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Open u shaped kitchen


50 Unique U-Shaped Kitchens And Tips You Can Use From Them

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A u-shaped kitchen is a highly coveted layout for a househunter since they offer so much space for cabinetry. The u-shaped layout places units around the cook on three sides with the top of the ‘u’ left open for a doorway or an open plan living room. U-shaped kitchens can be combined with dining areas or even a kitchen island if the width of the room allows. An open plan room often presents the opportunity to make one arm of the ‘u’ into a peninsula that can be accessed from both sides, such as for use as a breakfast bar or as a dual sided storage volume. Find all this and more in this inspirational gallery.

Generally speaking, there are six types of kitchen layouts: The One Wall, Galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, Island and Peninsula. There are no strict positions in which to order the stove, fridge or sink, and a kitchen can be combinations of one or more of the typical layouts. For example, you could have an L-shaped kitchen with an island or a peninsula, or a galley kitchen that is linked at one end. In designing a functional kitchen, the kitchen work triangle should be considered, which means that the distance between the sink, stove and fridge should be no more than 1200mm apart. Though, the concept of the kitchen working triangle is now evolving further to take into account multiple cooks, as well as new gadgets and appliances. In comparison to when the concept originated in the 1940s, where kitchens were a utilitarian place typically home to the housewife, our kitchens and equality have come a long way. Microwaves, separate cook tops to ovens, prep stations with an additional mini sink and teamwork all interrupt the traditional triangle. As modern kitchens present an increase in dedicated task zones, secondary triangles become commonplace.

Play with floor levels. This unique u-shaped kitchen is sunken below the floor level of the open plan living room, allowing onlookers a birds-eye view.

Colour coordinate upper units with the wall colour. The wall cabinets in this blue kitchen have been used as reference for the room’s paint colour. Colour coordinating the paint with the units in this way helps the space appear more open.

A different tack has been taken in this blue kitchen, with wall cabinets placed around the full u-shape. However, one side of the arrangement is open to the dining room, and windows run around the rest of the countertop level bringing plenty of airiness to the scheme. Cleaning the backsplash after cooking dinner in this kitchen becomes an exercise in window washing!

Forget the plinths. With the abundance of cabinets typical to a u-shaped kitchen you may be looking for new ways to help your design look more open and spacious. Leaving off the base plinths can help expand the look of your floor space – though do be prepared to get down low to clean out the recess regularly if you’re dropsy with your vegetable choppings.

Create a wrap around storage volume to an adjacent area. The tall height of the oven housing unit and fridge freezer housing has been continued around the corner into the lounge in this open plan home. The extension is used as a media unit surrounding the tv facing the lounge.

Define edges with lighting. LED strips placed just beneath the lip of a kitchen countertop and wall units create an ambient glow.

Make a feature of a niche shelf by picking it out in a different colour. A dark wood tone adds sophisticated flair to an all white kitchen.

Match the baseboard to the backsplash. This grey and white kitchen brings in grey not only through a tiled backsplash but with a coordinated kickboard.

In a long open home, a mid-way u-shaped kitchen can be used to effectively divide the floor plan.

Bring in colour with countertop appliances and accessories. This red kitchen set looks great with warm rustic brick walls.

Black appliances in a white kitchen look punchy and modern. This design has black pieces situated on each of the three straights of the u-shaped kitchen to maintain balance.

Shortening the returns of a u-shaped kitchen can leave room for a fully-fledged dining set.

Combine cabinet finishes, like this wood grain and white gloss modern kitchen.

Let your budget inspire you rather than restrict. Choosing Scandinavian kitchen style can be a cost effective exercise, since the magic of the Scandi aesthetic is simplicity. Wooden bar stools from Ikea drive in the look.

Use every nook and cranny for storage in a tiny u-shaped kitchen. Shape shelves into the eaves.

Tailor the design to suit your own lifestyle. One side of this setup has cabinets facing out to the living room where a wine rack on hand. A raised bench is in place where you can easily pop the cork.

