My kingdom for a den, with a door that I can close so that I can work and not have to listen to the TV. Also, open-concept houses have less wall space, which means less space for wall hangings and fewer spaces to place items that go against a wall, like bookshelves.

Oh the dilemma, there were only two choices....love it or hate it. That is so limiting....like walls;)

Our current home is open concept, but it isn't just a big box with a roof. There is a foyer open to the living room, but you can't see the kitchen until you are fully in the space.

The living room is open to the dining to the kitchen. It is great to be able to watch HGTV (and the Property Brothers taking out walls!) while I am preparing lunch or see the movie while popping popcorn for the family. It is not to great that kitchen noises are distracting when we are all in the living room. Getting ice from the refrigerator can be noisy! Although it needs to be said they make dishwashers that are nearly silent.

I don't share worries about kitchen smells and messy prep work. I tend to clean up after a meal, and can do so while visiting during a party with the open concept. Since when are kitchen smells a bad thing? Don't they still suggest homeowners bake cookies to make their houses seem homey? Clutter doesn't bother me either, as this house has ample storage and no need for clutter.

I'm so sick of everyone wanting an open floor plan, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. GET OVER IT and do something a little more original!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Robinlharper, no need to shout. And no one has to get over anything. In our homes we can do what we want. Original or not.

I like a combination. In my current Tudor that we totally renovated, there are great sight lines across a large foyer/receiving room, formal dining room, living room, and screened porch....great for parties where everyone can be together or naturally break into smaller groups. We use our formal living and dining rooms all the time....that's where there is a grand piano that is actually played. I believe in using whatever you have that is beautiful and not reserving it for rare occasions. We combined a kitchen and breakfast room to make a large kitchen with a big island to allow all my grown and married kids to come back and cook with me on holidays....it is semi open to the dining room, so it's not isolated. And the old maid's room off the kitchen is a cozy den that lets us put grand babies to sleep while we party:)

The idea that open spaces lead to more family togetherness is interesting, but I think as a psychotherapist/family therapist I don't see that as validated. Families are close or distant within any architecture you can design. My original 1920's house was as formal and closed as it comes but I raised a bunch of happy, family-connected and successful kids there...formality and togetherness are on different axes in my opinion. Some of those longing for openness may in actuality be bemoaning over scheduling, over electron-icing and other cruelties of modern life and imagining that one style of home can fix that....but if you love openness, go for it...just don't assume it's necessary to see your kids all the time to be close.

It has nothing to do with "closeness" or "togetherness" in the psychological sense, that is over-analyzing it. Walls separate. It's just that simple. There are no deeper underlying issues here and to imply that just because some of us dislike confining walls isn't very nice.

No, you don't have to see your family and kids all the time to be close to them. But you can like to. And that's all the question asks, what do you like, and why? My answer, I like open-concept because when I am busy in the kitchen making dinner, I can still interact with my family at the same time or watch to make sure my crawling 7 month old isn't getting into places he shouldn't :) My time with them is so precious because I work full-time.

On a side note, open concept does not always have to be contemporary or modern. I have a love for antiques and traditional style, and it is reflected in our furniture. We also have a ton of beautiful craftsman homes in the area which have open to semi-open floor plans. Absolutely stunning homes that do not sacrifice tradition. Open floor plan does not necessarily equal modern style and closed floor plan does not necessarily equal traditional style. That's a different question. I just see that coming up a lot. That is all.

I'm a messy and unorganized Democrat who doesn't mind you eating on the couch, but I still don't like open concept. I think everyone likes what they like and there is no big meaning to life ,psychological mumbo jumbo reason behind it. It is what it is. Everyone is different and if open concept works for you then work it and if closed concept is how you want to live your live then live it! You know your family and what you like and like with so many other things if you find that once you get what you want and don't like it you can change.

Natasha Assa - I love discipline, order, neatness (and there is definitely no kids snacking on my couch), but the new house I'm designing is open concept because I also love interaction, good time, laughter and people. I agree with K Lee that you can't stereotype people based on this one data point - open or closed concept house. It does not equate to open or closed person.

I'm not participating in this thread to convince anyone that my way is the right way; we are all individuals and like what we like. What I want to get out of it is info on the pro's and con's of each so I can make the right decision for me.

