Should You Knock Down Walls for Open Concept Floor Plan?

Open concept homes are all the rage with many new builds favoring the architectural layout over more traditional designs.

Open concept homes are all the rage with many new builds favoring the architectural layout over more traditional designs.  Open concept homes have fewer walls in the main living space to so that rooms flow more freely which many argue makes a home feel bigger and more spacious.  There is no doubt about it – open concept is popular and it leaves many homeowners wondering if they should knock down some walls and remodel their home for a more “open concept” layout.  But, before you start knocking down walls it is important to weigh both the pros and cons of open concept and determine if it is best for your home’s architectural integrity as well as the overall feel of the layout, and if its best for your decor aesthetic and lifestyle.

First, we will discuss the advantages of open concept.  By removing your walls in favor of an open concept layout, you will instantly create more “free flow” throughout your home.  Older architectural styles often had formal living rooms and dining rooms that often go unused today.  Rather than having all of these underused, or completely unused spaces, you could remodel and open up walls in your home for a bigger “great room” concept that flows to a kitchen and dining space.  In addition to free flow, when you opt for open concept your home will often feel more bright and airy.  This is because you are using all of the windows that may face different directions to light your open concept space throughout the day, taking full advantage of the moving sun and allowing more natural light into your home.  All of this open space is ideal for entertaining or for families who want to be able to keep an eye on children while cooking meals.  It is much easier to entertain in a big open space than in a series of small, closed off rooms.

But, while there are many advantages to open-concept, there are also advantages to more “closed” floor plans.  First, closed floor plans tend to offer more privacy for obvious reasons.  In a household with a variety of people of different ages or stages of life having walls for privacy and quiet may be helpful.  For example, if you have young children but also an older child that needs to study or do homework, or simply wants time to watch a television show in quiet, a closed floor plan may work out for the best.  Additionally, when you have more walls you have more places to hang artwork.  Many people forget that if you knock all your interior walls down you will not have as much space for decor or artwork.  Also, a closed floor plan allows you to contain messes into one space while still allowing other rooms to feel relatively clean.  When you have an open floor plan everything is out in the open in the shared space so if toys are in the “play area” and it is messy the entire open space will look and feel messy, but if you have a closed space to contain toys or a messy desk, the rest of your home will still look clean.

While all of these lifestyle and decor preferences are important, there is one other important detail to consider – construction.  It is important to hire a qualified contractor or handyman that can provide experienced advice about knocking down walls and opening up your floor plan.  While it is often possible to do so, you need to consider if a wall is load-bearing and you also need to consider how removing a wall will impact your flooring (and ceiling).  If you have hardwood or tile floors, it can be a bit challenging to make seamless repairs to flooring once a wall has been removed so it may necessitate new flooring.  Further, ceiling repairs will be needed as well as painting or, at a minimum, paint touch ups.  Creating an open floor plan can really make a home feel airy and even add value, but, as with any construction, it is important to have a qualified professional on your side to ensure everything gets done properly and safely.