Is open concept out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that I have a child, I definitely see the value of separated spaces

Interesting. Open concept became more important to me w little kids bc I wanted to be able to see what they were doing while I was cooking or unloading the dishwasher or whatever. If I just hid from my kids i a closed off Galley kitchen they would wreck the house or at least each other

[Anonymous]

It really depends on your needs and your family. We are a quiet family of three. I love our open concept because we can be doing our own thing in our own spaces and still see each other. It’s just cozy and companionable for one person to be on the couch reading while someone else is cooking and someone else is doing stuff at the dining table.

But if any of us were loud I can see how it could get old fast!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

This. Ridiculous and there are better looking home than this for less.

[Anonymous]

My open concept is awful. I can hear every little thing. When my high school kid gets up at 6am, I am wide awake because everything in the open kitchen echoes though the house.

When someone comes in late after walking the dog, we all hear it. And no it's not a small house. It's just too freaking open. I had Covid and couldn't even take a nap because someone had the TV on or was unloading the dishwasher or whatever normal people do that I don't need to hear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My open concept is awful. I can hear every little thing. When my high school kid gets up at 6am, I am wide awake because everything in the open kitchen echoes though the house.

When someone comes in late after walking the dog, we all hear it. And no it's not a small house. It's just too freaking open. I had Covid and couldn't even take a nap because someone had the TV on or was unloading the dishwasher or whatever normal people do that I don't need to hear.

Open floor plan + hardwood floors on that entire floor plan (if not the entire house) = noise. There is no sound absorption anymore.

[Anonymous]

It's out. Everyone realized they don't want to listen to the cooking and kitchen noise while watching TV in the living room or trying to relax. Too much noise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Now that I have a child, I definitely see the value of separated spaces


Interesting. Open concept became more important to me w little kids bc I wanted to be able to see what they were doing while I was cooking or unloading the dishwasher or whatever. If I just hid from my kids i a closed off Galley kitchen they would wreck the house or at least each other

Those years go by fast and soon you want more walls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1

Adding another +1. It's a place I can go to introvert a little/ recharge while still doing something productive.

My kids are 9 and 11 and the time that this is a concern is literally a blip. We moved from our open concept house to one with an actual eat in kitchen when my kids were 2 and 4 and we were all fine. If they are quiet there is trouble.
To OP, I agree with others that it is personal preference. I do get the impression that more people overall still like the open concept. Or, at least in my neighborhood, open concept seems to go at a higher price and faster. But... there are plenty of us who like things more separated, so just go for what works for your family!

Also, that house you posted had a ton of architectural character. Yes, there was some separation, but those separating walls added a lot of character. Something to think about if you end up ultimately in a more open plan -- i.e., how to use furniture or other pieces, maybe building in some cabinets, etc. to create more character as well as definition of spaces.

Closed-off kitchen is a real challenge if you have small kids, You can't watch them play or snack at the table/bar while you are prepping dinner. Plus, I like to be able to chat with my family while getting dinner ready. Dinner hour is one of the only times I see them on a weekday. But, I imagine for older folks without small kids it's less of an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm open concept all the way - because I cook and spend pretty much most of my day in the kitchen. I would hate being cut off from everyone.

+1 I guess we aren't as formal as some, but when we have friends over, we all hang out in the kitchen and chat and munch on appetizers as we cook. When I had a closed kitchen, I was always away from everyone while I prepped. I could not join in on the discussion and the laughter.

I went to a friend's place for dinner, and when they had to go into the kitchen, we sat by ourselves in the LR. I just don't find closed kitchens sociable.

When kids want to watch tv, they go into the finished basement where the biggest tv is.

Because neither of you have any idea how to properly host. Nothing to do with the architecture of the space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that I have a child, I definitely see the value of separated spaces

Interesting. Open concept became more important to me w little kids bc I wanted to be able to see what they were doing while I was cooking or unloading the dishwasher or whatever. If I just hid from my kids i a closed off Galley kitchen they would wreck the house or at least each other

Surely you realize there are myriad options that fall between tiny galley kitchen and "my family room sofa is against my refrigerator"?

[Anonymous]

If you buy a newly constructed house of a certain size today, it's likely to have a formal flexible living space (parlor/den/office) and a formal dining room at the front of the house and in the back it will have a kitchen open to a casual dining area and a living space.

If you're buying an older house and/or a smaller house, and you want to "open" the floorplan, the options are usually to open the kitchen to the dining room or do a rear addition where the kitchen (or a new kitchen) is open to a family room.

In a house that's too small for both formal living/dining and a kitchen open to a family room, you usually have to choose one. I would go for open with a closeable office anywhere (could be a bedroom). You lose the formal rooms and some entertaining options, but I prefer that to a kitchen that is closed off to everything.

My least favorite is a kitchen in a small house that has been "opened" but only to the dining room, which is still disconnected to the rest of the house. In that case I think the best option is to make that dining room into a play/media space and move when the kids get older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This. Ridiculous and there are better looking home than this for less.

Disagree. That house is beautiful

[Anonymous]

Open Concept and Work from Home don't seem to go together particularly well. As more and more people work from home either full time or part-time, presumably there will be a greater need for actual rooms with doors that can close, as well as walls.

[Anonymous]

No, next question

[Anonymous]

Open concept stopped with covid because people were working from home and realized they needed doors. The only reason open concept became a thing was because builders like it because its a lot cheaper to build without interior walls and doors.