Open-plan kitchens: what do you need to know before you start?

  • Mobalpa BOREALE atmosphere open kitchen

  • Open-plan kitchens have become increasingly popular in the UK since they first emerged in the 1980s.

    Open-plan or semi-open-plan kitchens are about increased space and sociability. They’re ideal if you like to interact when you’re preparing meals and you don’t want to keep going back and forth from the dining room.

    All you need to know before starting to design your open-plan kitchen.

The history of the open-plan kitchen

  • Back in the 1980s, people started to open up their family kitchens, so they were no longer separated from the living room. Families were increasingly seeking out more sociable solutions when hosting guests, and so the dividing wall between the kitchen and living room started to disappear.

    The fashion became even more popular thanks to the arrival of domestic appliances that were performing at increasingly high levels. Extractor fans, for example, became essential for reducing kitchen odours.

    Nowadays, open-plan kitchens are functional, stylish and at the centre of family living.

Why choose an open-plan kitchen?

  • Kitchens that open out onto the lounge are warm and inviting both for homeowners and their guests.

    Without a partition between the rooms, you can chat whilst preparing a meal or drinks. Parents in the kitchen can also keep an eye on young children playing in the lounge, or help the older ones do their homework.

    Movement throughout the whole space is also more fluid. You save time setting the table, bringing in dishes and then clearing everything away.

    In homes built over a small surface area, an open-plan kitchen gives the impression of more space and can even bring more personality to an unusual room.

    Finally, domestic appliances are increasingly quiet and their performance levels are always improving, keeping noise and kitchen odours to a minimum.

Different types of open-plan kitchens

  • There are different types of modern, open-plan kitchens. Depending on the space you have, you could go for a centre island or multifunctional breakfast bar.

    The island can be used as a fully-fitted worktop or breakfast area with a number of integrated units. It also looks stylish in your living space.

     

  • Mobalpa BLACK atmosphere open kitchen

  • The semi-open-plan kitchen is a good compromise between a kitchen-lounge and a closed kitchen. It can be shut off from the rest of the living space but it’s still easy to access. Noise and odours remain in the kitchen.

    At Mobalpa, our designers create tailor-made open-plan or semi-open-plan kitchens to best meet your needs and lifestyle.

New open-plan kitchen trends

  • One new, increasingly popular trend is to have a table integrated into the kitchen island or as an extension of the worktop. When the island is laid out in this way, you can still eat at the standard height of an ordinary table, but also use the space for preparing meals.
     

    Glass partitions are also really popular at present, especially in semi-open-plan kitchens. The glass marks out the different spaces but allows natural light to enter the kitchen from the lounge. The partition also helps conceal kitchen items (like food processors, coffee makers and the stove).