Open vs Enclosed Villas in Bali: 7 Must-Know Trends in Villa Design in Bali for 2025 and Beyond

Introduction: One Island, Two Design Philosophies

Bali has long been a magnet for villa investors and holidaymakers alike—but in 2025, the landscape is evolving. More than ever, guests are seeking comfort, security, and an experience that aligns with their lifestyle. As the expectations of travelers change, so must the approach to villa design.

In Bali’s property scene, two dominant architectural trends emerge: the classic open-concept villas that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living, and the increasingly popular enclosed villas that offer air-conditioned comfort and weather-proof functionality. Each villa design speaks to a different audience, caters to different needs, and creates a different impact on rental income and maintenance costs.

Choosing the right villa design isn’t just an aesthetic decision—it can determine how often your property is booked, how much it costs to maintain, and whether it complies with evolving regulations. This article will unpack the benefits and drawbacks of both styles, review guest preferences in Bali's key regions, and offer insights into hybrid options that combine the best of both worlds.

Whether you’re designing a luxury retreat in Ubud, a family villa in Sanur, or a sleek rental in Canggu, understanding these two design paths is the first step toward a profitable and future-proof investment.

What is Open-Concept Villa Design?

Open-concept villa design is one of the most iconic and recognizable styles across Bali’s hospitality scene. This approach eliminates the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a seamless flow between the living room, dining area, and kitchen—often without any walls or solid doors. Instead of traditional enclosures, open-concept villas embrace fresh air, natural light, and the surrounding landscape.

Rooted in traditional Balinese architecture, this style reflects the island’s spiritual and communal values. It promotes harmony with nature, making it especially popular in areas like Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu, and Seminyak, where lush greenery or ocean views can be fully appreciated. Many of Bali’s Instagram-famous properties use open-concept villa design to appeal to wellness travelers, digital nomads, and content creators seeking visual charm and natural ambiance.

Common features include alang-alang thatched roofs, ceiling fans instead of AC, sunken lounges, outdoor bathrooms with stone walls, and kitchens that open onto tropical gardens or private pools. These elements aren’t just aesthetic—they serve a purpose in keeping the villa naturally ventilated and visually connected to its environment.

The biggest benefit of this villa design is the immersive tropical experience it provides. Guests can dine under the stars, listen to birdsong while they cook, or practice yoga with a direct view of palm trees and rice fields. It’s an architectural love letter to Bali’s climate and culture.

However, as appealing as this villa design may be, it’s not ideal for everyone—which is why understanding guest profiles and potential drawbacks is essential, especially for long-term investment success.

What is Enclosed Villa Design?

Enclosed villa design refers to properties where all primary living areas—bedrooms, living rooms, dining areas, and kitchens—are housed within a fully walled, roofed, and air-conditioned structure. Unlike the open-concept style, enclosed villas provide a traditional indoor living experience similar to what many guests might be used to in their home countries.

This type of villa design is especially common in urban zones such as Sanur, Berawa, and Denpasar, where expats, young families, and remote workers often prioritize comfort, convenience, and privacy over aesthetics alone. Enclosed villas appeal to those who value consistent indoor temperatures, stronger security, and protection from insects, rain, or noise.

Another advantage of enclosed villa design is its all-season functionality. During Bali’s rainy season or in high-humidity months, enclosed villas are easier to maintain and more appealing for rental—particularly for digital nomads and long-term tenants who require stable, work-friendly environments. Enclosed kitchens with modern appliances, quiet bedrooms, and sealed-off workspaces also enhance the sense of livability for these demographics.

Families traveling with children also tend to prefer this villa design due to improved safety features—such as secure doors and windows, fenced yards, and fewer opportunities for accidental wildlife or insect encounters.

In short, enclosed villa design may not offer the same tropical “wow factor” as open-concept villas, but they shine when it comes to practicality, privacy, and year-round rental appeal. For investors eyeing long-term tenants or extended-stay tourists, this structure offers high returns and fewer maintenance headaches.

Guest Preferences: Who Likes What?

