Is open concept out?

[Anonymous]

We looked at this home in Petworth/brightwood park and it was beautiful -- we're kicking ourselves for not putting an offer in, but we were caught up on the "it's not open concept".

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5304-2nd-St-NW-Washington-DC-20011/487753_zpid/

Now, going back to the search and all the DC wardmans feel the same and boring. Do you think separated spaces will come back en vogue or is open concept what's gonna last in the long run?

[Anonymous]

Many people hate open concept. I don't know if it's "out", but there is a market for both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many people hate open concept. I don't know if it's "out", but there is a market for both.

+1
I love open concept but many don't.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think you would do well to consider what works best for your family, and not just what is "en vogue." There are plenty of people (like me) who don't like open floor plans at all and would never buy a house that had that. Yes, I personally think it is a trend and one that many people are finding doesn't work well for everyday living.

[Anonymous]

I love the look of open concept but I do not like the practicality of it. You need to decorate and arrange your furniture so that it’s not a cavernous space and that takes skill.

[Anonymous]

No. It's not out.

[Anonymous]

I think total open concept is pretty tough. I thought I wanted it to, but now that I have lived in my house without it (we bought in March 2008, thinking we'd gut it and open it all up, then July 2008 happened and well....) for 14 years, I can't see how we would have entertained, or otherwise just used the kitchen separately from the dining and family rooms, as we do now. I actually think that Petworth house has a really nice flow without being open concept. At least it still feels open and flows and not like a lot tiny, boxy rooms. I agree with you, that's a nice one!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think you would do well to consider what works best for your family, and not just what is "en vogue." There are plenty of people (like me) who don't like open floor plans at all and would never buy a house that had that. Yes, I personally think it is a trend and one that many people are finding doesn't work well for everyday living.

this "trend" has been around for many many years. Almost all new build SFH have an open concept to some degree or another.

[Anonymous]

How did that house sell for $902k? Looks just like the rental we moved out of last year. It sold for $600k a month after we left.

[Anonymous]

It works for small homes due to limited space but not so much for bigger homes. If you have square footage then having defined spaces gives you individual privacy, which is now more important than ever for work/study from home needs.

[Anonymous]

Defined spaces with doors also help if you have kids or parents, in-laws and other visitors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We looked at this home in Petworth/brightwood park and it was beautiful -- we're kicking ourselves for not putting an offer in, but we were caught up on the "it's not open concept".

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5304-2nd-St-NW-Washington-DC-20011/487753_zpid/

Now, going back to the search and all the DC wardmans feel the same and boring. Do you think separated spaces will come back en vogue or is open concept what's gonna last in the long run?

Who cares? How do YOU want to live?

Open concert is horrible IMO. Temperature control is a pain especially when there are high ceilings.

[Anonymous]

I abhor open concept, so that would be a huge selling point for me. The idea of it is nice (as my DH...who adores it), but I like separation when cooking, having guests in, kids in living room playing, etc.

That's a great looking house.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's out - most new builds have it to some degree, and if you go on instagram, houzz, etc. it's most of what you see. That said, there has always been a sizable contingent of people who prefer defined spaces. I am an open concept fan but I know many aren't.

For me, the Petworth house would be ok because it's still semi-open - you can see the living room from the kitchen, and talk to people sitting at the dining table. What I really dislike is when the kitchen is totally cut off from the rest of the house so that someone cooking and prepping food can't see/talk to anyone elsewhere in the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's out - most new builds have it to some degree, and if you go on instagram, houzz, etc. it's most of what you see. That said, there has always been a sizable contingent of people who prefer defined spaces. I am an open concept fan but I know many aren't.

For me, the Petworth house would be ok because it's still semi-open - you can see the living room from the kitchen, and talk to people sitting at the dining table. What I really dislike is when the kitchen is totally cut off from the rest of the house so that someone cooking and prepping food can't see/talk to anyone elsewhere in the house.

Interesting. When I'm in the kitchen cooking/ prepping, the last thing I want to do is see or talk to anyone elsewhere in the house. I like that my kitchen is a little cut off.