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6 Design Tips for a Successful Open-Plan Kitchen
Planning a big kitchen reno? Then take on board these key considerations and your project is sure to be a triumph
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If it feels like every homeowner around you is either knocking through, opening up or extending their homes, then you’d be right, and they are doing it for very good reason! For years, homeowners have seen the advantages of creating airy, open-plan kitchens where the family can be together in one space, either doing their own thing, hanging out together or entertaining guests. “An open-plan kitchen space allows you to be practical and functional, while still being social by spending time with family and friends. Whether it’s preparing dinner while your children do their homework at the island, or getting together some nibbles while your friends relax in the living room, an open-plan kitchen allows you to still be present,” says Charis Lane, showroom specialist for Cosentino Australia.
These large living spaces also give homeowners more scope to play with design features they otherwise wouldn’t have had room to try before, such as large islands, statement lighting and stunning practical surfaces on a big scale.
So, if you’ve decided to take the plunge and are looking to engage architects to start drawing up your new space, take some time to read through these key design aspects, and you’ll be on your way to creating the ultimate open-plan room.
These large living spaces also give homeowners more scope to play with design features they otherwise wouldn’t have had room to try before, such as large islands, statement lighting and stunning practical surfaces on a big scale.
So, if you’ve decided to take the plunge and are looking to engage architects to start drawing up your new space, take some time to read through these key design aspects, and you’ll be on your way to creating the ultimate open-plan room.
1. Combine Form and Function
Your new open-plan kitchen will undoubtedly become the centre of your busy home, with plenty of activity and non-stop entertaining. So, before you become distracted by images of gorgeous benchtops, dreamy cabinetry and stunning flooring, stay focused on finding innovative surfaces that are not only beautiful, but are durable, robust and functional, too. These surfaces will play a key role in your daily lives and will need to be able to stand up to the challenge of retaining their good looks while performing outstandingly.
“Your new open-plan kitchen will become part of your home’s aesthetic, rather than being a purely functional space,” says Lane. “Therefore, a practical yet beautiful material allows for a unique kitchen, while still being a space that you can work in without worrying whether the lemon juice is going to ruin your countertop.”
Bonus tip: Opt for an ultra-compact surface that has zero-porosity, making it a versatile and highly-resistant choice for busy kitchens.
Your new open-plan kitchen will undoubtedly become the centre of your busy home, with plenty of activity and non-stop entertaining. So, before you become distracted by images of gorgeous benchtops, dreamy cabinetry and stunning flooring, stay focused on finding innovative surfaces that are not only beautiful, but are durable, robust and functional, too. These surfaces will play a key role in your daily lives and will need to be able to stand up to the challenge of retaining their good looks while performing outstandingly.
“Your new open-plan kitchen will become part of your home’s aesthetic, rather than being a purely functional space,” says Lane. “Therefore, a practical yet beautiful material allows for a unique kitchen, while still being a space that you can work in without worrying whether the lemon juice is going to ruin your countertop.”
Bonus tip: Opt for an ultra-compact surface that has zero-porosity, making it a versatile and highly-resistant choice for busy kitchens.
2. Ensure a Seamless Design
In a large open-plan space where there are different areas for cooking, eating and relaxing, it’s important to create visual continuity between these separate zones to avoid the room feeling chaotic and unwelcoming. A simple way to ensure a seamless aesthetic is to use a similar tone, pattern or particular texture through each of the rooms’ separate zones for cohesion and harmony.
Another top tip is to minimise the joints on benchtops and cladding for a fuss-free feel. “Think about what can you get away with in large format, such as your island, splashback, or even the fireplace cladding,” says Lane. “Cosentino materials allow for minimal joints, which helps create an elegant and streamlined look.”
Bonus tip: Choose an ultra-slim surface (4mm) and the design possibilities are unlimited thanks to it being light to cut and easy to install. For example, it can be used to clad kitchen cabinetry and then continued on to furniture tops for a wonderful visual connection.
In a large open-plan space where there are different areas for cooking, eating and relaxing, it’s important to create visual continuity between these separate zones to avoid the room feeling chaotic and unwelcoming. A simple way to ensure a seamless aesthetic is to use a similar tone, pattern or particular texture through each of the rooms’ separate zones for cohesion and harmony.
Another top tip is to minimise the joints on benchtops and cladding for a fuss-free feel. “Think about what can you get away with in large format, such as your island, splashback, or even the fireplace cladding,” says Lane. “Cosentino materials allow for minimal joints, which helps create an elegant and streamlined look.”
Bonus tip: Choose an ultra-slim surface (4mm) and the design possibilities are unlimited thanks to it being light to cut and easy to install. For example, it can be used to clad kitchen cabinetry and then continued on to furniture tops for a wonderful visual connection.
