What You Need To Know If You Want An Open Kitchen
There are pros and cons to having this type of kitchen; here's how to work around it
Open kitchens are amazing and beautiful. This trendy kitchen layout nixes walls and doors to marry the kitchen prep area to your dining and/or living rooms, giving the general living areas an airy, modern look.
There are, however, a few cons when going for this style of kitchen. One is containing the cooking odors and smells; another is keeping the noise under control. But if you’re the type of homeowner who loves to entertain, nothing beats putting your cooking on show.
So if you’re considering opening up your closed-off kitchen in a renovation, or purchased a home with an open kitchen, here are the things to consider:
You absolutely need a range hood
A reliable and working range hood is a non-negotiable appliance here. An open kitchen will subject the rest of your living area to all sorts of cooking smells, and if you don’t have enough windows nearby, a good range hood can suck up all the odors and fumes.
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An island definitely helps
Aside from serving as extra cooking prep space and an area for casual dining, an island can visually separate your open kitchen from your dining or living areas, making it appear like a “second room.”
READ: A Breathtaking Modern Home In Antipolo
Keep it sleek and neat
Another non-negotiable: since everything’s out in the open, you have to do your best to tidy up, since all your family and guests could see whatever is on the countertops. Stick to a CLAGO (clean-as-you-go) system while cooking.
READ: An Airy, Modern-Pinoy Family Home In Quezon City
Go for closed-door cabinets
Still worried about keeping things neat? Opt for closed-door cabinets instead of open shelving. This way, if you are in a hurry, just stash all clutter behind closed doors, and then tidy up later.
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Use the overall theme of your home
An open kitchen cannot look totally different from your dining and living areas. Since it’s open, the design should look cohesive with the rest. Finish your kitchen in a style and color palette that’s a continuation of your living and dining areas. For example, in this kitchen by Jen Sohu, the contemporary-rustic-farmhouse theme of the kitchen can be seen in the weathered table and mismatched chairs of the dining area.
READ: A Rustic Contemporary Farmhouse For A Family of Six
In Mitch Shiver’s open kitchen, the modern industrial-style feel of the rest of his house is echoed in the stainless steel countertops, range hood, and bar stools.
READ: See All The Industrial Modern Details Of This Quezon City Home
Marry your materials
Aside from keeping with the white-and-black color scheme of the rest of her house, Style Spotter Donna Cuna Pita unifies things by using the same white marble finish of her backsplash on her kitchen island. (We also love how she maintains the neatness of her open shelves!)
READ: A Beautiful Dream House In Cavite That Was Decorated On A Budget
Set it up for entertaining
Open kitchens are perfect for entertaining, because you can interact with guests while puttering about your kitchen. In this Tagaytay weekend home, interior designer Erika Uichanco retained the teppanyaki grill on the kitchen island, since it’s perfect for large gatherings, or if guests don’t want to venture out to eat.
READ: This Country-Inspired Vacation Home Channels The Spirit of Tagaytay
Try a semi-open kitchen
If you want the airiness of an open kitchen but want the option of reining in the cooking chaos, you might want to go for a semi-open kitchen, as seen here in this house designed by Kristine Neri-Magturo. The kitchen is separated from the dining by built-in shelves, but the glass is used for visual lightness.
