Playing a 1, 4, 5 progression the same way every time gets the job done, but having alternate voicings for each chord gives you so much more to work with. These aren't better or worse than the open chord versions, just different colors that keep the ear interested.
For D, G, and A I'm pulling voicings from the CAGED system but only using the top three strings on each one, which keeps things clean and avoids any heavy barre chord work. The notes move in a completely different direction compared to the standard voicings, and that movement is what makes a simple progression feel more alive.
The more options you have for any given chord, the more you can shape a progression into something that actually goes somewhere. Try it out!
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