Living Dining And Kitchen Combined
Living Dining And Kitchen Combined
Open plan kitchens have been a firm favourite among self-builders and home improvers for well over a decade now, while ideas and designs are ever-changing.
The perfect blend between a practical kitchen area and a social entertaining space, open plan kitchens are often the hub of the home, offering somewhere for the family to congregate and keep better connected.
The best thing about an open plan kitchen design is the versatility you have in designing a space that works for you. The ever-adapting nature of open plan kitchens interestingly reflects how our lifestyle and the way we use our homes is evolving. And that's not just new homes that are including open plan layouts, period-style homes with smaller rooms are being renovated, extended and remodelled to embrace the informal way of living.
What are Some Disadvantages of Open Plan Kitchens?
One of the big questions we asked of our homes in the last year is how functional open plan living really is, especially when whole families found themselves sharing their homes for work, school, socialising and more for the majority of the day.
"For all of their benefits, open-plan layouts don't always work," warns Associate Editor Natasha Brinsmead. "There are several reasons for this. Sometimes the absence of walls can make for very noisy households. We all also need our own space from time to time, and it's not ideal to have to shut ourselves away to get it."
However, rather than spelling the end of open plan living, this is just the latest factor to influence open plan kitchen trends in 2021, and you'll find many new design ideas for these spaces take into account ways to create pockets of privacy for when you need them.
From kitchen layout ideas and how to zone an open plan kitchen to style ideas, storage and appliances, these 30 real spaces span a spectrum of kitchen design and offer plenty of inspiration for your own project.
Layouts for Open Plan Kitchens
1. Tailor Open Plan Layouts to Individual Homes
In times gone by smaller rooms each had a distinct function, but with open plan living catering to activities like socialising, cooking, working from home and watching TV, the usual lines are a little bit more blurred.
The beauty of open plan kitchen layouts is that they can be tailored to every lifestyle requirement, so it's best to start off a plan simply with what you will be using the room for, as well as any interesting architectural features, and creating 'zones' from there.
Be it combining the best kitchen sink with a window vista to daydream while washing up (as above), an alcove reading nook in a seating area or a cosier spot for intimate dining with guests, take the room's shape into consideration when planning the overall layout.
2. What Should be Included in an Open-plan Kitchen?
Open plan kitchens need to include materials that are prepared to face high amounts of traffic and various uses so be sure to consider all kinds of kitchen flooring ideas, worktop options and, of course, various types of storage.
Richard Moore, design director at Martin Moore, advises: "For cooks who entertain on a regular basis or families who enjoy cooking together, a large amount of prepping space is important and a couple of sinks in different locations is also very useful."
While open plan kitchens tend to be made up of kitchen, dining and living areas, this isn't the only things that could be included in the space. A play room for children is perfect as you can keep an eye on them while using the open plan space, while a snug, bar area or utility room could also be incorporated into your open plan design.
3. Let your Layout Lend itself to WFH
With the rise and potential remain of working from home, there's a lot to be said about considering home office design alongside your kitchen. In the daytime, you might find it's quiet enough to act as a work space, while offering you potentially the brightest and most inspiring room of the house, compared to a small study.
But what should you consider? For regular work from home from the kitchen, a dedicated space is preferable to working at the island for keeping your work essentials together. Think about where a desk may be incorporated into a kitchen — try to have it slightly set apart to ensure it can be kept out of sight and mind on the weekends. Why not consider a desk behind pocket doors that can be shut away when not in use?
Most importantly, consider what in the kitchen could disrupt your work plans. Choosing Quietmark-approved appliances is a good idea for a multi-functional space at the best of times, but especially when you've got an important Zoom meeting but washing in the machine. A separate utility room with noisy appliances, with a door that shuts, is another way to ensure both your peace and peace of mind.
4. Open Up a Floorplan Safely
"While the idea of knocking down interior walls seems simple enough, in reality, there is much to consider before opening up your kitchen and dining room, not least whether the wall is load boarding and how removing it will affect your home's structural integrity," explains chartered surveyor Ian Rock.
If your home has more than two storeys (as is common where a loft has been converted), then you need to be sure that your open plan space will meet the Building Regulations with regards to fire and escape. This is usually an issue if the open plan area is your main means of escape. In these cases, you may need fire doors between the kitchen and first floor, as well as a fire protected escape route from the first floor.
If the first floor can be exited without having to go through the kitchen and open plan area, then this should not present a problem. In any case, it is sensible to look into fire suppression systems – such as sprinklers and smoke curtains – to limit the spread of fire and smoke throughout the home.
