Are Open House Floor Plans Still In?

By Chris Petry

Just a few years, nearly ever real estate listing’s ad copy would spotlight phrases like “wide open,” “open to,” “effortlessly leads into” or “flows into.” We’d hear how each room would “smoothly” transition into the other and how it “boasted” an “abundance of natural light.” So, just what was it all about? The open concept floorplan, of course. Open concept living pretty much dominated the real estate landscape from about 1995 until 2021 or so. Most new builds during that time adopted the style and REALTORS everywhere did their best to capitalize on its popularity in the mainstream by writing flowery ad copy to highlight it.



So, are open floorplans still popular? Yes. In fact, roughly 60% of new construction buyers still prioritize open floor plans. Of course, that could be a case of chicken vs. egg. Let me explain. The majority of new home builders still prefer or think buyers prefer open concept layouts and so a greater number of open concept homes are built and thus, sold. That said, modern designers and interior decorators have been signaling the alarm that the open concept plan has been gradually losing support since the Covid era. Turns out, once people had to spend all day with their spouses and children, they remembered how much they enjoyed walls! In all seriousness, the trend is mostly attributed to the rise of remote work, which also peaked during the pandemic.

Perhaps it would be fairer to say open concept living is evolving. What if I told you that instead of making the whole house akin to a studio apartment, it’s possible to be more tactical with the layout. To both maximize the space and create a feeling of depth without compromising on much-needed privacy. How? Well, by utilizing the design features in a manner that they create a clear delineation in an otherwise open space. For example:



Break up building materials and decor- incorporate a mixture of materials, wood, stone, tile, drywall, brick etc. to break up the space, make it more interesting and foster a feeling of separation. A long open space comprised of the same wall and floor colors and components can create a feeling of sameness and thus reinforce an idea of continuity. If your goal is to divide the space a little better, paint walls on one side of the fireplace different from walls on the opposite side. Decorate the “rooms” differently. Place different styles of furniture. Create completely different spaces with different purposes within the layout.



Create division with architectural features- Create clear breaks within the space with the use of molding, wainscotings, paneling and temporary or permanent fixtures such as a well-placed kitchen island, bar or bookshelf.



Change up the lighting or lighting placement- If you have a 30ft long room lit entirely by recessed lights with the same color temperature, it’s going to feel like more of the same. By carefully playing with light placement, even in an open concept, you can create clear partitioning within the space.


 
So, to paraphrase Shakespeare, “to open floor plan or not to open floor plan?” While trends seem to be moving away, at least in part, from the bold open floorplans that dominated the early 2000s and 2010s, open concept living isn’t going the way of the dinosaur anytime soon. So, it stands to reason that homes that make the most of the open floor plan by taking care to add variety to the space, either through a diversity of building materials or finishes, might stand out in the current marketplace. It’s also worth noting that today’s buyers are showing a renewed appreciation for traditional floorplans with rooms appointed for specific tasks or activities.


If you plan to sell your home in the near future and would like further guidance on this topic or something else real estate related, be sure to speak to an agent from your local branch of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer Realty.