The Walls Are Coming Down
There are many advantages to having an open-plan kitchen. The most obvious is that you’ll be able to socialise more easily with family and friends while cooking. It also enables you to keep an eye on children during homework time or while they are playing in the garden. Start by asking yourself whether you want to knock down any walls. If your kitchen is adjacent to a dining or living room, it may be possible to remove the wall to create a much larger space. This will give you more freedom when it comes to design, and it means more people will be able to enjoy the room at once.
Consider The Layout
The best location for a kitchen-diner is at the back of the house, overlooking the garden, with French, sliding or bi-fold patio doors to maximise views. This setup sees the kitchen to one side or at the back of the space, with living and dining nearest the garden, which can act as an extension of the interior. Think about where guests will sit while you cook and where you would like to eat. Short-stay seating, such as breakfast bars, need to be situated away from the work zone so no one gets in the way, but close enough so conversation flows easily. Skylights running right along the highest point of this roof flood this open-plan kitchen and dining space with light. Hang artwork and fabulous pendant lights to lead the eye around the space.
Add An Island
If you have a large space, it’s important to define the different ‘zones’ of activity clearly. Without this, the room can look empty and feel muddled. One way to create zones is with an island unit, which separates the kitchen from the living-dining space but connects the two and allows the cook to join in the conversation.
Before you look at islands, first think about how you’ll use one. Will it be mainly for preparation and cooking? If so, then consider incorporating a sink, a hob and even a dishwasher. Do you want somewhere for guests to sit and chat? A raised countertop with tall stools is a practical solution. Need somewhere for the children to do homework? Some island units have a drop-level surface that can be used as a desk. Islands can also be created using kitchen drawer and base units which gives valuable storage space. The kitchen island doesn’t need to be in a uniform style to the rest of the kitchen. In fact, different yet complementing colour schemes can transform the overall aesthetic of the room from bland to beautiful. Certain colour schemes work particularly well together. Oak units on the island can look beautiful against cream or white wall cupboards and drawers. Sage also flatters cream, whilst periwinkle goes perfectly with white. For something more dramatic, aubergine against a pebble backdrop is striking and eye-catching, especially in a large kitchen with lots of natural light.
Separate The Spaces
Changing the flooring is a subtle way to distinguish the kitchen from living and dining areas. For instance, choose hardwearing, easy-to-clean tiles for the kitchen where spills are likely to occur, and wood or carpet for the living area to add warmth. Alternatively, you could run the same flooring throughout to link the areas visually, then add definition with rugs – perhaps one under the dining table and another in the living space for a cosy touch. Some of the best open plan spaces work so well because they have clearly defined zones for various tasks. Ideally, you should divide the room without affecting the flow of light. You may also want some private areas, but if you have young children it is important to think about the sightlines between where you may be working or relaxing, and where they will be playing.
The following are great ways to zone a room:
How to Keep Cooking Smells Contained
Open plan spaces present the problem of cooking smells and steam filling the whole area. Therefore, a good means of extraction is essential. If possible, place the cooker near a window and as far from the living spaces as possible. An efficient cooker hood is also required, but look for models that are quieter so as not to interrupt people relaxing in the living area.
If you are still concerned about smells and steam (or noise), then it might be sensible to install sliding pocket doors between the kitchen and living room.
Choose A Simple Colour Palette
As one of the most social spaces in the house, your open plan kitchen/family area needs to look good, work hard and function well. Before you begin any work, take a little time to work out how the space functions for you. Is it a relaxing haven, and entertaining space of family central? A sophisticated neutral palette helps create a comfortable feel. The trick is to pay attention to balancing the colour scheme and keeping everything in proportion. An open-plan layout is a fundamental part of modern family schemes. Large open space needs layers of texture to be transformed from a stark, cold room into a welcoming and relaxed home. Bright neutral colours will make the most of the available light, while a soft sofa with plenty of cushions and a large thick-pile rug will warm the room with cosy character.
A large corner or L-shaped sofa is a great way to zone off your lounge in an airy open-plan space. For something practical and durable, go for a tactile family-friendly fabric like leather
Optimise your open-plan living room by designing it to flow seamlessly out to an adjacent outdoor space. Consider wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling patio doors – they will extend your room and optimise light. Make the transition from inside to out seamless by colour-matching internal flooring with external decking. Choose a decorating palette that complements the garden and position all your furniture to take in the views so it’s easy to supervise little ones when they are outside.
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