Is Open-Concept On the Way Out?

To open a floor plan or to not open a floor plan… that is the question. Listen to any HGTV or DIY Network show or read an article from any number of home design magazines and you are sure to see the phrase “open concept.” It’s the buzz word of home design and has been for going on two decades.

But what if it weren’t? Designers at Southern Living are saying the open concept floor plan may be on the way out.

Architect Andrew Cogar notes the slow and steady change. He says, ““The thought was that an open and informal plan would create a sense of ease, but people are realizing that it also means everything has to be organized or else the house can quickly feel cluttered. Closed-off rooms allow people to cut down on some of that visual noise. It may sound counterintuitive, but people are returning to separated spaces as a way of simplifying how they live on a daily basis.”

To test this theory, Southern Living asked architect Rick Clanton to adapt the design of one of his most popular floor plans on SL’s House Plan Service. It maintains the still popular open kitchen & dining concept but adds separated spaces for an office, a walk-in pantry, and a mudroom or bonus room off of the kitchen.

The House:

Photo Courtesy of Southern Living

Clanton, the principal architect of Group 3, made these changes saying, “Sometimes you want a place where you can close the door. Open space is good, but too much open space is not.”

The updated plans are available for download at houseplans.southernliving.com. Look for New Vintage Lowcountry (SL-1831).

Courtesy Southern Living/Rick Clanton

Obviously you’ll need some land to build said house, and that’s where we come in. Looking for land to build your dream home, regardless of if it has an open concept? Contact us today!