20 Open-Floor House Plans Built For Entertaining
Open-floor house plans are in style and are most likely here to stay. Among its many virtues, the open floor plan instantly makes a home feel bright, airy, and large. Traditional closed-plan designs often waste precious square feet by separating the house with hallways and doors—an open plan minimizes these transitional spaces, instead opting for a layout that flows right through from room to room. This design allows for an enlarged living space where guests in the kitchen, living room, dining room, and even the sunroom can all engage in conversation.
While a closed-floor-plan house does have some benefits (hello, privacy!), an open-concept design can transform even the quaintest cottages into an ideal entertaining space. It leaves your home feeling warm, bustling, and bright—and the large shared spaces are endlessly versatile and flexible. If you’re dreaming of an open-concept home, you’ll swoon over this collection of some of our favorite open-house plans.
In this inviting American Farmhouse with a sweeping kitchen island, a dining area stretches right into a living room with a charming fireplace. What more could we want? How about a wrap-around porch.
What’s the only feature that rivals an extended great room and kitchen? A set of double doors opened onto the matching screen porch. Enjoy the main living space, with the bedrooms tucked away to the side for privacy.
Bring the outdoors in with a great room that flows right into a built-in screened porch. Another favorite feature? This charming cottage has a built-in versatile flex room off the front entry.
The Banning Court House Plan is easy, breezy, and made for an entertaining afternoon. The open living room, dining room, and kitchen make for relaxed hosting, and the charming library provides a welcome space for a private retreat.
The focal point of this plan is the central living room, which connects the open-concept kitchen and two porches. But the real selling point of our 2019 Idea House is the secluded, spacious primary suite.
The central family room spills into the open kitchen in this charming farmhouse. We already imagine many cocktail hours hosted on this home’s two porches.
This plan is for you if you’re looking for an open floor plan with a degree of privacy. The central spaces are open and inviting, but the primary suite and library enjoy a bit of seclusion, as do the upstairs bedrooms.
This stylish cottage has everything you need—including a sprawling, open first floor. The deep front porch, set back from the inviting entry, extends to the kitchen, dining room, or expansive screened porch outside. Three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths complete this comfortable cottage.
This classic yet modern house plan has just enough space for a cozy breakfast nook. The second-floor bonus room and flexible daylight basement leave plenty of room for customization.
This one-of-a-kind home can be yours, too. Its charming dimensions still allow for lots of space for guests—from the open kitchen and great room to the covered front porch. Take a tour of this home after a recent renovation by Birmingham designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas.
Portion off the expansive family room of this English-style cottage in any way that fits your family’s preferences. Try leaving room for a breakfast or dining space. Inclement weather? Don’t worry: Both porches are covered, allowing for outdoor entertaining in any season.
This house plan has topped our favorite open-plan designs for its modern-meets-rustic charm. Furnish the kitchen island with barstools to watch all the kitchen cooking action over the holidays.
This cottage may clock in at just over 2,000 square feet, but its design is ideal for holiday entertaining. The open living area and kitchen provide lots of room for your guests, and the screened porch opens up new hosting possibilities.
The back porch is built into the home’s central living space, allowing for lots of natural light in the breakfast nook. Cedar shake shingles top the Cape Cod-style home, with additional bonus space to meet your family’s preferences.
The Cottage of the Year is undoubtedly a winner. While the common area is open, an independent vestibule and screen porch connects two wings with living suites. And yes, there’s a guest cottage with its own porch. Need we say more?
This straightforward cottage proves just what you can do with smaller dimensions. The kitchen, dining, and living rooms flow seamlessly into each other, yet the master suite offers a degree of privacy by being slightly set off to the side.
Southern Living House Plans
This true Southern estate has a walkout basement and can accommodate up to six bedrooms and five full and two half baths. The open concept kitchen, dining room, and family area also provide generous space for entertaining.
While a kitchen, eating area, and family room all flow into one family-friendly space, this plan also boasts a separate dining room for those holiday dinners. You’ll also appreciate the large, screened outdoor living room with fireplace and grill. Prefer a bungalow or farmhouse aesthetic? Check out the Summertime Bungalow and Summertime Farmhouse as well.
Designed exclusively for Southern Living, the Tideland Haven is all about maximizing light. We also love how the open-concept kitchen/living room has three sets of French doors opening onto the wraparound porch.
Southern Living House Plans
This gracious brick home was inspired by houses from the 1920s, but the interior uses an open floor plan for modern and convenient living. Parkview also has tucked away spaces that give it a rambling, historic feel.