Understanding guest preferences is essential when choosing the right villa design for your Bali investment. Both open-concept and enclosed villas cater to different types of travelers, and selecting the wrong structure could result in missed bookings or low occupancy.

Open-concept villa design tends to attract short-stay guests—honeymooners, nature lovers, yoga retreat participants, and wellness seekers. These visitors are typically drawn to the island’s immersive atmosphere and want to feel close to nature. Whether it's dining under the stars or showering in a semi-open bathroom with a view of the jungle, open-concept villas deliver the “Bali vibes” that Instagram travelers dream of. Locations like Ubud, Uluwatu, and the rice fields of Canggu see high demand for this layout.

In contrast, enclosed villa design is more appealing to digital nomads, families with young children, elderly travelers, and long-term professionals. These guests prioritize climate control, secure living spaces, and quieter environments—especially during the rainy season. Having an air-conditioned workspace and sealed interiors can be the difference between a five-star review and a refund request. Urban zones like Sanur and Berawa reflect this trend clearly.

Review trends from platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com show this divide in preferences. Properties with open-concept villa design often receive glowing reviews for ambiance and “authentic Bali experience,” while enclosed villas earn praise for convenience, comfort, and reliability.

Knowing your ideal guest profile helps you determine which villa design will deliver consistent returns—not just in high season, but year-round.

Maintenance, Cleaning, and Pest Control

Your choice of villa design doesn’t just affect aesthetics—it plays a significant role in how much time, money, and staff effort is needed to keep the property in top shape. Maintenance and cleanliness are critical for high review scores and repeat bookings, especially in Bali’s competitive rental market.

Open-concept villa design looks stunning in photos, but behind the scenes, it can be labor-intensive. These villas are exposed to Bali’s tropical elements: dust, heavy rains, insects, and even wild animals like monkeys or geckos. The lack of full enclosure means you’ll need daily cleaning staff and pest control services. Mold and humidity can also become major issues, particularly in bathrooms, bedrooms, and wooden structures. Alang-alang roofs, while beautiful, require routine treatment and occasional replacement due to moisture and pests.

Enclosed villa design, on the other hand, offers greater protection. With proper insulation, sealed windows, and air conditioning, you reduce the need for deep daily cleaning and pest deterrence. Appliances last longer in climate-controlled environments, and wear and tear is generally lower. These villas are also easier to manage with minimal staff, making them attractive to long-term tenants or owners living abroad.

Operating costs are also affected by your villa design. Open villas typically require a larger team: gardeners, cleaners, maintenance personnel, and even wildlife deterrents. Enclosed villas can often run with just one or two part-time staff members.

In summary, while open-concept villas deliver a tropical dream experience, they come with higher operational overhead. Enclosed villa design may lack the exotic feel but offers peace of mind when it comes to maintenance, budgeting, and long-term asset care.

ROI & Rental Income Potential

When evaluating the long-term profitability of a property in Bali, villa design plays a major role in determining rental income, occupancy rates, and resale value.

Open-concept villa design—with airy living spaces and tropical aesthetics—can command higher nightly rates on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. These villas often appeal to short-stay tourists, honeymooners, and those seeking a photogenic “Bali experience.” However, the downside is seasonality: during the rainy season (October to February), open spaces become less comfortable, leading to dips in occupancy and increased cancellations.

Enclosed villa design offers more year-round usability and is especially appealing to long-term renters like digital nomads, families, and remote professionals. This translates to fewer vacancy gaps and steadier monthly income. These villas also attract tenants willing to sign multi-month leases, reducing turnover and management headaches.

From an investment perspective, villa design impacts resale potential as well. Enclosed villas are often easier to sell to foreign buyers seeking long-term use or family-friendly environments. They are perceived as lower maintenance and more adaptable for permanent living.

Smart investors are now leaning toward hybrid villa design strategies—enclosed bedrooms and kitchen areas paired with partially open living or dining areas. This format offers the best of both worlds: the breezy charm of Bali with the climate control and comfort modern guests demand.

