Kitchen Tips: Open Plan Kitchens; Are They For You?
When starting to think of your kitchen design and looking to begin the process, especially if you’re extending, the thought of a great big open plan kitchen with doors leading to the garden surely will have crossed your mind. Whether it be kitchen / dining, kitchen / living or all three if the space accommodates, here’s some things to consider if you’re unsure this layout works for you.
A Relaxed & Social Butterfly
With your dining and/or living space flowing straight into your kitchen, will automatically make it a more social environment in a very easy-going way. Families will natural gather in the living, dining and kitchen areas even if taking part in solo activities like reading, watching TV, colouring in, doing homework, cooking etc. This creates a lovely feeling of togetherness but with some personal space. If however, your family value privacy and less noise travelling, perhaps keeping the living space separate might be better suited for your lifestyle.
Or, if your space allows for it, creating a separate, cosy living nook!
2. Plenty Of Room, Plenty Of Light
With an open plan layout, you will of course be left with a larger room. This will also make your kitchen itself appear larger and especially if you’re extending and adding windows, skylights will allow more natural light in bringing the outside in. Extending into an open plan living layout will especially make a grand impression if you have high ceilings.
3. The Heart Of The Party
Are you an entertainer? Always the host? There’s no better way to throw a saoiree, be it small or large, than with an open kitchen and living space. Maintaining presence while finishing up food or making drinks ensuring you don’t miss a beat of your get together. Plus, a sofa or arm chair is the perfect spot to end up in after a few drinks!
Keep in mind that if as Toastmistress, you like to keep the mess that comes with a party or dinner more of a mystery to your guests, perhaps opt for a separate dining space or even a sink in your utility near by as a place to hide away dirty plates and glasses until your guests have said their fare-thee-wells.
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Kitchen Tips: 'Countryfying' Your Kitchen
If you prefer a more traditional or ‘English Countryside Chic’ kitchen to a modern sleek one, there are a few things you can consider when designing and decorating your kitchen to ensure it’s every bit of what you first visualise!
Mixing & Matching Burnished Brass Handles and Knobs
Mixing up the shape and type of hardware in your kitchen will offer a traditional yet stylish look to your space. Keeping all the handles the same will offer a more modern and sleek look. Another thing to consider is the harshness of the shape. Squared off, geometric designs lend themselves to more contemporary kitchens. If what you’re after is a softer, more organic country look, think gentle, rounded shapes! An antique-esque burnished brass finish is perfect for adding that old, golden warmth so many farmhouses have.
Belfast & Pie-Crust Sinks
A big Belfast sink screams country kitchen! These ceramic beauties are not only beautiful but very practical because of their depth. You can get them as a single or a double (or an 1000mm if you want that extra bit of space!). A ‘pie-crust’ sink offers the same charm as the conventional Belfast sink but gives an extra bit of * spice *.
Keep Your Beams & Expose Your Brick!
If you’re lucky enough to have beautiful old wooden beams or an exposed brick wall, keep them just as they are! These natural textures and warm tones really aid that feeling of cosiness that a traditional shaker kitchen has. Try adding touches of wood throughout your kitchen to really amplify this with your stools or chairs, worktops or even displaying a lovely heavy wooden chopping board or pepper mill on your countertop.
Dresser Units
This isn’t your Nanna’s sideboard with all her fancy china, it’s a new and improved version! A dresser unit or side board unit is a classic piece in any English kitchen. Bi-fold doors and glass fronts can make it a really special piece that you will love using each day. We love seeing the beautiful oak or walnut on the inside as well as a cold shelf which makes cleaning much easier! If you want to take a step further, paint this unit an entirely different colour to the rest of your cabinetry or even consider exposed wood.
Table Seating
With kitchen islands and peninsulas truly stepping into the spotlight more and more, they can sometimes be a replacement for a kitchen table all-together. Keep a kitchen table for a more nostalgic and traditional feel (bonus points if it’s wooden).
Colours: Off-whites, Creams & Soft Greens
We all know of a country kitchen in an off-white or cream, and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it! Warm neutrals, beautiful sage and olive greens will bring a cosy and natural feel to the space.
Window Bench Seats
If you’re thinking of adding some banquette seating or even a bench to your kitchen, consider placing it under a window if possible. These little nooks are wonderful places to curl up with a cup of tea and a book, where kids can do their homework or simply gaze into the garden.
Tiled Splashbacks
More modern kitchen designs have been leaning more towards quartz splashbacks to match the worktops or glossy, white metro tiles. Try a small, square porcelain tile for your splashback for a more traditional look. Play around with colours, patterns and textures to find what works best for you and your space; maybe try a terracotta tile!
Leave us a comment telling us what your dream country kitchen would look like!
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