When dreaming up your brand new designer kitchen, does an open kitchen or closed kitchen come to mind? As interior design experts, we know that both have their benefits; the former best suited to modern, contemporary, German-made kitchens and the latter best suited to more traditional designs. In today’s blogs, we’re revealing the perks of both designs – helping you decide which of the two is best for you.
In recent years, the open kitchen design has grown in popularity. An open plan design is a great look in brand new homes and older, farmhouse-style properties, which benefit from plenty of space.
The benefits are endless, but some of the most popular reasons for choosing an open plan kitchen design include:
Open plan kitchen designs allow productivity and entertainment in one space. At social events or dinner parties, there’s no need to shut friends and family away in a separate living space. The versatile living space is also ideal for families with young children. Parents can get on with cooking and food prep while watching over children playing in the same room.
Laid-back, relaxed living spaces are on-trend right now. An open kitchen design creates that exact vibe, with an ideal traffic flow and space to socialise. Soft furnishings are very much a part of an open plan kitchen design too, which adds to the relaxed feel of the room. Guests and family can relax on sofas or at the breakfast bar – rather than sitting at a formal dining table.
One of the best things about open plan design is the lack of walls. Walls close down a space, making a room feel smaller and darker. An open plan kitchen, on the other hand, will benefit from lots of light thanks to more windows in the kitchen space.
Before open plan designs became a trend, all kitchens featured the traditional closed kitchen design. While they may not be first choice for modern homeowners today, the closed kitchen does appear to be making a bit of a comeback.
The benefits include:
While some love the sociable and laid-back feel of an open plan kitchen, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Many prefer the feel of a formal dining room and separate kitchen area – with the latter also offering more privacy for the cook.
For many, the lingering smells from the open plan kitchen is a real turn-off. For those that prefer to leave smells and mess behind, a closed plan kitchen provides the perfect solution. While a good vent hood can minimise lingering smells, it can still be a problem with open plan kitchen designs.
With an open plan kitchen, you do have to compromise a little on functionality – but you benefit from a connected and sociable space as a result. Closed kitchens usually boast a better layout thanks to the presence of walls. What’s more, the correct plumbing, electrical and structural work is already in place and it’s simpler to switch furnishings and update the overall look.
Still not decided on which one works best for you? Read about how to blend freestanding and fitted designs over on our blog to get the best of both worlds.
Do you have a preference? Whether you love modern, open plan kitchens or prefer the traditional closed kitchen design, we’d love to know your thoughts. Leave your comments below or tweet us @ModernKitchens
TRADITION MEETS MODERNITY IN OUR LIVERPOOL SHOWROOM
In our Liverpool showroom, we’ve masterfully blended the best of traditional and modern design elements to create a unique, timeless kitchen display. This space is a perfect mix of classic elegance with contemporary functionality, and the focal point is the stunning L-shaped island, which serves as both a practical workspace and a social hub. Its clever design seamlessly links into a media wall and presentation area, incorporating the essence of modern open-plan living.
The colour scheme is a sophisticated mix of Concept130 Roma Graphite shaker cabinets paired with Montreal light fine oak handleless units and taupe trim handles. This combination offers a perfect balance between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, perfect if you appreciate the classics but want something a little more updated.
Standout appliances:
Neff 30cm Wine Fridge
Neff 80cm Induction Hob
Neff Single Oven
Neff Tall Integrated Fridge
Neff Dishwasher
MODERN MINIMALISM AT ITS FINEST IN OUR URMSTON SHOWROOM
Our Urmston showroom display showcases a bold, modern kitchen design that effortlessly blends both form and function. The handleless units create a streamlined, uninterrupted flow throughout the space, perfectly complemented by the ultra-matt black finish on the worktops. This pairs beautifully with the elegant black ribbed-veneered door for the focal wall.
This minimalist design approach offers a chic, contemporary vibe, ideal if you love the clean, clutter-free aesthetic. To enhance this look, we’ve used warm accent colours that break up the monochrome palette, adding a sense of inviting depth and warmth to the overall space. The subtle, extravagant marble panels add a touch of quiet luxury, their natural veining providing visual interest and texture against the sleek black surfaces, especially when lit by warm LED lighting. This fusion of modern materials and timeless elements, such as marble, creates a display that is both stylish and practical!
Standout appliances:
Neff N90 Ovens with premium 6.8” touch screen display and Twist Pad Flex control
Neff Flex Induction Hob
Silgranit Blanco Sink
Quooker Tap
THE BARROWFORD SHOWROOM’S HARMONIOUS AND ELEGANT DISPLAY
In Barrowford, we’ve embraced a calming, earthy palette that combines functionality with elegance. The display features Hampton Ash wood doors painted in a Natural Umber shade, mixed with Scala Olive green flat doors, and completed with a mix of antique brass handles. The warm, neutral tones of the Natural Umber give this kitchen a wonderfully cosy feel, making it a welcoming space for both cooking and entertaining.
One of the key features of this display is the 30mm Vanilla Noir quartz worktop, which stands out with its dark, characterful design. The designer bench seating includes pullout storage to maximise space without sacrificing style. The bifold worktop unit and sliding doors on the island showcase smart storage solutions. Finally, the open shelves add a touch of rustic charm!
Standout appliances:
Neff Collection Oven
Neff XL Fridge Freezer
Quooker Classic Fusion Tap
Double Bowl Tartufo Sink
THE BLACKBURN SHOWROOM’S SLEEK AND MODERN MASTERPIECE
Our new Blackburn display is a testament to a modern, streamlined design. It features a bold black and oak colour scheme, seamlessly blending practicality and contemporary aesthetics. The tall units are clad in a Black Velvet Oak, adding depth and contrast to the sleek black wall units. The Toronto base units and matching worktops are finished in Natural Vintage Oak for a beautiful and cohesive end result.
One of the standout elements of this display is the quirky curved breakfast bar, a unique feature that blends functionality with style. Raised planters behind the bar add a touch of greenery; perfect if you love bringing natural elements into your kitchen.
Standout appliances:
Neff 60cm CombiZone Black Induction Hob
Integrated Design Hood
Neff Fully-integrated dishwasher
Neff Integrated Frost Free Under Counter Freezer
More from the team’s annual trip to Germany to the headquarters of Hacker Rodinghausen showroom.
Staff from all of our showrooms attended to view the new exciting ranges of kitchens and colours that are available from now. They were given a full factory tour & took part in product workshops. It was an intensive 2 x day trip however they had a fabulous time.
Head to our stories for more details or head over to our website to book your free design appointment
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