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5 Secrets of a Successful Open-Plan Kitchen
The heart of the home never looked so good – optimise an open-plan kitchen design with these five essential inclusions
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If you’re renovating your kitchen, chances are an open-plan layout is on your wish list. It’s not hard to see why; they’re relaxed, easy to navigate and transform your cooking space into the social hub of the home. We spoke with an expert at Winning Appliances, Australia’s leading kitchen and laundry specialist, to discover the five must-have ingredients for a stylish and practical open-plan kitchen you’ll love for years to come.
The Galley Workstation at Winning Appliances
1. A hardworking kitchen island
A highly functional and good-looking island bench is the centrepiece of today’s open-plan kitchen. “From food preparation and socialising to dining and working, today’s island bench is more multi-functional than ever,” says Kate McGlone, Showroom Design Lead at Winning Appliances.
Optimise the design of your kitchen island by including a generous benchtop for prep and dining, a seamless, under-mounted sink, smart storage on one or both sides to keep clutter at bay, a flush-mounted induction cooktop that blends seamlessly into your benchtop, such as Siemens 80cm iQ700 induction cooktop, and space to tuck bar stools.
If space is tight, consider incorporating an all-in-one Galley Workstation into the design, suggests McGlone: “It’s a complete culinary system where you can prep, cook, serve, entertain and clean all in one central and convenient location”.
The latest design trends see stepped-down benchtop designs that create one distinct zone for cooking and prep and another for dining – often in different materials to reinforce the separate functions.
1. A hardworking kitchen island
A highly functional and good-looking island bench is the centrepiece of today’s open-plan kitchen. “From food preparation and socialising to dining and working, today’s island bench is more multi-functional than ever,” says Kate McGlone, Showroom Design Lead at Winning Appliances.
Optimise the design of your kitchen island by including a generous benchtop for prep and dining, a seamless, under-mounted sink, smart storage on one or both sides to keep clutter at bay, a flush-mounted induction cooktop that blends seamlessly into your benchtop, such as Siemens 80cm iQ700 induction cooktop, and space to tuck bar stools.
If space is tight, consider incorporating an all-in-one Galley Workstation into the design, suggests McGlone: “It’s a complete culinary system where you can prep, cook, serve, entertain and clean all in one central and convenient location”.
The latest design trends see stepped-down benchtop designs that create one distinct zone for cooking and prep and another for dining – often in different materials to reinforce the separate functions.
Siemens induction cooktop at Winning Appliances
2. Integrated appliances
Integrating appliances – or concealing them behind cabinetry – is an easy way to achieve a sleek, contemporary look and put the focus on stunning joinery. Another benefit of not having bulky appliances on display is that it enhances the visual connection between the kitchen and adjoining living spaces.
“Integrated appliances create a cleaner and more streamlined aesthetic,” says McGlone. “They also allow for more design freedom when it comes to placement, which can be a huge benefit in a smaller kitchen.”
Not all brands offer integrated appliances, so it pays to do your research. Siemens offers some of the best on the market, including its 225L iQ500 integrated bottom-mount fridgeand iQ700 fully integrated dishwasher.
2. Integrated appliances
Integrating appliances – or concealing them behind cabinetry – is an easy way to achieve a sleek, contemporary look and put the focus on stunning joinery. Another benefit of not having bulky appliances on display is that it enhances the visual connection between the kitchen and adjoining living spaces.
“Integrated appliances create a cleaner and more streamlined aesthetic,” says McGlone. “They also allow for more design freedom when it comes to placement, which can be a huge benefit in a smaller kitchen.”
Not all brands offer integrated appliances, so it pays to do your research. Siemens offers some of the best on the market, including its 225L iQ500 integrated bottom-mount fridgeand iQ700 fully integrated dishwasher.
3. High-tech feature appliances
But integration isn’t your only option. If you prefer not to hide your appliances away, there’s a raft of a built-in and freestanding models on the market with luxe finishes and sleek lines that are designed to be noticed.
Chic, attention-grabbing styles on offer include built-in ovens and coffee machines in matt-black finishes – some available in matching pairs for a cohesive look, such as Siemens 60cm iQ700 studioLine Pyrolytic built-in oven and Siemens iQ700 studioLine built-in coffee Machine. Or make a statement with a striking French or four-door fridge in charcoal stainless steel, or a black induction cooktop that sits flush within your benchtop.
But integration isn’t your only option. If you prefer not to hide your appliances away, there’s a raft of a built-in and freestanding models on the market with luxe finishes and sleek lines that are designed to be noticed.
Chic, attention-grabbing styles on offer include built-in ovens and coffee machines in matt-black finishes – some available in matching pairs for a cohesive look, such as Siemens 60cm iQ700 studioLine Pyrolytic built-in oven and Siemens iQ700 studioLine built-in coffee Machine. Or make a statement with a striking French or four-door fridge in charcoal stainless steel, or a black induction cooktop that sits flush within your benchtop.
Ilve freestanding oven at Winning Appliances
A freestanding upright cooker is another great way to make a design statement, says McGlone: “Consider a model such as the stunning ILVE 90cm Majestic Series freestanding dual fuel oven/stove – a custom product that comes in a variety of different finishes.
