Kitchen Design
Remodeling Guides
How to Create an Open-Plan Kitchen That Works
Combining cooking, dining and living areas is popular but easy to get wrong. Pros offer advice for doing it well
Open-plan kitchens — a single space in which you can cook, eat, relax and socialize — are enduringly popular. They allow family and friends to be together, with no single person isolated in the kitchen, and make good use of the available footprint, reducing the need for circulation space between rooms.
However, the kitchen’s highly visible position within what often becomes the hub of the home means they do require careful planning and there are multiple factors to consider: zoning areas, making the space social, flow and aesthetics. We asked three home professionals to share their design advice.
However, the kitchen’s highly visible position within what often becomes the hub of the home means they do require careful planning and there are multiple factors to consider: zoning areas, making the space social, flow and aesthetics. We asked three home professionals to share their design advice.
When It Comes to Functionality and Work Flow, What Should You Consider?
Practical considerations should dictate the layout of your open-plan kitchen, with appliances carefully positioned according to some basic rules.
“It’s really important to arrange your sink, bins and dishwasher next to each other,” says Alan Drumm of Uncommon Projects. “When the dishwasher door is open, make sure it doesn’t impact too much on circulation around the rest of the kitchen.
“Position the [cooktop] not too far from the sink, and the fridge should be located between the main cooking area and the dining table,” Drumm says. Ideally, there should be a preparation area between the sink and the cooktop.
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Practical considerations should dictate the layout of your open-plan kitchen, with appliances carefully positioned according to some basic rules.
“It’s really important to arrange your sink, bins and dishwasher next to each other,” says Alan Drumm of Uncommon Projects. “When the dishwasher door is open, make sure it doesn’t impact too much on circulation around the rest of the kitchen.
“Position the [cooktop] not too far from the sink, and the fridge should be located between the main cooking area and the dining table,” Drumm says. Ideally, there should be a preparation area between the sink and the cooktop.
Shop for kitchen and dining products on Houzz
Along with functionality, factor in your instinctive preferences when planning the layout. “Some cooks want to face the action when they’re cooking. Others prefer to face away so they can overhear what’s going on in the rest of the room but don’t necessarily [have to] engage,” says Anthony Earle of Artichoke.
Some people like to have the cooktop on the kitchen island too. A cooktop on the island can open up the room, with food prep zones on either side, Holland says.
Some people like to have the cooktop on the kitchen island too. A cooktop on the island can open up the room, with food prep zones on either side, Holland says.
Consider incorporating furniture-like pieces. “We use pieces designed to reflect the period of the house while discreetly accommodating kitchen functions,” Earle says. “We might introduce a dresser into a breakfast area, providing easy access to a dairy fridge and hot-water tap without shouting coffee station.”
A cook’s table is another good example of a traditional piece of furniture that fulfills the practical requirements of a modern kitchen but also adds elegance.
A cook’s table is another good example of a traditional piece of furniture that fulfills the practical requirements of a modern kitchen but also adds elegance.
“Providing seating between the cooking area and the living or dining area is a nice way to stitch the two spaces together,” Earle says. “It creates a designated area for the non-cooks to be without getting in the way and allows for flexible interaction, which is often at the heart of a brief for an open-plan kitchen.”
Choose your appliances with care too. “Fully integrated appliances are much more discreet, making the space feel less kitcheny,” Earle says.
Choose your appliances with care too. “Fully integrated appliances are much more discreet, making the space feel less kitcheny,” Earle says.
How Can You Design the Kitchen to Sit Harmoniously Within the Whole Room?
The best open-plan kitchen spaces have a consistent flow rather than moving from one style to the next between the dining area and the kitchen. “You can use color to tie the space together by picking out the main shade used in the kitchen on artwork and accessories in the living area,” Holland says.
“Try to create a sense of continuity between the materials throughout the whole room,” Drumm says. It could be as simple as using one particular type of finish. Or it could be more complex, such as using terrazzo on the floor in one area and as a countertop finish in the kitchen, he says.
Keep in mind the style of the room too. In a contemporary, minimal space, for instance, the cabinets will look different from those designed for a country cottage. “You wouldn’t want a farmhouse-style kitchen sitting within sleek, contemporary furniture, so decide [on] a style and stick with it,” Holland says.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
The best open-plan kitchen spaces have a consistent flow rather than moving from one style to the next between the dining area and the kitchen. “You can use color to tie the space together by picking out the main shade used in the kitchen on artwork and accessories in the living area,” Holland says.
“Try to create a sense of continuity between the materials throughout the whole room,” Drumm says. It could be as simple as using one particular type of finish. Or it could be more complex, such as using terrazzo on the floor in one area and as a countertop finish in the kitchen, he says.
Keep in mind the style of the room too. In a contemporary, minimal space, for instance, the cabinets will look different from those designed for a country cottage. “You wouldn’t want a farmhouse-style kitchen sitting within sleek, contemporary furniture, so decide [on] a style and stick with it,” Holland says.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Any Safety Considerations?
An open-plan kitchen sits within a space that has many functions and is used by everyone in the household, so it’s crucial to think about safety in such a busy area. “We always plan the kitchen so the cook feels protected,” Earle says. That means designing the space so there’s no need to circulate past the person cooking.
Don’t site the oven on the other side of a major route through the house. “You don’t want to bump into a child running through when you’re lifting something hot and heavy from the oven,” Drumm says. If children share the space, think about child-proofing the cooktop too, particularly if it’s on an island rather than against a wall.
