Searches for open plan layouts surge 168% from 2019 to 2022
The design sector continues to debate the future of open plan. Some experts are suggesting that new ways of living do not lend themselves to borderless layouts, so believe that the open plan trend is in decline. However, recent research into online search behaviours actually found that the concept of open plan has dramatically increased in popularity over the last few years.
National housebuilder St. Modwen Homes compared the number of online searches of specific terms, using data from 2019, 2020 and then 2021. Key findings:
- Searches for “open plan house” were up 168% from 2019 to 2021
- Searches for “open plan kitchen living room floor plan” were up 400% from 2020 to 2021 – and they’re up 6285% when compared with searches from 2019
- Between 2020-21, searches for “Open space home office” increased by 167%
- Over the same period, the number of people searching for “decor ideas for open plan living” went up by 50%
This data proves that there is still a very real appetite in the UK for open, bright, light and airy spaces to call home.
Open plan in the ‘new normal’
Significant debate around the future of the open plan layout arose in 2020, after the pandemic forced us to ‘stay home’ and the lines between our personal and work lives blurred. Whilst some experts point to layout issues, exposure to noise and difficulty keeping a large space tidy with more people often at home, our online behaviour actually demonstrates that we are now turning to open plan layouts even more than we were before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stewart Court, Design Manager at St. Modwen Homes, explained: “Our lifestyles may have changed, but the benefits of open plan living remain. With fewer walls to block light, open plan spaces feel brighter and lighter, helping with a sense of wellbeing that so many people have valued more than ever.
“Larger open plan areas lend themselves well to flexibility, so you can create ‘zones’ throughout the home which enhance your ability to work, exercise and have family time.”
The Starting Block
In response to customer demand for flexible spaces that suit a particular lifestyle, St. Modwen Homes is offering a brand new type of product to customers. The Starting Block allows you to design and build the entire internal layout of a property, with only the exterior of the house fully finished upon sale.
By taking on an empty shell, finished with only structural walls, staircases and utilities in place, buyers have the flexibility to create a home which suits their individual needs and are free to design floorplans that are as open-plan as they wish.
The process will see customers project manage their build, initially by discussing the exact size and desired location of the property with a St. Modwen Homes consultant. An architect will then work with the customer to design the home, which will then be costed by a surveyor and integrated into a bespoke mortgage available to help fund the project.
Joanne Winston, Sales and Marketing Director at St. Modwen Homes said: “When searching for a new home, many of us will have experienced feelings of ‘if only that were there’ or ‘I could do so much with this space if the floorplan was slightly different’. We wanted to give our customers the freedom to create a home which is completely bespoke to their individual needs. They’ll still benefit from our award-winning, high-quality build, but they will be able to design every aspect of the home to suit their personal taste.
“If you think this could be the right choice for you and your family, get in touch with your local sales team. They’ll be delighted to talk you through the process and answer any queries you might have.”
Source: Show House News
