Open floor plans are all the rage, even though they've been around for decades. There's no question they're beautiful, but are they right for you? Your taste and your lifestyle make that determination. To help you decide, our real estate agents want to compare and contrast them from a practical point of view. Here are some points to consider.

• Do you love to entertain?
  People who love to entertain will likely appreciate the open space so guests can enjoy talking in one area, music playing in another, and refreshments being served in a third. Some people may appreciate a play space that is visible from the kitchen. Those with a broad range of ages and interests may find themselves encroaching on each other's space. This group might be happier in a home where doors can be closed to separate activities. 
  
  
• How will the space be used?
  With many professionals and students working from home, disparate activities may require more privacy than an open floor plan allows. It may be difficult for one person to concentrate when another is making noise as a function of the job, such as talking on the phone or listening to a lecture. Some functions, such as human resources or personal finances, demand privacy for the benefit of the employee or client. If the house is essentially empty all day, this won't be an issue. 
  
  
• Is your lifestyle minimalist or maximalist?
  If you enjoy a clutter-free life in which everything has a place and is always put away, an open floor plan is made for you. You will enjoy the open space. If, however, you have collections and hobbies that threaten to multiply and take over the world, you will find that your lovely things become a chaotic nightmare in an open space. The same holds for too much or the wrong style of furniture. A heavy, ornate dining room table will look jarringly out of place juxtaposed with a sleek kitchen with a modern island. Consider not just the furniture you have but how you would replace it in the future. 
  
  
• What color schemes are most pleasing to you?
  Just as too many possessions can create chaos, so can too many color combinations. Soothing, neutral tones work well in open plans, but if you love bright colors and bold palettes, fully-walled rooms are more suited to your taste. A reasonable compromise would be gentle transitions from one color scheme to another, each with similar intensity. This allows the designer to define areas without a full wall between them. Archways are another alternative between rooms that give the illusion of open space but still have a partial wall dividing the rooms.
  
  
• Is privacy an issue?
  One challenge working from home has brought to light is that it can be taxing to be with the same person 24 hours a day. One common area to work, study, eat, and relax in front of the TV may not be the best situation. Can't wait to get home and share the day's events? An open floor plan may be ideal. 

Still can't decide? Why not tour some of our beautiful Berlin homes for sale or Bretton Woods homes for sale and see which styles are most comfortable? Contact us to explore your options.