3. Create a Practical Flow
When it comes to designing the layout of an open-plan room, it’s crucial to consider the flow through the space and the access to each separate zone. For example, you wouldn’t want people traipsing through the busy cooking area to get to the dining table or garden, so design a layout that is practical, inviting and easy to navigate.
Not only does an island provide additional bench space and storage, it also creates a visual and physical barrier between the social space and the cooking zone, ensuring the flow of traffic is directed around it.
Bonus tip: Waterfall islands, where the kitchen benchtop wraps around each end, are trending right now and for good reason – they make a stunning addition and add a chic, practical finish to the edge of cabinetry.
When it comes to designing the layout of an open-plan room, it’s crucial to consider the flow through the space and the access to each separate zone. For example, you wouldn’t want people traipsing through the busy cooking area to get to the dining table or garden, so design a layout that is practical, inviting and easy to navigate.
Not only does an island provide additional bench space and storage, it also creates a visual and physical barrier between the social space and the cooking zone, ensuring the flow of traffic is directed around it.
Bonus tip: Waterfall islands, where the kitchen benchtop wraps around each end, are trending right now and for good reason – they make a stunning addition and add a chic, practical finish to the edge of cabinetry.
4. Embrace Your Unique Style
Your open-plan entertaining space is the ideal place to show off your unique style and individual character. Not only will striking surfaces and statement cladding demonstrate your passion for the latest cutting-edge design, your choice of attention-grabbing lighting, handles and even bar stools will all be significant details that will build your uniquely bold scheme, too.
Then there’s the other areas of your open-plan space to consider, and by tying them together with subtle yet important design elements, you will add to the drama as well as the harmony. “Maybe you could choose a dining table with a complementary grain to your timber cabinetry, or pick a fabric for your soft furnishings that mirror the markings to your stone,” says Lane.
Bonus tip: Choose a dramatic benchtop and continue it on the splashback for more impact.
Your open-plan entertaining space is the ideal place to show off your unique style and individual character. Not only will striking surfaces and statement cladding demonstrate your passion for the latest cutting-edge design, your choice of attention-grabbing lighting, handles and even bar stools will all be significant details that will build your uniquely bold scheme, too.
Then there’s the other areas of your open-plan space to consider, and by tying them together with subtle yet important design elements, you will add to the drama as well as the harmony. “Maybe you could choose a dining table with a complementary grain to your timber cabinetry, or pick a fabric for your soft furnishings that mirror the markings to your stone,” says Lane.
Bonus tip: Choose a dramatic benchtop and continue it on the splashback for more impact.
5. Add an Abundance of Storage
To prevent a large open-plan space falling prey to clutter, be mindful at the planning stage of creating a place for everything. From the coffee station to the cereal cupboard, recycling bins to the utensil drawer, think about how you use your kitchen, what you want out on display and what you need hidden away to ensure your dream surfaces are fully on show, and the open-plan space feels orderly and sophisticated.
Bonus tip: To encourage further cohesion in your large room, consider kitchen cabinetry that has been designed to feel more like a sideboard or dresser rather than functional cupboards. This will help your kitchen scheme flow seamlessly with the living or dining area.
To prevent a large open-plan space falling prey to clutter, be mindful at the planning stage of creating a place for everything. From the coffee station to the cereal cupboard, recycling bins to the utensil drawer, think about how you use your kitchen, what you want out on display and what you need hidden away to ensure your dream surfaces are fully on show, and the open-plan space feels orderly and sophisticated.
Bonus tip: To encourage further cohesion in your large room, consider kitchen cabinetry that has been designed to feel more like a sideboard or dresser rather than functional cupboards. This will help your kitchen scheme flow seamlessly with the living or dining area.
6. Continue Outside…
The ultimate open-plan kitchen space is one that blends with the outdoor area through glass doors and a level floor, expanding your entertaining options and allowing natural light to flood in.
You could even consider continuing the island on to the patio too, by opting for innovative surfaces whose high scratch-, stain- and UV-resistance makes them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
Bonus tip: For a truly unique and breath-taking design feature, mirror an indoor-outdoor island through a glass door that can slide away when needed.
More: Discover more about Cosentino® surfaces including Dekton® and Dekton® Slim here.
Your turn: Any top tips on designing a triumphant open-plan kitchen space?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
The ultimate open-plan kitchen space is one that blends with the outdoor area through glass doors and a level floor, expanding your entertaining options and allowing natural light to flood in.
You could even consider continuing the island on to the patio too, by opting for innovative surfaces whose high scratch-, stain- and UV-resistance makes them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
Bonus tip: For a truly unique and breath-taking design feature, mirror an indoor-outdoor island through a glass door that can slide away when needed.
More: Discover more about Cosentino® surfaces including Dekton® and Dekton® Slim here.
Your turn: Any top tips on designing a triumphant open-plan kitchen space?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Cosentino Group is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces... Read More
Cosentino Group is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces... Read More
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Sinks in islands are for people who don't cook. Never ever for me.
Ditto
agreed