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Using the corner of an open-plan floorplan can maximize space as well kitchen storage potential. Find out more about galley kitchen ideas in our guide. Get a better idea of what's possible with our beautiful small kitchen ideas guide.Īlternatively, consider incorporating a peninsula to create a more closed-in preparation area. In a small open-plan kitchen layout, the dining table could be positioned opposite the linear run of units to perform the same separation function. You may be interested in our kitchen island seating ideas, too.
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Plan in space on the dining side for kitchen island seating to be pulled in and out.īrowse our clever kitchen island design ideas for inspiration. This can visually and physically mark off the kitchen zone from the rest of the room and helps keep the work area safely apart.Īn island can incorporate a breakfast bar, leaving kids or guests in contact with the cook, but away from preparation and cooking space. Linear layouts are often teamed with a kitchen island directly opposite. This layout can work effectively in an open-plan space, maximizing use of an exterior wall for the sink, base and wall units and appliances.
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When it comes to the layout of an open-plan space, there are plenty of options available to you. You may prefer to create immediate views from the dining and seating areas instead, though – in which case the kitchen can be located further back. How about a garden view from the kitchen? If that's on your list of priorities, your kitchen will need to occupy an area of the room near to windows or bi-folding or sliding doors. Bear in mind that you won’t want a long walk from preparation and cooking areas to take food to the table, so kitchen and dining zones need to be thought of together. You should also consider where the dining table will be positioned. An external wall is also useful in the kitchen zone for locating base and wall units against, as well as kitchen appliances. Choose a simple kitchen design in an open plan spaceĪn open-plan, live-in kitchen diner needs to have defined areas – seating, dining, cooking – even if they’re open to one another, so start by planning which zone the kitchen will occupy.Īlthough not essential, locating the kitchen by an external wall is convenient for both waste water and ducting for an extractor fan, and is more budget-friendly. Top tip: Visualising an open-plan space as a series of rooms can help you plan the space effectively. For tips on planning and designing a utility room, check out our handy guide. Artificial light will suffice for a utility space so this closed-off zone can be located at the center of an open-plan floorplan. You may wish to plan cupboards or a separate utility room in which these can be kept. Remember that noisy spin cycles will do nothing for the atmosphere of the room. Think too about whether you want appliances like washing machines and dryers to be part of the kitchen. Is the kitchen zone far enough away from the seating area? Watching TV or talking may be difficult against the background noise of clattering pans and worktop appliances, so think about the distance between these zones. Circulation space between zones needs to be unimpeded by furniture and it’s also vital for safety’s sake that people aren’t going to pass through the work area of the kitchen to get from one zone to another. Take time to think about how people will move through the open-plan room. Choose the right open plan kitchen design and layout
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They can be pricey initially if walls need to be knocked down, however on the flip side they can then add value to your home - so a bit of a pro and con in one! Because there are no individual rooms, storage can be an issue so it’s worth considering how you might want to tackle that - ideas can include shelving units, extra wall units, sofas with storage underneath and sideboards.ĭue to the kitchen, dining and living areas all becoming one, noise can be an issue – for example, there's no room to relax if the kids are being noisy in the living space! Also, sometimes in an open plan kitchen the mess can spread easily – and if you’re relaxing on the sofa you may well be able to see the dirty pots and pans that need washing up. Or if you have young ones, they can be watching TV from the sofa whilst you’re in the kitchen, and the open plan area allows you to keep an eye on them all the time. Kitchen islands with breakfast bars become the hub where homework can be done whilst catching up with the day’s news. If you love entertaining they’re a great option - you can be cooking and still talk to your guests - less walls make for a more sociable space. They also create a spacious feel, as there are no barriers visually which allows the room to flow. One of the biggest pros is that open plan kitchens really do bring the whole family together and therefore reinforces that the kitchen is the heart of the home. (Image credit: Harvey Jones) What are the pros and cons of an open plan kitchen?
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