Open kitchens bring a new vitality and atmosphere to homes. Their visual design methods are rich and varied. They can not only visually integrate with areas such as the living room to create an open and coherent sense of space, but also achieve regional distinction through some unique designs. The following nine clever ideas will help you create the open kitchen of your dreams.
Build connections through similar designs
To coordinate the cooking area with the living area and create a warm and comfortable atmosphere, the echo of materials, colors and shapes is the key. For example, choosing a dining table with the same wood tone as the kitchen countertop can make the entire space form a natural transition in terms of materials, as if the kitchen and the living room are one. Or choose chairs with a similar tone to the front of the kitchen cabinet, and the repeated elements build a close connection between the living area and the kitchen. If the kitchen countertop is made of warm solid wood, the wooden dining table that echoes it will not only feel comfortable, but also visually enhance the coherence of the space. If the kitchen splashback also uses tiles with wood textures, the coordination of this style can be brought to the extreme. At the same time, in terms of kitchen storage systems, wooden drawers and kitchen cabinets can be used to make the entire space exude a unified wooden charm from the countertop to the storage.
Outline the open kitchen with glass doors
If you have doubts about the design concept of an open kitchen, room partitions are undoubtedly an excellent solution. Sliding glass doors are an excellent compromise. Glass doors allow ample light to enter the kitchen without hindrance, and can be opened or closed freely according to actual needs. When you want to have a good chat with guests while cooking, open the glass door to instantly break the space barrier; if you need a certain amount of privacy, just close the glass door. The existence of glass doors allows the kitchen to maintain an open and transparent feeling, and can become a relatively independent space when necessary. On the inside of the glass door, a simple stainless steel sink is installed, which is not only practical, but also echoes the modern texture of glass. The wall next to the glass door can be set up with a small kitchen storage system for storing commonly used tableware or seasonings, which is convenient and beautiful.
Use different floors to achieve visual distinction
In the kitchen area, people often prefer easy-to-maintain surfaces, and tiles are a common choice. Their waterproof, wear-resistant and easy-to-clean characteristics are very suitable for the kitchen environment. However, in the living area, tiles may give people a cold and uncomfortable feeling. In contrast, wooden floors are more popular, and their warm texture can create a warm atmosphere. Therefore, choosing different floor coverings for the kitchen area and the living area can easily create a clear visual separation effect. For example, the kitchen uses dark gray tile floors, matched with white kitchen countertops and light blue cabinets, while the living room uses light wood floors, matched with beige sofas and wooden coffee tables. The difference in floor material and color between the two clearly divides different functional areas. At the same time, a small metal trim strip can be set at the junction of the kitchen floor and the living room floor, which not only serves as a decoration, but also protects the edge of the floor. In terms of the kitchen storage system, the height difference of the floor can be used to create a built-in storage cabinet against the wall in the kitchen to make full use of the space.
Choose the shape of an open kitchen wisely
Open kitchens have a wide range of shapes to choose from, including L-shaped kitchens, U-shaped kitchens, or kitchen islands. In principle, almost any kitchen shape can be adapted to an open design. When planning, cleverly using the shape of the kitchen and placing it in a position that can serve as a room divider can greatly improve space utilization and functionality. For example, placing one end of the L-shaped kitchen against the wall and extending the other end to the living room to form a natural partition that moderately separates the kitchen from the living room. The countertop of an L-shaped kitchen can be reasonably laid out according to the operating process, with the sink, stove, and food preparation area arranged in sequence to facilitate cooking operations. When choosing a kitchen splashback, tiles with geometric patterns can be used to add a unique artistic atmosphere to the kitchen. In terms of kitchen storage systems, corner pull-out baskets can be installed at the corners of an L-shaped kitchen to make full use of the corner space to store items such as pots and pans.
Set up an open kitchen counter
When planning an open kitchen, the setting of seats is crucial. In addition to large dining tables, small counters are also popular. Guests and family can sit around the chef and enjoy the fun of communication while tasting delicious food. The countertop of the cooking island can be widened appropriately, or an additional countertop can be added to create a counter to ensure that there is enough space for legs so that users can sit comfortably. The height of the counter should be ergonomic, generally 90-100 cm is more suitable. Under the counter, an open storage rack can be set up to store commonly used drinks, cups or snacks. On the wall above the counter, a set of hanging kitchen utensil storage racks, such as spatulas and soup spoons, can be installed for easy access. The kitchen countertop can be made of quartz stone, which is durable and easy to clean. It is matched with an under-counter sink, which is beautiful and practical, and avoids water stains splashing on the countertop.
