Open floor plans are anything but a trend of the past – they’ve been a major player in residential construction for decades!
Whether you’re starting from scratch or remodeling an existing space, the ultimate goal is often to create a large communal living area, or great room, by joining the kitchen, dining room, and living room.
It’s an ambitious project, but one that can really bring a home to life, and serve as the hub of family life and entertainment. Plus, with an open floor plan, you can maximize the amount of natural light and create a truly inviting and inspiring environment. So, if you’re looking to give your home a modern and stylish update, open floor plans are the way to go!
What an open floor plan is
Strictly defined, an open floor plan in a residential setting is a layout where two or more rooms that typically have distinct, yet related, functions are joined together. The most common open floor plan configurations involve a combination of kitchen, dining room, and living room.
This type of floor plan provides a sense of openness and encourages more active circulation throughout the space. A prime example of two related rooms being connected is the kitchen and dining area.
The kitchen is used for cooking, while the dining area is for eating, both of which have to do with food, thus making them ideal for joining if desired. In contrast, areas like the bathroom, home gym, and bedrooms, which usually have little to do with one another, are not usually combined in an open floor plan.
When it comes to open floor plans, it doesn’t necessarily mean that all the rooms are connected, nor that there are no walls or other type of division between them.
Rather, open floor plans typically refer to common areas, while spaces such as bathrooms, powder rooms, bedrooms, and sometimes even home offices are exempt. When constructing an open floor plan, it is more efficient to plan ahead, as heavy-duty beams need to be used to carry the weight
Open Floor Plan History and Development
While the open floor plan concept we know today has become the norm for many new homes, its roots actually trace back to the 1940s.
Before this time, most homes were designed with a very basic floor plan, in which the main hallway served as a kind of artery that provided access to various rooms that each had a specific function. For instance, the kitchen was usually placed at the back of the house and was not regarded as a social area; instead, it was seen as nothing more than a service area.
Entertainment usually took place in other areas of the house, and the kitchen was strictly off-limits to guests. However, all of this began to change in the mid-1940s with the work of architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, who began to design homes with large open living spaces that combined dining areas and living areas, often separated as well as united by a large open fireplace.
This concept of an open floor plan was further popularized in the post-war years, when the growing population and smaller house footprints meant that space was at a premium, and parents wanted to be able to keep an eye on their children during meal preparation and cleanup without having to be in the same room.
Innovations in construction materials and methods also made open floor plans more practical, and by the 1950s, they had become a hallmark of the midcentury modern decor style.
By the 1990s, open floor plans had become almost the norm for new construction, and today, they are so ubiquitous that phrases like “open floor plan,” “open concept,” or “great room” are used by buyers and sellers alike to add value to a home.
Pros of Open Floor Plans
Better traffic flow
Improving the traffic flow in a space can drastically improve the efficiency of movement. Doors can be an obstacle that must be opened and closed, and walls can be a hindrance that obstructs the movement of people.
Without these impediments, people are free to move through the space without obstruction and with ease. This improved flow of traffic can be particularly beneficial in areas with high volumes of people, such as airports and shopping malls. With the removal of doors and walls, people have more room to move and can pass through the area faster.
Furthermore, it eliminates the need to wait in line or to squeeze through small spaces. The improved traffic flow can also be beneficial for people with mobility issues or those who are physically impaired. It allows them to move through the area with greater ease, minimizing the risk of injury and providing them with greater independence.
The removal of doors and walls can be a simple, yet effective solution to improving the flow of traffic in a space. By allowing people to move through the area unhindered, it can provide a more comfortable and efficient experience.
Improved sociability and communication
Improved sociability and communication: Without walls separating people, it’s much easier to converse with those in the same vicinity.
People are able to understand each other better, as there are no barriers blocking the conversation. This allows for a more comfortable and open atmosphere, which can lead to better conversations.
Furthermore, it’s much easier to communicate with someone who is in another room, as the walls are no longer an obstacle. This makes it easier to have a conversation with someone who isn’t physically in the same room, while still maintaining an open dialogue.
Additionally, it can be much more convenient to communicate with someone across rooms, as it eliminates the need to move from one room to another in order to speak with them. All of these benefits can lead to a better social atmosphere, as it allows for more open communication.
Shared light
Shared light: Interior spaces that were once deprived of natural light are now graced with sunbeams beaming in from newly added windows in exterior walls. This light is no longer a commodity that only those who have access to exterior windows can enjoy, rather it can be shared among all people.
The introduction of natural light into these spaces has been a transformative experience, elevating the atmosphere and bringing a sense of vibrancy to the area. People living in these areas now benefit from the illumination of the sun and can bask in its warmth and glow.
Furthermore, this light has the potential to reduce energy costs, as it can be used to illuminate the space in lieu of relying on artificial lighting. In conclusion, interior spaces without windows are no longer deprived of natural light but instead can share in the illumination of the sun.
Improved real estate value
Open floor plans are highly sought after in the real estate market, as they can offer buyers a more continuous living space and a sense of spaciousness. In almost every situation, an open floor plan is highly desirable and can increase your home’s value by up to 7.4 percent a year.
This is because an open floor plan can create a sense of flow throughout the home, which can make the home feel more inviting and desirable. Additionally, an open floor plan can also make the home seem more spacious and bright, which can be appealing to potential buyers.
For those looking to invest in their home, an open floor plan can be a great way to increase the value of the property. Not only can it increase the value of the home immediately, but it can also add to its long-term value by increasing the appeal to potential buyers and making the home more attractive.
