Pros and Cons of Open-Concept vs. Traditional Design

Open concept design has been climbing in popularity over the last decade, but in the 2020s, we’re seeing a return to more traditional design, where the floorplan is divided into separate rooms and spaces. To help you decide which is best for you, we’ve rounded up some of the pros and cons of each. Keep reading to learn about the advantages and drawbacks of each design style.

Open Concept

Pros

Clean, airy feel. Opening up the footprint of your common areas (typically kitchen, dining, and living rooms) can make your space look modern and bright.

It makes your home feel bigger. Working with a small footprint? Remodeling or building an open-concept space can make it feel bigger without any additions or vaulted ceilings!

More socially inclusive. An open-concept design can make you feel more connected to housemates, family, and guests, especially if you usually prepare meals or work from the dining table.

Cons

You can see everything. If one area is cluttered, it’s pretty hard to hide. 

Less privacy. If you’re entertaining, trying to focus, or looking for some alone time, an open-concept design might not be ideal for a shared space.

Not always possible. If you’re looking to remodel an existing space and knock down walls, you might find that one or more of the walls support the floor above it or the roof. Removing load-bearing walls isn’t always a deal-breaker, but redistributing that weight might mean spending more time and money than you initially intended.

Traditional Design

Pros

More privacy. Traditional design divides spaces into rooms with specific functions. Children have somewhere to play when entertaining adult guests; a home office provides a distraction-free environment if you’re working hard on something and need to focus. If you’ve labored over a four-course dinner, a formal dining room is ideal for enjoying it without the mess staring back at you.

More design opportunities. If you love curating the feel of a room, traditional design might be for you–because each divided space presents new possibilities!

Noise reduction. It’s no secret that noise tends to echo and amplify in larger spaces. More walls equals more material to absorb and break up noise.

Cons

Window placement. With lots of walls in the way, each space needs thoughtful window placement to provide all-day sunshine.

May make spaces feel smaller. If you’re working with a small footprint–or even a larger footprint with a standard ceiling height–traditional design might make the space feel smaller than it is.

Making the Choice

It’s a hard choice for some, but you don’t have to make it alone. Reach out for a consultation, and we can help you decide what’s right for you!