When it comes to interior design, there are certain topics that people get passionate—and even polarized—about: maximalism versus minimalism, carpet versus hardwood floors, and of course, open-concept versus closed-concept layouts.
Open-concept layouts have sat on a throne in the past few decades, becoming the norm in homes across the United States. They’re coveted for creating light and bright spaces where everyone can move about freely.
But, we've recently seen closed-concept layouts get more love and are a bit taken back—weren't we just knocking down walls to open things up?
We called on four interior designers for their unfiltered thoughts on closed-concept layouts, plus their take on why it is making a comeback. Here’s what to know about the latest design trend.
Morse Design
As most trends go, design trends are also cyclical.
“Wait around long enough, and something that was once out will be back in again—case in point: closed-concept layouts,” Nancy Barnett, principal designer and founder of Nancy Lane Interiors, explains.
Barnett noted that a century or two ago, having a home with separate rooms was actually a sign of wealth. Open-concept living started gaining popularity in the 1950s and quickly became the preferred layout—and now, the scales are shifting again.
Jean Liu, the principal and founder of Jean Liu Design, notes that clients are now begging for privacy in their homes.
“When the whole family is home, it's challenging to be on one call after another in an open-concept living/dining/kitchen part of the house while the other spouse was doing the same thing," she explains. «Add kids into the equation, and the noise amplifies.”
Wait around long enough, and something that was once out will be back
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