Open kitchens are perfect for those looking for a modern, social lifestyle, where cooking becomes a shared experience and the heart of the home opens up to new possibilities.
This trend in interior design allows to visually expand the rooms and create multipurpose social spaces. We’ll show you everything you need to know about planning and decorating an open kitchen, plus plenty of inspiring spaces to help you make some decisions.
Design of an open kitchen
They are characterized by their feeling of spaciousness, luminosity and versatility. They usually integrate the kitchen and dining room in the same space, and can even include a living room or living room. Their versatility is one of the main reasons why they are so popular today.
When designing an open kitchen, the first crucial step is to consider the layout and how it relates to the other areas, especially if you’re looking to create a practical kitchen for the whole family. It is important to note that once the kitchen is part of an open environment, it will affect all other rooms. You can no longer hide noisy appliances or the clutter left on countertops after cooking. In addition, the cabinets will be in sight at all times, so they should have a stylish look.
What are the pros and cons of an open kitchen?
Advantages
One of the main advantages of open kitchens is that they bring the whole family together and reinforce the idea that the kitchen is the heart of the home. In addition, they generate a sense of spaciousness by removing barriers and allowing visual continuity. If you enjoy hosting guests, they are a great option as you can cook and chat with them at the same time. By having fewer walls, a more sociable environment is created.
Kitchen islands or breakfast bars become the focal center, where tasks can be performed while watching TV. If you have young children, they can play from the sofa while you are in the kitchen, and the absence of limits allows you to keep an eye on them at all times.
Cons
One of the potential drawbacks is the initial cost, especially if knocking down walls is required. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that an open kitchen can increase the value of your home, which could be considered an advantage in itself.
Due to the lack of separate rooms, a storage challenge may arise. It’s important to consider how to address this issue, and some ideas may include shelving, extra wall furniture, sofas with storage capacity underneath, and sideboards.
Another aspect to consider is noise. By combining the kitchen, dining and living room areas into a single environment, a noise problem may arise. For example, there won’t be a quiet place to eat if the kids are making noise in the classroom.
Also, in an open kitchen, clutter can easily spread and be visible from other areas, which can be something to consider if you want to maintain a tidy and organized environment.
Distribution suitable for an open kitchen
It is important to take the time to think about how people will move around all rooms. The circulation area between the different zones must be clear of furniture and, for safety reasons, it is essential that people do not have to cross the cooking zone of the kitchen to get from one area to another.
Is the kitchen area separated enough from the living area? Watching TV or carrying on a conversation can be difficult with the background noise of pots and countertop appliances, so it’s important to consider the distance between these areas.
You should also decide if you want appliances like washers and dryers to be part of the kitchen. Keep in mind that noisy spin cycles will not contribute to the atmosphere of the room. It might be wise to plan closets or a separate utility room where these appliances can be stored. Since artificial lighting would be sufficient to handle these appliances, this enclosed area can be located in the center of an open floor plan.
Locate the kitchen, dining room and living room
It is important that you find fluidity and cohesion in the environments. Although it is not mandatory, locating the kitchen next to an exterior wall is convenient both for the drain and for the channeling of an extractor hood, as well as being more economical. An exterior wall is also very sturdy to support low and tall furniture as well as kitchen appliances.
You should also consider the location of the dining table. Keep in mind that you won’t want to walk long distances from the preparation and cooking areas to the table, so it’s important to think about the kitchen and dining areas together.
How about enjoying a garden view from the kitchen? If this is a priority, the kitchen should occupy an area close to the windows or sliding doors to the outside. However, you may prefer to create views of the patio from the dining and seating areas, in which case the kitchen may be located further towards the back of the room.
Create subtle divisions
The current trend is to create differentiated zones within an open-plan model, breaking with the traditional concept of “open space”. This involves using different floor finishes, floor levels and divisions, such as half walls, shelves, glass doors or glass enclosures.
What are the benefits of a fragmented design for the kitchen, dining room and living room? Visually, it allows you to maintain a spacious, bright and social environment, while creating a clear separation between the different areas.
From a practical point of view, this means that you can quickly hide a cluttered kitchen from the dining room or living room, or that you can separate the dining room from the noisy kitchen.
Choose the best shape for your open kitchen
Gallery-shaped kitchens: This design can work effectively by making the most of an exterior wall to locate the sink, high and low furniture, and appliances. Linear layouts are often combined with a central island just opposite, which can visually and physically mark the kitchen area, keeping the work area safely separated. Consider incorporating a breakfast bar on the island to allow children or friends to be in contact with the cook, but away from the preparation and cooking space.
Taking advantage of the corner of an open floor plan can maximize the space and storage potential of the kitchen. L-shaped kitchens can also be combined with an island to add additional functionality.
Cocinas en forma de U: esta opción proporciona la máxima separación sin sacrificar el diseño abierto. Puedes crear una disposición en forma de U que se ajuste a tus necesidades y aproveche al máximo el espacio disponible.
Elige un estilo
Una vez que hayas decidido qué elementos incluir en tu cocina abierta, es momento de considerar el estilo de los armarios, azulejos para el frente de cocina y los materiales de los muebles y las encimeras. En un diseño de planta abierta, tus encimeras y muebles estarán expuestos constantemente y se encontrarán cerca de la mesa de comedor, sillas, sofás y sillones. Por lo tanto, debes pensar en cómo funcionarán en conjunto.
Cocinas tradicionales: Si prefieres un estilo más clásico y atemporal, puedes optar por mobiliario con detalles decorativos, molduras y acabados en madera. Estos elementos crearán una sensación cálida y acogedora en tu cocina abierta, en armonía con muebles de comedor tradicionales. Los armarios de estilo Shaker son una excelente opción tanto para cocinas tradicionales como para aquellas con un toque más contemporáneo.
