The age-old argument between open and closed plan kitchens is one that has no winner. Both styles have pros and cons and depending on your lifestyle will appeal to your tastes. To help you decide which is best for you we’ve tasked our designers with scratching their heads to come up with a few reasons why you might want to open up or segment your kitchen.
Design
In design circles, open plan kitchens are often seen as contemporary while closed plan kitchens are more in line with traditional looks. However, this only scratches the surface of these complimentary design aspects.
Open-plan kitchens can be difficult to plan into separate spaces. Because it is one large area, it can be harder to design a feel or purpose and your kitchen runs the risk of becoming an indiscriminate ‘space’. To avoid this you should design the entire room to be cohesive. Furniture like dining suites, breakfast bars, large appliances and rugs can be employed to designate a specific space within the open plan mass.
Making each room feel distinct and personal in a closed floor plan is easier. Each room can have a style, colour, or theme all its own. Having rooms separated from each other allows you to experiment with different themes without it coming off as a hodgepodge of colours and styles.
Space
Space and light are big selling points for homeowners and for good reason. Loads of natural light and space makes a room feel larger and more comfortable. This is where open-plan trumps closed plan. With fewer walls, light can flood into the room and make a large space seem even larger.
An open-plan space also allows for entertaining more people and greater accessibility. This can also be its downfall. If you have young children an open-plan kitchen gives you line of sight of your little ones all the time. However, it is also more difficult to block off dangerous areas with child safety gates.
Smaller, distinct rooms while limited in terms of space can make a space seem warm and cosy, especially in the winter months. Be sure to consider what style is best for your friends, family and lifestyle before committing to a style.
Cleanliness
Sights, sounds and smells are another element to consider. A kitchen is often very busy with large appliances, cooking smells and other activities filling the room. Going open-plan, while chic and industrial, means the whole space will be filled with whatever is being cooked. Noise from washing machines and other appliances can also be annoying if not contained or muffled.
Privacy and tidiness are another concern with open-plan kitchens. While not all closed plan kitchens or rooms are tidy. The ability to close a door and leave messy washing lines, dishes and other home life hidden away is something lost when all your rooms occupy one space.
The best way to dream up a kitchen design is with our cutting-edge VR gallery. Design, build and live your dream kitchen at the Kitchen People Showroom. We have spent years pioneering bespoke kitchens and our team of designers and fitters are on hand to help you plan out your dream contemporary kitchen. Contact us now on 01623 674777 to find out more.