No one can deny that open plan living is by far one of the most enduring trends to emerge in modern kitchen design in recent years. It’s especially popular here in the UK, where it shows no signs of going away any time soon! Almost all of the kitchens created by our talented designers here at Kitchen Design Centre can be classed as open plan kitchens; open, flowing spaces with few internal walls that blend the functions of cooking, dining and living. So what about these exactly has captured the UK’s imagination? Read on to find out!
The most obvious benefit of open plan living is that it lets you spend more time together! There’s a reason that the kitchen is known as the heart of the home. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of work and school runs, and simply crash out when we get home, with various family members ferreted away in different rooms. A large open plan space allows you to still enjoy your valuable relaxation time – but as a family, all together.
You don’t exactly need to be a social scientist to know that this kind of regular family interaction makes us happier and healthier, and it’s easily accommodated by open plan living. For example, modern designer kitchens in an open plan format he to prevent that feeling of isolation when you’re cooking meals for the whole family. Rather than spending the time closed off in a separate room, instead your family is right there with you, allowing you to chat with them as you cook! It’s also easy to see why it’s a particularly attractive setup for young parents, as it’s far easier to keep an eye on young children in a more open space.
Having a space with more function and flow comes in particularly handy when you’re hosting social events, even if it’s just a few guests. Around this time of year, many open plan kitchens are already proving their worth for World Cup celebrations at home! In this customer kitchen, for example – aptly described as the Kitchen That Brings It All Together – you can see how the owners, Mr and Mrs Green, are able to prepare lunches or evening meals while still able to chat with their guests, who may be watching the World Cup match on TV only feet away. This way, their seamless dining and living space allows them to cook, dine and socialise together without having to move back and forth from room to room.
Natural light is typically a central feature of almost any open plan living space, helping the area to feel lighter, airier and more spacious. A classic example of this can be seen in this Contemporary Family Kitchen we designed for a couple in Stockport. You can see how the soft glow from the LED mood lighting is offset by a wealth of natural light flooding in from the patio doors. It also seamlessly connects the indoors with adjacent outdoor space, bringing those inside the kitchen closer to the beautiful sunlight and natural greenery of the garden outside. Interesting fact for you quickly: as humans, we’re hardwired to react to sunlight with greater levels of energy, contentedness and happiness, making it an invaluable resource in kitchen design!
Throughout all of our designer kitchen showrooms in Manchester, Blackburn and Barrowford, a common reason we often hear for a kitchen redesign is to expand the available space. This is an especially key reason behind the increasing popularity of open plan kitchen and dining areas, as people look to update traditional homes with more contemporary, spacious living spaces. For their ultra-modern kitchen, Mr and Mrs Redmond chose to remove the dividing wall between their old kitchen and dining room to transform them both into a single, flowing space.
And once this transformation was completed, the use of a gloss grey and white contemporary colour scheme served to reflect the beautiful natural light flooding in from their kitchen windows and patio doors. As you can see, this sort of natural kitchen lighting helps to make the space feel even more open and spacious!
With all these wonderful benefits to an open plan kitchen, you might well be considering it for your own redesign! In that case, there are no better people to talk to than our very own talented in-house designers here at Kitchen Design Centre. Take a trip down to your nearest designer kitchen showroom, and we’ll be only too happy to discuss your vision of your dream kitchen, perhaps over a cup of tea and a biscuit!
Introducing Beth Ainsworth to our Blackburn showroom. Beth brings fresh ideas and plenty of enthusiasm to kitchen design. Off the clock, I’m most likely in the gym.
We’re passionate about tailoring our designs to fit your lifestyle, so whether you want a space to entertain or a family-centric kitchen to spend quality time together, our designers know exactly how to make your dream kitchen a reality.
When you book an appointment, you’ll be introduced to your personal kitchen designer, who will sit down with you in our dedicated meeting space to discuss what you want for your dream kitchen. Then, when you’re happy with the final design, they’ll become your dedicated project manager as they oversee every aspect of the installation, guaranteeing exceptional customer service as we deliver the kitchen of your dreams.
Our Summer Sale is officially ON! ✨
If you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s never been a better time to make it happen. From timeless designs to modern family spaces, now is the perfect opportunity to save on the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
The brief focused on creating a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would feel open, social and highly functional, while complementing the wider architectural renovation of the home.
The finished design delivers a beautifully balanced space that combines clean lines with luxurious detailing.
One of the standout features is the striking worktop design. The waterfall edge peninsula creates a bold focal point within the room, while the continuation of the material across the side panels introduces a seamless, premium aesthetic.
Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
You don’t have to keep waiting for your dream kitchen. With flexible finance options on kitchens over £20,000, it’s ready when you are. Spread the cost of your kitchen plans and move forward in a way that works for you this summer.
With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
The kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s the heart of the home.
At our Kitchen Design Centre, we believe your kitchen should be the centrepiece of your house, where style meets functionality and every moment matters. From morning coffees to family dinners and everything in between, your kitchen is where life happens.
That’s why we design spaces that bring people together — beautiful, practical, and tailored to you. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern look or a warm, classic feel, we’re here to help you create a kitchen that truly feels like home.
Visit us today and start designing the heart of your home.
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