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For the past decade, open-concept homes have increased in popularity. There are upsides to this type of floor plan, especially for families (from monitoring kids more closely to entertaining with ease). But is it just a trend? Will people decide that a more traditional closed-concept home is ultimately the better choice? Either way, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before moving or tearing down walls. Here are 10 drawbacks to keep in mind.
Published January 14, 2018, Updated July 21, 2019
Published January 14, 2018, Updated July 21, 2019
Renovations
10 Downsides to Open-Concept Living You’ve Never Considered
July 21, 2019
For the past decade, open-concept homes have increased in popularity. There are upsides to this type of floor plan, especially for families (from monitoring kids more closely to entertaining with ease). But is it just a trend? Will people decide that a more traditional closed-concept home is ultimately the better choice? Either way, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before moving or tearing down walls. Here are 10 drawbacks to keep in mind.
Published January 14, 2018, Updated July 21, 2019
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There's Less Privacy
1/10There's Less Privacy
1/10Photo Credit: Unsplash
Having an open-concept living room can bring everyone together and create a fun and bustling environment, but it can also reduce the amount of privacy. Having the living room, dining room and kitchen as one extended space means it may be difficult to watch that interesting documentary while dinner is being prepared. But there are some <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/smart-stylish-ways-divide-open-concept-living-space-1929076/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">smart and stylish ways to divide your open-concept living space</a>.Renovations10 Downsides to Open-Concept Living You’ve Never ConsideredThere's Less Privacy
PHOTO 1 of 10READ LESS -Having an open-concept living room can bring everyone together and create a fun and bustling environment, but it can also reduce the amount of privacy. Having the living room, dining room and kitchen as one extended space means it may be difficult to watch that interesting documentary while dinner is being prepared. But there are some <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/smart-stylish-ways-divide-open-concept-living-space-1929076/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">smart and stylish ways to divide your open-concept living space</a>.Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Be Aware of Kitchen Safety
2/10Be Aware of Kitchen Safety
2/10Photo Credit: Unsplash
Many prefer open-concept floor plans because it gives parents the ability to watch their kids from the kitchen. While this is a definite benefit, there is also the other side to consider: hot and dangerous appliances live in a kitchen, so if you have little hands around without the ability to close off the space, it poses a safety risk. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/love-it-or-list-it-vancouver/photos/18-ideas-jillian-harris-uses-when-decorating-an-open-concept-space-1052972/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">18 Ideas Jillian Harris Uses When Decorating an Open-Concept Space</a>Renovations10 Downsides to Open-Concept Living You’ve Never ConsideredBe Aware of Kitchen Safety
PHOTO 2 of 10READ LESS -Many prefer open-concept floor plans because it gives parents the ability to watch their kids from the kitchen. While this is a definite benefit, there is also the other side to consider: hot and dangerous appliances live in a kitchen, so if you have little hands around without the ability to close off the space, it poses a safety risk. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/love-it-or-list-it-vancouver/photos/18-ideas-jillian-harris-uses-when-decorating-an-open-concept-space-1052972/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">18 Ideas Jillian Harris Uses When Decorating an Open-Concept Space</a>Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Cooking Aromas
3/10Cooking Aromas
3/10Photo Credit: Unsplash
Enjoy a spicy curry or seasoned fish? Those cooking smells will waft through your entire living space and can permeate into your furniture and rugs. Open-concept kitchens makes it more difficult to contain pungent aromas. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bryan-baeumler/photos/the-one-thing-in-every-room-bryan-baeumler-cant-live-without-1917760/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The One Thing in Every Room Bryan Baeumler Can’t Live Without</a>Renovations10 Downsides to Open-Concept Living You’ve Never ConsideredCooking Aromas
PHOTO 3 of 10READ LESS -Enjoy a spicy curry or seasoned fish? Those cooking smells will waft through your entire living space and can permeate into your furniture and rugs. Open-concept kitchens makes it more difficult to contain pungent aromas. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bryan-baeumler/photos/the-one-thing-in-every-room-bryan-baeumler-cant-live-without-1917760/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The One Thing in Every Room Bryan Baeumler Can’t Live Without</a>Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Visual Clutter
4/10Visual Clutter
4/10Photo Credit: Unsplash
There’s no escaping clutter in an open-concept home. If dinner has just been cooked (and, if you’re like me, you use every piece of equipment possible) there's no getting away with leaving the dishes until morning. This may not bother you, but it can be a hassle when visitors arrive unannounced. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/12-things-healthy-happy-people-dont-keep-in-their-homes-1923463/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">12 Things Healthy, Happy People Don't Keep in Their Homes</a>Renovations10 Downsides to Open-Concept Living You’ve Never ConsideredVisual Clutter
PHOTO 4 of 10READ LESS -There’s no escaping clutter in an open-concept home. If dinner has just been cooked (and, if you’re like me, you use every piece of equipment possible) there's no getting away with leaving the dishes until morning. This may not bother you, but it can be a hassle when visitors arrive unannounced. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/12-things-healthy-happy-people-dont-keep-in-their-homes-1923463/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">12 Things Healthy, Happy People Don't Keep in Their Homes</a>Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Noise Travel