Create an open kitchen with a cooking island
A popular alternative to a kitchen with a counter is a free-standing cooking island, but this type of kitchen requires a lot of space. The freestanding cooking island is versatile. It can be used for cooking. A stove and sink can be installed on it to make cooking more convenient. It can also be used as additional storage space. Drawers or cabinets can be set under the island to store kitchen utensils. An open kitchen with a cooking island can clearly define the boundaries of other living spaces. For example, a freestanding cooking island is placed between the spacious living room and the kitchen. The island uses a dark wooden countertop and white cabinets, which contrasts sharply with the surrounding environment and becomes the visual focus of the space. The sink of the cooking island can be designed with a double trough, one for washing vegetables and the other for washing dishes, which improves efficiency. In terms of the kitchen splashback, a large stainless steel splashback can be installed on the back of the cooking island, which is both practical and modern. In terms of the kitchen storage system, the drawers under the cooking island can be designed with compartments to facilitate the classification and storage of different kitchen utensils.
Pay attention to the order of the open kitchen
If the open kitchen does not pay attention to order, it is very easy to appear messy. It is really unpleasant to see a messy kitchen from a neat living room. Therefore, keeping the work surface clean, minimizing the accumulation of clutter, keeping the shelves open, and displaying beautiful tableware or decorations can enhance the overall look of the kitchen. At the same time, it is crucial to plan suitable kitchen cabinets and build an adequate kitchen storage system. Reasonably design the internal space of the kitchen cabinet, set up multi-layer shelves and drawers to store kitchen utensils, small kitchen appliances, and tableware. For example, put commonly used tableware in a drawer within reach, and small kitchen appliances such as electric kettles and soymilk machines can be placed in a special appliance storage cabinet, which can keep the countertop clean and convenient to use. In the choice of kitchen countertops, seamless artificial stone countertops can be selected to reduce the gaps where dirt and dirt are hidden, making it easier to clean and keep tidy. The sink can be selected with a drain basket, which is convenient for direct draining after washing the tableware to avoid water stains from wetting the countertop.
Choose quiet kitchen equipment
In an open kitchen, the noise problem of kitchen equipment cannot be ignored. If the refrigerator, dishwasher or range hood makes a loud buzzing sound while chatting, it will greatly affect the experience. Nowadays, many electronic devices have launched silent versions. When choosing appliances for the kitchen, you should pay special attention to these silent products. For example, choose a refrigerator with good silent effect, which has very low noise during operation and will not interfere with the normal activities in the living room; the silent design of the dishwasher can make the tableware washing process quiet. In terms of kitchen storage systems, noisy appliances such as ovens and microwaves can be placed in special appliance cabinets, and the noise transmission can be further reduced by blocking the cabinet doors. The kitchen countertop can choose a material with a certain sound absorption effect, such as a wooden countertop, which can reduce noise reflection to a certain extent. The sink can also choose a style with a soundproof pad to reduce the noise caused by the impact of water flow.
Open kitchen design suitable for small spaces
For small living rooms with small kitchens, or small spaces such as one-bedroom apartments and “small houses”, the design of open kitchens requires special care. Due to limited space, it is recommended to make full use of vertical space and build storage facilities upwards. For example, build a kitchen cabinet to the top to increase storage capacity, and set up multi-layer shelves and drawers inside the kitchen cabinet to plan space reasonably. Choose small kitchen appliances, such as mini ovens and small dishwashers, which can meet daily needs without taking up too much space. The kitchen countertop can adopt a simple design and choose a small single-bowl sink to save space. The kitchen splashback can be made of bright light-colored tiles to reflect light and make the space appear more open. In terms of kitchen storage systems, you can use the wall space to install hanging rods to hang kitchen utensils such as spatulas and spoons to reduce the space occupied by the countertop. At the same time, you can set up a multi-layer storage rack in the corner of the kitchen to store items such as seasoning bottles and cans.
