Open concept homes, also called open floor plans, have been a mainstay of home design for decades. There are many reasons this style of architecture is so popular, yet there are also some downsides. If you’re considering an open concept home, here are the major pros and cons to consider:
Better Flow - With a few exceptions, open concept homes don’t have doors separating rooms. Without opening and closing doors—and without the walls they’re built into—it’s far easier to move around the space. Open concept homes drastically improve traffic and airflow.
Shared Light - Another advantage of the lack of walls in an open concept home is that light can travel all the way across the space without obstruction. This means you can take full advantage of natural light from windows. You can also save energy by turning on fewer lights at night.
Multifunctional Spaces - Open concept homes combine the living room, dining room, kitchen and/or family room into one space. Because of this, the divisions of function between rooms don’t exist. You can eat in the living room and work on a laptop in the dining room, all while technically being in the same room.
Expensive to Heat and Cool - Unfortunately, wide open spaces make HVAC systems work extra hard. This translates to much higher utility bills in order to keep the home cool or warm. Unlike a traditional concept home, there’s no way to trap heat or cool air in smaller spaces, which makes open concepts less energy efficient.
Noisy - With more air and traffic flow also comes more noise. Noise can travel easily throughout the space and make it difficult or impossible to get a moment of quiet. If you or anyone in your house is working or learning from home, this can make concentration especially difficult.
Difficult to Decorate - More space does not necessarily mean more freedom. Many homeowners find decorating and arranging open concept homes more difficult because of the lack of definition between spaces. Fewer walls and built-in pathways can lead to furniture and decor clumped up against the outer walls, leaving the inside of the space empty. While not the case for everyone, an open concept home can be tricky to decorate.
New homes frequently come with open concept floor plans. However, the traditional style of layout is gradually coming back into style as people spend more time at home. If you’re considering an open concept home, weigh the pros and cons carefully to determine if it’s the right option for you.
Born in San Pedro, California, as a first generation Croatian, I graduated from California State University at Long Beach with a degree in Mathematics and Chemistry and then earned a teaching credential from San Francisco State University. In 1960 I married native San Franciscan Jim Brown. Jim, was a high school teacher before becoming the owner/chef of La Lanterna Restaurant in Kentfield from 1985-1992. He is now retired. I combined substitute teaching in Marin County with the rearing of our four children, all of whom are grown and have settled in Marin. I became intrigued with the world of homes when we acted as the general contractors in building our own home in Woodacre and another home in the San Geronimo Valley. I began to work the carpet business, and became licensed to sell real estate in 1976. I was an associate realtor with other companies before becoming an independent broker and opening my own office in downtown Larkspur in 1991.