One of the most common reasons that people choose to remodel their home is to create more space. For some, that means adding on a room. Others choose to go big and opt for a whole home remodel. Somewhere in between lies another great option … the open floor plan.
While creating the illusion of more space simply by removing partitions or boundaries does seem appealing, it’s not without drawbacks.
Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of open floor plan concept spaces. Then, you can make an informed decision if you’re considering an open floor plan in your own home.
Pros of an Open Floor Plan
Here are some of the most common reasons why we’ve seen an increase in the number of open floor plan remodeling projects in recent years:
- Improved traffic flow – Fewer dividing walls or doors means it’s easy to move efficiently from one room to another. This is especially helpful if you have a large family or frequently entertain guests.
- Better lighting – With an open floor plan, interior spaces that previously wouldn’t have enjoyed natural light can now benefit from windows on exterior walls in adjacent areas.
- Ease of socializing and communicating – Having a wide open kitchen-dining-living area makes it easy to communicate from one space to the next … perfect for when you’re entertaining guests or you simply want to talk to someone in the other room when you’re preparing a meal.
- Flexible furnishings – No more having to put up with the same furniture layout for months or years on end! With an open floor plan, furnishings and accessories can be reconfigured with ease, creating a new look or feel in just moments.
- Increased home value – You’re not the only one longing for open spaces. Prospective buyers are, too! That means when you choose an open floor plan, your home will be more attractive to buyers in the event you’d like to sell it in the future.
Cons of an Open Floor Plan
For many people, the disadvantages of an open floor plan are far outweighed by the advantages, but they’re still important factors to consider.
- Reduced privacy – With fewer walls and other obstructions, there’s less privacy in an open floor plan. It’s easy to see what someone is doing or hear what they’re saying at the other end of the room when it’s completely open.
However, this becomes less of a disadvantage if there are plenty of other spaces in your home where you can find the privacy you need. Or, you can opt for a broken-plan design instead where open spaces with different functions are separated by things such as glass partitions, screens, or furniture.
- Increased noise – Without dividing walls and doors, open floor plan spaces can be significantly louder than their closed-in counterparts. Lower ceilings or the use of certain materials (such as carpeting on the floors) could help mitigate sound, however.
- Higher heating and cooling costs – In a traditional floor plan, you could close off a room that you didn’t desire to heat or cool. With an open floor plan, you don’t have that option, meaning that you’ll potentially spend more on heating and cooling costs. Using an energy-efficient HVAC system can help keep this extra cost to a minimum.
- Increased construction cost – Since some interior walls are removed to create an open floor plan, many designs include the use of steel or laminated beams to provide the needed structural support. These can be expensive to install but your remodeling contractor can help you include this cost in your remodeling budget if you truly desire an open floor plan.
Design and Build the Space That’s Right for YOU
At Sea Pointe Design & Remodel, we’ve been helping Orange County residents remodel their homes to create aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces for over 35 years. While current remodeling trends do play a role in the final design, we pay very close attention to the wants and needs of each homeowner. Our ultimate goal is to create a space that YOU are happy with, but also one that will add value to your home and fit with the area in which you live.
Whether you’re interested in an open floor plan or a different configuration, we have expert designers, engineers, and builders to make it happen! Simply give us a call at (949) 861-3400 or fill out the form below to schedule your complimentary design consultation.