Well, margaret17, no research had been done on this subject, as far as I know (and I am not an urban anthropologist), but there might be surprising correlations between our dispositions and houses we live in. Correlations, you see, are not causal relations (i.e. certain people will necessarily develop certain personalities because they grew up in certain homes). Neither does anyone wondering about this would immediately leap to stereotyping. But as with everything else there might also be exceptions. For example, I can certainly tell that you like discipline (as I have just experienced), neatness (no stereotyping here), and order (who are you to tell me what I am like). Still, you say you like open concept, fashion or not. But methinks is it because it lets you spread all of the above (discipline, neatness and order) over wider area and to a greater number of people, all at the same time?

Fascinating conversation - I love ultra modern open plan living - social, interactive, fun - don't do 'cosy'. But there are no tvs in this house, and no politics either! Modern appliances are very quiet and non-intrusive, so we don't notice those.
However, at the same time, it's all highly organised, tidy and everything has its place, so no mess.
Just the same, bedrooms and bathrooms are private :)

Generally speaking, open concept is great is small homes, especially tiny condos, with only 2 people living there. There is usually only 1 large window, which has to illuminate the whole living, dining and kitchen area. But in a family home of 2000 square feet or more, there is enough room to have some separation of space. Sometimes in a large home when entering a home in a totally open concept, you walk in and see everything right away. There is no sense of mystery or interest to see the rest of the home. However having some open spaces, like a kitchen open to the family room is very functional. It is personal and it depends on how you live. It is also easier to decorate a few separate rooms, than one whole space. There is a lot to be said for some coziness - at least when its time to relax and wind down and not worry if some at the front door can see you lounging in your p.j.'s.

I love the idea of open spaces. It totally appeals to me, but the fact is, if you cook every night like I do, your exposed upholstered furniture will need to be replaced every two years. That 3,000 dollar couch you just bought,chairs and carpet will have to go too, because when you cook, a fine mist of grease will cover everything in an open floor plan. You may not notice because it's gradual, but a fine patina of grease will cover everything you own on the first floor and it's really hard to remove from walls much less furniture. I think kitchens are closed traditionally for practical reasons and sometimes I have to defer to those before us for the best advice.

heathdbar, that's what exhaust fans are for.

An efficient extractor fan prevents any problems like that. I too cook every meal at home!

I also am anti open concept feeling this along with stainless steel and clear glass shower stalls are trends ...They are neither comfortable functional or light on maintenance..If I wanted to see smell and hear everyone in the home at all times I would pitch a tent !

Great to learn a different perspective, thanks!

Pros and cons. It all depends on the lifestyle of the homeowner. If one has a family it can be easier for communication, but can fast become a noise issue. Children running around, one family member watching TV and another, trying to nap, or relax. As a designer it would seem in theory easier to layout, but often becomes an issue. Color/paint/fabrics all need to meld together (most people have collected things they like and want to keep them), but the big one where to place the TV (less wall space)? It is also great for entertaining and in general for older people, like myself without children in the house. As for the elderly or those transitioning, much easier for wheelchairs, canes and walkers too. One can always add some antiques, and area rugs, if you are looking for warmth and charm.

As an interior Designer, I am always knocking down walls to open things up. Its just easier for people to communicate. It also opens up a space and helps distribute light. A big fan and am designing an old Attic/loft, for myself.

It seems to depend on how formal you are are...if you like to give guests the illusion that food can be prepared without a cooking process, or a meal can be had on plates without dirtying them, then definitely no open concept. If you are comfortable with the idea that everyone is aware that food takes preparing and eating makes dirty dishes, then definitely go open concept. Like everything in life, it's about personal preference. As is evident by my comment, I prefer open concept to the honeycomb layout. Then again, I grew up in and have always lived in an open concept home: mildly defined kitchen and living rooms that all flow into one another.

On another note, I don't understand why people get so worked up about things being "fads" or "trends". I like them and move with them in all aspects of life--I don't think I'll be out and about in Colonial or Victorian garb anytime soon--maybe elements of them for fun. And as much as I wouldn't mind tinkering with a model-t, I like this automatic hybrid fad.

In parts of the world where buildings are lived in for centuries, buildings are in continuous flux, changing and adapting with the culture. Each "fad" brings new life into the old space. I recently stayed in Glasgow's west end in a midcentury open concept flat with a 2010's kitchen, in a building with an art deco foyer, in a victorian tenement building. The layering of styles and architectural elements was fantastic!

