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Open vs Closed Floor Plan: How to Choose the Right One for You
Home design trends are fun to stay updated on, which is why there are so many TV shows dedicated to highlighting them! But seeing a trend take shape on a home renovation show is different from considering it as a prospective homeowner. Open floor plans have cycled in and out of fashion for quite a long time, and according to The Spruce, the most recent trend started in the 1990s. If you're considering homes built after 1950, you'll probably see a few open floor plans among the Richmond homes for sale. Determining whether they are right for you involves paying attention to several key factors.
Mix and Mismatch
Open floor plans work best when the decor scheme is consistent, or at least harmonious, between spaces. A farmhouse kitchen and a shabby chic dining room will work well together, but if your coffee table is glass and chrome and your kitchen table weathered wood, the lack of a wall between the two will make that contrast jarring. This includes major appliances, so if you have a chrome refrigerator that you love, it may wind up influencing the look of the entire first floor. A closed floor plan creates a mental "reset" as you move through doors to new rooms, so if you have very different styles for different rooms, a closed floor plan might be for you. If you have an eclectic style, or if your preferred style is consistent throughout your home, an open floor plan is a great way to show that off.
The Family That Stays Together
If you have children, floor plans affect family life in distinct ways. The flow of sound in the household isn't broken up by doors, which may not be the best situation when you're trying to get a toddler to nap so you can make a phone call. Some open floor plans have closed kitchens, which can be crucial to the safety of very young children. Older kids and teens may want privacy. But opening up a floor plan can also encourage the family to interact more. You may get to hear more about your teen's day at school besides the fact that it was "fine." But if you need to tiptoe backward out of the nursery so you can finally watch a movie, a closed floor plan is best.
Over the Overflow
Without walls and doors to break up a space, everything moves freely. This can include heated or cooled air into spaces that aren't being used, dust into far corners, and various household items into spaces where they don't belong. For large homes with young children, keeping heating and cooling costs down while maintaining an organized home could be challenging. But if your dream home is small and you keep clutter to a minimum, an open floor plan can be an excellent choice.
Our REALTORS® will be happy to discuss the best floor plan options for the way you live.
There is no universally ideal home design, which is why there are so many. Whether a home design is on trend is much less important than your comfort. We're here to help you find the home you love, so contact us today.
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Midlothian, VA 23113
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