When planning the design of a home, one of your choices is whether to go with an open or closed floor plan. There are benefits and drawbacks to both. Traditional or closed floor plans give you several distinct spaces. Open plans, on the other hand, provide you with one larger space. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of each to help you make the right choice for your needs.
Open Floor Plans
Open floor plans have gotten quite popular in recent years. There’s something appealing about having a large, open space. At the same time, this isn’t the best choice for everyone. Here are some of the pros and cons of open floor plans.
Pros
- They have a glamorous and modern feel. This style is often featured in architectural magazines, interior design websites and in TV shows featuring luxury and celebrity homes.
- Provide a sense of spaciousness. Without room dividers, space seems larger.
- Open spaces let in plenty of natural light.
- Every part of the home is accessible. This is especially good for parents who want to keep an eye on their kids.
- May increase resale value due to the popularity of this style.
Cons
- Lack of privacy. Without distinct rooms, there’s limited private space.
- Sounds can’t be confined. If someone is playing music or watching TV, the sound will tend to pervade the entire space.
- Smells reach every corner of the space. Smells, like sounds, aren’t confined to one area. If someone is cooking, you can’t escape the smell by shutting a door.
- More challenging to control clutter. Everything is more visible when you have an open space.
- Energy bills may be higher. It can be less efficient to heat or cool a large open space.
Traditional Floor Plans
Traditional or closed floor plans have their pros and cons as well.
Pros
- More privacy. People can shut a door behind them and enjoy some solitude.
- Sounds and smells are more easily confined.
- More flexibility with design options. For example, you can choose to make some rooms larger than others.
- Save on energy bills. You can cool or heat discrete areas rather than the whole space at once.
Cons
- May reduce the amount of natural light.
- The home may feel less spacious, especially if rooms are small.
- Less accessible.
- May lower resale value.
Choose the Right Floor Plan For You
The desirability of both open and closed floor plans depend a great deal on other factors. For example, if you have a relatively small space an open floor plan can make it feel larger. On the other hand, in a larger house, this isn’t as much of a concern.
It also depends on the size of your family and how much you value privacy as opposed to accessibility. Families with several kids, for example, may prefer to have distinct rooms for more privacy. It’s essential to carefully consider your needs so you make the right choice
No mater the floor plan, Covenant Homes can make designing your dream home a breeze. We will work with you to create a custom layout for you and your family. Contact us now!
