The open-concept floor plan has defined new home design for years. It’s a highly functional layout, with benefits that maximize space in smaller homes, assist with aging in place, set the stage for entertaining, and embrace health and wellness design.
Aesthetically, it is hard to beat the light and airy feeling of the open plan. However, open space offers little privacy and can be challenging to incorporate multiple uses in the same place.
The open-concept floor plan is still extremely popular, but it is adapting to new priorities: flexibility, privacy and functionality that aligns with new lifestyles. Watch for open-concept floor plans with options for enclosed spaces too.
Hybrid Open Floorplans Come on the Scene
“Open layouts can provide flexibility and a sense of spaciousness, but they need to be paired with thoughtful design that allows for some separation of activity,” says Cindy Kitch, sales manager, SLC Homes at Westerly.
The answer is a hybrid floor plan. Options are varied, but typically social areas, such as the kitchen and living areas remain open to each other, while other areas adjacent to, or near the open area, are fully or partially enclosed.
“Intentional spaces near main living areas help keep the open areas uncluttered, which makes the home feel more organized and polished. It also supports multitasking, so families can entertain, cook, and live daily life without sacrificing cleanliness or flow,” says Robin Johnson, sales counselor, Brightland Homes at Westerly.
Here are five trending floor plan features:
1. Kitchen Helpers: Messy Kitchen, Butler’s Pantry, and Beverage Centers
It may seem contrary, but for some households, the kitchen is no longer about cooking, but is primarily a social hub. Trending floor plans offer solutions with messy kitchens (also known as sculleries), butler pantries and beverage/coffee bars.
“Closed-off or tucked-away spaces allow homeowners to keep the everyday mess and utility tasks out of sight, which helps maintain a sense of calm in the main living areas. It’s about creating practical flow, giving people the freedom to entertain or relax without constantly being reminded of dishes or clutter,” says Kitch.
A messy kitchen usually has prep space and extra refrigeration, and might have an additional stove/oven, dishwasher, and storage.
A butler’s pantry focuses on storage and prep space, and usually is a connected, hidden space between kitchen and dining areas. It is inspired by Victorian-era design, when butlers attended to the household, serving, and clearing during meals.
Coffee bars and beverage stations are also popular, especially for entertaining. They might be in an adjacent area or tucked to the side in an open floor plan, with dedicated refrigeration, appliances, and storage.
2. The Home Office
One of the most coveted home features post-pandemic is dedicated home office space. Some floor plans integrate home offices with semi-private nooks near living areas that help families multi-task. Also popular are separate home office spaces with doors that close, for more privacy.
3. The Flex Room
A flex room is the key to functionality for multi-gen families, income generation, and hobby spaces. The flex room might be adjacent to the great room and kitchen, or space might be taken from main living areas and allocated elsewhere. “Having multi-purpose areas is essential to the success of a family’s lifestyle. First-floor studies, second-floor loft areas, and lower-level den space help families achieve the unique footprint they need for their home, “says Suzanne Leopold, design center consultant for Drees Homes.
Keep options open in a flex room with multi-functional furniture, neutral decor and dedicated storage.
4. A Formal Dining Room
The formal dining room is enjoying a renaissance, as a stylish space for entertaining. The dining room is a great space to experiment with color, especially if it is enclosed from the main area.
Popular are enclosed dining rooms, or dining areas that feature sliding doors, easily removed from the main areas when required.
5. Maintaining an Indoor/Outdoor Connection
One of the benefits of the open-concept floor plan is how it naturally engages the indoor/outdoor connection, and dividing the space with walls could break the flow. The right design approach keeps it intact.
"We think about things like where the sunlight hits, how families move through the day, and how to integrate outdoor living seamlessly. That’s how we make open-concept layouts truly functional today, “says Johnson.
