7 tips to help you design the ultimate open-plan kitchen

In the 90s and 2000s kitchens changed. They were no longer separate rooms where the cook would be cut off from the family, but wide open spaces that flowed into the rest of the home and outdoors. 

Fast forward to today and open-plan kitchens are still all the rage – they’re social spaces, made to integrate with the rest of the living area and bring families together. Here are seven tips to help you turn your kitchen into an, on trend, open-plan masterpiece. 

1. Think about how you’ll use yours

The first step towards designing and building a successful open-plan kitchen is to have a think about how it’ll suit your lifestyle. If you often have breakfast together while one person cooks, a breakfast bar with stools could be a great idea. If you all cook together, adding a little extra floor space could make that easier. Or if dad cooks while he watches the kids, a low kitchen island looking out over the lounge could be the way to go. 

2. Match your design

Because your open-plan kitchen will integrate with the rest of your living area, and perhaps outdoor space, it’s important that its design matches your home. If your property is an old bungalow, go for classic fittings and fixtures like the Chambord range, along with whites and soft pastels. If your property is modern and minimalist, more modern fittings and colours may suit. 

3. It’s island time

Kitchen islands are almost always a good idea. If you’ve got the space they can add style, storage and functionality to your space, without closing it off from the rest of your home. If you place your hob and/or sink in your island you can also look out as you prepare food, or do the dishes, making the most of your open-plan design. 

4. Make it kid-friendly

One drawback of open-plan kitchens is that it can be tricky to keep the kids out. To get around this, think about how you can child-proof the space during the design phase. Could you install temporary gates at each side of the kitchen island until the kids can be trusted? Or perhaps a few kiddy locks on cupboards is all that’s needed. 

5. Think about a butler’s pantry

Another drawback of open-plan kitchens is that there’s nowhere to hide your dirty dishes and mess (and storage space can be limited). A butler’s pantry is a great way to solve this problem, providing a separate space that can be messy every now and then so the rest of your kitchen doesn’t have to be. 

6. Ensure your layout works

With an open-plan kitchen it’s more important than ever to ensure that your layout is effective and efficient. When designing yours, think about your work triangle – the space between the sink, fridge and the oven. You should be able to reach each of these in just two or three steps, so in most cases it’s best if they’re centrally located in the kitchen. Next, think about where you need storage and what kind. For example, it can be incredibly convenient to have draws under your cooktop that are big enough to store cooking utensils, pots and pans. 

7. Get a little help

Don’t be shy. If you don’t have the experience or the know-how it’s a great idea to engage an interior architect or kitchen renovation company as soon as you decide to renovate. And when it comes to choosing fixtures and fittings it can be very helpful to see these in person before you decide. 

To view Abey’s huge range visit your nearest Abey showroom today.