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Since the vast majority of new construction is being built with open floor plans, I'm not quite sure how it seems dated? It's not brand new, sure, but it's still the current style.
Now, it may not be your preference, and that's certainly reasonable, although I think if you are looking for new or newer construction, you may have pretty limited options, and you might be better off considering an older home and perhaps updating the kitchen and baths if you want those to be new.
I think open is here to stay if for no reason other than it is the most inexpensive to build.
I've been watching way too much HGTV lately and almost every show with renovation or house hunting going on has a request for an open floor plan "to keep an eye on the kids while I'm in the kitchen".
My kid's grown and moved away, but I still like an open floor plan so I can keep an eye on the TV when I run into the kitchen.
Solution for the kitchen mess is to keep it clean. That's what I've been trying to do at least.
Although...I also kinda like the pass-through "pony wall" type things that some kitchens have.
I DO NOT like galley style kitchens, though. Definite pass for me. Unless I'm absolutely sure I can somehow "open up" the kitchen, my dream home will not have a galley style kitchen.
Well, I don't like having kitchens in plain view and I also like having a formal dining room. On special occasions , I don't want to use our Lenox china, Towel Sterling, Waterford crystal, on a casual breakfast table. That is why we bought Ethan Allen Cherry dining furniture. I also have two grand pianos ( one may be gone soon) and I don't want to have to give up seating for them. While not wanting to live in a museum, I do like a since of formality. We have no kids anymore and no pets.
Also, one story only! No steps! Ranches are fine , IMHO.
I find that open floor plans make furniture placement difficult. I mean, I actually need a certain amount and certain types of furniture, and it gets difficult with some of the open floor plans. Not all furniture looks right floating in the middle of a room. So those items have to go on the outer walls, and it sometimes forces other furniture into strange configurations. Hard to explain, but that's one of my gripes about open floor plans.
I like "semi-open" floor plans on the main level, I guess. For example, our house has a foyer with four ways to go: upstairs, kitchen (off by itself to the back of the house), dining room, or living room. The living room and dining room are also linked by a large open doorway between them, so they are distinctly separate rooms that still feel unified and make for nice entertaining.
I prefer open floor plan for smaller home or apartment, if the home is large, semi-open may be best. My parents' home is over 5000 ft, they have the kitchen, casual dining and family room in one large space, but still have a separate formal dining room, formal living room and a library.
To me, open floor plans turn the entire house into a big eat-in kitchen. I don't mind a living room-dining room combination, but I want the kitchen to be apart from it - and I want space in the kitchen for a small table, too.
I like at least 9 ft ceilings (prefer flat versus vaulted), an open great room (kitchen, family room, and dining), and an enclosed office. I like an informal house that isn't too big or too small and has rooms I actually use without redundant or formal rooms.
I currently live in a '70s home with a semi-open floor plan. The kitchen is enclosed, but the dining, family, and living rooms are open to one another. I love it!
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