5. Don't Dismiss Open Galley Kitchen Layouts
Slim or small kitchens are often considered awkward in terms of layouts, but if you space is long and narrow, by incorporating well-considered galley kitchen ideas an open plan kitchen can really shine.
When designing her own kitchen remodel, Helen Parker (creative director at deVOL) used a galley kitchen layout to her advantage: "Zoning the distinct areas was based on the architecture and period of the house – this room has such beautiful arched windows that lend themselves to a dining area, so my kitchen table absolutely had to go there. I also knew I wanted a big Lacanche cooker and a large marble sink, so it almost designed itself in terms of layout.
"The two ends of the room – for cooking and for seating – are instrumental in breaking up the potential long run of cupboards which can be a problem in a galley kitchen. To help keep a feeling of width and avoid a long narrow 'galley' feel I avoided wall cupboards and have our glass-fronted Curiosity Cupboard which allows for practical storage and pretty display of colourful kitchenware."
6. Build-in Seating in Small Kitchens
In an open plan kitchen, the design hangs on the interaction between the kitchen, especially the island, and dining or living room. Where space is tight, there are some brilliant design ideas out there for kitchen islands with banquette seating attached.
"A freestanding table and chairs can really encroach on space," advises Natasha Brinsmead. "Built-in bench seating arranged around a table makes perfect sense in many cases, coming off the wall or the units themselves."
This is a super effective way to use the space, as banquette seating means you don't need to create space around the dining table for guests to get to their chairs and pull them out, meaning your dining table can be closer to the island. It's also an effective and stylish way of uniting the two spaces and ensuring your open plan kitchen doesn't feel disparate.
7. Go for a Small U-shaped Design
Small open plan kitchens can work really well, where the lack of walls makes it possible for light to flow well and frees up floorspace for other uses.
In this space, bottom units have been painted in a dark, bold colour to contrast with the light and airy interior design of the rest of the room. Cleverly, the peninsula of the U-shaped design creates a social space, while creating a clear divide between cooking and living areas.
U shaped kitchen ideas and layouts are great for smaller spaces as they offer plenty of workspace while essential appliances (like fridge, sink and hob) are never too far out of reach.
Choosing Storage for Open Plan Kitchens
8. Include an Island in Social Open Plan Kitchens
Kitchen island ideas are perfect for open plan spaces where it can provide the perfect spot for all sorts of appliances and activities. The island should act as a divide from the functional areas of the kitchen used for prepping food and the social side, so consider your appliance and storage layout with this in mind.
"This layout is perfect for those who love to entertain or who want to create an inviting, social space that works for all the family," advises Richard Moore. "A central island is excellent for organising everything into dedicated zones, with a clear separation between the work zone and social areas. It also helps significantly with the flow of traffic around the room. Ideally, this layout would include a breakfast bar or adjoining breakfast table and a separate dining table."
This stunning Martin Moore kitchen demonstrates how an island can be the perfect pivoting point around which the interconnected dining, kitchen and living spaces flow. Also, note the elegant glazed doors, which can offer both a full open space, as well as some privacy in the living room — an ingenious addition when renovating a kitchen.
9. Concealing Clutter and Mess in Open Plan Kitchens
Something to bear in mind while designing an open plan space is how kitchen clutter will affect the living or dining areas. Obviously if entertaining with a dinner party, no one wants to be looking at plates stacked up and although we all want to be on-top of clearing up, this isn't always the case after a long day.
The kitchen extension and conversion of an old blacksmith's forge has been cleverly designed so that the kitchen area is hidden from the dining space by an upstand — no worrying about dirty dishes and clutter ruining mealtimes.
Plus, the kitchen window seat on the left lifts to hide away cook-books and lesser-used appliances.
10. Outsource Storage in Large Kitchen and Dining Rooms
While still an open plan, the cooking and dining spaces retain their own areas thanks to a wide opening between the two, made possible by the oak frame of the house designed and built by Border Oak.
Open plan kitchens often suffer from the lack of wall space where storage would usually be hung upon or run against. The trick to the success of this space lies in the continuation of the bespoke kitchen units into the dining room, allowing for bulky appliances or even a dedicated breakfast area to be outsourced.
11. Embrace Larder Units and Pantries
"[Open plan kitchens] have to function in the same way as living rooms, with peaceful art-filled walls, and accommodate as many books as pots and pans," explains Jason Orme, Managing Director of Homes at Future PLC.
"As a result, we need to outsource some of its traditional functions to allow us to create super 'living kitchens'. And what better way to do it than with a pantry, where you can store all the food that would otherwise be taking up half your kitchen units space."
