Open vs. Closed Floor Plan: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Open-concept floor plans first became popular in the 1950s for their modern take on interior design. They experienced something of a renaissance in the 1990s and have since been considered the norm for new houses. With fewer dividing walls, open floor plans have been praised for their spacious, communal atmospheres. But things changed when the pandemic arrived. As people spent more time working and studying from home, they found that open floor plans afforded them little privacy. Closed floor plans, which keep rooms separate and distinct, have grown in popularity as a result. But does the open vs. closed floor plan debate really have just one right answer? In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of both and provide insight into which is right for your home.

Benefits of the Open Floor Plan

Spacious Feeling

The most obvious benefit of this design is the space it brings to your home. Fewer walls make rooms feel larger than they really are, and wider spaces make it easier to fit large furniture wherever you please. Open floor plans are perfect for large family gatherings or social events. Guests can move freely throughout the house and converse with each other without walls and tight spaces getting in the way. An open floor plan also promotes smoother traffic flow, keeping families moving on busy days.

Togetherness

An open floor plan brings families together by literally removing barriers between them. Parents can keep an eye on their kids from the kitchen or workspace. Conversations can flow freely between the living and dining spaces, making cooking sessions and mealtimes more communal.

Natural Lighting

Sunlight reaches farther in an open-concept home, brightening the whole space with natural light. Sunlight provides a great boost to physical and mental health, especially during the cold winter months. More sunlight also lowers energy costs by reducing the need for electric lighting.

Aesthetic Cohesion

It’s much easier to make each room flow into the next, visually and practically, in an open floor plan. If you like your kitchen to match your living room, or you’re trying to tell a story through the art and décor in your home, an open floor plan may be for you.

Flexibility

Have you ever rearranged furniture and scratched your wall while trying to lug a large couch through a narrow hallway? With an open floor plan, redecorating is a breeze. Not only is it easier to rearrange furniture, but the open spaces are much more conducive to visualizing your new layout.

Benefits of the Closed Floor Plan

More Defined Spaces

Whereas an open floor plan creates one unified space with different areas flowing into each other, a closed floor plan creates more defined individual spaces. This is helpful for dedicating each room to a unique purpose or aesthetic theme. For example, an enclosed kitchen may have more countertop and cabinet space along the walls, and a closed off living room is more easily transformed into a home theater.

A Cozier Mood

Open-concept homes run the risk of feeling empty or cavernous, especially if not properly furnished. A closed-concept home with a more traditional layout is comfortable and intimate. Nothing feels cozier than spending an evening relaxing by the fireplace in your private living room.

Heightened Privacy

In this new work-from-home era, it’s paramount that every professional and student can focus on their work at home. Separate rooms make it easier to concentrate on the task at hand, and walls block out noise from conversations, cooking, and the TV.

Tidiness

In an open-concept home, if one area gets messy, the mess is visible from the entire open space. But with a closed-concept home, you can clean each room individually as needed. For example, it’s easy to temporarily hide clutter in less-used rooms while cleaning the living room in preparation for guests. Closed kitchens hide the messy cooking process and prevent smells from spreading.

Energy Efficiency

Smaller rooms are easier to heat and cool, lowering your energy bills. You can also adjust heat or A/C for individual rooms based on usage. No need to heat the whole home if you’re spending most of the day in one room!

Build the Home that’s Right for You

Open and closed floor plans both have their benefits. Ultimately, the choice comes down to what makes the most sense for your family. Whichever you choose, the team at Hanson Builders will bring your vision to life. We have been building homes for Minnesotans since 1979, and we always put the utmost care into creating a living space that fits your needs. Contact us today to get started on your new home.