before you decide to complete a major renovation and create that open space or start your home search for a house that has an open floor plan, you should consider if an open floor plan is really what you want for your lifestyle or if you’re just leaning towards the open style because of it’s popularity.

THE PROS TO OPEN FLOOR PLANS

• They creates a social space: Open floor plans are highly desirable for people who love to entertain. Having your living space open to your kitchen creates a great space for hosting get togethers or just socializing with your family without having to be in the exact same room.
• They optimizes your square footage: Often times in home styles that don’t have the open concept space, rooms can go unused such as a private formal dining room or living room. Homes with open floor plans also often feel much larger because the space isn’t broken up into those smaller rooms.
• They create a flexible space to design: Open floor plans provide several options for how you want to use the space without making permanent changes. Maybe you want to add a seating area to a section of the living room or use your open dining space as a playroom or office area. The options are endless when you don’t have walls to work around. You can increase the size of one area vs another without changing much besides the furniture arrangements.
• They let in the light: If you’re the type of person who really desires as much natural light as possible in you’re home, an open floor plan is probably for you. Because your living space is wide open, it’s going to allow the light to travel throughout the home making your space lighter and brighter.

THE CONS TO OPEN FLOOR PLANS

• They show the mess: If your living room is open to your kitchen, you’re probably going to see that stack of dishes next to the sink. Open floor plans are like having several rooms in one so you’ll probably feel like you have more to clean and pick up rather than just focusing on one room at a time.
• The noise factor: Noise is going to travel much easier through an open floor plan. So if you’d prefer to play your favorite Pandora station in the kitchen while you’re trying out a new recipe rather than hearing the sounds travel from the TV show being watched in the living room, you might want to reconsider an open floor plan.
•  The privacy factor: Does the thought of curling up with a good book without being distracted sound ideal? If you don’t have another space in your home that can be used for more quiet activities or privacy, you might prefer a more closed floor plan.
• The “fad” factor: Open floor plans are extremely popular right now but most trends will eventually start to fade. Think about your lifestyle and how long you’ll be living in the home. If it’s your forever home and it’s what you want, then go for it!

What do you think? Is an open floor plan the right style for you? What is the most desirable part to having this style home? Thank you for joining me today.

Until Next Time!

-Niki Luther