Larder and pantry units have most definitely made a come back, often bursting with ingenious kitchen storage ideas and solutions that will make the most of a limited space. They are perfect for hiding away chopping boards, kettles and microwaves for a neat worktop.
12. Get the Balance of Kitchen Units Right
Mixing and matching different sizes and types of kitchen units will not only help to serve you later down the line when using the kitchen day-to-day, but forming an essential list of the units your kitchen requires will assist in the overall design of the layout, orientation and, on occasion, style.
From small spice drawers to concealing large appliances, take inventory of how you cook, if you living area will require shelving to display treasured objects and if your dining space will include freestanding sideboards. Kitchen design has come a long way and suppliers have thousands of innovative new ideas, such as the ever-popular pan drawers or half-size larder unit, that will make the most of the space you have.
Simple and sleek, yet large-format pan drawers in this kitchen don't just provide a contemporary look, but also can store plates, bowls and pots more efficiently than cupboards, while everything in easy to access.
Zoning Open Plan Kitchens
13. Use Subtle Zoning in an Open Layout
Some of the best open plan spaces work so well because they have clearly defined zones for various tasks. Ideally, you should divide the room without affecting the flow of light. You may also want some private areas, but if you have young children it is important to think about the sightlines between where you may be working or relaxing, and where they will be playing.
"Zoning is important - but needs to be done subtly. You might want to vary the flooring between the kitchen and dining areas – or use lighting to create different moods (eg task lighting in the kitchen and a feature pendant over the dining area)," says Richard Moore.
This pale kitchen is carefully partitioned from the dining area with dark blue walls for a subtle design that means while the spaces function independently, there is an easy flow to the layout.
14. Divide Using Structural Elements
Designed for a growing family, this renovation and extension to a 1930s house has an open plan kitchen living and dining area which masterfully balances practicalities with aesthetics.
First, the kitchen is separate from the snug area using a wall filled with useful storage, meaning smells and noises are reduced when someone is watching TV.
A flooring change, a rooflight and more intimate lighting scheme ingeniously divides the informal seating space and the snug.
(MORE: Building an Extension)
15. Mix and Match Zoning Ideas for a Natural Space
The following are great ways to zone a room:
- Use breakfast bars, islands or low-level furniture (or low stud walls) to section up the floorplan
- Where possible, varying the floor levels is extremely effective, but think carefully about safety and steps in areas used for cooking or playing
- Lighting is an unobtrusive and practical way to zone. Use low pendants over a dining area and spotlights for task lighting
- Use different flooring in different zones of the room. This also means you can use softer flooring in cosy areas and hard-wearing options in the kitchen-diner
16. Using Multiple Tricks in Large Open Plan Kitchens
The architect owner of this home has utilised several popular zoning techniques to break up their kitchen-diner.
The dining table sits in a double-height space with industrial style lighting, while the kitchen is clearly defined by a lower ceiling and structural column. The sink and worktop for food prep have been positioned facing out into the dining area so that the hosts can talk to any dinner guests from the kitchen.
(MORE: Clever lighting design ideas for your home)
17. Broken Plan Kitchen Layouts
'Broken plan living' has been big news in the design world in recent years — and will continue to influence our floorplans in the future," details Deputy Editor Michelle Guy. "So what it is? It's a design concept which moves away from completely open-plan spaces (which many of us find impractical), and utilises devices such as bookcases, partial walls, sliding doors, internal 'windows', fireplaces and the like to create spaces which feel sociable and connected but have a degree of separation and privacy."
Broken plan is a natural progression of completely open plan whereby a large space is creatively divided to feel like two separate spaces, while still flowing into each other.
This can be done using an RSJ from knocking through, a change in floor level, as in this terrace extension, or simply by enlarging internal doorways.
(MORE: How to Renovate a Kitchen)
18. Use Simple Visual Divides in Open Plan Kitchen, Living and Dining Rooms
The L shaped dining, kitchen and play area in this modern farmhouse has been ingeniously divided using the oak frame. The set-up is perfect for a family who wants to keep an eye on young children while they cook without having a space that is too large to function.
19. This Internal Courtyard Idea is Super Effective in an Open Plan Kitchen
As an element in an open plan space, an internal courtyard has a lot to offer. Not only does it act as a light well, bringing daylight into the furthest reaches of your space much in the same way a roof light or lantern does, it also gives you an opportunity to create another connection with nature and outdoor space by filling it with plants.