“Knives and sharp objects should be given a safe place out of the way, perhaps in a drawer,” Holland says. “You don’t want to restrict solo play time in the living area just because the kitchen is there too, so making it safe is key.”
An open-plan kitchen sits within a space that has many functions and is used by everyone in the household, so it’s crucial to think about safety in such a busy area. “We always plan the kitchen so the cook feels protected,” Earle says. That means designing the space so there’s no need to circulate past the person cooking.
Don’t site the oven on the other side of a major route through the house. “You don’t want to bump into a child running through when you’re lifting something hot and heavy from the oven,” Drumm says. If children share the space, think about child-proofing the cooktop too, particularly if it’s on an island rather than against a wall.
“Knives and sharp objects should be given a safe place out of the way, perhaps in a drawer,” Holland says. “You don’t want to restrict solo play time in the living area just because the kitchen is there too, so making it safe is key.”
What’s the Best Way to Prevent Cooking Mess From Impacting the Entire Space?
Well-designed storage is crucial, our experts say. “Most kitchens benefit from a range of drawers of different sizes, and shallow cupboards with adjustable shelves,” Drumm says. If you have the space, a pantry cupboard or butler’s pantry can be helpful for storing a variety of items, including small appliances such as a microwave, to reduce kitchen clutter.
How to Start a Kitchen Remodel
Well-designed storage is crucial, our experts say. “Most kitchens benefit from a range of drawers of different sizes, and shallow cupboards with adjustable shelves,” Drumm says. If you have the space, a pantry cupboard or butler’s pantry can be helpful for storing a variety of items, including small appliances such as a microwave, to reduce kitchen clutter.
How to Start a Kitchen Remodel
Earle recommends having a change of level on the island countertop. “Mess can be hidden from view. A higher countertop facing the living area provides a comfortable bar at the same time as hiding the paraphernalia of cooking behind it,” he says.
Take care over where you position the sink too, as this is normally the messiest part of any kitchen. “If you’re tidy and dirty pots don’t exist in your household, then having a sink in the island might work,” Holland says. But otherwise you’ll end up with mucky dishes in view, which is a big no-no in an open-plan kitchen.”
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
Take care over where you position the sink too, as this is normally the messiest part of any kitchen. “If you’re tidy and dirty pots don’t exist in your household, then having a sink in the island might work,” Holland says. But otherwise you’ll end up with mucky dishes in view, which is a big no-no in an open-plan kitchen.”
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
Open Storage vs. Concealed
Again, this comes down to personal preference and your own capacity for tidiness — or tolerance of untidiness! “Some people are very tidy and prefer to keep everything on display. Others prefer everything to be out of sight,” Drumm says.
Bear in mind that closed cupboards are great for hiding equipment away, but can create a rather uniform, functional feel, which may not marry with the rest of the space. “I always try to incorporate some open shelving, especially for books, as it gives the kitchen a more casual, easy-to-live-in feel,” Drumm says. “We use a lot of sliding doors in our work. These can be left open when you’re working in the kitchen and then closed when tidying up at the end of the day — the best of both worlds.”
Again, this comes down to personal preference and your own capacity for tidiness — or tolerance of untidiness! “Some people are very tidy and prefer to keep everything on display. Others prefer everything to be out of sight,” Drumm says.
Bear in mind that closed cupboards are great for hiding equipment away, but can create a rather uniform, functional feel, which may not marry with the rest of the space. “I always try to incorporate some open shelving, especially for books, as it gives the kitchen a more casual, easy-to-live-in feel,” Drumm says. “We use a lot of sliding doors in our work. These can be left open when you’re working in the kitchen and then closed when tidying up at the end of the day — the best of both worlds.”
What Can Get Overlooked When Designing an Open-Plan Kitchen?
Cooking smells and mess can easily be forgotten in the planning stage, but should be considered carefully. “It’s really important to invest in a high-quality [ventilation] system,” Drumm says.
If the cooktop is against a wall, you can use a traditional overhead range hood, but cooktops with integrated downdraft extraction are also effective.
Cooking smells and mess can easily be forgotten in the planning stage, but should be considered carefully. “It’s really important to invest in a high-quality [ventilation] system,” Drumm says.
If the cooktop is against a wall, you can use a traditional overhead range hood, but cooktops with integrated downdraft extraction are also effective.
Is It Important to Consider Noise From Appliances?
Noise is a factor worth thinking about, but in a typical multi-use space, there’s normally enough background hubbub to block out most appliance sounds.
“The exception is the [hood] fan,” Drumm says. “Always check the noise rating — and the air flow rating — before purchasing, because they can be very noisy. If the fan is quiet, it’s more likely you’ll use it.”
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Noise is a factor worth thinking about, but in a typical multi-use space, there’s normally enough background hubbub to block out most appliance sounds.
“The exception is the [hood] fan,” Drumm says. “Always check the noise rating — and the air flow rating — before purchasing, because they can be very noisy. If the fan is quiet, it’s more likely you’ll use it.”
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen workbook stories
Browse kitchen photos
Find a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
If the kitchen will belong in a room that also contains living and dining areas, it’s essential to work out how much space you need for each.
“Firstly, think about how big your sofa is and the overall [living] area. You can zone this with rugs,” says Zoe Holland of Sustainable Kitchens. “Secondly, you’ll need the dining space closer to the kitchen than the lounge, so you won’t be carrying food through the living area to get to the dining table.”
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