I think the next home trend into which designers and architects are nudging us is a tiny, open home with no room for a TV whatsoever.

Happy house hunting to you!

Wow, I can't get over the vehemence of the remarks by mnoswad1 -- so overflowing with condescension and arrogance. Perhaps that personality would best explain why a closed, very close, design would suit him/her best. Seems the objection of "dysfunctional" is incorrectly applied to the design vs the people living in the design.

Well, I just discovered this thread a few minutes ago. Who knew how passionate we all were/are about open versus closed floor plans? I can say, with experience, that I have lived in both. Everything you all say is right! The open plan is lovely and perfect for entertaining but not so nice for real life on a day to day basis with messes and noises. The closed plan is cozy and comfy for families with kids ... except when you entertain!

We have just recently purchased a cape cod with a very closed floor plan. opened up many of the doorways and eliminated the old dining room for a combined family/dining but separate, albeit connected thru a large opening, kitchen. It is perfect! It is a hybrid! Go halfsy halfsy.

mnoswad1-comment about Midwest is pretty venomous

I've lived in both and prefer the open floor plan as talking to my husband is much easier in an open plan than have him yelling from another room because he is too lazy to walk into whatever room I was occupying.

My family room, eating area and kitchen are all open, which is awesome. We also have a formal dining room, living room and library that are not so open, which is also awesome!! We use our dining room for most meals because....NO TV during meal times!!! It's when we have our "interesting dinner discussions"!! Our grand daughter is quickly grasping this concept and loves eating in the dining room.

No to Open Concept - I feel like I am in a big lobby. Hate the noise and smells of the kitchen
when I want things quite. I looked at some Victorian homes in Cape May, NJ - almost all had been gutted inside to make open concept - lost all charm, what a shame.

There are so many benefits to an open floor plan. They're easy to design, don't look cluttered, and are great for entertaining. Open floor plans have our vote.

The house my ex and I owned had a large living room with a large dining nook off of it. Large enough for our dining table that we had 10 at plus a buffet. Then there was the very large separate kitchen. I had lots of dinner party's and pot lucks with no problems having people flowing through any of the areas. And, it was nice not seeing the mess while eating.

I wouldn't mind an eat-in in kitchen and having the dining/living rooms open to each other but, not to the kitchen. Or, at least the option to close the rooms off from each other.

Plus, I'm with Haley Daniel's (I think that's who it was) we have lots of art work to hang.

Natasha Assa, I was reading your comments about what open concept accomplishes and, in my family, we had open concept and what happened is that everybody ended up watching television all night long and the people who didn't want to retired to their bedrooms for privacy and quiet.

I like having the kitchen open to the dining and living area, but I do like having a library or sun room or study separated for peace and serenity and to get away from the crowd.

I'd like to see a study on how much people who live in open concept actually communicate with each other. I'd bet it isn't more than those who don't.

I lived in a house where the kitchen was separate for 25 years. I feel like I spent every holiday and many evenings alone preparing meals hearing my family in the next room and shouting “hey what’d I miss?! We moved into an open floor plan in December and I‘m having so much fun cooking while talking to my husband and watching tv. My only issue has been learning to decorate this space — I’ve discovered scale is a big deal. My medium to small decor items look busy in the space and I think I need a few key larger pieces of artwork etc to bring the area together. Examples of this are welcome please!

I really detest open concept homes. I haven't been in one that I felt was "homey". Rather, they feel sterile, cold and cavernous to me. I long for the days when the noise from the kitchen wasn't drowning out conversation in the living room. It's still a thing in my family that the women split from the men to talk; women in the kitchen, men in the living room. Kids go outside or downstairs. BTW, I also lived through cathedral ceilings once (the 70's) and really don't want to see that fad back again. What's next----the sunken living room??? ("Watch your step.")

I absolutely HATE these ubiquitous open concept floor plans! And they really are everywhere. Nothing beats a cozy English cottage with its many mini rooms, low ceilings, and thick walls and doors for restroning a sense of place and belonging. Now we're in America and the choices are exasperating! There is no house on any block in any city that does not feature the lauded "open floor plan." They offer all the coziness of a dentist's waiting room or an airport boarding lounge. Grotesque! But it seems the builders have all the imagination of a malaria mosquito and are singularly fixated on the "open floor plan" come hell or high water. Your only choice is to build your own home yourself and when the architect utters the first syllable "OP" to stuff the blueprints down his/her throat.