Open Plan Kitchens
Open Plan Kitchen Designs - The Kitchen as Part of Your Home
Open plan kitchens require a different approach to design. The kitchen is visible from the living and dining areas - which means it needs to look as good as it functions.
Designing for an Open Plan Space
In a separate kitchen, you can close the door on the mess. In an open plan space, the kitchen is always on show. That changes the design priorities. Storage needs to hide more. Worktops need to stay clear. The style of the cabinetry needs to work with the rest of the room - not just with itself.
We design open plan kitchens that feel like they belong in the wider space. That means thinking about sightlines from the sofa, the colour relationship between the kitchen and the dining area, and how the island or peninsula creates a natural boundary between cooking and living without closing the room off.
Key Considerations for Open Plan Kitchen Design
Zone Transition
An open plan room still needs zones - cooking, eating and relaxing. The kitchen island or peninsula is the most effective way to mark the transition between the kitchen zone and the living zone. Changes in flooring, ceiling height or lighting can reinforce the boundary without physical walls. We design the layout so the zones feel distinct but connected.
Extraction
Cooking smells travel further in open plan spaces, so extraction is more important than in a closed kitchen. We specify high-performance ceiling extractors, downdraft systems for island hobs, or discreet canopy hoods that handle the volume of air effectively. The extraction system is planned as part of the kitchen design, not added as an afterthought.
Noise
Dishwashers, extraction fans and food processors are all noticeable when there is no wall between the kitchen and the living area. We specify quiet-rated appliances and position noisy items - like the dishwasher - away from the seating area where possible. Soft-close hinges and drawer runners are standard on all our kitchens, which helps reduce everyday kitchen noise.
Storage and Tidiness
Open plan kitchens need more hidden storage than enclosed kitchens because clutter is always visible. We design full-height pantry units, deep drawers and integrated appliance housing to keep worktops clear. Open shelving is used selectively - for items you want to display - rather than as a primary storage solution.
Island Design in Open Plan Kitchens
In an open plan kitchen, the island is the most important single element. It defines the boundary between kitchen and living space, provides the primary prep area and often includes seating that faces into the room.
The ends of the island matter more in open plan kitchens than in enclosed ones because they are visible from the living area. We design island ends with care - options include open shelving for books or decorative items, a wine rack, a panelled end that matches the cabinetry, or a waterfall worktop where the surface material wraps down to the floor for a premium, sculptural finish.
Seating is positioned on the side facing the living area so anyone sitting at the island is looking into the room rather than at the kitchen. This makes the island feel like a social piece of furniture rather than a kitchen fixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We design the kitchen to complement the wider room. During the design visit we look at your flooring, wall colours, furniture style and lighting so the kitchen feels like part of the same space rather than a separate zone. Many customers choose a kitchen colour that coordinates with their living area palette - for example, a warm grey kitchen that echoes a grey sofa or a navy island that picks up a tone from soft furnishings.
Absolutely, and this is the ideal time to involve us. Designing the kitchen before the extension is built means we can advise on window positions, electrical and plumbing points, extraction routes and structural openings. This avoids costly changes after the build and ensures the kitchen layout works perfectly within the new space. We are happy to liaise with your architect or builder.