“Colour and finish trends are forever evolving, however a wonderful way to get longevity out of your ‘hero’ appliance is to allow it to act as a piece of art within the kitchen,” she says. Less is more when you’re wanting to make an impact: “Choose just one or two striking appliances and balance them out with more minimal and subtle feature appliances throughout the rest of the kitchen,” she says.
A freestanding upright cooker is another great way to make a design statement, says McGlone: “Consider a model such as the stunning ILVE 90cm Majestic Series freestanding dual fuel oven/stove – a custom product that comes in a variety of different finishes.
“Colour and finish trends are forever evolving, however a wonderful way to get longevity out of your ‘hero’ appliance is to allow it to act as a piece of art within the kitchen,” she says. Less is more when you’re wanting to make an impact: “Choose just one or two striking appliances and balance them out with more minimal and subtle feature appliances throughout the rest of the kitchen,” she says.
Falcon freestanding cooker at Winning Appliances
4. Beautiful joinery
From matt black and warm timber to eye-catching texture and tone combinations, the latest open-plan kitchens put an emphasis on stunning joinery. The result? Your kitchen is elevated beyond the purely practical to a luxurious space that sits harmoniously alongside adjoining living and dining areas.
When selecting joinery finishes for an open kitchen, it’s important to factor in the colours and finishes in the adjoining rooms – not just of larger elements such as built-ins and flooring, but furniture finishes and soft furnishings too.
Current kitchen joinery trends favour large expanses of flat-profile joinery that runs floor to ceiling at the rear of the kitchen and deep drawers within the island – very often handle-free for a clean look.
Cleverly hidden within flat-fronted cupboards, you’ll find everything from fully appointed pantries to appliance nooks, while individual drawers might contain push-to-open waste bins or multiple internal drawers to house bulky items and smaller ones such as cutlery all in the one location.
4. Beautiful joinery
From matt black and warm timber to eye-catching texture and tone combinations, the latest open-plan kitchens put an emphasis on stunning joinery. The result? Your kitchen is elevated beyond the purely practical to a luxurious space that sits harmoniously alongside adjoining living and dining areas.
When selecting joinery finishes for an open kitchen, it’s important to factor in the colours and finishes in the adjoining rooms – not just of larger elements such as built-ins and flooring, but furniture finishes and soft furnishings too.
Current kitchen joinery trends favour large expanses of flat-profile joinery that runs floor to ceiling at the rear of the kitchen and deep drawers within the island – very often handle-free for a clean look.
Cleverly hidden within flat-fronted cupboards, you’ll find everything from fully appointed pantries to appliance nooks, while individual drawers might contain push-to-open waste bins or multiple internal drawers to house bulky items and smaller ones such as cutlery all in the one location.
5. Smart layouts
One of the great advantages of an open-plan kitchen is no wasted corridor space, which instantly makes a space feel larger. But you’ll still need to ensure the design includes sufficient space for you and your family to move around the kitchen comfortably.
When planning the layout, consider how many people will use the kitchen, any activities that will be performed at the same time, and how you will move in and out of the space. Include zones for cooking prep, food storage, wash-up, dining and entertaining. Position appliances and work spaces according to where you will use them. And don’t forget to include power sockets and rechargers where they’ll actually be used – little details such as these can make all the difference in the day-to-day running of your kitchen.
“When it comes to space between the island bench and the rear wall cabinetry, aim for a distance of 1200 millimetres,” says McGlone. “This will allow the kitchen to remain functional at all times and creates space for a comfortable flow of traffic.”
More: See the latest in designer kitchen appliances here.
Tell us: Renovating a kitchen? Which features are on your wish list?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
One of the great advantages of an open-plan kitchen is no wasted corridor space, which instantly makes a space feel larger. But you’ll still need to ensure the design includes sufficient space for you and your family to move around the kitchen comfortably.
When planning the layout, consider how many people will use the kitchen, any activities that will be performed at the same time, and how you will move in and out of the space. Include zones for cooking prep, food storage, wash-up, dining and entertaining. Position appliances and work spaces according to where you will use them. And don’t forget to include power sockets and rechargers where they’ll actually be used – little details such as these can make all the difference in the day-to-day running of your kitchen.
“When it comes to space between the island bench and the rear wall cabinetry, aim for a distance of 1200 millimetres,” says McGlone. “This will allow the kitchen to remain functional at all times and creates space for a comfortable flow of traffic.”
More: See the latest in designer kitchen appliances here.
Tell us: Renovating a kitchen? Which features are on your wish list?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
We are Australia's leading kitchen and laundry specialist, with an unmatched selection of the world's best... Read More
We are Australia's leading kitchen and laundry specialist, with an unmatched selection of the world's best... Read More
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This article focuses on how the kitchen looks. I'm more concerned about function. I have an open-plan kitchen that I'm happy with, but I would like a semi-enclosed scullery area and perhaps a semi-enclosed cooktop. I don't grill or cook fish inside, in spite of having a heavy-duty (noisy) extractor, as I don't want smells and grease in the upholstery. When preparing meals for guests, sometimes it's easier to be alone.
In retrospect, I would have put a partial wall between the kitchen and the living area.
Contrary to Suggestion #1, I'd take a punt that most would choose to have nothing at all on their kitchen island, to maximise prep space.