5/10Noise Travel
5/10Photo Credit: Unsplash
As we all know, noise travels and is absorbed by surfaces, so if there are no walls to absorb the sound, it will flow to whichever ear is present. This means the hums from the fridge, the rumbles of the dishwasher and the sound of the television will resonate throughout your open-concept home.Renovations10 Downsides to Open-Concept Living You’ve Never ConsideredNoise Travel
PHOTO 5 of 10READ LESS -As we all know, noise travels and is absorbed by surfaces, so if there are no walls to absorb the sound, it will flow to whichever ear is present. This means the hums from the fridge, the rumbles of the dishwasher and the sound of the television will resonate throughout your open-concept home.Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Lack of Coziness
6/10Lack of Coziness
6/10Photo Credit: Unsplash
Opening up a home can create a beautiful living space, but if not planned carefully, it can also reduce the level of coziness. Having little nooks and crannies adds character and a sense of warmth, which is worth considering when planning an open-concept house. Not sure you agree? See <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/offices/photos/how-to-transform-that-awkward-nook-into-a-useful-home-office-1924428/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">how to transform that awkward nook into a useful home office</a>.Renovations10 Downsides to Open-Concept Living You’ve Never ConsideredLack of Coziness
PHOTO 6 of 10READ LESS -Opening up a home can create a beautiful living space, but if not planned carefully, it can also reduce the level of coziness. Having little nooks and crannies adds character and a sense of warmth, which is worth considering when planning an open-concept house. Not sure you agree? See <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/offices/photos/how-to-transform-that-awkward-nook-into-a-useful-home-office-1924428/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">how to transform that awkward nook into a useful home office</a>.Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Reduced Storage Space
7/10Reduced Storage Space
7/10Photo Credit: Lauren KolynSource: laurenkolyn.com
Having less wall space means fewer storage opportunities. There are some innovative alternatives out there, but it’s important to find new ways to incorporate storage when knocking down walls. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/how-to-organize-small-spaces-for-maximum-storage-1928630/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">How to Organize Small Spaces for Maximum Storage</a>Renovations10 Downsides to Open-Concept Living You’ve Never ConsideredReduced Storage Space
PHOTO 7 of 10READ LESS -Having less wall space means fewer storage opportunities. There are some innovative alternatives out there, but it’s important to find new ways to incorporate storage when knocking down walls. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/how-to-organize-small-spaces-for-maximum-storage-1928630/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">How to Organize Small Spaces for Maximum Storage</a>Photo Credit: Lauren KolynSource: laurenkolyn.com
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Energy Efficiency
8/10Energy Efficiency
8/10Photo Credit: Janis NicolaySource: janisnicolay.com
Fewer interior walls makes it more challenging to preserve heat in winter and keep your home cool come summer. There are ways this can be done, but just remember that large open spaces can affect utility costs.Renovations10 Downsides to Open-Concept Living You’ve Never ConsideredEnergy Efficiency
PHOTO 8 of 10READ LESS -Fewer interior walls makes it more challenging to preserve heat in winter and keep your home cool come summer. There are ways this can be done, but just remember that large open spaces can affect utility costs.Photo Credit: Janis NicolaySource: janisnicolay.com
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Less Wall Space
9/10Less Wall Space
9/10Photo Credit: Unsplash
Adding to my prior point, fewer walls also reduces the amount of space available for hanging <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/how-to-pick-art-for-every-room-1922988/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">artwork</a> or photos, whether or not that’s high on your must-have list. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/things-every-stylish-home-has-1923996/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">11 Things Every Stylish Home Has (It's Not What You Think)</a>Renovations10 Downsides to Open-Concept Living You’ve Never ConsideredLess Wall Space
PHOTO 9 of 10READ LESS -Adding to my prior point, fewer walls also reduces the amount of space available for hanging <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/how-to-pick-art-for-every-room-1922988/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">artwork</a> or photos, whether or not that’s high on your must-have list. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/things-every-stylish-home-has-1923996/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">11 Things Every Stylish Home Has (It's Not What You Think)</a>Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Extra Expenses
10/10Extra Expenses
10/10Photo Credit: Getty Images
Ripping down walls and installing appropriate support for load-bearing walls is an expensive job. This work requires an experienced engineer and other professionals if you want to do it properly… and I insist that you do. This can become a costly undertaking, so think carefully about your family’s needs before making the decision.Renovations10 Downsides to Open-Concept Living You’ve Never ConsideredExtra Expenses
PHOTO 10 of 10READ LESS -Ripping down walls and installing appropriate support for load-bearing walls is an expensive job. This work requires an experienced engineer and other professionals if you want to do it properly… and I insist that you do. This can become a costly undertaking, so think carefully about your family’s needs before making the decision.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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