Build a lighting soffit. A wood effect soffit has been installed around the ceiling perimeter of this white kitchen, complete with recessed spotlights.

Where there is plenty of natural light, don’t be afraid to go dark with the cabinetry.

Add hints of green with indoor plants, or add colour with kitchen stools. It helps when the countertops are super-clean — no messy dishes, plates or knife holders in sight!

Take tiling to the top. This white kitchen has metro tiles stacked almost to the rafters. Dark grout accentuates the tile design.

Get wired – without any hassle. If you don’t want to punch holes in the ceiling for spotlights or install a lighting soffit, how about positioning some exposed bulb kitchen pendant lights. With exposed electrical wiring being on trend you can feel free to string wires from a single power point. If you fancy a bit of colour then go for lengths of brightly bound electrical wire; there’s the pick of the rainbow available out there.

Just can’t decide on a kitchen cabinet colour? No problem. Go multicoloured with Mondrian inspired interior design.

The golden touch. Take your kitchen scheme upmarket with a flurry of gold finishing touches. Try a gold faucet, cabinet handles, tile trims or planters. Leave out your best cooking oils too, they will decorate the countertop with their own golden essence.

Forget making do with a tiny kitchen tv – go big using a projector.

Break with stereotypes. The positioning of the fridge with an adjacent oven at the neck of the ‘u’ in this layout is quite unconventional. The tall units at the back make the plan feel almost like a galley kitchen. The fridge and oven are often situated in tandem in modern kitchens, though some manufacturers warn that the proximity is detrimental to your fridge by making it work harder to achieve the desired internal temperature.

Select an extractor unit to be the main feature.

If you tire of colour schemes quickly, use easily replaceable items to colour the room. Keep bold colours confined to mugs, trays and tea towels to make a decor change gentle in effort and low on price.

Use similar tones but different materials. These coffee coloured wall cabinets match with the walnut wood grain below – yet the change in texture brings interest and makes the space appear less crowded.

Leave a wall free of upper cabinets to make a space appear larger.

Take an indoor kitchen to the great outdoors with a living wall. This one brings a lovely quirk to a tv wall.

Open shelving dipped within a bank of wall cabinetry gives the scheme added depth.

Draw inspiration from a raw concrete kitchen floor, and install an industrial kitchen design.

Kitchen flooring can zone the cooking area from the rest of an open living room.

Create a colour stripe, like in this red and white u shaped kitchen with peninsula.

Colour the opposite side of a peninsular to fit with dining room or lounge decor.

In a large layout, a peninsular can be dedicated entirely to dining, with prep taking place only along an L-shape.

Similarly, if space allows, situate seating on the inside of the peninsular to look outward over the rest of an open plan room.

Think on another level. This u-shaped kitchen is a collection of optical illusions and undulating bench heights.

Mark out a dining area using a contrasting countertop.

For a true ‘u’, how about this curvaceous little number?…

… Or this sleek u-shaped kitchen island.

Create interesting angles where there are none. This geometric peninsula is matched by a diagonal cut baseline across the wall units.

Camouflage a kitchen extractor unit against wall decor, or distract the eye with colourful accessories on adjacent shelving.

This u-shaped kitchen installation allows footfall to move straight past without anyone disturbing the cook.

Use bold wall tiles to add wow factor to a white kitchen…

… Feature floor tiles work well too.

Fashion a glass divide across the length a peninsular to contain cooking splashes or prep mess.

Revamp a tired rustic u-shaped kitchen with some cheerfully painted cabinets and contrasting accessories.

Add personality with unexpected touches. These copper pendant lights and kitchen backsplash give this white kitchen a unique energy.

Don’t think you have the space to complete a u-shaped design? Half depth units can be used along one of the walls to create the effect.

