The idea of open plan spaces has existed for a long time, and open kitchens, in particular benefit from an efficient and versatile layout that allows you to function easily with both everyday cooking and large scale entertaining.
So where do you start if you want an open plan kitchen?
Be clear on your space
First, you have to understand the space with which you’re working. Yes, an open kitchen can give the illusion of more square footage, but knocking down a wall is not going to magically create a large gourmet kitchen. If you have a small kitchen, it’s important to know how much floorspace you have before getting into the details of the design. Knowing the dimensions of your kitchen will help you better plan the details and features.
Create Cohesion
One practical benefit of having walls is that the separate rooms don’t necessarily have to coordinate. With an open floor plan, the overall space can look choppy if you don’t think through the entire design cohesively. With a kitchen that opens to a living room, dining room, or both, you want to think about how each of the rooms’ designs work together in order to create a connected look that moves effortlessly between all three spaces.
Consider the Layout
The kitchen layout will affect how you move and work in the space. Each design has its own benefits, but not every layout will work in every home. There are five basic layouts that most kitchens fall under: L-shape, G-shape, U-shape, single-wall and galley. An open kitchen can be any of these shapes, but for it to be truly open concept, you may need to incorporate an island rather than a wall of cabinets.
Have a great weekend
Clinton and Fiona