Are you able to create an open-plan layout in your home? You are so lucky to have all that available space. This type of kitchen design is becoming more and more common in the modern home, and we are loving it. It opens up plenty of possibilities to create other sections in the space, which is perfect for entertaining and spending quality time with the family.
At The Handmade Kitchen Company, we believe a homely kitchen comes from the details within. We have worked on many open-plan projects that turn the house into a loving home. These types of kitchen layouts can be more challenging to make feel cosy, so we have put together a blog to show you how to make those spacious kitchens feel more inviting and homely.
How to Make a Homely Open-Plan Kitchen at a Glance
There are seven ways we make a large, open-plan kitchen feel homely: work with the building’s structure and original features, add soft furnishings, layer the lighting, use open shelving, extend the cabinetry beyond the kitchen, create a focal point, and design in a separate retreat to relax in. Together they bring warmth, texture and cosiness to a space that can otherwise feel large and echoey.
Little Hadham Open Plan Project
Work with the Structure
Work with the structure, original features and history of the building to encourage a natural flow. The home’s rich heritage will harmonise effortlessly with the bespoke kitchen design, while the natural boundaries within the space will help define and enhance each distinct zone. Our bespoke furniture will be crafted to fit the contours and character of your home, allowing the zones to come together as one.
Add Soft Furnishings
Introduce soft furnishings where you can to bring extra warmth and texture. They can help dampen any noise, but also help to make the room look more together and warmer. Many open-plan spaces have hard flooring and minimal internal walls, which makes the room quite loud. Incorporate rugs and plush cushions to soften the noise.
Our customers love layering in Roman blinds, upholstery on a window seat, and even comfy velvet stools to bring texture to their handcrafted spaces.
Opt for Layered Lighting
We always say to add layered lighting as this helps to zone the different areas. Task lighting is great for the kitchen area, but you can also use the mood lighting for cooking and then use it to entertain and relax. If you want to create a multifunctional room, invest more time in planning your lighting scheme to bring warmth and ambience to the kitchen. Imagine beautiful pendant lights suspended above the island, under-cabinet lighting to highlight your worktops and warm wall lights in the dining area.
Our handmade kitchens are thoughtfully designed to incorporate flexible lighting schemes that evolve with your day. Think early sunrise breakfasts to evening dinner parties after dark.
Welwyn Garden City Open Plan Project
Open Shelving
We are seeing lots of open-shelving choices in a range of our projects. They help you to inject a personal style, as well as store useful items such as crockery, books and plants, that look gorgeous on display. It’s a simple and effective way to make your kitchen feel more homely and break up the flow of solid cabinetry.
At The Handmade Kitchen Company, we craft shelving in finishes that complement or contrast your main cabinetry. It’s the thoughtful detail that matters.
Extend the Furniture Beyond the Kitchen
Why don’t you extend the bespoke furniture past the kitchen area? Add dressers, media units and bench-style seating in the same style as the cabinetry to make the room flow seamlessly and transition from kitchen to lounge.
Our team often designs multi-functional furniture pieces for your open plan space that carry the same design language throughout. They range from drinks dressers to bookcases and media units.
Create a Focal Point
A homely space needs a feature that draws you in and sparks conversation. Create a focal point with a handmade mantel. You normally find them within a traditional country-style home, adding a warm and cosy feel. A mantel can house the extractor fan, making this appliance discreet and keeping it within the traditional design. You can also opt for a canopy that houses the extractor in the same way, but doesn’t take up any additional work surface. Another statement feature could be a bold, attractive splashback.
Our experienced design team will work with you to find your kitchen’s natural focal point and elevate it with craftsmanship and character. We will give your space soul!
Chalfont St Giles Open Plan Project
Design a Retreat
Create a separate area away from the main kitchen to relax in, such as a window seat for morning coffee, or a cosy TV nook near a hidden cocktail cabinet. You want the kitchen to feel like one, but at the same time, you want to create extra purpose and different spaces to relax and socialise with friends and family.
The most inviting kitchens are the ones where the interior is seamless and meets the lifestyle needs of the homeowners. The kitchen always has and always will be the heart of the home.
Our team loves helping clients carve out these functional and stylish features to enjoy in their handmade kitchens.
Margaretting Open Plan Project
Homely Open-Plan Kitchen FAQs
How do you make an open-plan kitchen feel homely?
Make an open-plan kitchen feel homely by working with the building’s original features, adding soft furnishings, layering the lighting, using open shelving, extending the cabinetry beyond the kitchen, creating a focal point such as a mantel, and designing a separate retreat to relax in. Together these bring warmth and cosiness to a large space.
How do you stop an open-plan kitchen feeling cold or echoey?
Soft surfaces are the answer: rugs, cushions, Roman blinds, upholstered window seats and velvet stools all add texture and dampen the noise that bounces around hard-floored, open spaces. Warm, layered lighting also makes a large room feel far more inviting in the evening.
What is a kitchen mantel?
A kitchen mantel is a handmade feature, often seen in country-style homes, that frames and houses the extractor fan so it stays discreet within a traditional design. A canopy does the same job without taking up any extra worktop space, and both make a lovely focal point.
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, tailoring each one to the structure and character of your home.
At The Handmade Kitchen Company, we understand that the kitchen is more than just a cooking space; it’s where life happens. Your space should feel like your home, and that’s why it’s important to design a kitchen that meets the needs of entertaining and a quiet night in. Our team will help you create an open-plan kitchen filled with warmth and an inviting atmosphere, while being practical and stylish.
If you would like to know more about our open-plan designs, contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you, and we will give you expert advice and create a dream come true.
