Trending: Open Floor Plans

Open floor plans are all the rage at the moment.

It seems like everyone is tearing down their walls to create more space and let more natural light in.

Besides, less divided rooms means more entertainment area for your family and friends, right?

However, there are a number of disadvantages that come with this setup as well.

So, before you grab the hammer, read on to discover the most important pros and cons of open floor plans.

Pros and Cons of Open Floor Plans

As much as you may want to, living in an open plan home isn’t suitable for every household. Only by analyzing both the advantages and disadvantages of this remodeling style, you can decide if it is right for you.

Pros

• Small spaces feel larger

Do you feel like your kitchen is too small for your culinary adventures? Open floor plans offer a perfect solution to this problem by making even cramped spaces appear wide and airy.

• Multitasking Family

Yes, you can keep an eye on your kids playing pirates on the couch while loading the dishwasher or help them with homework at the dinner table while your partner is cooking dinner. Isn’t that great?

• Life of the Party

If you love hosting parties or having your entire family over for the holidays, then an open floor plan is for you.

You won’t miss out on any of the fun and conversations while fixing cocktails or preparing dessert.

• Let the Sunshine In

Once you get rid of those heavy walls, you will enjoy more natural light throughout your home.

It will brighten the mood in darker interior areas and at the same time will help reduce your electricity costs by removing the necessity of artificial lights during the day.

• It’s All About Value

Open floor plans are a hot trend right now and it seems like they are here to stay. So, if you are considering a possible resale down the road, this type of floor plan will definitely increase your property value.

Cons

• A Messy Kitchen for All to See

Unfortunately, getting things done in the kitchen has its downside.

You can’t hide the mess and when it gets dirty, it gets dirty everywhere.

So, if your family is not the keep-it-clean-and-tidy type, you might want to reevaluate this design option.

• Everyone Can Smell What’s for Dinner

It’s a fact – smell travels fast.

And, as much as your family might love the flavor of crispy French fries, it is far less enjoyable when your furniture absorbs the smell. Same goes for smoke and oven heat in the kitchen area.

• No Privacy

Well, you most likely love spending time with your kids, but with open floor plans, there is literally no downtime.

So, if you crave some peace and quiet, you should probably take this into account.

• Expensive To Build:

Building and remodeling to an open floor plan is anything but budget-friendly. Microlam beams are costly to buy and install and knocking down those load-bearing walls doesn’t come for free either. So, unless you are financially prepared for such expenses, you should stick to a classic floor plan.

Is an Open Floor Plan Right for You? Make the Best Decision

Open-concept home and more togetherness or separate rooms for more privacy and quiet time?

These are only some of the factors you should carefully consider before you go for the trending open floor plan.

The above pros and cons list will help you make an informed decision.