OPEN PLAN KITCHENS
Don’t get us wrong, creating an open-plan kitchen is a great way to make your home more functional. Not only does it allow you to cook whilst interacting with friends or watching over the kids, it also makes your home feel bigger and affords you more design choices.
But as with all fashion, trends evolve, and especially in the wake of the pandemic, we’re seeing a much-increased demand for ‘zoned’ living. Somewhere where you can still be connected to one another, yet maintain your own space to either cook, work, socialise or eat.
Think of it as a type of ‘hybrid’ solution that sits between open-plan and more traditional segregated spaces.
If this sounds like a kitchen that would suit you, here are some steps to get you on the right track.
Ask yourself: what do you want out of your kitchen?
Do you entertain often and want to be able to socialise with your guests while you cook? Or do you crave more worktop space and storage? Perhaps your life stage has changed and so your kitchen design needs to, too.
If entertaining is your primary motivation, you'll want to create a layout that allows plenty of circulation room. That means ensuring enough space for people to move around quickly without feeling cramped. Creating a well-designed flow will ensure that your guests can move freely throughout your home without causing any congestion.
On the other hand, if you're mainly focused on creating more storage and worktop space, list all the things you wish you had more of, such as additional cabinets or a more oversized island. Once you know what your priorities are, you can start planning your layout accordingly.
Once you have your 'what' sorted, the 'how' will become a whole lot easier.
Plan your kitchen zones.
One of the best ways to plan a kitchen is by zoning off different areas within the space.
Generally, any kitchen can be divided into four areas: the cooking and prep zone, the clean-up zone, the dining and entertaining zone and possibly a working zone.
To create an efficient layout, start by looking at your home's existing architecture and taking note of any natural segregations and work with them. For example, you're halfway there if you have a large island that already serves as a divider between the cooking and dining areas. If not, you may need to get a little creative with your furniture placement.
In general, it's best to keep the cooking zone separate from the dining or entertaining area so that guests won't be in the way when you're trying to cook. However, if your kitchen is on the small side, you may need to combine the prep and cooking zones. The most important thing is to create a layout that works for you and your family.
Finally, if space allows, it’s a good idea to leave some space between the kitchen and the living area whilst still offering a seamless flow. Also any transitions to the outside need to be planned carefully so that you can enjoy your home to the maximum in the warmer months.
We’ll help with true-to-life CAD designs.
If you're struggling to visualise how your new kitchen will look or are unsure where to start, our team of experts can help.
We'll work with you and create a customised CAD design of your kitchen — complete with furniture and appliances — so you get a real feel of how your open-plan kitchen will look.
Contact us to arrange a no-pressure appointment to discuss your project.
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