Journal

Choosing Open vs. Defined Spaces in Your Home

March 10, 2026  |  defined spaces, functional, interior design trends, open concept, residential design, space planning
AYI Open vs Defined Spaces in Your Home

Open concept versus defined spaces: While Flow matters. Function matters more. The best interiors balance openness with intentional rooms. Open layouts offer seamless flow, natural light, and a sense of spaciousness ideal for entertaining and modern living. Defined, purposeful rooms, allow each space to function intentionally, supporting how we actually live, work, and recharge at home. Today’s best designs often blend both, creating visual openness while maintaining clearly defined zones.

 

You need to analyze how you function in your everyday life when deciding which spaces should be open versus defined. Which areas should be connected? Which ones need to be closed off? 

 

Oftentimes the spaces that work best as part of an open layout are the kitchen, dining, and main living areas. These spaces being open and connected to each other encourages gathering and conversation, creates more flexibility for everyday life and entertainment, and facilitates more natural light since walls are not in the way to block the light between areas. However, just because the spaces are open does not mean they cannot be defined by furniture layout, rugs, or architectural elements like wide cased openings. 

 

On the flip side, spaces that often need to be defined are home offices/studies, bedrooms, playrooms/media rooms, and bathrooms. Having your home office separated from other areas in the home facilitates a space that is more focus and productivity oriented and has sound control from outside the space. When it comes to playrooms/media rooms, having these be defined spaces helps contain sound and activity and keeps the main living spaces calmer. Bedrooms and bathrooms being defined spaces is a bit of a no-brainer; you get privacy, sound control, and in the case of bathrooms moisture control.

 

At the end of the day, don’t worry about the latest space planning trend when designing the layout of your home. Instead, take time to envision how you and your family will live in the space and how your layout can reflect those needs in your home. The best homes are designed around people and not trends.