When one thinks of a condo, often the image of a relatively small living space springs to mind, however, that is not necessarily the case. In fact, in Thailand in particular, there are plenty of wonderful and spacious condominiums available to buy and rent. One thing that contributes to their roominess, is the open plan living which is quite common. But, what is open plan living? And what are the advantages? In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know…What is open plan living?
Firstly, let’s define what open plan living is; open plan living is a home design and spatial optimisation concept that tends to feature larger, combined living spaces without partition walls.

Generally speaking, an open plan design, particularly in a condominium, will feature a combined dining room and kitchen combo, dining and living room areas, and sometimes even all three!

Why is open plan living so popular in Thailand?
What is it about open plan living that makes it so popular in Thailand? It is largely rooted in their culture and sense of community. Thai people are very family-oriented and tend to have three generations living in a household at one time. As such, they enjoy having open plan living spaces that can comfortably facilitate communal gatherings.

Additionally, it is no secret how hot it gets in Thailand – what with being a tropical country and all. As such, having an open plan design is great for keeping a space relatively cool.

What are the advantages of open plan condominium living?
How can living in an open plan condominium benefit your lifestyle?

Great for entertaining guests: First things first, open plan living allows you to gain more usable space. With fewer walls it means that you can enjoy bigger rooms, again, which is perfect for larger gatherings with friends and family. More people who entertain guests frequently enjoy living in open plan layouts as it makes it much easier to facilitate guests, while making them feel less squashed and more included.
Multi-functionality: Another handy advantage of open plan condominium living is the fact that spaces can be multi-functional. Open plan rooms can become the focus of whatever activity everyone is taking part in at home. For example: it is easy for parents to remain engaged with their children in an open plan space, even as they are focusing on other tasks such as preparing dinner.
Brighter and lighter: Open plan spaces are much lighter and brighter. This is largely because the lack of walls allows light to reach into the common spaces far easier than if there were obstacles in the way.
Airy and breathable: An open space also feels much airier and breathable. If you are one to feel claustrophobic in smaller spaces, you will much prefer having more room to breathe.
Improved traffic flow: Walls and tight hallways can soon get choked up, particularly if you are entertaining guests. This is even more important if you have a larger family living under the same roof.
You can use paint and various decoration techniques to define different zones: just because you have no partition walls it doesn’t mean that you can’t easily define the different zones in your home. Some people worry that having a kitchen / living area combo in their condominium might feel a little too ‘samey’ and uninspired, but if you are buying a condo you will be free to decorate and define it as you wish.
Fewer doors: It may sound like a bit of a stretch, but having fewer doors in your home is actually a blessing. Imagine carrying dinner from the kitchen to the dining area, only to find that you don’t have any hands free to open the door. In open plan living spaces you never have to worry about it.
Easy to clean and maintain: When cleaning your home, having multiple rooms to clean can make the task feel more overwhelming. However, with open plan condominium living, cleaning one central living space is much easier. Of course, if you are renting a condo in Thailand, then you will likely be fortunate enough to enjoy a weekly cleaning service so you won’t have to worry!
Open plan kitchens encourage cooking: This is another advantage that might seem a little daft, but the fact is that most people are far more likely to enjoy cooking in an open plan kitchen than they are in a kitchen that is separate from the rest of the house. Open plan kitchens allow you to cook, while also remaining social with everyone in the living area – which is perfect if you are entertaining guests and want to remain part of the conversation.
More flexibility to create your ideal space: Another great advantage is the amount of customisation options that you have with an open plan living space. Want to get rid of your dining table and have two giant L-Shaped sofas instead? Fill your boots.Tropicana Pratumnak in Pattaya

Are there any drawbacks to open plan living in a condominium?
Now that you know how many amazing advantages there are to open plan condominium living; are there any disadvantages?

Yes, one of the main drawbacks to living in an open plan condo is that you will be sacrificing some privacy for space. Without any walls, the rooms will not serve for dedicated functionality any more, meaning there will be nothing to block noises or smells. So, if you are trying to do some work on your laptop in the living area while your partner is listening to music and cooking in the kitchen, you will quite literally be in the same room as them. Then again, there are easy ways around this, particularly if you are buying or renting a condo with several bedrooms that you can use when privacy is an issue.

Another common issue for open plan living is not being able to heat a room quite as easily…then again, when buying or renting a condo in Thailand, the last thing you need to worry about is being able to “heat” your home.

Are open plan condos cooler?
Yes, and yes! Open plan condos are both cool in the temperature sense, and in the fresh and attractive sense as well.

A larger space will be much easier to air out and keep cool as opposed to a condo with loads of smaller rooms sectioned off with partition walls. All you need to do is open the door onto your balcony, let some fresh air and a breeze in, and it won’t take long to cool down.

Does open plan living add value to a condo?
Whether or not open plan living can add value to your condo is largely a matter of taste. Some people interested in buying a condo absolutely love the prospect of it being open plan. Others however, may prefer a more closed-off and clearly defined layout.

That said, research suggests that open plan living can indeed add value to your property. If you were to convert your home into an open plan space, you could add value of up to 15% to your property – provided of course, that it is executed properly and decorated in such a way that compliments the open optimisation.

Additionally, open plan living is on trend right now and thus it can increase the overall “buyability” of your property.

Is living in an open plan condo a good idea?
Open plan living can certainly be a good idea, but it all comes down to your personal preference and lifestyle. Sure, if you want to make the most of the space that you have available to you, then an open plan approach is recommended. Even more so for people who live in a smaller property as it can give you more space to breathe.

Simply weigh up the pros and cons. Think carefully about your lifestyle and how an open plan layout will influence the way that you interact with your home. If you are a social creature who loves to entertain, then open plan living is absolutely a great idea for you.

The takeaway
To recap:

Open plan living is defined as being a home design and spatial optimisation concept that tends to feature larger, combined living spaces without partition walls
There are many different advantages to open plan condominium living, including being able to better entertain guests, enjoy cooking while remaining part of the conversation, and having an easier time of cleaning and maintaining the space.
There are a few disadvantages to living in an open space, such as a lack of privacy.
Open plan living spaces tend to be much cooler.
It can add value to your home and increase “buyability”.