Real Estate Agents Say The Open-Concept Kitchen Trend Won't Be Going Away Anytime Soon

In the current housing market, prospective homebuyers are being more selective with their choices, looking for homes that meet their specific criteria, from modern kitchen installations to distinctive design plans to increased incentives to make a purchase today (e.g., mortgage buydown offers). Bottom line, buyers have the upper hand, and sellers must figure out how to best market their home for maximum exposure and interest when listing a property.

One option is to add a design feature that's in demand. And while there are certain renovations that won't likely increase the value of your home, there are others that may be worth the investment. One of these is taking the seemingly drastic step of knocking down a full or partial wall to implement a more open style of living between a separated kitchen and an adjacent living space. According to the experts, this particular feature may be key to selling a home heading into 2023.

A recent report by HomeLight on 2023 trends found that 57% of real estate agents believe the open-concept kitchen with adjacent family room will be a much sought-after feature for homebuyers. 

For sellers, this means a home that already has this kitchen design might be a hot commodity on the real estate market. If you're considering a move anyway and your home incorporates the open-concept layout, it might be the perfect nudge you've been looking for to pull the trigger and list your home.

As for buyers, sustained interest in the open-concept kitchen may mean bidding wars on properties that have this feature. On the other hand, it could also mean potentially better prices on homes that don't have this kitchen layout, given the less demand.

Another consideration for prospective homebuyers who are interested in an open-kitchen concept but are looking for a deal is to target a property that doesn't incorporate an open kitchen (yet) but does utilize an interior wall that isn't load bearing and can therefore be removed.

Without the barriers that walls create, the interior of a home loses much of the partitioned environment that might otherwise dominate the floor plan. With an open concept, family members are able to communicate with one another from across much of the home's interior space, rather than having to wander around the property to find someone. As well, even though the area is characterized by openness and a communal atmosphere, it's still entirely possible to retreat to a quieter corner to work on homework or read the newspaper.

As HomeLight notes, an open-concept kitchen that seamlessly flows into a family room allows for this type of socialization/work arrangement. For families with children especially, the open concept allows parents to keep an eye on their kids while preparing meals and/or working from the kitchen area. Open concepts also allow for better traffic flow and also introduce natural light into the kitchen and an airiness into the expanded kitchen/family room in general.