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Pros and cons to open-concept homes
Open-concept homes have become increasingly popular in recent years . An open-concept home is one in which the rooms flow into one another with limited obstruction from walls or other barriers . According to the National Association of Home Builders , 84 percent of new single-family homes have fully or partially open layouts .
While they may seem like a new trend , open floor plans are anything but . Early American homes featured open , often one- or two-room units built around the central kitchen / hearth . This maximized warmth and functionality . Homes evolved as incomes grew , and soon homes had several smaller rooms with specialized functions .
What ’ s old has become new again . However , before diving head first into a new home purchase or a big renovation to realize an open-concept dream , consider the pros and cons of this type of setup to determine if it ’ s really right for you .
Advantages of open floor plans
Open floor plans facilitate the flow of natural light throughout a space and can promote air flow , helping to reduce warm or cool pockets of air in otherwise closed-off rooms .
Open homes make socializing easier , even when people are doing different things . While someone is cooking dinner in the kitchen , he or she can still interact with someone else playing video games in the family room or paying bills in the home office . Entertaining also is easier , as mingling with guests is much more convenient when walls are not getting in the way .
A smaller home can feel much larger if it employs an open concept . The square footage is not divided into smaller quarters , which sometimes are rooms ( such as formal dining rooms ) that are only used a few times per year . This eliminates underused spaces and opens up sight lines in the layout .
The value of real estate has risen dramatically since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic , and prospective buyers may prefer an open-concept plan because it can help them minimize building costs .
Disadvantages of open floor plans
Open layouts are not for everyone . The same sense of space that occurs when walls are taken down may make rooms feel cavernous and less cozy , particularly in homes with ample square footage . In addition , privacy can be hard to come by when all rooms feed into one another .
When the kitchen is not separate from the family room space , that makes it easy for noise to compromise the area ’ s comfort levels . There is no hiding from noise in an open floor plan , as sounds from voices , television shows and appliances tend to echo and blend together . And if the home is a single-story layout , those noises from the main living areas also may carry to adjacent bedrooms .
Smoke and smells are another thing to consider . When something on the stove spills over , a small range hood will not be practical for clearing smoke from a large space . Though the aroma of freshly cooked food is enticing , it can make it hard for cooks to keep guests out of the kitchen .
Open-concept homes are popular , but homeowners should weigh the pluses and minuses to see if this trend is truly right for them .
40 Winter 2022 Thomasville Scene