Another potential pitfall with open floor plans is the new acoustics that come with very open spaces. With fewer walls and sometimes higher ceilings, homeowners may experience issues like echoing or cross-room conversations that sound garbled and less crisp. “The easiest way to address this is with the right window treatments and floor coverings,” says Kati Curtis, principal of Kati Curtis Design in New York City. “Softer materials can absorb sound yet not detract from the open, airy feel of the space.”
