In modern kitchen design, it’s becoming more and more fashionable to knock through walls in your home, combining two rooms in the quest to build the ultimate kitchen. In fact, quite a lot of our own customers have done it, and some to jaw-dropping effect.
Combining two rooms into a single kitchen is attractive for a whole lot of reasons; one of the main ones is that it makes it a more welcoming, casual space. In lots of traditional houses (for many of us, our childhood homes), it was common to have a living room, a formal dining room and a separate kitchen. But that’s not the case anymore!
Today, we’re all about open plan living. More and more of us are choosing to combine cooking, living and dining into a single room. This room then becomes a more fluid, family-centric space for the whole family to enjoy themselves, and spend more quality time in each other’s company. It also makes life simpler in a whole lot of other ways – for example, parents can keep an eye on their children without having to keep going next door to check on them.
In older homes, cooking can sometimes be a bit of a lonely experience. A separate kitchen means that when it’s time to make food, we have to prepare ourselves for being shut away for long periods at a time. This can be particularly frustrating if you’ve got friends or family over for dinner – after all, the whole point of having them there is to chat to them! But with an open plan kitchen, you can wave goodbye to all that. The cook is no longer isolated; seamlessly connected cooking and dining areas mean that you can finally socialise a bit while whipping up some delicious meals!
Another thing to love about an open-plan space is how many creative opportunities it gives you to designate the different areas in it. Lighting is an easy one: you can have intimate cosy lighting for dining areas, and soft recessed white lighting for your kitchen or working areas. Our customers Mr and Mrs Robertsons have used this technique to amazing effect in their own Ultimate Kitchen, making a lovely feature from their extractor fan in the process!
Or maybe you’re thinking about all the things you can do with furniture and materials. Using the example of one of our customers in Rochdale, you can see how the neutral colour scheme and natural granite worktops of their cooking area makes for a smooth, contemporary look. Meanwhile, the rich timber of their dining table and dark, comfortable seating use their different colours and materials to create a separate area entirely – but one that still merges seamlessly into the rest of the kitchen. (And while we’re at it, we can see that the pendant lighting contrasts wonderfully with the soft LEDs of the dining area!)
You can even see how this used to be two rooms, but the wall in the middle was taken out, joining the them both together into a single open-plan space. Some customers find themselves taking out more than one wall, merging three or sometimes even four small rooms at once.
Open-plan kitchens are modern, convenient and on-trend; if there’s a room in your house you’re not using, it might well be worth considering. Who knows, you may love the final results! Here at Kitchen Design Centre, we’re staffed by an expert team of designers who love everything about kitchens. Visit any of our kitchen showrooms in Colne, Blackburn and Manchester to have a friendly chat with them, where you can discuss your big plans for your kitchen!
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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.
Book A Free Design Appointment