1. Kitchen canisters 2. Fruit kitchen clock 3. Evercut Furtif Knives 4. Touch kitchen faucet 5. Comfort kitchen mat 6. Kitchen trash can with step lid 7. Counter edge cutting board with collapsible bin 8. Green foldable cutting board 9. Green and white sink strainer 10. Nesting bowl set 11. Modway kitchen stool 12. Swan ladle


Recommended Reading:
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40 Captivating Kitchen Bar Stools For Any Type Of Decor

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20 ways this layout works for everyone |

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

U-shaped kitchens are efficient three-sided designs that max out storage possibilities with everything at your fingertips. If space is tight, these horseshoe-shaped layouts offer plenty of countertop space, cabinets and drawers above and below for an ultra-streamlined look. 

U-shaped kitchens don’t have to be restricted to three walls either and the kitchen layout ideas can be adapted if there’s space for an island unit or breakfast bar at one end of a run of units. Whether you have an open-plan layout or a separate room, U-shaped kitchens work well in every size and style of room. 

'As its name suggests, a U-shaped kitchen features cabinetry on three adjoining walls to create a U-shape,' says Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio . 'This layout is very flexible and works no matter the size of your space.'

Below, we have masses of inspiration for U-shaped kitchen ideas. 

U-shaped kitchen ideas

We have rounded up the most inspiring U-shaped kitchen ideas, so you can decide if this is the best shape for you. But it's not all about layout: there are many kitchen ideas that suit any kitchen footprint from our design experts below.

1. Add a bridging breakfast bar

(Image credit: Life Kitchens)

Open-plan kitchens probably won’t have the traditional three walls to work with if you want a U-shaped kitchen. One solution is to add in a bridging breakfast bar that will form the horseshoe shape and create a highly usable kitchen that links seamlessly to the rest of the room. 

'This U-shape kitchen embodies the feeling of an island based design with a bridging breakfast bar which helps to segregate the living area from the dining, while maintaining the flow in an open-plan space,' says Graeme Smith, head of retail and commercial design at Life Kitchens . 'Fully fitted, but with break out elements, everything is wrapped up in the geometry of the open frame units creating a bold line across the kitchen.'

The bridging, breakfast bar not only creates an efficient, U-shape design with everything to hand for cooking and preparation, it also becomes an informal spot for eating and working. 

2.

Incorporate a bay window

(Image credit: Sustainable Kitchens)

Galley kitchens can be compact, but by incorporating a window into the layout, you can add more usable U-shaped space, all while flooding the area with light. Installing a sink below a window is a great idea as you can look out while doing dishes, while the longer lengths of counter space can be reserved for appliances and food preparation.

This U-shaped kitchen makes the most of an awkward split-level space. The bay window has become a multi-use zone with a huge trough sink and a lowered breakfast bench where the children can eat their cereal in the sunshine before getting ready for school. The bright orange range cooker looks over the lower level dining table area so the owners can cook and talk to family and friends at the same time. 

3. Go for glazed fronts

(Image credit: deVOL)

U-shaped kitchens don’t always need to be streamlined and modern, as this beautifully eclectic, design demonstrates. The rustic, U-shaped kitchen works because the palette of natural materials is kept to a minimum (wood, copper and marble) and the glazed fronts of the Haberdasher’s cabinets reflect light around the room. The result is to create kitchen cabinet ideas that are timeless, cool and packed with personality.

'Glass-fronted cabinets are visually less obtrusive than standard cabinets,' says Brani Hadzhi, co-founder and showroom manager of Scavolini by Multiliving . 'What’s more, glass is great for bouncing light around a space, making it look and feel bigger. Plus, it lets you see what’s inside your cabinets while keeping everything dust free.'

4. Do away with wall units in a small space

(Image credit: IDF Studio/Photographer: Christopher Stark)

In a small U-shaped kitchen, it can be a great idea to eliminate wall units altogether and focus the storage opportunities on the lower half of the kitchen. This will help the space to feel less crowded and cluttered, and allow for kitchen wall decor ideas above.

