Open Concept vs. Traditional Floor Plan - What's Best for You?

If you're looking to buy a new house, you may be wondering what type of floor plan best suits your needs. Two of the most common floor plans are open concept and traditional. Does an open concept or traditional floor plan best work for you? In this blog, we compare the two types of layouts and help you figure out which plan is best for your next home!

Benefits of an Open Concept Floor Plan

Open concept floor plans are all the rage if you want to keep your space as open as possible. They offer a space that feels more connected, with fewer walls separating rooms. This is especially appealing for smaller homes, since it allows for more flow between rooms. However, larger homes and properties also benefit from an open concept design if you have separate wings or areas within your home that serve specific purposes (like work vs. play). In this case, having an open floor plan helps to make each side feel unified without compromising privacy or function!

Open floor plans are great for entertaining and family life. If you plan on raising your family in a home or hosting many gatherings, open concepts may be right for you. They give you the opportunity to easily flow between spaces, which is especially useful if you're having a party or want everyone in the house together at once. Additionally, open layouts are usually better suited for families with kids because there's more space for play, and kids are less likely to get injured in open areas. This floor plan also works well if you have pets! The more bodies you plan to have in your home, including dogs or cats, the more you should look into an open floor plan.

A Few Disadvantages to an Open Concept

The biggest disadvantage of having no walls separating the flow of your home is that you lose some privacy and soundproofing. Without the walls to separate the kitchen from the living room from the bedroom and so on may not allow you the privacy you need if you work from home or want some quiet alone time. The lack of walls also allows noise to travel throughout the house, which could be hard to deal with depending on your situation. 

If you work from home and have children running around, you may want to reconsider if you were leaning towards an open concept floor plan. Open floor plans also tend to get messier quicker than other floor plans. Clutter is more noticeable in open concept floor plans because of the lack of separation from one area to the next. If privacy, noise-control, and cleanliness are priorities for your home, consider looking into a traditional floor plan instead! 

What is a Traditional Floor Plan? 

A traditional floor plan has a large, centrally located kitchen and living room area while using walls within the structure to provide privacy and separation. Each room has its own walls in a traditional concept home. With hallways throughout the home, this allows for easy access to other areas in the house without having to pass through multiple rooms on your way there. 

The traditional floor plan is the most popular style of home in America today. This type of design has been around since before electricity was invented (and even before indoor plumbing). It's simple, familiar and comfortable. Many families choose this style of floor plan because it provides some sense of privacy because of the walls without being totally separated from the rest of the house. 

If you're looking for an entirely functional lifestyle but don't want to compromise on aesthetics or privacy, then a traditional floor plan home might be right for you! This is ideal if you're looking for some quiet time by yourself or with family members without having to worry about disturbing anyone else in your house who may be trying to sleep or work at their desk nearby. Additionally, these walls provide soundproofing so that conversations happening in one part of the house cannot be heard by others elsewhere.

Why You Shouldn’t Choose the Traditional Route

There are a few reasons you should not go with a traditional concept plan for your next home. Here are a few: 

1. Walls and doors make it more difficult for natural sunlight to illuminate your home. 
2. These layouts tend to be less spacious and more compact.
3. Traditional floor plans are not as friendly to those in wheelchairs or using mobility aid. 
4. The lack of sightlines into other spaces is difficult if you have children or dogs.

If you know you want a bright and sunny space, traditional floor plans often hinder the sunlight from making its way through your home. An open floor concept allows much more light. Traditional floor plans are stuffier than other types of floor plans, which makes it difficult for those in wheelchairs to get around. If you have someone in your family who has a mobility disability, traditional floor plans are probably not best for you. 

It is important to do your research before buying or remodeling your home. By doing your research, you choose the best floor plan for you and your future. Both open and traditional floor plans have their pros and cons. Use this blog to decide what you want to prioritize for your home and what plan might be best for you: open concept or traditional floor plan. If you have questions about remodeling your home to fit a certain floor plan, contact our team at Rocky Top Restoration. We have a team of professionals trained to help you with home remodeling and picking the right floor plan for you!