The truth of the matter is that most people are boring and they prefer boring things. I'm sure lots of boring people saw cool open spaces and bought them, only to realize the style of home didn't fit them. It reminds me of a woman I dated years ago. She got talked into getting a pixie haircut by a stylist, and I was blown away by how good she looked with short hair. She looked so quirky, cute, and fun. It's amazing how big of a difference a haircut can make... but she never felt comfortable with it and she let it grow back into a plain Jane boring look as quickly as she could.

To make the most of open spaces, you have to consider two things, both of which are common freaking sense: Sharing and Talent.

Sharing: How many people live there? Do you need a walled-off room to escape to? If you have kids, the answer for you and for them is probably yes. I don't, so, I don't.

Talent: Do you have the talent to make the most of an open space, or are you better off in a traditional space where the layout determines which room is for what use?

I live alone. My loft is the same size as a 1 bedroom, but it's all one big space instead of being divided up into a bedroom, living room, dining room. I LOVE IT. I've been living in creative spaces (lofts) for around 16 years.

I would much rather have an open space. My bed creates a sense of space all by itself. Years ago, I lived in a loft so large that I didn't put it against any walls at all. It was amazing having it in the middle of a huge open space.

My dream space is a loft somewhere between 500 and 800 square feet, all wide open, in the heart of a vibrant downtown in a big city. I love walking out my front door and being in the middle of it all, but I know this lifestyle doesn't suit everyone. I'd rather have my own little piece of the sky than a yard.