Top 12+ Layouts You Should Avoid for Timeless Homes (But They Return)
Sunken Living Rooms
Sunken living rooms, popularized in the 1970s, keep making a comeback despite their practical issues. According to a 2024 report by the National Safety Council, step-down living areas are responsible for a significant number of household falls, especially among young children and older adults.
While these spaces can look dramatic and cozy in photos, they pose a clear tripping hazard and make rearranging furniture complicated. Current homebuyers are increasingly prioritizing accessibility and flexibility, which sunken living rooms simply don’t provide.
A National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey in 2023 showed that 68% of buyers prefer single-level floor plans for precisely this reason. Despite nostalgic revivals on social media, the risks and inconvenience outweigh their retro charm.
For anyone seeking a truly timeless home, it’s wise to keep the floors even and safe.
Long, Narrow Hallways
Long, tunnel-like hallways may serve as dramatic transitions in period dramas, but in real life, they waste precious square footage and create a sense of confinement. A 2024 study by the American Institute of Architects found that open, connected spaces are one of the top three desires among modern homeowners.
Narrow corridors can also limit natural light and airflow, making homes feel stuffy and dark. Energy experts from the U.S.
Department of Energy have highlighted that homes with fewer interior walls and hallways are easier to heat and cool, increasing efficiency. Even though these corridors sometimes reappear in trend-driven renovations, they often end up being repurposed or knocked down in future remodels.
Ultimately, the smartest layouts are those that maximize openness and minimize wasted space.
Closed-Off Kitchens
Closed-off kitchens were once the standard, designed to hide the mess and noise from guests. However, a 2023 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study found that 85% of homeowners now prefer open kitchens that flow into living areas.
The closed layout not only isolates cooks but also makes entertaining less enjoyable. Research from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies shows that families spend more time together in open-concept homes.
While closed kitchens sometimes reappear in minimalist or nostalgic décor trends, most buyers still favor social, connected spaces. The evidence is clear: open kitchens foster interaction, increase home value, and are far more adaptable to modern life.
Formal Dining Rooms
Formal dining rooms often look impressive on paper but are rarely used in most households today. According to a 2024 survey by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, over 60% of homeowners use their formal dining room less than once a month.
These spaces often become catch-alls for clutter or are simply left empty. The shift toward multipurpose dining and living areas reflects how families actually live—informally and flexibly.
Despite waves of traditional design revivals, most people end up turning dining rooms into offices or playrooms within a few years. The trend is clear: homes that prioritize versatility over formality remain relevant longer.
Jack-and-Jill Bathrooms
Jack-and-Jill bathrooms—those shared between two bedrooms—seemed like a clever way to save space and money. Yet, a 2023 Zillow analysis revealed that homes with private, ensuite bathrooms sell up to 8% faster, especially among buyers aged 35-54.
Shared bathrooms can create privacy concerns and scheduling conflicts, especially with older children or guests. The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) notes that today’s homeowners are investing more in primary suites and private guest baths.
While the Jack-and-Jill concept pops up in some new builds, most families now prefer dedicated bathrooms for convenience and privacy. It’s a classic case of a good idea that just doesn’t age well.
Split-Level Floors
Split-level homes, with their staggered short sets of stairs, were a suburban staple in the 1960s and 1970s. Recent data from Redfin in 2024 shows that these layouts are now less desirable, with split-level homes sitting on the market 30% longer than single-level properties.
The constant up-and-down movement can be a hassle, especially for aging homeowners or those with mobility challenges. Renovating these spaces is also more complicated and expensive, as noted by the National Association of Realtors.
While some designers tout the retro vibes of split-levels, modern buyers overwhelmingly prefer single-floor living for its ease and accessibility. Split-level charm just can’t compete with practicality.
Angled Walls and Odd-Shaped Rooms
Architects occasionally experiment with angled walls or unconventional room shapes, hoping to make homes feel unique. Unfortunately, a 2023 survey by Realtor.com found that 72% of buyers struggle to furnish and decorate odd-shaped rooms.
Angled walls can waste space, limit furniture placement, and make routine tasks—like hanging shelves or curtains—frustrating. Even as geometric and asymmetric designs return in avant-garde architecture, most homeowners find themselves craving simple, square rooms.
The market data consistently shows that classic, rectangular layouts are the easiest to live with and resell. Unusual angles may look striking in magazines but often become a headache in daily life.
Excessively Open Floor Plans
While open floor plans are in demand, there is such a thing as too much openness. A 2024 report from the National Association of Home Builders found that 41% of homeowners regret having no separation between living, dining, and kitchen areas.
Noise, lack of privacy, and difficulty heating or cooling large open areas can become real frustrations. During the rise of remote work, families discovered that some walls actually make life easier, giving everyone a spot to retreat.
Designers now recommend “broken-plan” layouts—partially open with zones or sliding panels—to balance openness with function. The lesson is clear: total openness isn’t always timeless.
Massive Primary Bedrooms
Oversized primary bedrooms were once seen as the ultimate luxury, but tastes are shifting. According to a 2023 Trulia homebuyer survey, 58% of respondents said they would rather have extra closet or living space than a huge bedroom.
Large bedrooms can make other parts of the home feel cramped and are expensive to heat, cool, and furnish. In the past two years, architects have noticed a growing preference for right-sized bedrooms that feel cozy and functional.
The move toward “enough but not too much” space is about making every square foot count. Gargantuan bedrooms may look impressive, but they rarely offer lasting value or comfort.
Overly Compartmentalized Layouts
Homes with a maze of small, separated rooms were once the norm, but now they feel outdated and restrictive. A 2024 study by the Home Innovation Research Labs found that 79% of new home buyers want fewer walls and more flexible, multi-use spaces.
Compartmentalized layouts make it hard to adapt to changing family needs or create a sense of flow. They can also block natural light, making homes feel gloomy and closed-in.
As families juggle work, school, and leisure under one roof, adaptable spaces are more important than ever. The trend is clear: homes that can change with you are the ones that last.
Grand Entry Foyers
Expansive entry foyers with double-height ceilings used to be a status symbol, but today they’re often seen as wasted space. According to a 2023 NAHB report, 63% of buyers prefer an entry with practical features—like storage or a mudroom—over grand, decorative halls.
Large foyers can also drive up heating and cooling bills, and are rarely used as true living spaces. As energy efficiency and everyday function become top priorities, oversized entryways are falling out of favor.
While dramatic entrances still pop up in luxury builds, most people want a home that feels welcoming and efficient from the moment they walk in.
Built-In Conversation Pits
The conversation pit—a sunken sitting area built for intimate chats—has a certain retro cool, but it comes with practical downsides. A 2024 analysis by Apartment Therapy found that homes with conversation pits typically spend longer on the market and often require expensive renovations.
These pits are difficult to clean, can be a tripping hazard, and limit how you arrange furniture. While they sometimes resurface in design magazines as a quirky feature, most homeowners end up filling them in or covering them up.
Ultimately, flexibility and safety always win out over novelty when it comes to timeless home layouts.
