Open-concept floor plans remain a timeless favorite, and are evolving to include more separation and functionality to suit modern lifestyles.
Century Communities—No. 10 on the 2024 Builder 100—recently discussed design ideas for modern, open layouts with Feng Shui expert and architect Cliff Tan.
"With the right design, open floor plans give homeowners the flexibility to define zones, balance energy, and create spaces that feel harmonious and connected," says Tan.
Kieran Hardesty, vice president of architecture for Century, adds “open-concept floor plans are an ideal starting point for home buyers who want to create flexible and connected spaces that foster harmony and flow."
To learn more about how the open floor plan has evolved, BUILDER spoke with Hardesty. Read on for open-concept misconceptions, strategies for maintaining privacy and concealing clutter, and more.
How have open floor plans evolved over the years, and what trends are emerging for 2025?
While open floor plans remain popular for providing a seamless flow between living spaces, recent years have seen a shift toward more flexible layouts that balance openness with the ability for occupants to create zones for privacy and work. With remote and hybrid work becoming the norm, homes are being designed with adaptable areas that can serve as offices, workout spaces, or relaxation zones without sacrificing openness.
These areas or zones can also be achieved with subtle partitions, strategically arranging furniture, and by thoughtfully using color, textures, and décor. Overall, open floor plans have retained their appeal, but they are shifting toward more structured, versatile designs that can adapt to the home buyer’s desired levels of comfort, functionality, connection, and privacy.
Are there any misconceptions about open-concept layouts that you’d like to clarify?
Yes, there can be misconceptions around open-concept layouts. One is that they lack coziness, but with the right design elements—like area rugs, warm textures, layered lighting, and well-placed furniture—open spaces can feel just as inviting and intimate as enclosed rooms. Another is that they can’t feel cluttered, but it’s still important to consider proper furniture scaling and storage to ensure your space is organized and best suits your needs.
What are some strategies for maintaining a sense of privacy and coziness in an open floor plan?
Maintaining privacy and coziness in an open floor plan requires thoughtful design choices that create separation without sacrificing a sense of openness. Here are a few dependable techniques.
- Define Spaces With Furniture: Use sofas, bookshelves, console tables, or rugs to create visual boundaries between different areas (e.g., living, dining, and workspaces). Arrange seating to form intimate conversation areas rather than leaving everything wide open.
- Incorporate Partitions and Dividers: Half-walls, open shelving units, or even folding screens offer subtle separation, providing privacy while maintaining light flow and visual connection to the rest of the space.
- Layer Lighting for a Cozy Ambiance: Use a combination of overhead, task, and accent lighting to create warm, inviting zones. Dimmable lights and table lamps help soften the atmosphere in the evenings.
- Embrace Natural Elements and Textures: Wooden beams, textured walls, or layered fabrics can add warmth and help create a sense of separation between areas. Plants, especially large ones, or vertical gardens can act as natural room dividers while enhancing coziness.
- Use Sound Management Techniques: Rugs, upholstered furniture, and acoustic panels help absorb noise and make the space feel quieter and more comfortable. Adding bookshelves or fabric wall hangings can also reduce echoing in a large open area.
- Design Multifunctional Nooks: Create small cozy corners, like a reading nook with a lounge chair or a tucked-away workspace, to give a sense of retreat within an open space.
How do you balance the benefits of openness with the need for storage and organization?
Balancing openness with storage and organization in an open-concept layout requires smart design strategies that maintain the airy feel while keeping clutter under control. Here are some key approaches:
- Integrated Storage Solutions: Built-in shelving, cabinetry, and hidden storage—like under-bench compartments or storage ottomans—help keep essentials accessible without disrupting the flow of the space.
- Defined Zones with Functional Furniture: Using furniture like bookshelves, consoles, or islands to subtly divide spaces provides both structure and additional storage. Multifunctional pieces, such as extendable tables or beds with drawers, optimize organization in open layouts.
- Decluttering Strategies: With fewer walls, everything is more visible, so regularly decluttering ensures the space remains tidy and inviting.
- Vertical Storage and Wall-Mounted Solutions: Maximizing vertical space with floating shelves, pegboards, or wall-mounted cabinets allows for storage without sacrificing floor space or openness.
- Smart Kitchen and Dining Storage: In open kitchens, islands with built-in storage, hanging pot racks, and pull-out pantry systems keep essentials organized without disrupting the aesthetic.
- Technology and Smart Organization: Smart home storage solutions, such as furniture with built-in wireless charging and hidden compartments, can help maintain order in an open-concept space.
Some designers feel open floor plans are going away soon. How would you respond to that?
While open floor plans are changing, they are not disappearing entirely—rather, they are evolving. The traditional, fully open-concept layout is being reimagined to offer more flexibility, privacy, and functionality. Instead of completely abandoning openness, homeowners and designers are adapting the concept to better suit modern needs.
Here’s why open floor plans are here to stay (in some form) but are being refined:
- Hybrid Layouts Are Gaining Popularity: Instead of fully open or fully closed spaces, current homes incorporate a mix of openness and partitioned areas to provide flexibility.
- Work-from-Home Needs: The rise of remote and hybrid work has increased the demand for dedicated office spaces, but people still want open, connected living areas. This has led to the integration of adaptable spaces that can shift between open and private.
- Entertaining and Social Connection Still Matter: Open-concept spaces continue to be favored for hosting and family interactions. Even in evolving designs, kitchens, dining, and living areas are still interconnected, just with updated zoning techniques.
- Acoustic and Privacy Solutions Are Addressing Past Issues: A couple of the biggest criticisms of open floor plans have been noise and lack of privacy. Solutions like strategic furniture placement and quiet zones are helping mitigate these concerns while keeping spaces visually open.
Open floor plans are not “going away,” but they are adapting by incorporating elements of separation and functionality for today’s lifestyles. The goal is to achieve this without losing the spaciousness and flow that made open-concept layouts popular in the first place.
