Get inspired with these open plan kitchens featuring layout ideas, practical tips, stylish storage solutions, and the latest design trends.
Open plan kitchens have remained a popular choice among self-builders and home improvers for over a decade, with ideas and designs continuously evolving.
Combining a functional kitchen area with a social space, open plan kitchens are often the heart of the home. They offer a place for family gatherings and a perfect setting for celebrations, whether it’s summer lunches or Christmas dinners.
The best open plan kitchen designs offer flexibility, allowing you to create a space that meets your unique needs.
The evolving nature of open plan kitchens reflects our changing lifestyles and how we use our homes. It’s not just modern homes adopting these layouts — period properties with smaller rooms are being renovated and extended to embrace this informal style of living.
Here, we’ve gathered our top open plan kitchen ideas, tips, and advice to help you plan your perfect space.
1. Tailor the Layout to Your Needs
While traditional homes had separate rooms for distinct functions, open plan living catered to activities like socialising, cooking, working from home, and relaxing. The beauty of open plan kitchen layouts is their versatility, allowing you to tailor the space to your lifestyle needs.
Begin your kitchen design by considering how you’ll use the space. The kitchen is often the most hardworking room in the house, so it must function effortlessly and withstand constant use. Small details, such as placing the fridge in an accessible spot or having a designated area for chopping boards, can make all the difference in functionality.
2. Don’t Overlook Open Galley Kitchen Layouts
Long, narrow kitchens may seem awkward, but with well-considered galley kitchen designs, open plan kitchens can truly shine.
Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL, embraced a galley layout in her kitchen remodel. She zoned the room based on its architecture, with arched windows framing the dining area and a big Lacanche cooker and marble sink defining the cooking zone. This approach prevented the room from feeling too narrow, with practical storage solutions like a glass-fronted Curiosity Cupboard adding both style and functionality.
3. Focus on Durable Materials for High-Traffic Areas
Open plan kitchens need materials that can withstand heavy use. Consider durable kitchen flooring options and sturdy worktops.
For those who entertain frequently or enjoy cooking with family, ample prep space and strategically placed sinks are essential. While the main elements of an open plan kitchen are typically the kitchen, dining, and living areas, consider adding a playroom, snug, bar area, or utility room for added functionality.
4. Incorporate a Home Office in Your Open Plan Kitchen
With the rise of remote working, integrating a home office into your open plan kitchen can be a smart choice. These Kitchens often offer bright, inspiring spaces for daytime work.
When planning, consider setting your desk slightly apart from the main kitchen area for a dedicated workspace. Pocket doors that can be closed off are a great option for maintaining separation when not in use. Be mindful of appliances that may create noise and disrupt your work — Quiet Mark-approved appliances are ideal for multi-functional spaces.
5. Keep Clutter Out of Sight
When designing an open plan kitchen, think about how kitchen clutter will impact the living or dining areas. No one wants to look at dirty dishes while enjoying a meal.
In this kitchen, a cleverly designed upstand hides the kitchen area from the dining space, ensuring clutter is kept out of sight during meals.
6. Work with the Shape of the Room
Designing an open plan kitchen can be daunting as it impacts both cooking and social areas. Use the shape of the room to inspire creative elements, such as placing the kitchen sink near a window for a scenic view or creating a cosy reading nook.
In this example, the kitchen is tucked around the corner from the large living space, and the long island connects the two areas. A change in ceiling height subtly separates the cooking and dining zones.
7. Strike the Right Balance with Kitchen Units
Mixing different sizes and styles of kitchen units helps with both functionality and aesthetics. From small spice drawers to large pan cupboards, consider how you’ll use the space daily.
Innovative modern designs, like deep pan drawers or half-size larder units, offer efficient storage solutions while maintaining a sleek look.
8. Outsource Storage in Large Kitchen and Dining Rooms
Large, open plan spaces can suffer from a lack of wall storage. To solve this, extend bespoke kitchen units into the dining room or create additional storage areas.
A pantry or larder space alongside the main kitchen is a great way to balance functionality and design, especially when you have an open plan kitchen extension.
9. Utilise Built-In Appliances for Small Open Plan Kitchens
In smaller open plan kitchens, built-in appliances that blend with the cabinetry keep the space functional and stylish.
One way to do this is to position ovens at eye level to maintain smooth cooking flow and consider slide-away doors to prevent bumps in high-traffic areas. Drawer-style dishwashers, fridges, and freezers also integrate seamlessly into compact designs.
10. Create a Holistic Design with Matching Materials
If your home features specific materials like exposed brick, stone, or timber, carry these through to the kitchen and dining areas for a cohesive look.
In one example, timber frames and units create a unified space between the kitchen and dining areas. Mixing natural materials like wood and quartz in countertops and furniture creates visual harmony.
11. Include Built-In Seating for Small Spaces
For small open plan kitchens, banquette seating attached to the kitchen island or units is a great way to save space.
Built-in benches eliminate the need for extra room around a dining table, making it easier to combine seating and dining areas without feeling cramped.
12. Use Visual Dividers to Define Areas
Subtle visual divides, like ceiling height changes or architectural features, help separate spaces in large open-plan areas.
In one modern farmhouse, an oak frame defines the L-shaped kitchen, dining, and play area, keeping the space functional and easy to supervise without feeling overwhelming.
13. Incorporate Trends Thoughtfully
When designing a new kitchen, balance timeless styles with modern trends. Features like herringbone flooring and wooden cabinetry offer a contemporary yet classic look.
Opt for painted kitchen units in shaker-style designs for versatility. These can easily be updated with fresh colours over time, keeping the kitchen looking modern without major renovations.
14. Opt for a U-shaped design in Small Kitchens
U-shaped kitchens work exceptionally well in small spaces, offering plenty of counter space while keeping essential appliances within easy reach.
In one example, a bold, dark colour contrasts with a light, airy living area. The peninsula creates a social space while dividing the cooking and living zones.
15. Prioritise Good Lighting
Lighting in an open-plan kitchen needs to be functional for cooking but adaptable for dining or socialising.
Layer task lighting, like spotlights or pendant lights, with natural lighting from windows or skylights. Dimmable LEDs allow you to adjust the lighting depending on the time of day or activity, ensuring the space is always comfortable.
Does an Open Plan Kitchen Add Value?
An open plan kitchen not only enhances daily living but also adds significant value to your home. It allows for a seamless flow between the kitchen and living spaces, making it perfect for socialising and family interaction.
What is a Good Size for an Open Plan Kitchen?
The ideal size for an open plan kitchen depends on your layout. For linear kitchens, 3.5 to 4 metres is a good length to accommodate essential appliances. For kitchens with an island, leave at least 1.2 metres between the island and other units for comfortable movement.
For more design tips contact our team at our Basingstoke of Ascot showrooms.
