Are open floor plans still trendy, or are they on their way out? This question has fueled many discussions in the design world. After the pandemic, many homeowners are moving towards more divided spaces rather than tearing down walls. Real Simple’s latest project, the REAL SIMPLE Home, featured a large open space for the dining, living, and kitchen areas. To design this, they enlisted Jason Saft, a renowned designer from NYC.
Saft states that open layouts can be appealing but are subjective—some might love them, while others could find them unsuitable depending on the space. He suggests that high ceilings and large areas benefit from an open format, offering freedom and flexibility for families and entertaining.
However, open concepts can feel cluttered in smaller areas, as everything remains visible, and noise, as well as cooking scents, travel freely throughout the space. Privacy decreases, and finding space for storage and art could be challenging. Saft recommends separating workspaces from leisure areas to maintain a restful atmosphere within bedrooms.
To make open floor plans work better, Saft advises maintaining clear zones within the space. Creating distance between areas, such as using decorative screens or positioning a desk away from the bed area, can improve functionality without sacrificing openness.
