Open-plan kitchens are the way forward in house design, and we are big fans of them. We love how it brings the whole family together within a sociable space, also maximising the area, making it feel so much bigger, using every inch rather than having rooms that aren’t lived in.
However, there are some drawbacks in the design where toys could be sprawled across the kitchen floor, the smell of cooking lingering, and the space always being too noisy (especially if you have a young family). In this blog, we will show you some great tips to create a fabulous open-plan kitchen that’s perfect for you and your family.
Open-Plan Kitchen Ideas at a Glance
There are seven design moves we return to again and again for a successful open-plan kitchen: room dividers, raised levels, different types of flooring, careful furniture placement, soundproofing, layered lighting and good extraction. Used together, they let the space feel open and sociable while still giving the kitchen, dining and living zones a clear purpose of their own.
Room Dividers
There are many ways to create room dividers in the kitchen space. Pocket doors, large internal glazed doors, or Crittall doors are beautiful ways to separate the different areas in an open-plan kitchen. They can be opened during the day and closed off in the evening when relaxing in the cosy lounge area.
Kitchen islands are another great room divider. They can be made to separate the main kitchen area from the dining/living spaces and house appliances and extra storage within the kitchen layout.
Crittall doors separate the space in the Chalfont St Giles project, while the larger-than-life island has been expertly crafted to provide a spot for entertaining and divide the prep space from the other zones.
Create Raised Levels
Create different levels with mezzanine floors to separate off the lounge/dining areas. It instantly creates visual interest and helps separate functional zones. You can still be sociable while enjoying the space, but keep the areas clearly defined. The best time to incorporate raised levels is when you are in the process of extending, so plan well in advance before any work starts.
We are loving what our client created in their home in Standon. They have created a mezzanine floor where the handmade kitchen sits. It is a wonderful design, with the kitchen separated into a different zone but still allowing everyone to be in the same space, just with an elevated experience.
Use Different Types of Flooring
Using different types of flooring in open-plan spaces is a great way to define and add a sense of purpose to this type of living. The flooring can be split into zones, using different patterns, materials and colours that work well together.
One idea could be to keep the same material, such as an oak floor, but change the pattern, so from a straight oak plank to a herringbone design. Another idea could be to choose different types of floor, such as a tile in the kitchen, wooden planks in the large open-plan space and a carpet/rug in the lounge area. There are many options to choose from, and changing the floor will add some individuality, too, bringing out your personality.
Below, in our client’s home in Upminster, it showcases how open-plan kitchens can work so well by adding contrasting floors and different materials to the ground below. Our client opted for a traditional tile to flow around the L-shaped kitchen and a herringbone wooden design to fill the rest of the space. In the living area, a large rug was purchased to make it feel nice and cosy.
Position Your Furniture
Positioning your furniture carefully can create zones which stop the room from feeling like one large space. Have a clear dining area, lounge and kitchen where your children will also love to use the space to play. L-shaped sofas are also a great idea and work perfectly in this type of space.
Below, in our client’s home in Great Eversden, the area has been defined perfectly with the positioning of the furniture. An island sits in front of the main run of units in the kitchen, with a second island positioned ahead, featuring a cosy banquette and plush, inviting seating for added comfort and style.
Soundproof the Space
Soft furnishings such as rugs, curtains, throws, and cushions can all help reduce echoes and create a more comfortable environment when cooking, dining, and relaxing. Hard floors such as tiles don’t really control the noise, so consider something softer, such as vinyl, rubber or a carpet in the lounge area. Also, something to consider is what you will have on your walls and ceilings. Clad in some wood to give great texture and absorb the noise around.
Noise can travel quickly in open-plan designs, so soundproofing is essential.
Soft furnishings have been added to the Little Hadham project; an expansive space, but a cosy retreat to unwind in after a long day.
Plan the Lighting
A well-planned lighting scheme will define the different areas and change the mood. Add spotlights to the kitchen area to make the space feel bright, and consider having cabinet lights too, which can be turned on in the evening to create a softer look. These different types of lighting are known as layered lighting, combining ambient, task, and accent lighting.
Pendants are ideal to hang above a dining area to make it feel more formal and also create a separate zone. The living space can be added with plenty of lamps to create more of a relaxing atmosphere in the evening.
Put the spotlights on 2-3 circuits so the whole living space doesn’t need to be lit up all at the same time.
Clever lighting has been integrated into this kitchen space in Welwyn Garden City. Consisting of layered lighting, the pendant light takes centre stage in the seating area.
Add Great Extraction
When cooking in an open-plan space, smells can linger into the evening. Having a good-quality extraction fan and designing the hob and oven near a window can stop the smell of food spreading around the room. Try to position your cooking appliances far away from the lounge area to avoid aromas and smoke when you are relaxing in the evening.
Adding to this unforgettable design is a hidden extractor fan that makes a lasting impression. This Essex space has been instantly eliminated from any smells and smoke.
Open-Plan Kitchen FAQs
How do you zone an open-plan kitchen?
Zone an open-plan kitchen by combining a few techniques: room dividers such as Crittall or pocket doors, a kitchen island to separate the cooking and living areas, changes of flooring material or pattern, raised levels where you are extending, and careful furniture placement. The aim is to give each area a clear purpose while keeping the whole space sociable.
How do you stop an open-plan kitchen being noisy?
Soften the room with rugs, curtains, throws and cushions, choose quieter flooring such as vinyl, rubber or carpet in the lounge zone, and consider timber cladding on a wall or ceiling to absorb sound. Sound travels easily across open-plan spaces, so it is worth planning these in from the start.
How do you stop cooking smells in an open-plan kitchen?
Fit a good-quality extractor, ideally a powerful or hidden unit, position the hob near a window where possible, and keep the cooking zone away from the lounge area so aromas and smoke do not drift into the relaxing space in the evening.
What is the best flooring for an open-plan kitchen?
There is no single best floor; the trick is to use flooring to zone the space. You might keep one material like oak but change the pattern from plank to herringbone, or mix a hardwearing tile in the kitchen with timber in the main space and a rug in the lounge.
Where does Handmade Kitchen Company design open-plan kitchens?
We design and hand-build bespoke open-plan kitchens from our workshop in Hertfordshire, for clients across Essex, Hertfordshire and North London, planning the zoning, lighting and extraction as part of the design.
Related blogs:
Make an Open-Plan Kitchen Feel More Homely with The Handmade Kitchen Company
The Modern Kitchen – An Open-plan Space
Where Do You Start When Planning Your Dream Space?
If you would like to know more about creating the perfect open-plan space in the heart of the home, contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you.