In short, understanding how villa design influences your income flow and market appeal is crucial. Whether your goal is high-turnover holiday rentals or long-term stability, matching your layout to your target market will define your ROI success.

Legal & Zoning Considerations

When planning a profitable and compliant development in Bali, understanding the legal and zoning implications of your villa design is just as important as aesthetics and guest appeal.

In tourism hotspots like Canggu and Uluwatu, local regulations are becoming increasingly strict. Open-concept villas—especially those with outdoor kitchens, dining, or lounge areas—may not be fully counted toward the required building coverage in your PBG (Persetujuan Bangunan Gedung) submission. This can cause complications during inspections or when applying for PLN (electricity) and PDAM (water) connections.

Enclosed villa design tends to align more smoothly with zoning laws and is easier to certify for building permits and utility setups. Since all enclosed structures are clearly defined by walls and roofing, they’re easier to calculate against floor area ratios and setback limits in accordance with Bali’s ITR (Zoning Map).

Failing to meet zoning or permit standards can result in significant setbacks—from fines to frozen construction or even demolition orders. For example, outdoor structures without sufficient weather protection or unclear usage may be rejected during site inspections by Dinas PUPR or Dinas Tata Ruang.

To avoid these issues, developers should consult a certified architect, legal notary, and spatial planning official early in the process. Always ensure your villa design complies with both provincial and kabupaten (regency-level) rules. These vary from Badung to Gianyar, or from urban areas to green zones near the coastline or rice fields.

Bottom line: the right villa design isn’t just beautiful—it’s legally secure.

Trends for 2025 and Beyond: Sustainable, Hybrid, and Smart Villas

🔁 Focus keyword: villa design (used 4x)

As the villa rental market in Bali becomes more competitive, villa design trends are shifting rapidly to meet the evolving expectations of modern travelers. In 2025 and beyond, the focus is no longer just on beauty—functionality, flexibility, and sustainability are taking center stage.

One of the biggest movements is toward hybrid villas—a villa design that blends enclosed comfort with open-air ambiance. These properties often feature fully enclosed interiors with sliding or folding glass walls, allowing guests to enjoy airflow and views while also having the option to seal off space for air conditioning or security. Shaded outdoor pavilions, sunken lounges, and semi-enclosed dining areas are also common.

Tech-driven solutions are rising fast. From smart lighting and automatic shutters to solar panels and retractable roofs, villa design in Bali is becoming smarter and more energy-conscious. These enhancements not only boost guest experience but also appeal to eco-conscious travelers who prioritize green stays.

Another key trend is space adaptability. Guests want villas that can transform—like living rooms that open into the pool deck, or bedrooms with Murphy beds and movable partitions. This flexibility helps villa owners target different guest segments with a single property.

Sustainability is also a driving force. Materials like bamboo, reclaimed teak, and natural stone are favored, while rainwater catchment systems and greywater recycling are gaining popularity among forward-thinking developers.

In 2025, profitable villa design in Bali means balancing aesthetics with eco-efficiency, guest flexibility, and tech-enhanced comfort. The villas that thrive won’t just be beautiful—they’ll be intelligent and future-ready.

Conclusion: Choose Your Villa Design With Purpose

There’s no universal formula when it comes to villa design in Bali. What works for a romantic escape in Ubud may not suit a long-stay digital nomad in Sanur or a family on vacation in Seminyak. Your choice of villa design should align with your land’s zoning, your investment goals, and—most importantly—your target guest profile.

Open-concept villas embody Bali’s tropical spirit. They appeal to honeymooners, short-stay guests, and those seeking nature and serenity. But they come with higher maintenance and seasonality concerns.

Enclosed villas are practical, functional, and often preferred by long-term tenants and digital workers. They provide better climate control, higher privacy, and fewer operational issues during the rainy season.

Ultimately, your villa design should be intentional—not just aesthetic. It must also meet local building laws, satisfy zoning requirements, and match your marketing strategy.

Final CTA: Before committing to construction, consult with experienced architects, legal consultants, and local notaries. They can help you design a villa that not only looks good—but rents well, complies legally, and performs financially.

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