Why choose an open-plan designer kitchen?

There’s a reason why open-plan designer kitchens are such a popular choice with our customers. For starters, an open plan kitchen provides a fantastic way to open up your space and create a bigger area for socialising. These designs are adaptable as well, presenting a variety of design options that are both practical and stylish.

Above all, it’s a design that focuses on flow, and helps to create a more functional living space – and one that we have more than 35 years of experience with here at Kitchen Design Centre. Whether you’re looking for a more versatile space that allows for both cooking and socialising, more freedom of movement between your kitchen and dining area, or you simply want a greater space to put a more personal touch on your kitchen design, our designers are here to help.

Why would an open-plan kitchen suit you?

When considering what an open-plan kitchen can offer, it’s important to keep in mind what you want from it. We design kitchens that are uniquely suited to you and your lifestyle, whatever that might entail. For example, if you’re a keen cook who enjoys whipping up a storm in your kitchen, we can offer specific styles that focus on practical elements like easily accessible appliances and plenty of counter space.

If you’re more of a social butterfly, we can provide you with a space that gives you a fantastic blend of open-plan practicality and social space, where you can enjoy the company of your friends and family. Perfect for dinner parties and Christmas get togethers!

The point is; the way you choose to use your kitchen will have a direct impact on its design. For example, our customers Sarah and Heath were in need of a contemporary family kitchen for a narrow space, so we gave them exactly what they needed to suit their busy, family orientated life.

Open-plan kitchens let in the light

Natural light is a key element when it comes to improving the brightness and feel of your designer kitchen, and open-plan designs are much better suited for taking advantage of this. By opting for an open-plan kitchen, you can really maximise the amount of natural light that flows through the space, giving it a more welcoming, breezy feel that’s sure to lift the mood of the room.

Why is this important? Well, we’ll spare you the detailed science lesson, but basically humans are daylight creatures. That means we’ve evolved to be happier, more energetic, and healthier in direct sunlight. It’s why small, windowless rooms can make us feel quite so uncomfortable, and equally it’s why natural light is such an important factor of your kitchen to ensure that you’re able to maximise your enjoyment of the space.

If your kitchen backs on to your garden for example, consider adding some sliding, or bi-fold doors to give you easy access to it. These doors add so much more light to your space that it’ll appear more roomy than it actually is. If roof lights are a practical option for your space, you may find them a great way to achieve the same effect.

They provide options for clever design possibilities

We understand that a small kitchen space can present challenges when it comes to having ample room for all your equipment, appliances and so on. Open-plan kitchens are all about making the most out of the space in your home. Here at Kitchen Design Centre, we do this by incorporating a range of clever design ideas like integrated appliances, and hidden storage, ultimately helping you make the most out of your designer kitchen.

We have plenty of open-plan designs for you to peruse in our customer case studies, where you’ll find kitchens with sleek, contemporary looks from things like handleless pull-out units, as well as integrated appliances like Neff multi-function ovens. These cutting-edge appliances possess a stunning versatility to match their intuitive controls, and our status as a Neff Master Partner means we’ve got a great depth of expertise when it comes to smoothly integrating it into your kitchen design.

The options are endless, and depending on your specific requests, we can tailor these design features into any kitchen style, so it’s completely up to you to decide what you’d like!

Open-plan kitchens utilise islands in a fantastic way

Open plan kitchens are perfect spaces for the much-coveted kitchen island. In an open-plan kitchen, the island plays a vital role in separating the kitchen from the living room, while also connecting the two spaces. It does this by creating a place for the cook to interact with the rest of the room, providing an engaging, social atmosphere.

Of course, you’ll need to keep in mind what you’ll spend the most time doing on your island! If it’s cooking, consider placing a hob on top of it. If you’re thinking of it as a cleaning space, maybe install a sink, or think about integrating a dishwasher. The balance between practicality and aesthetic pleasure is really what makes an open-plan kitchen worthwhile. For us, they’re the quintessential option for anyone who wants to create the perfect kitchen-diner combination.

With 35 years of experience behind us here at Kitchen Design Centre, our designers are passionate about helping you get the kitchen of your dreams. If you’re in need of some extra inspiration though – drop by our Blackburn kitchen showroom (or our other designer kitchen showrooms in Manchester or Barrowford) where you can sit down for a chat to let us know exactly what sort of requirements you have. We’re here to help!