Home design trends show split in open versus closed floor plan preferences

Home design preferences regarding open versus closed floor plans show a complex and divided landscape. While open concept layouts were once the dominant architectural standard, recent data suggests a shift in consumer interest.

A 2023 Rocket Mortgage survey indicates that American preferences are split nearly evenly, with approximately half of respondents favoring open layouts and the other half preferring traditional, closed rooms. This shift is reflected in professional trends; data from the American Institute of Architects shows a decline in requests for open concept designs, dropping from over half of architecture firms reporting an increase in 2018 to about a third in 2021.

In specific regional markets like Tulsa, Oklahoma, open floor plans remain highly attractive to buyers in 2026. Proponents of the style argue that connected living areas facilitate better communication, allow for easier supervision of children, and maximize natural light and the sense of space in smaller homes. However, the broader national trend suggests that practical needs—such as privacy, noise control for remote work, and energy efficiency—are driving a renewed interest in more defined, traditional room structures.