Open Floor Plans vs. Closed Floor Plans

An open floor plan can:

• Make spaces appear larger – Especially good for smaller homes, open concept floor plans can make small areas feel much larger than they actually are. What might be a small space won’t feel restrictive with an open floor plan.
• Create space for plenty of furniture – With minimal walls, there is plenty of space for additional seating and few limits on how you can arrange it.
• Promote everyday living – With an open floor plan, family members can be in separate areas, say the kitchen and living room, and still interact with each other.
• Allow you to keep an eye on the kids – Parents can make sure their kids are safe and behaving while doing laundry or prepping dinner.
• Make room for guests – In a house with an open floor plan, you can easily host a large number of guests who can socialize without splitting up into different rooms.
• Spread natural sunlight – Fewer walls means even the center of your home can benefit from natural sunlight.
• Increase resale value – Open floor plans are very popular and having one can boost the value of your home when it comes time to sell.

Open floor plans come with a few negatives as well. Sound and smells travel easily without walls and doors to stop them. And larger spaces are harder to heat and cool, which could lead to higher energy bills. It’s important to consider these pros but also consider the type of space your family enjoys. If you’re looking for a cozy, quiet space, a closed floor plan might be right for you.

The advantages of a closed floor plan include:

• Private spaces – Occasionally you need time to yourself, and walls and doors are good for that.
• Sound control – Beyond personal privacy, doors allow you to limit the sound circulation in your home.
• Walls to decorate – Walls enable you to hang artwork and photos throughout your home.
• Specialty rooms – The more rooms, the more opportunity you have to create a specific purpose for each room.
• Contained messes – Children are less likely to spread their mess from room to room. Items are (hopefully) kept in one area of your house. This makes it easier to clean, or at least easier to hide the mess behind a closed door.
• Reduced heating/cooling costs – Since small spaces are easier to heat and cool than large ones, a closed floor plan saves you money on energy bills.

Additionally, a closed floor plan is a good option if you don’t need a lot of space for hosting or fully use all the existing rooms in your home. And even though open floor plans can bump your resale value, your renovation costs can easily balloon if you run into problems during the project. Instead of knocking down walls, you could always make your current floor plan feel more open by adding extra light or installing French doors.