Modern kitchens: For an avant-garde and minimalist approach, you can choose kitchen cabinets with clean lines, smooth surfaces and finishes in neutral or bold colors. Combined with modern design dining furniture, you will achieve a contemporary and elegant appearance.
Rustic kitchens: If you want a rustic and country atmosphere, you can opt for wooden furniture in warm tones and natural finishes. Add elements such as marble or granite countertops, wrought iron accents and vintage accessories to complete the rustic style.
Industrial: Exposed brick walls create an eye-catching atmosphere, especially when combined with dark tones. If you are renovating an older property, the exposed brick can be used to hint at the history of the space while remaining part of a contemporary interior design.
Remember that the choice of style must take into account the coherence and harmony with the rest of the open spaces, such as the dining room and the living room. Consult with your interior designer for specific guidance and recommendations based on your preferences and the overall concept of your home.
Concepts to consider
For those wondering how to design an open kitchen, it is crucial to keep the following design tips and tricks in mind, as it is the small details that make the difference.
At this stage, it is important to consider the finish of the furniture. High-gloss cabinets can maximize light in the space, while painted ones offer the advantage of being able to easily update the color in the future, making them a cost-effective option.
Consider the type of extractor you choose if you plan to locate a cooktop on an island. An island hood can obstruct views through the room, so it might be more suitable to opt for a ceiling extractor.
A breakfast bar or peninsula with a raised side can serve as an effective separator between the living or dining area and the kitchen, obscuring the view of the remains of food preparation.
Pay attention to the noise levels of appliances when shopping. Even if they are located in a service room, a noisy washing machine or dishwasher that is not designed to be quiet can be intrusive.
Half-walls, level changes, and benches with storage can help visually separate the kitchen area from the rest of the space, providing a greater degree of privacy without giving up the benefits of a contemporary design.
Choose the right color for the open kitchen
Remember that the color you choose should be in harmony with the rest of your open plan design, so it’s important to consider the overall style and aesthetic you want to achieve.
White kitchens: White is a popular choice in open-plan design, as it reflects light and maintains an overall feeling of spaciousness and luminosity. If you’re worried that white is too cold, you can add wood finishes to wall cabinets or incorporate a kitchen island or wooden stools.
Grey kitchens: Gray is equally popular in open kitchens, and you can combine it with gray upholstery in the lounge area for visual harmony. Gray is an excellent alternative to white if you want a kitchen that transmits spaciousness and luminosity, but you are worried that it will get dirty quickly.
Kitchens in broken white and wood: These soft shades are especially suitable for rustic or modern kitchens, and have become a popular choice. They can provide a warm and welcoming look.
Kitchens in dark or black tones: If you want a kitchen with a modern, immersive atmosphere, consider using furniture in black or dark gray. These colors can have a surprising impact on space.
Bright colors: Don’t be afraid to opt for bold shades such as blue or green for furniture doors, as this can help create a visual impact. In addition, you can repeat these colors in accessories or furniture from other areas to generate a subtle connection throughout the open space.
Colors to limit areas: You can use color to delimit areas in your open kitchen. Creating contrasts within the space also helps define the different roles in an open-plan area. In this case, the kitchen area in bottle green tone is clearly demarcated and we love how this color extends to the painted dining chairs.
Choose the right countertop
There is a wide range of materials available, from economical options such as laminate to natural stone, manufactured composites, wood, stainless steel and cement, among others. It is important to note that each material has its own maintenance requirements and characteristics.
In the context of an open-plan design, it is critical to consider that the countertop will be permanently exposed and will be adjacent to other surfaces in the dining and living room areas. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the aesthetic qualities of the countertop and how it integrates with the other materials present in the room. Think about the overall look you want to achieve for your kitchen.
Windows
When dressing the windows of a kitchen, dining room and living room in an open layout, it is important to find a solution that suits and complements all areas of the room. There can be different types of windows, such as panoramic windows at one end and sliding doors at the other.
In this sense, blinds or curtains are an obvious option. There are different styles available that can be combined with color to fit the decorative scheme. In addition, they are easy to keep clean and do not necessarily involve excessive expense.
Lighting
Lighting must be carefully planned for individual zones and must operate in a separate circuit. This way, when you move from the kitchen to the dining room, the lights will not interfere with the environment by intensely illuminating the utensils and dishes.
It is essential to have adequate lighting for work areas and general ambient lighting. You can also consider hanging lamps over a breakfast bar to create a striking focal point.
Choose floor coverings that suit all areas
In an open-plan design, it is common for the floor to extend throughout the areas to highlight the proportions of the space and achieve a sense of unity. The kitchen floor must be able to withstand constant traffic, splashes and falling objects, so it is important to choose a floor that meets these requirements throughout the space.
Another option is to differentiate the kitchen area by changing the floor, such as ceramics with designs that add a decorative element in the work area. If you opt for this option, make sure there is a visual or style connection with other features present in the space.
Make the most of natural light
The use of skylights, skylights, bay windows and glass doors is the most effective way to make the most of the natural light in the space. However, it is important to consider proper treatments for windows that are facing the sun and you want to prevent the space from overheating during the warmer months.
Small open kitchens
Not all of us have a large number of square meters to design our dream open kitchen. Often, the opposite is true: we face the challenge of making it work in a small space.
This is where intelligent design plays a pivotal role. Placing kitchen furniture along a wall is a key idea.
Making the most of natural light and using a proper lighting scheme can contribute to making the kitchen feel more spacious. As for the incorporation of the dining area, it is advisable to choose a table in tones and finishes similar to the kitchen cabinets to achieve effective integration. Alternatively, round or glass tables are ideal options for smaller dining rooms.