'With an Edwardian bay-shaped wall on the sink side of the room, this kitchen – half octagon – is even more U-shaped than most!' says Kassin Adelman founder and CEO of IDF Studio in San Francisco Bay. 'We kept the bay wall clear of cabinets and instead focused on the beautiful stone tile and the light pouring through. The tall, narrow island is key to this space, providing visual symmetry and ensuring that each workspace isn’t too far apart, while keeping walkways clear.'

5. Consider a u-shaped island

(Image credit: Simon Taylor Furniture)

A large, U-shaped kitchen island is a striking alternative to a standard, U-shaped kitchen design. Here, the imposing U-shaped island is the focal point of this classic, Shaker kitchen and incorporates a cozy and sociable dining banquette seating, perches for bar stools, wine coolers and the main countertop work zone.

'Designed for entertaining, this bespoke Shaker kitchen features a long run of cabinetry with an Everhot range cooker at the centre, together with a U-shaped kitchen island as the main focus of the room,' says Simon Taylor, managing director of Simon Taylor Furniture . 'There is an overhang on both sides of the U-shaped design to accommodate bar stools beneath, and, in the center, a U-shaped banquette was created to surround one end of a large rectangular dining table that the client already owned.'

6. Strip it back

(Image credit: Design Space London)

A block color, handle-free, U-shaped kitchen is a clever design solution in a modern, open-plan space. A pair of monolithic islands are clad all over in a pebble grey laminate to create a crisp, un-kitcheny mood, with a covered sink and retractable tap maintain the sleek lines. A raw oak bar top joins both structures creating a super fluid take on the U-shape.

'When putting together a U-shaped scheme, it is important to ensure that there is sufficient access space to allow for the dishwasher to be opened fully while not blocking the use of important working zones,' says Richard Atkins, managing director of DesignSpaceLondon . 'The sink and hob areas should be located perpendicular to each other to minimize walking distance between the two zones. '

7. Extend storage upwards in a narrow U-shape

(Image credit: deVOL)

Smaller, U-shaped kitchens offer a really efficient use of space. In this narrow kitchen, the bespoke cabinetry is painted in a fresh, neutral shade called Linen to keep the room as light and airy as possible with a floor-to-ceiling, wall of storage maximizing every square inch of space.

'This beautiful, bespoke cabinetry not only keeps everything neat and in its own place, but it gives a feeling of depth, space and quality,' says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL .

8. Be creative with storage

(Image credit: Scavolini)

Think outside the box when it comes to boosting storage in a small U-shaped kitchen. As well as utilizing glass fronts to reflect light and ceiling-height cupboards for maximum storage opportunities, don’t forget overhead racks. 

'Cabinets on every wall can sometimes feel a little overwhelming in a U-shaped kitchen set-up,' says Brani Hadzhi of Scavolini by Multiliving. 'Create some breathing room with open shelving or even a hanging rail above the base units – alternatively create a focal point by hanging a stylish rack over your peninsula.'

9. Increase functionality with an island unit

(Image credit: Tom Howley)

If your U-shaped kitchen is large, consider adding an island unit to increase storage, enhance functionality of the working kitchen triangle and boost preparation space with extra island countertops.

'In a large, U-shaped kitchen, I tend to add an island unit,' says Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio. 'Without it, the cabinet runs are set too far apart to use the key services – cooking, cooling and washing – efficiently. The island bridges the gap and creates additional prep, cooking and storage space.'

Make sure you choose the right size kitchen island and that there’s enough room to move around the island. Look at the depth of the wall units and the footprint of the island: will you have enough space to move around freely? Typically, experts recommend a minimum of three feet clearance on all sides of the island.  

10. Go for handleless units in a small kitchen

(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)

In compact kitchens, innovative kitchen storage ideas, such as pull-out racks and magic corners, make the most of every centimetre of space. Narrow-depth cabinets solve the problem of limited manoeuvrability, providing that little bit of extra room to move. 