(MORE: Biophilic Design)
However, as a device in an open plan or broken plan scheme, they have another part to play. A glazed internal courtyard can act as a physical divide (with purpose) in an open plan design, allowing you to zone pockets of space for different purposes. This design by Turner Architects creates cloistered areas, which depending on how the space is used, can create more divided, private areas, or open up into a larger open plan space.
Open Plan Kitchen Styles
20. Modern Farmhouse-Style Open-plan Kitchens
What could have been an overwhelmingly large space in this oak frame home has been cleverly sectioned into cosy and practical spaces for relaxing and eating.
A large kitchen island is paired with a more informal and moveable butchers block while the oak frame beautifully divides the spaces without closing the kitchen off from the large windows at the rear of the house.
This is a wonderful example of a small yet sociable open plan kitchen which works on so many levels. While those in the kitchen can feel part of the action when entertaining, there is enough space and visual division between the living and cooking spaces for them to feel distinct.
21. Express Personality Through Kitchen and Interior Design
"Contrasting, yet vibrant cabinetry has increased in popularity as customers have become more comfortable with seeing their kitchen as a central room in their home to create family memories for all generations," says Helena Myers, director of The Myers Touch.
"Their kitchen is now a place where they work, relax, socialise and cook in, so homeowners are often looking for a personalised, wow-factor design using a range of colours, materials, finishes and furniture that remain elegant and timeless.'
Combining the kitchen, dining and living spaces maximises limited space and natural lighting in this home. The contemporary style used throughout unites the areas, while the cosy dining space, with complementary bar area, exudes a different atmosphere thanks to the lighting and change in ceiling height.
22. Let Light in with Bifold Doors
Bifold doors work particularly well in open plan kitchens as they can further open up a space to the outside, creating a blur between indoors and out. This stunning example uses three banks of bifold doors to open out to the patio outside and the flooring is matched for a seamless transition.
23. Adding Drama in an Open Plan Kitchen with Vaulted Ceilings
This fabulous open plan kitchen diner is located within a striking extension to a country period farmhouse, with a fully glazed gable. A low pendant over the dining table ensures the area feels intimate despite the proportions of the room.
(MORE: Get inspired by our gallery of stunning kitchen extension ideas)
24. A Small yet Practical Open Plan Kitchen
Open plan kitchens can be designed to fit any kind of space. Here, the kitchen units have been situated in the corner, facing a contracting island, while the brightly coloured breakfast nook is tucked snugly under the roof light.
Essential Features and Appliances in Open Plan Kitchens
25. Cooking Smells in Open Plan Kitchens
Open plan spaces need excellent methods of extraction if they are not to become plagued by cooking smells and steam. If possible, place the cooker near a window and as far from the dining and living spaces as possible. Efficient cooker hoods are also required, but look for models that are quieter so as not to interrupt people relaxing in the living area.
If you are still concerned about smells and steam (or noise), then it might be sensible to install sliding pocket doors between the kitchen and living room.
26. Open Plan Kitchen, Dining and Living Room Lighting
The owners of this Victorian semi-detached house were keen to extend the kitchen to incorporate a dining area with a side return extension.
With a lighting design planned on a DIY basis, the space beautifully layers artificial LEDs with natural lighting. A glass clerestory illuminates the new eating area from above, spotlights provide practical lighting and the pendants are helpful not only for task working at the island, but also to create a focal feature in the stunning space.
(MORE: 15 great ways to bring in light from above)
27. Soundproofing in Open Plan Kitchens
Open plan spaces with hard flooring and lots of smooth surfaces are bound to be noisy and prone to echo. To minimise this, use soft flooring or rugs in the living areas and remember that soft furnishings and textiles will absorb noise too.
You should also plan the layout to minimise disruption. If you want an office or homework zone, keep this away from the TV or play areas. It is also a good idea to look for appliances that claim to be quieter, but check out their reviews to see how people find them in practice.
This ingenious broken plan kitchen can shut away the home office space from the noise of the kitchen, while the glass doors still let in plenty of light
28. Built-in Appliances for Small Open Plan Kitchens
Finding built-in appliances that can slot in alongside runs of cabinetry will ensure small open plan kitchens function as they should.
Ovens are no longer limited to the spot beneath the hob and dishwashers, fridges and freezers are available in drawers formats as well.
29. Multi-use Appliances Designed for Open-plan Kitchens
Double up functions of appliances or fixtures to reduce worktop clutter for a sleek kitchen. Innovative designs for coffee markers and microwaves are on the market but taps that provide not just hot, cold and boiling, but also filtered and sometimes sparkling water are becoming incredible popular.
Living Dining And Kitchen Combined
Source: https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/ideas/the-best-open-plan-kitchens
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