How to Design an Open Kitchen

It’s not often that you hear a homeowner ask for a kitchen with a door.

Open kitchen design has dominated the scene for quite some time now – and for good reason. But that doesn’t mean everyone knows how to create one. After designing quite a few open kitchens over the years, we consider ourselves to be experts on the topic, and we’re eager to break it down for you and tell you exactly how to get that open kitchen concept of your dreams.

The Elements of an Open Kitchen Design

First, think carefully about the layout. An open kitchen is meant to make the space more inviting – a way to bring the guests into the heart of the home. If you’re renovating an existing space, you’ll need to determine which wall is load bearing and which walls conceal important plumbing, electric and ductwork.

If you’re starting from scratch with a custom-built home, you have more flexibility. Just make sure you take into consideration the classic work triangle, which ensures a smooth-flowing workspace between the sink, stove, and refrigerator.

Easy Serving, Easy Entertaining

One of the main reasons that homeowners ask for an open kitchen is to provide a great space for entertaining. Rather than having a kitchen be a closed-off space in the home, modern families want a nice flow between the kitchen, dining room and living room.

A one-wall design maximizes the openness of the kitchen but can lack in storage. L-shaped kitchens still have that airy, spacious feeling, but can also provide for more cabinets and prep space. Both layouts can rely on large center islands for extra storage – for housing appliances, providing extra cabinet space and additional seating.

Some floor plans have enough space for a two-island kitchen, which raises the game by enabling even more dedicated work areas and allowing for more friends and family to gather without getting in the way of the cook.

A Place for Everything

In addition to the big island, you can make the most of your available space by having all of the cabinetry extend to the ceiling. Tall cabinets add height to the room and add even more storage space, which makes the space appear even larger.

And if you’re still not sold on losing a wall or two, there are a ton of smart storage ideas out there for making sure that an open kitchen is as organized and efficient as a traditional kitchen. Make your cabinetry work harder by asking your contractor or cabinet builder to include cabinet organizers and drawer inserts. Pull-down spice racks, cutlery organizers, wine cubbies and more can turn ordinary kitchen cabinets into storage superstars.

The Finishing Touches

An open kitchen is integrated with the rest of the main living spaces, so it’s important to make sure that the design works harmoniously with the adjoining areas. Use color, lighting, and woodwork to tie everything together. If you build a custom home with us, you’ll receive professional assistance from an interior designer with selecting colors, lighting options, tile, trim and more.

Have questions about an open kitchen concept you’ve been dreaming of? Give Jerry a call. He’d be happy to discuss it with you!