Thinking Floor Plans? Keep an Open Mind.

When it comes to building your dream home, designing your floor plan is an important decision. Your floor plan determines how the space is used, how traffic will flow through each room, and the general feel of your home environment.

So it’s no surprise that in recent decades and particularly in modern homes, open floor plans have become more popular than ever. An open floor plan consists of one or more large, open rooms that serve multiple functions within a single living space. An open floor plan typically excludes hallways, walls, and doors, which makes for a more inviting layout.

Here are some of the reasons we love open floor plans (and our homeowners do, too)!

Create the Illusion of More Space

Open floor plans use as few walls as possible to avoid visual barriers — so it goes without saying that those expansive and airy open rooms create a sense of greater size and space, even without having to maintain extra square footage. Helping both interior and exterior spaces to appear larger creates a comfortable environment for you and a memorable impression for your guests.

Pro Tip: Open floor plans are particularly luxurious in two-story homes with vaulted ceilings, since opening space upwards (in addition to at eye-level) adds to the illusory spatial effect.

Make Room for Entertaining

As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and we’re beginning to socialize again, the time is ripe to optimize your home for guests. Open floor plans facilitate a seamless hosting environment, as you’ll be able to see and interact with your guests even as you mingle between spaces refilling refreshments. Not to mention, an open floor plan is built with flow in mind — avoiding overcrowding in any one area.

Whether you throw elegant cocktail parties, intimate gourmet dinners, or even just the occasional family movie night, open floor plans turn modern homes into a space that is perfect for your entertainment style.

Say Hello to Natural Light

An open floor plan omits interior walls — which provides sunlight with an easier way to travel, helping connect indoor and outdoor spaces. Open floor plans pair with large expanses of windows, skylights, solar tubes, and glass doors to bring in as much natural light as possible.

Pro Tip: Adding large windows in the living room or kitchen will not only give you a nice view of your outdoor space, it will also help to brighten adjoining rooms with the glow of natural sunlight. Large doors and sliding panels also make it easier to step from your spacious indoor area into your exterior sanctuary at any time.

Make the Kitchen a Focal Point

An open floor plan tends to highlight one of the most important areas of your home: the kitchen. Often a natural gathering place in the home anyway, your modern kitchen should be a part of your home you’re eager to show off. This space is often an important part of family life and is also key to entertaining guests.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of this focal point with features like cutting-edge appliances and beautiful, natural materials.

Multitask More Easily

Beyond the beauty of an open floor plan, it also offers many functional elements—including the ability to interact with many rooms at once. Parents appreciate the opportunity to cook while keeping an eye on little ones in the living room, or families can communicate more effectively different from respective space. This design creates a greater sense of connectedness and can bring people together in new ways.

Open Floor Plans for Every Occasion

Whether you’re looking for a home ideal for entertaining, spending time with your loved ones, or for simply sitting back and intaking the beauty around you, a modern open floor plan can help you meet your design goals. At Clarum, we create luxurious and harmonious living spaces for our clients—and modern homes you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Want to learn more about how Clarum can help you build the modern home of your dreams? Give us a call at 650.322.7069