Open floor plans first emerged in the 1950s and were considered a very modern design concept, started to gain more traction in the 1990s, and have become commonplace over the past two decades — that is, until the pandemic hit.
“As families spend more time together at home and remote or hybrid work has become the norm for many, the closed floor plans have offered a welcome sense of privacy, especially for adults,” explains Caitlin Carr, founder of the Palm Beach, Florida-based interior design firm of the same name.
Ultimately, each has their pros and cons, and we surveyed seven Southern designers to find out just that.
Design: Purple Cherry Architects
Advantages of an Open Floor Plan
For Carr, the appeal of an open floor plan is the sense of togetherness and warmth it brings. “The nature of an open floor plan encourages more conversation, communication, and togetherness,” she emphasizes. For families with young children or those who love to entertain, this is almost a must, but it can mean more noise and less privacy.
“From a design perspective, an open floor plan allows natural light into all spaces and creates opportunities for crystal clear views,” adds Cathy Purple Cherry, founder of the eponymous interior design and architecture firm in Annapolis, Md. “You can walk in the front door and see all the way out to the backyard, which isn't possible with a closed floor plan.”
Plus, “it makes the space feel larger even when it isn't, and open plans typically allow more natural light into the home,” points out Andy Morse, founder of the Atlanta, Georgia-based interior design firm of the same name.
Carr admits that open floor plans can be tricky to make feel comfortable—each space needs to have its own unique touch and charm while still looking cohesive—and they can also be incredibly stressful to keep clean.
Photography by Jennifer Hughes, design by Erica Burns Interiors
Advantages of a Closed Floor Plan
Many designers love the closed floor plan because it suits modern lifestyles. “It allows you to create really defined spaces throughout the home,” explains Erica Burns, founder of the Washington, DC-based interior design firm of the same name. An open floor plan requires consistency in wall treatments and the overall feel, not to mention organization.
For Amber Guyton, founder of Blessed Little Bungalow in Atlanta, Georgia, her preference also has a sentimental element: “I feel a nostalgia for more traditional, smaller homes, which give a sense of coziness and intimacy that's missing from a big, open floor plan,” she says.
Purple Cherry, on the other hand, is very adamant about the closed floor plans she works with. “Closed floor plans only work if the kitchen is large enough to also include a sitting area, so the kitchen acts as its own 'mini' family room. The only time I'm a proponent of closed floor plans is if one partner never watches TV and the other watches TV all the time.”
Designed by Caitlin Kah Interiors
Someone who loves both
For Bethany Adams, founder of the Louisville, Kentucky-based design firm of the same name, it all depends on the home's architecture: “Modern homes tend to be more open, whereas older homes tend to be more compartmentalized,” she explains.
What advice would Adams offer to those embarking on their own renovation? “Today, there's a greater emphasis on flow than wide open or enclosed spaces. You may not be able to see every nook and cranny of every room from one spot, but you can still create visual and audible connections to the main space.”
As an example, Catherine Rudy, founder of Reed & Acanthus Interior Design in New Orleans, Louisiana, recently completed the renovation of a historic home in the city. Rather than choosing between an open or closed floor plan, they opted for both. “We decided to keep the front of the home — the foyer and formal living room and dining room — smaller and more intimate in scale,” she explains. “The back of the home opens to a spacious entertainment area that includes the kitchen and family room, which then leads to an outdoor kitchen, pool and dining space.”