Why are we seeing the return of closed concept living? It could be the usual trend cycle resetting itself but I think the real reason is deeper.
It’s no surprise society is excited about putting up extra walls when there’s so much to hide from in life.
Open Concept Vs. Closed Concept. What’s The Difference?
If you’re sitting on your couch and can see your kitchen you’re probably reading this article in an open concept home.
Before the 1990’s the most popular home layout was the “classic six”. It consisted of 6 distinct rooms: kitchen, dining, formal living, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom.
Each room was its own unit, if you were in one you couldn’t see into the others.
In the 90’s developers shifted from this closed concept layout to flexible spaces. Favouring large open areas and way less walls.
To understand how quickly everything changed we can compare 2 very popular TV shows: That 70’s Show and Friends.
Monica’s apartment is meant to represent a New York apartment in the 90’s. If you stand at her front door you can see her living room, dining area and kitchen.
Whereas if you stand at the front door of Topher’s home in That 70’s Show all you can see is his living area and the staircase. You have to walk through an additional door to get to the kitchen and dining area.
True closed concept living has every section of the home surrounded by 4 walls, connected by little hallways.
However, the kitchen is the key. If your guests can’t see into the kitchen you can pretty much classify your home as closed concept.
What Are The Benefits of Closed Concept?
Open concept living has been the preferred layout for over 30 years and most of my research concluded that they’re still the better option.
They also offer more usable space, better natural light and airflow.
So why would anyone want a closed concept floor plan?
One major reason. Money.
Home prices are through the roof. Most people can’t afford new, giant homes with open concept living.
The spending doesn’t stop with the mortgage either. One ‘great room’ in the home has strings attached.
A larger open area requires additional and bigger furniture to fill the space. It also requires more electricity to heat and cool for you to be comfortable.
Why Are Closed Concept Homes Popular Now?
Are closed concept homes actually good or are we just in a financial crisis?
We’ve experienced financial stress many times since 1990 (when open concept homes gained popularity) but even during this time, and long after open concept homes remained popular.
So what’s the difference now? Is this a coincidence? I don’t believe so.
There’s 4 reasons why I think closed concept homes are making a comeback in 2025.
1. Walls Make Us Feel Safe
The world has never fully recovered from the trauma of Covid. Forced to hide from society for protection we now struggle to reverse the instinct to retreat and hide.
We are dealing with an unbearable weight of stress in all aspects of life. We are exhausted. A small, enclosed space feels simple, feels calm.
It’s an escape from the chaos and noise of life. Open concept plans don’t promote sanctuary, they’re more like a circus ring.
2. Dopamine Decorating
2.6 million people, including myself, watch Kaarinjoy on TikTok. She does these incredible DIY projects and decorates her house in a way I’ve never seen before. It’s fun and whimsical.
According to Carmen Dick of Soho Interior Design this style has a name: dopamine decorating.
The goal is to mimic the effect of dopamine on the brain, that encourages happiness and motivation, by using fun aesthetics that remind you of childhood.
It sounds like a response to the stress and misery that I mentioned above.
Regardless of the why, the fact is that this style of decorating works best in small, defined spaces. Allowing each room to have its own colour scheme or mood.
In an open concept home you can’t enjoy a dark study, vibrant lemon kitchen and pastel pink couch simultaneously. The many combinations would be too overwhelming.
3. Making The Best Of It
Closed concept home are the dirty white canvas shoes of my teenage years.
When I was in high school everyone was wearing white canvas shoes. But the most popular kids parents couldn’t afford new shoes, they had beat up hand me down shoes.
So guess what everyone started doing? They’d destroy their brand new, bright white shoes. Scuffed up shoes helped you fit it. And at that age that’s all that matters.
The majority of millennials can’t afford new build homes. They’re purchasing whatever they can afford – older homes with closed concept layouts.
Then once they purchase their first home they’re all over social media. It’s a content dream – showing the house, decorating the house, renovating the house.
The influx of media featuring these older homes tricks our brain into thinking they’re popular even if they’re not. It feels like they’re everywhere and we feel like maybe our open concept home is out of style now.
When the real truth is everyone is doing the best they can with what they have.
4. The Roommate Phase
I’m not talking about a stale marriage. I’m talking about the fact that at least 50% of my friends aren’t married with kids. They’re living with roommates.
An open concept home works great for young families where the parents can cook dinner in the kitchen while keeping an eye on their kids.
The reality is that financial and relationship constraints means that shared housing situations are more common than ever.
And open concept living doesn’t work for a group of friends, or more commonly strangers, who have endured a long day at work and want some privacy to relax.
For roommates a closed concept home is the most functional for having a sense of separation and are therefore in demand for a growing section of the population.
What’s Next?
Will your open concept home go out of style in 2025? Probably not. There’s not many benefits to a closed concept layout. The need for defined spaces is bred from necessity rather from preference.
The economic landscape is forcing us to reconsider closed concept homes because they’re cheaper to purchase, decorate and heat/cool. They also provide additional privacy for a society of professionals working from home.
Many people in the market for a home will still prefer a light, airy space to closed off rooms so don’t start putting up walls in your home unless you really want to.
Are you tired of open content living? Let me know in the comments!
One response to “The 2025 Guide To Closed Concept Homes”
Yes! Love the idea of closed concept in our next home.