If you are still in the planning stage, design a kitchen with handleless doors, like the one above, so you’re not always catching against handles while working.

11. Paint in a neutral color palette

(Image credit: Future / Ngoc Minh Ngo)

U-shaped kitchens can work in large spaces, but even small kitchens can benefit from a U-shaped design – just be sure you have at least six feet of moving-around space between the opposite banks of units.

Opt for pale colors on cabinets and worksurfaces that reflect the light to make your kitchen seem bigger.

Neutral kitchen color ideas and reflective finishes enhance the feeling of space, as do clutter-free countertops.

12. Keep it minimal

(Image credit: Future / Richard Powers)

This impressive, all-white kitchen has the look of a U-shaped kitchen, while incorporating a walk-through in front of the high level units along the back wall. In essence this design consists of an island and one wall of floor-to-ceiling units. 

By choosing white for cabinetry, ceilings and walls, the boundaries between surfaces blur, giving the impression of a compact U-shaped design that gradually opens up as you move around.

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

If you are looking for small kitchen layout ideas, a U-shaped design is well worth considering. Depending on your space, it may be easy to incorporate a table and chairs at the opposite end of the U shape. 

Be bold in a small space, with dark-wood kitchen units and bare white walls – and consider matching tabletop and countertops for a tailored look. If you can pare back cupboards to the minimum, you may find you have capacity for a table and chairs.  

This smart kitchen has a look all its own and demonstrates a very individual approach to kitchen design, making the space feel fresh and special.

14. Let there be light

(Image credit: Future / Jody Stewart)

Lighting, especially natural daylight, also helps create an airy atmosphere. But if your kitchen has limited access to natural light, consider installing plenty of light fixtures. 

Cleverly planned kitchen lighting ideas will bring your space out of the shadows. ‘Often, lighting can be the last thing considered in kitchen design,’ says Andrew Hall, managing director of Woodstock Furniture . ‘However, for a kitchen to look its best and function well, the space must be lit properly.

'With U-shaped kitchens, ensure you give due consideration to both task and  ambient lighting,' advises Neil Partridge, design director of NGI Design .

A series of ceiling lights and wall hung lamps really help to enhance the U-shape in this kitchen. 

15.

Use a dark color on cabinetry 

(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)

Dark, bold colors work well in U-shaped kitchens when there is ample space and, as in this blue gloss kitchen, when there’s masses of natural light streaming in.  

Daylight bounces off the white walls and ceiling, enhancing the airy feel of the kitchen.

16. Create a divider

(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)

In larger kitchens, adding an island or dining area provides more workspace and a social aspect, while in open plan kitchens, consider using one side of the U as a divider between the kitchen and living areas.

17. Plan your kitchen according to size

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

Keep your cabinets low level and opt for open shelving across all walls of your kitchen for a modern, minimal look. To continue the sleek design, consider integrating appliances into the cabinetry and go for handleless doors. 

This kitchen – finished in matte white lacquer – uses wooden shelving as an integral part of the layout.

18. Install a breakfast bar if space allows

(Image credit: Future / Paul Massey)

U-shaped kitchen ideas can make the room feel quite confined, so avoid having wall units on all three sides if possible, or use open shelving to lighten the look.

There’s little space for a dining area in a U-shaped layout, so perhaps take a look at some of breakfast bar or peninsula ideas instead.

Remember, if you drift in and out of your kitchen throughout the day, this layout may feel closed off from the rest of your living area.

19. Create a look you'll love for years to come

(Image credit: Future / Alicia Taylor)

Mix and match cabinets from different collections – different colors, textures and materials – to achieve a personal style.

This kitchen has been given a characterful update with paint, artwork and a rather delightful floral arrangement. 

20. Free up floor space

(Image credit: Future / Kate Martin)

Opting for a U-shape in a medium-sized kitchen maximises floor space and keeps the outlook open.  

