Backlash towards open floor plans: trend reversal or click bait?

[Jon Martin]

Seen this pop up on several “top 10 trends going out of style in 2022” type articles. It cites Covid work from home as the reason, where people desire more privacy now. 

Personally I’m having a hard time coming up with Cons, and that the Pros greatly outweigh them. Mainly being able to cook and clean the kitchen without missing out on the game or movie. Especially for parents who need to cook and don’t want to feel left out, while also making sure that their toddler isn’t running around with a butter knife and trying to stick it in electrical sockets. Open floor plans generally feel larger too. 

Does anyone actually see the open floor plan trend going in the other direction, back towards the mid century era of dark closed off living spaces? 

[Bruce Woodruff]

I doubt that this particular trend ever goes away, it just makes too much sense. Almost every remodel I did for decades involved opening up the main living space. The closed concept dates back to times where maids, servants and women were expected to stay out of sight and do all the cooking and cleaning, Those days are long gone....and people really enjoy being able to cook and talk to family or friends at the same time...whether or not they entertain much...