Open Floor Plan Vs. Closed Floor Plan
One of the biggest debates in home design right now is open vs. closed floor plans. Although open concepts have been wildly popular, closed spaces are actually making a comeback. So, how do you choose what’s right for you?
At Glickman Design Build, we have over 40 years of experience and can help you find what’s suitable for you and your family. There are many factors to consider when remodeling your home. So, let’s take a look at both of these plan concepts and see which is best for you.
Open Floor Plans
An open concept means no wall separates the kitchen area from the living or dining area of a home. An open space like this can make a home of the same size as a closed concept seem more spacious. There also is a smoother flow between traffic areas throughout the kitchen and living rooms.
One of the most significant advantages of this type of plan is simply space. You have more open areas to host large events, remove visual barriers, and maximize space in a smaller-sized home. This leaves room for a popular home feature, a kitchen island. This is to compensate for the lost cabinetry spaces from the lack of walls. It can also provide additional seating areas and prep space.
If you are a multitasker, you will probably find this to be the best floor plan for you as you can combine activities from all rooms to be present in every area (even if that means watching tv while you’re preparing dinner!).
However, open floor plans may also be an issue for increased noise, constant visibility, and reduced storage. The privacy factor is diminished as many separate rooms become one. Many do not mind this, but if you prefer to leave the activities or tasks of one room when you walk into another, this may not be ideal for you.
Closed Floor Plans
Closed concepts are exactly the opposite. You will find that closed areas do not always equal small areas. You will need to consider the size of each room and the overall house to choose the best concept to fit your needs, but floor closed plans can be unique in their own ways.
They offer the benefit of reduced mess stress. Meaning you can focus on one area to clean at a time and not have to have the overwhelming reminders of each room that may have a mess. This leaves more wiggle room for liveability and practicality.
Another great benefit of closed floor plans is the noise (and smell) reduction! What you do in the kitchen will not so easily carry into the living room where your guest may be. So, if you are having a private conversation or cooking something with a strong smell, you don’t have to worry about disturbing anyone in the other rooms.
A few cons of this floor plan are isolation, disturbed traffic flow, and size considerations. If you do not like to “miss the party” while you are having to prepare food, or pause conversations while you go into the other room, then this plan may not be for you. You also have to consider the smaller areas you will have to navigate through and the size of the spaces you live in. This may not bother many people with small families who do not host often.
Overall, each floor plan has its pros and cons. To choose the right plan for you, consider all of these options and how they suit your family.
If you need help or require assistance, feel free to reach out to Glickman for any design, remodel, and build needs.
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