07/27/2026
The conversation around open-concept living versus closed floor plans has definitely come full circle.
Alexander and I laugh about it often because, before becoming parents, we would have sworn by open-concept living. After having a family, though, we understand the growing appeal of bringing some of those walls back.
It's a bit of a paradox.
One of the greatest advantages of an open floor plan is visibility. As a parent, you can make dinner, answer emails, fold laundry, or clean up while still keeping an eye on your adventurous toddler across the room. That sense of connection—and supervision—is hard to beat.
But the other side of the coin becomes just as apparent. Closed floor plans offer something many families eventually crave: separation. They create quieter spaces to work from home, take a phone call, or simply enjoy a few moments of focus without little feet following your every move. Sometimes, a closed door isn't about shutting people out—it's about creating a space where everyone can function a little better.
Beyond functionality, there's also the design conversation. One of the things I appreciate about a more traditional floor plan is that each room has the opportunity to develop its own personality. A dining room can feel intimate and dramatic, a library can be rich and moody, and a living room can have an entirely different character. Every space gets permission to tell its own story.
With an open-concept home, however, the design language often has to remain consistent throughout. Since so many spaces are visible from one another, every finish, color palette, and furnishing needs to work together cohesively. The result can be beautiful, but it can also limit opportunities to experiment with different styles and create distinct experiences from room to room.
Maybe the real answer isn't choosing one over the other. It's designing homes that balance openness with flexibility—spaces that can adapt as our lives, families, and routines evolve while still allowing for individuality and character.
I'm curious: Are we seeing a true shift back toward closed floor plans, or are homeowners simply looking for more intentional ways to create privacy within open-concept homes?
Where do you stand—Team Open Concept or Team Closed Floor Plan? Has becoming a parent, working from home, or simply living in your space changed your perspective?
https://www.nar.realtor/news/styled-staged-sold/are-open-floor-plans-still-popular?
Home buyer preferences are shifting, and it’s influencing home layouts. Will closed floor plans replace open concepts?