As a hand quilter I was taught to press to the side. I am making one now that I have been pressing the seams open as much as I can. Sometimes this creates too much bulk so I press that seam to the side.
It does take longer and I will not do it on every block I make.
My friend sells her quilts and she tells me she just presses and where ever they go they go lol!!
As long as my quilt top is laying flat I'm happy.