How to Design an Open Plan Kitchen
Kitchens are truly the heart of any modern home. Cooking has become a more social activity, and we love to dine and entertain guests in a smart kitchen environment. The best contemporary kitchens are open and spacious, yet clearly defined with a design theme. If you’re not sure where to start on your open plan kitchen, the following hints and tips are a great place to start.
Break Down Barriers
In order to create a true open plan kitchen, you might have to think about either re-locating your kitchen entirely, or more likely – breaking down a dividing room to an adjacent dining or living room.
It may seem quite drastic, but knocking down a wall (or two) will open up your kitchen space and allow you to fulfil the open plan kitchen of your dreams. Depending on your DIY expertise you might want to draft in an expert builder to advise which walls are structural, or which may contain pipework, and so should avoid the hammer treatment.
The Crucial Kitchen Island
Kitchen Islands are perfect for making better use of space in an open plan kitchen. A large unit can incorporate room for a hob, sink and an overhanging end can come an idea breakfast bar. They also provide plenty of extra storage and create a central worktop that is far more social than cooking with your back to the rest of the kitchen.
Think about how your kitchen island is oriented to ensure you can socialise with guests or keep an eye on children in an adjoining room
Make use of Wall Space
Sometimes having an open plan kitchen can mean sacrificing cabinet space, as you may lose one side of your kitchen. Ensure you’ve still got plenty of storage space by making best use of available blank walls with oak kitchen cabinets.
Not only do they provide excellent storage, but the height can provide more secure storage of items you don’t want within reach of small hands! We also offer open fronted and glazed cabinets to add an extra dimension to your kitchen design.
Different Flooring to Separate Zones
Whilst having an open plan kitchen gives flow to a house’s interior, you still might want to differentiate between different zones that branch off from the kitchen.
Consider using different flooring types such as carpet, large rugs or tiling. Having an area at a different elevation to the main part of your kitchen can add a fresh dimension to your living space, and allows your kitchen to be open plan whilst having clear differentiation between zones.
Soft Furnishing Room Dividers
In situations where your open plan kitchen adjoins a living room, soft furnishings such as a large sofa can be the best form of room divider. It’ll give a more casual feeling to your open plan design, whilst allowing you to be more social with guests.
Sofas and other soft furnishings will also make your kitchen feel a little cosier, and turn it in to a true family space where you can spend time together that would otherwise be lost in segregated rooms.
Still no convinced you’re geared up to create the perfect open plan kitchen? We’ve got kitchen experts on hand to help make those tough decisions a little easier – just get in touch. Alternatively, a visit to our Gloucester showroom might point you in the right design direction, so why not pay a visit?
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