Has the Open Concept Kitchen Plan Gone Out of Style?
Here we go again. Articles are popping up everywhere claiming that the open-concept kitchen floorplan is on its way out. Is it true?
I realize times have changed and the need for more workspaces in the home has definitely increased. But does that mean we need more walls in a home to get rid of the open-concept kitchen floorplan?
The Open Concept Kitchen and Living Floorplan
I will admit that a few years ago I wished at times for more privacy while there were four different Zoom calls happening at the same time in our home. It was loud and hard to think, but I was surprised to read that many now think an open concept kitchen or living floorplan is no longer popular.
Personally, I love an open floor plan. As a family, we like to play together, dine together, and cook together. This means we like a floor plan that allows us all to entertain while still being together.
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Who Thinks Open Floor Plans are a Bad Idea?
In an article by familyhandyman.com, the article claims “While having everything out in the open is meant to promote inclusivity, people are finding that having an open-concept home really isn’t serving the purpose it was made for.” It also stated, “I admit, having an open kitchen and dining room really is beautiful. The way the sun comes in from our gorgeous bay window while you sip on a cup of coffee really does feel like bliss. But for most, the cons weigh out the pros open-concept homes. It doesn’t leave room for privacy, and very little room to hide the mess that we all inevitably make after a busy day.”
Wait, what?
Are you telling me that opening up the kitchen to the family and dining areas leads to no privacy and more mess to clean up?
And those cons outweigh the pros?
No chance.
As a mother who loves to cook and entertain, there is no way a closed-off kitchen is better. In fact, in our home, I can promise you a closed-off kitchen would lead to less cooking and less good food. So hah!
Rethinking the Work Areas in Your Home
In an article by Architectural Digest, I agree with the quote saying “Instead of witnessing the end of the open concept floor plan, I believe we are seeing the creation of spaces that work in tandem with the open concept to give homeowners more options,” says Jay Kallos, SVP of architecture at Ashton Woods Homes, a luxury home builder based in Atlanta.
So how can you create effective work areas to be productive when your home has an open floor plan?
Let me tell you what I did. I literally walked through our home and identified and created new and private work areas all through our home.
Here are the six areas in our home that became private work areas.
- one – The dining room was an easy option. although I did have to have an electrical outlet installed because the only one was in the center of the floor, under the rug!
- two – The family room dining table works great as a work area and there are doors to close it off for privacy.
- three – I added a desk behind the sofa in the living room. The desk is large and it’s interesting because this is one of the most popular work areas in our home.
- four – Technically the 3rd floor is the headquarters for My 100 Year Old Home. The large table on the other side of the pool table is a great workspace. We now have double monitors on the table which I love.
- five – I added a small work desk in our primary bedroom which is a very private place to take Zoom calls. I love it.
- six – My craft room works quite well as an office. I usually have to clear a current craft project of the desk but we all love the taller table/desk height!
Open Concept Kitchen for the Beach House
We remodeled our beach house to create a more open floor plan. We removed a bedroom next to the kitchen to create a larger open concept kitchen that was more open to the family room. You can read about it here.
It’s funny because every time I share photos with our kids I get the response, “I cannot wait to come for a month and work while I am there”!
So that got me thinking … we need some private work areas. So I have decided to include a “work area” in every bedroom. Of course, my definition of a work area is a cool vintage table with a comfy chair.
Why not, right?
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I agree with my friend Martha Stewart (who has absolutely no idea who I am but I still call her my friend) in her article titled, We’re Putting Up Walls Again – Is the Open floor Plan on Its Way Out? that the choice is up to you.
We made it work in our home and were able to keep the open floor plan. It just took some creativity.
I would love to get your thoughts on this issue! Do you agree or disagree that open floor plans have gone out of style?
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Oh my, no way. I have waited for YEARS to have an open kitchen/family room/dining area. We lived in a 1960’s built house when our kids were growing up and I hated the layout. Not conducive to family gatherings and informal time with friends and kids. The kitchen actually had a door into the dining room that closed: yikes! It kept the cook and any helpers separate from the rest of the family or guests….or, folks would gather in the kitchen which was way too small for that! Then there was the separate “den” area also with doors in between. We removed the doors, but it was the walls that continued to separate us.
We now live in a home with a kitchen open to the family room; there’s a bar/countertop and a large eating space for a table and chairs in the kitchen. My dream come true is Thanksgiving morning with everyone in the large open area having breakfast watching the parade while I’m getting the turkey in the oven. And…there’s a loft open to the family room where the little ones play. When it’s time to move into the dining room, it’s via another open area that connects to a great seating area. Plenty of space to add another table if we have guest overflow. And yes, work areas in the bedrooms for whomever needs to WFH. I wouldn’t change it for the world!
I agree- open kitchens for me! I don’t like cooking at all but since it has to be done it’s less of a chore in an open space connected to the family room so you can at least talk to someone while cooking.
Our beach house had a very open concept with the kitchen, dining and living in one big square room and we all loved it.
I honestly think that designers and decorators come up with new ideas to create more business for themselves. Thank you but I will continue on with my white and open concept kitchen and physical spaces that work for me and my family without regard to current fads.
I’ve been designing houses now for 40 years and this is what I found out: Some people are more formal than others, which means that some want an independent, formal dining room while some don’t. Some may want both in their house. However, for many, an independent, formal dining room can considered a waste of a room and an unneeded luxury. This is true for smaller modest homes and apartments. In those situations, it’s convenient to have a room that has multiple uses instead of 1-2 dedicated uses. In my view, more walls and division means more opportunity to project a “Style of Living” instead of an expression of one’s actual lifestyle.
I like my open concept kitchen. At first, I felt very uncomfortable having people “in my space”, or watching me cook and prepare food. I’m used to it now, and enjoy being able to watch what’s happening and being part of the conversations.
Right! I always find it nice because it feels very inclusive, I get to enjoy my guests while I prep! ☺️🙌🏻
I do like the open plan kitchen dining living rooms, BUT, I do not like the smells that go along with cooking in the open space! I am renovating our kitchen so I can have a butlers pantry on a side wall, with folding doors to close it off. My many appliances can be housed and used in that space along with a extractor fan to get rid of the steam and smells. Your 3 kitchens are all beautiful in their own way and I am sure they work very well!
That’s a good point! It’s all about what works for you 🙏 thanks so much Heather!