If your kitchen is on the smaller side, then limit your color palette, for a neat, tidy and steamlined aesthetic. This monochrome combination is a tried-and-tested winner.

What are U-shaped kitchens? 

U-shaped kitchens traditionally have units running along three walls of the room with one free wall as the access point.

Modern variants include the U-shape plus island combo, which sees an island bridging the middle of a large U-shape, as well as standalone U-shape islands that sit in the middle of an open-plan room.

'Where there are only two walls to work against, you can still achieve a U-shape by making the third side a peninsula unit,' adds Jamee Kong of DesignSpaceLondon.

What shape kitchen is best? 

There are U-shaped kitchens, L-shaped kitchens, galley kitchens and more – but what shape is best? The truth is, it's down to whatever suits your lifestyle.

Kitchen trends come and go, but planning a layout essentially remains the same. The classic layouts of galley, L- and U-shapes are designed to be the most ergonomically sound, helping to create the ‘work triangle’ of hob, sink and fridge within easy distance of each other and allowing for adequate work space in between.

And while we have swapped compact kitchens for open plan living, it is interesting to see how these shapes have found new relevance in a larger space.

When it comes to the design of U-shaped kitchens, there are some things to keep in mind.

The main attraction of an U-shape layout is its abundance of worksurfaces. 

'Capitalize on this by investing in the best countertop you can afford, such as a striking granite or chunky timber, to create a stunning design feature,' suggests Hayley Shaw of Magnet Kitchens .

Avoid too many tall or wall cabinets as they can make the room feel smaller and too closed in. Instead, go for base units, fit tall cabinets across one wall only, or create an airy feel with open kitchen shelving.

This layout can make the room feel quite confined, so avoid having wall units on all three sides if possible, or use open shelving to lighten the look.

What is the best color for U-shaped kitchen cabinetry?

Choosing a contrasting, darker shade on the base units of a classic U-shaped kitchen will help anchor the design and create the illusion of space. Replacing wall cabinets with a single, extended shelf opens up the room with white walls and natural, concrete countertops adding to the airy ambience. The monochrome color scheme is effortlessly cool and will never date. 

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

With contributions from

U-shaped kitchen design (80 photos)

U-shaped kitchen: tips for choosing

Headings: All about furniture 2 , Kitchens 88 , Living rooms 2 , Bedrooms 3 , Hallways 2

Open Kitchen/Living Room • Style in the House

Imagine a small home with an open plan kitchen and living room, with one or two cozy bedrooms and a nice bathroom. It's all you really need to be happy, and there are tons of cool ideas on how to personalize and decorate it to suit your style. Let's talk about some of the more controversial features first, like the kitchen.

Standard kitchen size

To really determine if your kitchen is small, we need to talk a little about the average size of a standard kitchen. How small is the small kitchen? Well, you usually need to keep these dimensions in mind:

  • A small kitchen usually has an area of ​​​​up to 6. 5 square meters.
  • Medium sized kitchen occupies 9 to 18.5 square meters.
  • A large kitchen is anything over 18.5 square meters.

Based on these average measurements, each of us can decide what kind of kitchen we want in our home. Of course, there are a few more questions you should ask yourself first, such as how many people will be using the kitchen at any given time, how often do you actually cook, how many appliances do you really need, and how will you use the kitchen.

Open and closed kitchen layout design

The open plan kitchen trend began at 1990s and still very popular, especially in modern homes. An open kitchen can be described as a space that is connected to adjoining rooms, usually the living and dining areas. More precisely, an open kitchen has no walls or partitions on the sides where it connects to another room.

Open kitchens

An open plan kitchen has many advantages, which is why its design is so popular:

  • An open kitchen gets more natural sunlight and better ventilation
  • When cooking or spending time in the kitchen, it is easier to communicate with others in adjacent rooms - better for socializing, babysitting or communicating with family and guests.
  • An open kitchen feels more relaxed and welcoming than a closed one.
  • The open design concept also helps the overall home look bigger, airier and more spacious - great for smaller homes.
  • With an open concept, the design of the kitchen is shown off and becomes part of the social space.

