When it comes to buying a new home, you have a few (hundred) decisions to make. You’ve probably already narrowed down the exact number of bedrooms you’re looking for and whether to buy new construction or pre-owned (if you haven’t settled on new construction just yet, check out this article). After you’ve made those big decisions, next up (and of equal importance) is the floor plan for your main living area.
As the name suggests, if you’re shopping for an older pre-owned home, you’re likely to encounter a traditional floor plan. If you’re leaning towards new construction, you’ll probably find open concept living spaces are the more common, modern option.
Open Concept vs. Traditional Floor Plans
So which one is right for you? Here are a few factors to consider as you weigh your choice.
How Space is Used in the Home
Perhaps the biggest (and most immediately obvious) difference between the two floorplan styles is how each uses the space in a home. An open concept design allows the kitchen, dining room, and/or the main living space to flow together, often resulting in less unused space and an airy, open feel. Open concept floorplans can make fewer square feet feel far more spacious.
In a traditional floorplan, there are walls to separate each room. Rooms are generally smaller because the space isn’t shared, so while you may have more individual rooms in the main living area, you’re less likely to get that big, spacious feeling.
Interior Design Considerations
It may feel a little backwards to start considering your interior design plans before you’ve chosen a new home, but once purchased, you’ll want your new home to look its best. In an open concept floor plan, you get to choose how the space is used. Instead of risking a dining room that is too big next to a living room that is too small, you can configure and use the shared space in a way that works best for you. Lighting can be shared between rooms, resulting in a brighter, more welcoming feel in your home, and each time you walk step inside, you’re greeted by beautiful sight lines.
While room size and use are a bit more proscribed in a traditional plan, you have some décor options that are unique to a walled off design. In a traditional floorplan, while you still want each room to work with your overall interior design, individual spaces can have more unique elements because you won’t be seeing the entire living space at once.
Real Estate Value
When buying a new home, resale value probably isn’t the first thing on your mind (if you’re like us, you’re just eager to enjoy all the new home luxuries and make the place your own). But it’s worth noting that homes with open concept floor plans generally have increased resale value. If you’ve seen any of the home improvement shows on TV, you’ve probably seen the premium placed on tearing down walls to open up older homes.
At Rezide Properties, we’ve done our research. Open concept floor plans are one of the biggest, most sought-after trends in homebuilding today, and our new construction homes reflect this lifestyle trend. We love building new homes that reflect the latest design trends, and, more importantly, the lifestyles, and preferences of our homeowners. If you’d like to learn more about how Rezide homeowners just live better, give us a call at 404-483-1814 or check out our website.
