Versatile and functional, the open plan kitchen isn’t going anywhere. The best news is that this design can be achieved in almost any home, regardless of the current kitchen size. In this guide, we’ll chat about the benefits of this design, how to best achieve it, and give you creative tips and open plan kitchen design ideas – all from an experienced, leading design and build company in London.
The Benefits of an Open Plan Kitchen
Let’s start with why an open concept or open plan kitchen design is such a favourite. Whether you’re living on your own or have a family, your home is modern or traditional, or your style is classic or eclectic, open plan works for them all. Here’s why.
Interaction – The kitchen is the heart of the modern home and open concept designs ensure that it functions this way. When you’re in this type of kitchen, you’re not isolated. You can socialise with friends and family, keep an eye on the kids as they play or do homework, enjoy music and TV, and simply stay part of your daily routines. This Kew kitchen renovation is great inspiration for creating a social space.
Natural light – These designs allow for a better flow of light through the home, which is often a massive challenge in traditional and terrace homes. By moving your living, cooking, and entertaining space into one area, you take out walls that are blocking light, bring in sunlight from different sides of the space, and get great views too. You can also maximise this further with glass folding or sliding doors, large windows, and skylights, like this kitchen renovation in Tooting Bec.
Easy traffic flow – The kitchen and living areas are busy spaces and open plan kitchen design is a great way of keeping everyone from standing on each other’s toes. In this East Dulwich kitchen renovation, a small wraparound extension and the elimination of unnecessary interior walls make a mid-terrace home much more spacious, efficient, and easier to move through while still keeping functionality at your fingertips.
More space – Open concept design doesn’t just feel more spacious – it is more spacious. In this kitchen renovation in Ealing, a traditional terrace home is given a small wraparound kitchen extension as well as a design that creates plenty of functional space, including a large designer kitchen, new WC and coat space, utility room, and more.
Things to Consider When Designing an Open Plan Kitchen
If all that sounds great to you, the next step is to think about what to include in your design and how to do it. Of course, our design and build team is here to assist you every step of the way, but here are some key things to think about while you’re looking for inspiration.
How you want to use the space – Consider your lifestyle and what your future plans are to determine what goes into your open plan space and what your priorities are. Your most important features will get the most attention and features that will focus the design. For example, you may want a chill-out TV area where kids can play or you can relax. Or you may prefer a glamorous dining table space or a simple, chic kitchen island diner.
Make the most of your view – Maximising light and spaciousness come with great views of your garden, so plan your design to make the most of it. Create a flowing indoor-outdoor living environment like this kitchen renovation in Stoke Newington and make the most of nature and your views like this project in Strawberry Hill.
Create zones – Because these are multi-use spaces, the kitchen design and furnishings rather than walls will be used to create zones. Some great kitchen design ideas include using a kitchen island to zone off the cooking area from the dining space, bookshelves or cabinetry to zone off eating and lounge areas, or leaving elements of the structure in place to create broken-plan living spaces.
How to Make the Most of a Small Space
Open plan living is very effective in small spaces, giving you more useful floor area by removing unnecessary walls and doors. Here are a few things to consider when designing small kitchen spaces.
Extensions – Add more floor space by extending your open plan design out into your garden or side return. Just 1.5 metres worth of extension like in this East Dulwich project can transform a small kitchen space.
Go up with a vaulted ceiling – Adding space vertically with a vaulted ceiling immediately adds light, drama, and spaciousness to small kitchens. Take a look at the results in this Southwark open plan kitchen design.
Galley layout – Galley kitchens are highly efficient and well-suited to small kitchen spaces, creating a chic, simple, yet practical result like in this East Dulwich home.
Incorporate a kitchen island – A slimline kitchen island like the one in this Wandsworth terrace renovation is an excellent addition to a small kitchen, giving you counter and dining space, storage space, and supporting traffic flow.
Choose a Leading Design and Build Company in London for Your Open Plan Home Renovation
At Plus Rooms, a design and build company in London, we’ve worked on over 1,400 freestanding homes, terrace homes, and other residential properties to deliver bespoke kitchen extensions in the UK. We will lead you through the process from start to finish, helping you get the best floor plan, features, and quality for your budget whether your project is large or small. Contact us today to start the journey to your dream home.
