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Open floor plan: These three words have taken over HGTV, transformed our workplaces, and infiltrated the housing market, but not without earning a mixed reputation. Spaces without walls have gained their fair share of critics, who claim that they inhibit productivity, reduce privacy, and make it harder to hide away messes. But as it turns out, they still have a strong fan base—particularly in the high-rolling real-estate market.

Coldwell Banker’s 2020 Global Luxury Market report, which combines the findings of 22 luxury property specialists across the world, shared that 77 percent of home buyers look specifically for open floor plans. “With everyone working on laptops and being so mobile, I’ve found that many of my luxury listings must have a component that is multipurpose and multifunctional,” explains Tracy Allen of Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties in Honolulu. “Dining rooms can double as conference rooms; you can have a business meeting there, then put your laptop away and lunch is served.” That versatility also comes in handy if you’re a big entertainer or just want to save some room for the occasional morning yoga routine.

Living with fewer walls doesn’t mean you have to give up all the positives of traditional rooms. Here are a few ways you can have the best of both worlds:

Get Creative With Room Dividers An old-fashioned screen, built-in shelves, and big, leafy plants can all break up your space into separate areas without fully blocking the view.

Consider Glass Bricks This old-turned-new trend is a great way to partition a room without sacrificing natural light.

Strategize Your Layout Even if you live in a 400-square-foot studio, you can create distinctive zones with the help of rugs, seating arrangements, and multipurpose storage solutions that ensure things never feel chaotic.

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