Since around 1990, this type of Open Concept Floor Plan has been the dominant architectural trend in new residential construction. Many major remodeling projects in older homes have had the goal of combining the kitchen and dining room, dining room and living room, or all three into some form of communal living space or great room. In residential architecture, an open concept floor plan refers to a home where two or more common areas have been joined to form a larger space by removing partition walls. Heavy-duty beams (rather than interior load-bearing walls) support the weight of the floor above in open floor plan construction. An open design promotes a sense of openness and increased traffic flow.
