Natural light, a small peninsula, plenty of floor space, and an interior wall window helped create an open kitchen. CliqStudios Carlton Painted Linen Bisque Glaze cabinets featured.
Open floor plans are hugely popular among home remodels today, especially in the kitchen. A less segregated, more free-flowing environment not only helps create the illusion of a larger space but is great for entertaining and conversation.
If you’re remodeling your kitchen, there are several ways to create an open kitchen design. Some options may not work for you, but thankfully, other options are available.
Wall removal
Wall removal is a great place to start to open your kitchen space. Its effects are obvious and immediately apparent. But, make sure to consult with your contractors and designer to see if removing a wall is possible. Because walls may be load-bearing or may be concealing important electrical, plumbing, or venting, they can be very difficult to remove.
Remove upper cabinets & peninsula
Many kitchens from the 80s and 90s were designed with upper kitchen cabinets directly above a peninsula. While good for storage, this design isn’t great for an open environment because it acts very similarly to a solid wall.
An easy way to remedy this situation is by removing the upper cabinets, which extends your line of sight and makes the room feel larger. If the peninsula isn’t needed for storage or counter space reasons, its elimination can also aid in an open kitchen design.
Eliminate soffits
Soffits bring the overall ceiling height down, which makes the room feel smaller. If possible, try removing soffits in your kitchen. Next, replace existing cabinetry with cabinets that extend up to the ceiling. This will add height to your room.
Add natural light
The more natural light that reaches a room, the more open it will feel. Knocking down a wall can give additional access to natural light. But if structural limitations exist, other options like adding a window, widening an existing window, or installing a skylight should be researched. Consulting with your contractor is the next step in this situation.
Visit CliqStudios’ kitchen remodeling guide for more information about designing an open kitchen. If you’re interested in starting a remodel, contact CliqStudios’ professional designers for free kitchen design today.
Author: August Drilling writes for CliqStudios.com and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. He is a creative guy and enjoys writing and design. When not putting ideas into action, August can be found trying new recipes and catching up on the latest movies, TV shows and books, all with iPhone in hand.
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I agree totally. Removing adjoining walls to turn a kitchen and dining room into a kitchen dinette is a great idea.
Yep – good ideas, I think open plan eating/cooking spaces are just the way forward now as cooking becomes more and more of a social/shared experience. (kdcuk)
It is good to know about all the ways you have explained to renovate an open kitchen. It is a great idea to remove an adjoining wall to make the kitchen area wider.
It is great to know the tips of open kitchen.Open kitchen in home is a look like heaven.Sometime its better to keep hide when some guest are coming otherwise it is look better.Thanks for post.
More free space in kitchen not only helps it to looks beautiful but also provides enough free space for the person who is working in the kitchen. Another tip is to choose the light of kitchen that is suitable for the kitchen design.
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