Do you imagine your home feeling spacious, where you can easily flow from the front door into an expansive great room, elegant dining room, and gourmet kitchen? This open floor plan concept has long been a trend in modern home design, allowing you to walk between living spaces seamlessly.
Open floor plans foster a sense of togetherness and community, allowing your family to gather and stay connected. The airiness of an open-concept home can instill a refreshing feeling of freedom, perfect for entertaining guests or simply enjoying quality time with your family.
The debate between open and closed floor plans has intensified as our lifestyles and needs evolve. Let’s explore the pros and cons of each approach to determine which floor plan is best for your custom home design.
The rise and shift to open-concept living
My early childhood home had a traditional, compartmentalized layout. The kitchen was separated from the living and dining areas by walls and a swinging door. The bedrooms were on opposite sides of the home, while the living room, which had a fireplace and backyard access, felt distinct from the galley-style kitchen. A wall divided the kitchen from the cozy nook where my family would gather.
This defined, room-by-room design contrasts with an open-concept layout.
Open floor plans first gained popularity in the mid-20th century, influenced by visionary architects like Frank Lloyd Wright. The idea was to create a more communal, free-flowing living environment that encouraged interaction. By removing unnecessary walls, homes felt more extensive and efficient.
Once a separate utilitarian space tucked away, the kitchen has become a gathering room in modern, middle-class homes. Kitchens have evolved into hubs where cooking and conversation intertwine, fostering deep connections.
In the 70s, open-concept floor plans became increasingly mainstream and popular in custom and high-end homes. Homeowners wanted to incorporate multi-functional spaces to emphasize social connections and entertainment. The home design trend shifted towards a more casual, flexible lifestyle and a desire for open, airy, family-oriented spaces.
The appeal of an open floor plan design
Open floor plans have their benefits. Natural light can shine freely, unencumbered by walls, reaching every corner. Expansive windows frame breathtaking views, bringing the outdoors in and creating warmth.
The seamless transition between areas makes it ideal for strengthening connections, as conversations flow as freely as the space. Your open-concept home promises laughter-filled gatherings and quiet moments of family bonding. The absence of walls creates an illusion of expansiveness, making even a modest home feel grand.
Open-concept living is not just about the present; it's about the future. As your family grows or work life evolves, the spaces provide flexibility and transform with you. This adaptability ensures that your home remains a comfortable and functional space, no matter how your needs change.
In this airy environment, you'll find physical and mental space, giving you room to breathe, think, and be. An open-concept home is a place to thrive.
My client’s home in Oregon features an open floor plan. The view is too spectacular to block. Glass office walls allow natural light and ocean views to enter the workspace, creating inspiration and positive energy.
However, my clients also have a significant art collection that requires dedicated wall space. Finding the right balance between the desire to capture the views, display fine art, and create functional living spaces is a key challenge that requires careful consideration and thoughtful, nuanced design solutions.
In an open-concept plan, walls aren’t used to define spaces. My current home has an open floor plan with the kitchen connected to the living space. Furniture placement defines the spaces, creating a living room, dining area, and music room. I use furniture to create a sense of separation within the open layout.
Leverage volume to create a sense of openness
Openness doesn’t come only from an open floor plan. Strategically using volume can be a powerful design tool that impacts your home's overall feel and flow.
My clients, Jill and Todd, had fallen in love with the grandeur of Italian architecture, so I designed a double-height library. This octagonal room with a balcony on the upper level showed a sense of expansiveness and visual interest, even within a more defined, enclosed floor plan.
The soaring ceilings and open-to-above design allowed natural light to flood the space, while the balcony provided an elevated vantage point to take in the room's impressive scale. The towering bookshelves that lined the walls further accentuated the volume, giving the library an air of sophistication.
Leveraging height, light, and architectural details, the library created a sense of openness, spaciousness, and visual drama, yet the footprint was relatively compact.
The floor plan trend swings back
A noticeable trend has emerged in recent years—a shift towards more enclosed, defined floor plans.
This desire for separation and privacy is a driving force behind the resurgence of closed floor plans. Many people working, studying, and exercising at home have found the need for more defined, function-specific spaces.
My client, Cindy, in Missouri, doesn’t want an open-concept plan. She prefers a closed kitchen to maintain privacy and intimacy. She doesn't want people peeping in from the living room while she's cooking.
The benefits of a closed floor plan
Closed floor plans have their advantages. They offer better acoustics and privacy control, which is ideal for home offices, media rooms, or bedrooms. Distinct areas for different activities can reduce noise interference and provide a sense of separation between work and leisure. You can focus on your work or relax without disturbance.
Additionally, closed floor plans can be more energy-efficient. Smaller, enclosed spaces retain heat better, making it easier to heat or cool individually than conditioning a large open space. You can control the climate of distinct zones for various activities, from formal dining to cozy reading nooks.
Defined spaces extend to personalization, with walls becoming canvases for cherished artwork and built-in storage solutions. In the kitchen, cooking activities remain contained so odor and mess don’t interfere, preserving the ambiance of other living areas.
Distinct rooms are favorable and desired layouts for specific functions, such as home offices, gyms, or study areas. With a closed floor plan, you have sanctuary-like spaces for intimacy and privacy. You can create personal havens, allowing uninterrupted activities and quiet moments away.
Balance open floor plan and closed space designs
While the trend has shifted towards closed floor plans, you might select a hybrid approach for your custom home. A combination of open and enclosed spaces can offer the best of both worlds. You ensure privacy where needed while maintaining a sense of openness and connection in other spaces.
A hybrid approach can align with your unique needs and preferences. You can preserve the sense of spaciousness while also accommodating your practical requirements. Your dream home design depends on your lifestyle and what you desire from each living space.
Whether you prefer the communal feel of an open layout or crave the privacy of a more defined plan, your home design strikes a balance that meets your and your family's ever-changing needs.
If you are ready to begin the process and create the home you have been dreaming of, call me and let's start the conversation at 858-344-2404 or email caitlin@caitlinkelleyarchitect.com.
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