Open floor plans feel like an effortless dream, with little to no real walls restricting a home’s flow, but the pandemic is showing homebuyers a harsh reality. Living and working day to day with little room-to-room separation has shown the truth of open floor plans. Home builders, according to Zillow, predict a new demand will come to the forefront: privacy. In a recent study conducted by Zillow and The Harris Poll, 27% of those surveyed said they would consider moving to a home with more rooms. This sentiment is one of the top reasons for contemplating a move, but is it the end of the open-concept living entirely?
As stay-at-home orders took hold around the country, a home quickly became more than simply a "home" -- it became a school, gym, playground and office practically overnight. Now, many are reconsidering their home's functionality as once popular design features have become less workable -- and turning buyers to new construction homes as an option.
Now, many home builders are predicting that a demand for more privacy and more space will help drive building decisions as they imagine how future homes can better serve the people living in them.
Open-concept living has grown in popularity over the past few decades, especially in recent years as home-improvement TV shows pitched it as a must-have feature of any house. Previous Zillow® research found the share of for-sale listings mentioning open concept layouts more than doubled since 2015. Open-concept floor plans remove doors and walls in favor of combined spaces, offering families a greater sense of togetherness.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Design
Motel Conversion: A Motel Becomes a Model for Affordable Housing
A dilapidated Econo Lodge motel becomes the prototype for an adaptive reuse program to provide supportive housing
Design
Niche Design Ideas for Greater Livability—and Coziness
As homes become more compact, builders and designers are getting more creative with space. Niches offer cozy, clever hideaways that can help make a house a home
Design
Townhome Designs That Suit the Neighborhood (and the Neighbors)
These townhouses play well with the detached homes around them, while offering greater density