There are many intricacies when it comes to choosing a new home. This process can become incredibly difficult, especially for those who are looking to buy their first house. While shopping for a house is a long and frustrating experience, identifying one’s preferences for a house can make the process much easier.
For many buyers, the aesthetics of the house matters. For others, the location and the neighborhood are what make them purchase a home. Buyers often assess these factors before getting in contact with their mortgage dealer or broker. While all these are vital, homeowners may overlook the overall floor plan of the house.
The Floor Plan
A home’s floor plan is a 2-dimensional diagram that shows the top-view layout of the house. Every level of a single structure has a different floor plan from the rest of the other levels. These floor plans often have specific measurements that show the dimensions of the rooms.
These diagrams provide an idea about how the space inside the house is utilized. Apart from that, it shows the features of the house looking from above. This gives buyers an idea about the overall function of a home. When these drawings are realized into a real-life structure, the floor plan is also the term used when referring to the layout of the house.
Open Floor Plan: What Is It?
One type of floor plan that homeowners may find appealing is the open floor plan. An open floor plan makes use of open spaces and lessens the use of walls. This creates a more spacious feeling since there are little to no walls that keep rooms separate. Houses with open floor plans typically join rooms together, making each room easily accessible.
Open floor plans are often used in office spaces. It was a move that urged office workers to collaborate and interact more. Single cubicles were scrapped, and workers now work without borders. With the absence of walls inside the office, people were expected to interact better.
But creating an open office space may have been a wrong decision. The open floor plan left people exposed and without much privacy. This allegedly made office workers more distracted and less productive.
But of course, an office setting for this type of floor plan is much different from a home setting. In a house with an open floor plan, it can be typical to see no walls that separate common rooms. These rooms include living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens. Open-plan homes typically join these common areas together in one big living space.
Are Open Floor Plans Good?
This type of floor plan comes with several implications. The absence of walls and partitions can be good for some homeowners. But it may also be a burden for some. Let’s look at how this type of arrangement affects the average homeowner.
Improved Lighting and Ventilation
Open floor plans may do good for a home’s lighting and ventilation. The absence of walls can allow natural light to spread inside the open space more easily. This is good since natural plenty of natural light can help homeowners save on energy expenses.
These floor plans also do not restrict airflow within the home. It may help the ventilation inside the house. Homeowners who value good air quality may prefer this type of floor plan.
Limited Space
Adding walls can take up valuable space. This type of floor plan can be a practical move for houses with a smaller floor area. With virtually no restrictions, more space can be used for living activities.
This means that open floor plans are great for people who are limited to purchasing smaller homes. People who live in cities and urban areas can also use their space better with this type of planning. Having fewer walls is a small price to pay for good use of space.
Privacy Concern
But even as it may be beneficial for some homeowners, open floor plans have deficiencies. Much like their effect on office spaces, open floor plan homes also lessen the privacy of the inhabitants. This can be uncomfortable for some, especially when having guests over.
Living rooms and dens are places for relaxation. Open spaces can compromise the ambiance of these rooms since they are exposed to other people in the house. This is a major flaw that this type of floor plan brings.
Open floor plans are not for everyone. Of course, a floor plan is still a feature that is up to the preferences of a homeowner. This is a characteristic that can determine the quality of life of the inhabitants of a house. For this reason, every homeowner should always consider the type of floor plans for their new homes.