While there are many floor plans, two of the most widely used plans to consider are the open concept and the traditional floor plan. One is not necessarily better than the other. They both work beautifully for different lifestyles. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of each of these floor plans.
Open Concept
In a more modern design, an open-concept floor plan generally has few, if any, walls between the kitchen, dining room, and living room. The open-concept floorplan can be more challenging to furnish and decorate without expert help.
Pros
- Easier to watch kids
- Space for entertaining and communication
- Tend to let in a lot of natural light
- Tend to have a higher ROI when selling the home
- Better traffic flow between spaces
- Generally makes the home feel larger
Cons
- Less privacy
- It can be noisy with the lack of walls
- Harder to close off clutter or mess in a room
- Higher energy consumption to heat or cool
Traditional Floor Plans
Traditional floor plans have distinctly separate spaces with walls and possibly even doors between the kitchen, dining room, and living room. Different styles and decor can exist in the same home as furnishings and accessories are in their designated spaces.
Pros
- Kitchens have more cabinet space for storage and pantries.
- Less odor and noise spread through the space.
- More efficient in heating and cooling
- Better sense of privacy
- More opportunities for specialized rooms, like a homework room or a craft room
Cons
- It can make a small home feel even smaller
- Load-bearing walls may need to be re-engineered and removed
- Difficult to navigate with a walker or a wheelchair, especially in older homes
- Less natural light throughout the home
At K-Squared, we’ve helped many homeowners determine what they want—working with a design-build remodeler is essential to evaluate all possibilities and limitations in your home. We’re experts in home design and building solutions.
