Last week we discussed the clear advantages to the open-plan kitchen design. But is the concept of a "great room" as great as it sounds? And is the open floor plan really here to stay? Considering open concept plans are still amongst the top "must-haves" on homebuyers' list, the answer to both questions is an overall 'yes'. However, before you spend the big bucks renovating your entire kitchen or purchasing a new home, consider the following disadvantages of this design plan. No privacy.  As Julia Childs famously said, "But you can always pick it up, and if you’re alone in the kitchen, who is going to see?" In an open-plan kitchen, everyone will see it. Of course this quote is much more than just dropping food on the ground and loudly claiming the 10-second rule (which we don't condone but who hasn't been there). It is more about everything you do being on display by your dinner guests. Who wants to be criticized on our special cooking methods and secret ingredients? No one. That's who. The Overflowing Mess. The kitchen can be a very cluttered place. From slicing and dicing to basting and serving, the mess can quickly pile up. Of course you always have time and energy to clean it up immediately before anyone sees it, right? But in case you aren't able to, it's pretty convenient to hide the mess from the rest of the house. Walls and doors separate the kitchen from other rooms so you aren't staring at dirty pots and pans while trying to enjoy your impressive meal. Kitchens are also typically loud (i.e. banging pots and pans) and smelly (garlic everywhere). It's not very pleasant having to talk over the sound of the vent hood and dishwasher, or smelling last week's meal every time you sit down on the couch. Reduced Storage. Today's homeowners has more kitchen tools than ever before, from whisks and mixers to knives and cast iron skillets. Unfortunately, not all these tools look good sitting scattered all over (or even methodically) on the countertop, especially if you have gorgeous natural stone or solid surfaces you don't want to cover up. For these reasons various storage options can be a major selling point to today's kitchen. Homeowners crave storage. The open-plan kitchen reduces cabinetry and wall space that allow for this required storage. What disadvantages have you experienced in the open-plan kitchen?