As always, nothing but rainbows and unicorns. There are a few drawbacks to also keep in mind if you are considering an open plan kitchen:

  • Open plan kitchens are impossible to hide. In other words, all the mess in the kitchen is on display for all to see. Of course, this is easy to solve just by keeping the kitchen area clean and tidy.
  • Open kitchens are not soundproofed at all - all the noise from cooking and from all household appliances will be heard from neighboring rooms. It's the same with all scents.

Closed kitchens

Closed kitchens are pretty much the opposite of open kitchens, meaning they are closed off and isolated from the rest of the house. It doesn't connect seamlessly with neighboring rooms and it's a separate room in every sense.

Some of the benefits of a closed kitchen design include:

  • A closed kitchen is more formal than an open kitchen. This is good if the rest of the house has a formal vibe or you prefer privacy while cooking.
  • In closed kitchens, all smells and noises remain inside and do not interfere with the operation of neighboring rooms, at least not as much as in the case of open-plan kitchens.
  • Closed kitchens have more walls, which means more surfaces for furniture and accessories, which means more storage space and more space for appliances.
  • No one in the other rooms sees the closed kitchen, so if there is a mess here, it will remain a secret.
  • At the same time, closed kitchens give you more privacy and privacy, which is good if you're the type of person who doesn't like cooking or who likes to be focused on what they're doing without any intervention.

Based on these elements, all the advantages of open kitchens become disadvantages when it comes to closed kitchens.

The Best of Both Worlds

You might be wondering if there is a way to enjoy the benefits of both open and closed kitchens without choosing one or the other. Well, there is. In fact, there are several design options that fall somewhere in between or offer more flexibility. For example:

  • Give your kitchen sliding doors so you can open them whenever you want, but also be able to close them.
  • Incorporate a seating area into an enclosed kitchen to give it a more social feel similar to that offered by open kitchens.
  • Install a glass partition between the kitchen and the next room to let in some light while keeping sounds and smells out.
  • Cover part of the kitchen and leave the rest open. Perhaps you would like to hide the cooking area but allow the rest of the kitchen to interact with the living room.
  • Install heavy-duty vents in open kitchens so that odors are immediately vented to the outside, rather than spreading throughout the house.
  • Install quiet appliances in your open kitchen so there are no annoying noises in adjacent rooms.
  • Raise the kitchen slightly (for example, on a platform) to create a sense of separation from the rest of the house. It will also mean that you have a bit more privacy in the kitchen and your guests won't see you sitting at the dining table.
  • Plan your outdoor spaces so that your seating area has your guests' backs to the kitchen so you can have privacy while you cook.

Open concept kitchen and living room design ideas

L-shaped corner kitchen

Not only is this an open plan kitchen, but practically the whole house. To be honest, this house is only 27 square meters, so it made sense to get rid of the walls separating the main rooms in order to get a little more usable space. The kitchen is in one of the corners and is L-shaped, allowing it to fit in perfectly.

White cabinets and their rather symmetrical arrangement make the room feel spacious and cozy. The cabinets also have enough space to store all the kitchen utensils. There are no upper cabinets, instead the walls are left fairly clean and empty for a feeling of space and openness. Found on finn.no

Small black kitchen

White is the perfect color for small spaces, but that doesn't mean anything else is out of the question. In fact, these black kitchen cabinets are a great addition to this 22 square meter apartment. They really help to anchor not only the kitchen, but also the living room, which is decorated in lighter shades of gray with little colorful accents.

Although we are talking about a small open kitchen, you can see that it has its own corner, framed by partial walls on both sides. It gives a sense of privacy without turning it into a separate room. Found on FINN.

