A good kitchen design is all about practicality. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on its aesthetics. The kitchen is where we spend a ton of our time while at home and having a well-thought out design plan is essential to create one that works for you and your loved ones.
Regardless of whether you’re planning a kitchen renovation or a whole overhaul for your home, consider the different layout options and weigh the pros and cons before deciding.
#1: Open or close concept?
While choosing between an open, closed, or semi-closed kitchen design, the most important factor ultimately still lies with personal preference as well as what works best for your lifestyle.
Open Concept Kitchen
An open-concept kitchen is one without walls separating it from the rest of the home and is typically connected with the living or dining room.
Pros:
· Better airflow and more natural light in both the kitchen and the dining/living room
· Creates an entertaining and productive space where you can cook while engaging in conversation
Cons:
· Greater need for tidiness as the kitchen is visible from other parts of the home
· Noises, heat, and cooking aromas carry over easily to the rest of the home
Open Concept Kitchen
A close-concept kitchen is closed off from the rest of the home with access limited to one or two doorways, creating a private walled-off area.
Pros:
· Everything stays contained within the kitchen – the smell, the clutter, and the grease
· Wider range of storage cabinets and working space thanks to the additional walls
Cons:
· Can make the home appear smaller as the walls create physical and visual barriers
· Lesser natural light and ventilation
Semi-Open Kitchen
Want to enjoy the benefits of both an open and closed kitchen? Take the distinctive features of both layouts that works for you and combine them together to create your ideal kitchen. This way, you’re able to interact with your guests while enjoying the illusion of a bigger space without having to deal with the grease and smell.
Incorporating a half-wall or pass-through windows can help add to the visual picture without losing storage space.
Pocket, folding or sliding doors are also great choices that allows you to create and remove the barrier separating your kitchen from your home almost instantly.
#2: Which Layout Should You Go For?
Before deciding on the choice of cabinetry, you need to first consider the layout. Choose a kitchen layout that suits your everyday requirements and taste to maximize the functionality of your kitchen.
L-Shaped Kitchen
Best for small to medium kitchen spaces, this layout requires the kitchen to be built at a corner where two walls meet, forming a perpendicular angle.
An efficient design, it helps facilitate a great work angle to the preparation, cooking, and cleanup process, providing an easy and accessible workspace
U-Shaped Kitchen
Also known as the horseshoe kitchen, this particular layout develops along three adjoining walls and provides a lot of storage space, making it one of the most practical kitchen layouts.
The biggest advantage of a U-shaped kitchen is the safety factor as it prevents external traffic from disrupting your workflow.
Galley
A classic layout, a galley kitchen is one that features a space where two single-wall kitchen platforms run parallel to each other.
Requiring lesser space than the other layouts, this design works amazingly well in smaller homes or homes with a small kitchen.
Getting your kitchen layout right is the most important factor in ensuring you achieve a functional and practical kitchen space. Hence, layout planning should be the first step you take before you even get into the details. Remember, do not underestimate the importance of a good kitchen layout!