The Rise of One-Story Homes and Their Benefits

Single-level living is gaining popularity, offering advantages like communal living, accessibility, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 10:40pm

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Single-story homes are becoming increasingly popular, and the trend goes beyond just aesthetics. Designers like Cheryl Clendenon of In Detail Interiors in Pensacola, Florida, say one-level living supports a more communal lifestyle, with open floor plans, functional furniture, and multi-purpose spaces. One-story homes also offer benefits for aging in place, with features like primary suites and laundry on the main level. Additionally, the open layout and easy indoor-outdoor access are well-suited for the South's temperate climate.

Why it matters

The rise of single-story homes reflects a shift towards more communal, accessible, and climate-responsive living. As families look to stay in their homes longer, one-level designs that can adapt to changing needs over time are becoming increasingly appealing. This trend also highlights the value that Southerners place on blending indoor and outdoor living spaces.

The details

Cheryl Clendenon, the creative director and CEO of In Detail Interiors in Pensacola, Florida, says the popularity of one-story homes is driven by a desire for living spaces that support a more communal lifestyle. This includes open-concept layouts, functional furniture, and multi-purpose rooms. One-story homes also offer benefits for aging in place, with features like primary suites and laundry on the main level. Additionally, the open layout and easy indoor-outdoor access are well-suited for the South's temperate climate, allowing homeowners to optimize dining and entertaining zones that flow seamlessly between the indoors and outdoors.

  • Over the last 5-6 years, there has been a natural progression towards families wanting their homes to support a more communal lifestyle.

The players

Cheryl Clendenon

The creative director and CEO of In Detail Interiors, a design firm based in Pensacola, Florida.

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What they’re saying

“There seems to be a natural progression that's occurred over the last five to six years of families wanting their home to operate more in support of a communal initiative.”

— Cheryl Clendenon, Creative Director and CEO, In Detail Interiors

“What this means for us is a more creative approach to open-concept living, functional furniture, and multi-purpose spaces that really support a single-story home design.”

— Cheryl Clendenon, Creative Director and CEO, In Detail Interiors

“With an apparent tendency towards staying put for longer, we are huge supporters of planning a single-story home layout well so it ebbs and flows with the natural progression of life changes people experience over the course of time.”

— Cheryl Clendenon, Creative Director and CEO, In Detail Interiors

What’s next

As more homeowners consider single-story living, designers like Cheryl Clendenon will continue to play a key role in creating open, accessible, and adaptable home designs that meet the evolving needs of families.

The takeaway

The rise of one-story homes reflects a shift towards more communal, accessible, and climate-responsive living. By prioritizing features like open floor plans, multi-purpose spaces, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow, single-level designs are becoming increasingly appealing for families looking to stay in their homes longer and adapt to changing needs over time.