Know the difference: Traditional Living vs. Open-Plan

When building a new home, most of us disagree on several aspects of home design. One example is the floor plan, which might be traditional living vs. open-plan. Each has advantages and disadvantages, so it truly boils down to personal preference. If you can’t decide between the two in your new home, we’ve listed some benefits and downsides for each!

Before we get started, let’s establish each floor plan’s pros and cons.

Traditional Floor Plan

Traditional or closed floor plans for houses feature the same amount of space as open floor plans, but with additional walls. These walls divide distinct rooms, such as the kitchen and the living room.

This floor plan is often found in older homes, but it is becoming more common as people spend more time at home. The traditional floor plan, with its barriers and walls, provides privacy that an open concept design does not. Sound travels less, making it easier to find peace and quiet whether working or studying, and it’s much easier to keep each space tidy.

Because each area is a separate space, you can decorate without worrying about a unified look, as you would with an open concept design. The walls and doors also help to save energy when heating and cooling your home.

Traditional floor plans have a few limitations that may make them less appealing to some people. Walls and doors make it more difficult for sunshine to enter your home, and the overall plan may appear less spacious so it’s ideal for a larger space. This arrangement may also make it more difficult for persons who use wheelchairs or other mobility assistance.

Open Floor Plan

It’s simple to see why open concept floor ideas are so popular. This open space design makes tiny rooms appear larger, and without walls, you have many possibilities for creating distinct zones by arranging furniture to your liking. Without many impediments, sunlight may readily travel through your home, making it bright and airy. 

This open concept floor plan is particularly ideal for folks with large families or those who enjoy entertaining. Instead of being confined to the dining room and living room, you may converse with friends or loved ones in the lounge while preparing supper and drinks.

An open concept home design has a few disadvantages and is not suitable for every home’s living space. Because there aren’t many barriers, an open concept makes seclusion more difficult to locate, and you’ll have to select the proper decor to establish a consistent aesthetic throughout the home.

Furthermore, the absence of barriers allows sounds and odors to flow more freely throughout the home.

Advantages of Open Floor Plans

With open floor plans becoming increasingly popular in custom home construction, we wanted to give you a quick rundown of the benefits of having one. This is to help you decide if it’s suitable for your new home.

Enhanced Natural Light

Without interior walls separating the kitchen, living, and dining areas, natural light has an easier path throughout your home and helps to connect your indoor and outdoor spaces. We recommend including multiple windows in the living room or kitchen when planning your new home to help brighten the nearby rooms. Natural light can sometimes make a room appear larger.

Improves Communication

Whether you’re preparing a lovely family meal while your kids play in the living room, or entertaining visitors, an open plan allows sound to travel more easily, provides better vision, and fosters a sense of togetherness. An open floor plan allows you to see and hear what’s happening in adjacent areas without being muted or obscured by closed doors and walls.

Making Entertaining Easier

Open floor plans, in addition to improving communication, are ideal for organizing small parties or game evenings with friends! 

You’ll be able to chat with your visitors while cooking in the kitchen or preparing refreshments, and you won’t have to worry about dashing around between rooms to serve the refreshments. You will also not miss out on any of the minglings! Another advantage is that you won’t have to worry about overpopulation in one part of your home when entertaining!

Enhanced Traffic Flow

You may move freely throughout your area with an open floor plan because there are no walls or doors to obstruct your path from one room to the next. This allows for a more seamless movement between rooms and enhances overall traffic flow for guests or family members.

Layout Versatility

It is easy to reorganize the furniture and accessories within the area to create a variety of room layouts when there are no walls dividing your property. You can edit areas of the space to serve different uses as your demands for the room change.

Advantages of Traditional Floor Plans

A typical floor plan divides each region of the house into separate rooms separated by walls. For the longest period, traditional floor plans have been included in residences.

Cleanliness

It is simple to keep the classic floor plan clean. Because each room is independent, you do not necessarily carry dirt from the kitchen to the sitting room. It is quite simple to conceal unneeded or undesired items in unoccupied rooms. Notably, this allows you to keep track of all the clutter in your home. The overall home feel is quite neat.

Privacy

Privacy is provided by the typical floor plan. Closed rooms provide personal space where you can exist without being bothered by others. You are free to do whatever you want as long as you are in your room.

Noise can be easily controlled

The noise/sound is contained in one single room with this plan and does not travel as far as it does with the open concept plan. You can work or exist in peace without being distracted or interfered with.

Which is the finest floor plan: Traditional Floor Plan vs Open Concept?

It all comes down to personal opinion when it comes to choosing the perfect floor plan for your home: traditional living vs. open-plan. It’s critical to examine all of the advantages, as well as your lifestyle needs, before deciding on the finest floor plan for your family. After all, you’ll be the one living in it.

AllProperties’ real estate property professionals are ready to assist you in deciding the ideal layout and home for your requirements. Explore our new house and lot portfolio for ideas, or contact us now to get started on your dream house.