Semi-open concept

An enclosed kitchen can become open by removing one or more walls separating it from the rest of the house. A similar effect can be achieved with large sliding doors. You can get an idea of ​​what it looks like in this 30 square meter apartment. The kitchen has its own space outside of the living room, but there is no wall or hard surface between these spaces.

All on one wall

Centering all kitchen furniture and accessories on one wall is practical and great if you want an open and spacious floor plan. The furniture does not stick out and does not interfere, everything is in plain sight. In this 3 square meter apartment, the kitchen is seamlessly integrated into the living room, but you don't see it when you sit on the sofa because of the way everything is oriented. Found on kvarteretmakleri.

A natural transition

When it comes to open plan kitchens, the dining area or island usually serves as an intermediate link between the kitchen and the living room. This makes the transition between these spaces more gradual and natural. In this 36 square meter apartment, the kitchen and dining room are the perfect combination. They are both small and cozy and they fit together like two puzzle pieces. Images from svenskamaklarhuset.

Hidden but still open

Not everyone likes to have their kitchen open and on display. In addition, some layouts make it difficult to create an open-plan kitchen when the apartment was not originally intended to function this way. This 37 square meter home offers the best of both worlds.

The kitchen is small and almost invisible from the living room, especially when you are sitting. All kitchen cabinets are white and placed in an inner corner against a partial inner wall. It gets a lot of sunlight from the windows, and it smoothly flows into a small cozy dining area.

Kitchen island room divider

This stylish 35 square meter apartment features the iconic island kitchen divider. This is a great way to keep an open plan kitchen, but still create a sense of your own space. Plus, an island is a lot more functional than a simple wall because it gives you extra counter space, built-in appliances, and storage space.

Brilliant colors

In open concept spaces where the kitchen, dining and living areas are one large space, the distinction between these areas can be made in several different ways. One option is to use color. Take, for example, this small but cozy house of 33 square meters.

The kitchen cabinets are dark green and stand out against the light gray walls and light floor. It is also the only part of the apartment decorated in green tones, which gives the kitchen a personality. Similarly, the living room is outlined by a large rug that visually sets it apart as a small space of its own within the context of the larger room.

Great Kitchen Floor Design

Speaking of subtle ways to separate an open plan kitchen from the rest of the floor space, using a different floor design for this area is also a very effective option. A perfect example is the 34 square meter apartment, where the kitchen and living room are fully connected.

The main color of the apartment is white, and the kitchen cabinets and backsplash match this theme. There is a small kitchen island that can also be used as a bar and/or dining area that acts as a visual divider between these spaces, but more importantly, the kitchen floor is covered in black and white tiles and the rest is herringbone wood.

Bright, Bright and cozy

The kitchen can also simply blend in with the rest of the open plan, as is the case with this cozy 33 square meter apartment. The gray kitchen cabinets match with the rest of the furniture in the living and sleeping area, and the backsplash has a really cool brick pattern that gives the kitchen a lot of warmth. The lighting here is also really good.

Minimalism with Bold Floor Design

In a space as small as this, designed by Huseby Homes, keeping the white walls and adding matching, simple furniture that blends in with them is a smart and practical idea. It also leaves room for some bold design accents, such as a patterned floor. It extends throughout the space, allowing areas to connect easily.

Parallel configurations

In this case, the interior designers at Krista + Home made sure that the living room, kitchen and dining room blend harmoniously in this large open space. At the same time, they allowed each area to have its own identity. The kitchen is L-shaped and almost parallel to the living room, which has a two-sofa configuration.

Partial separation

Here, Studio Syndicate has created a partial separation of the kitchen and living room. Between these two areas there is a partial partition, which has a bar counter with a tabletop and additional storage space. This allows you to visually connect the kitchen with the living area, but at the same time feel like a separate room.

A ton of natural light

Architecture and design studio Kathleen Bost turned a beautiful backyard into this beautiful open plan kitchen and living room. White walls, shelves and cabinets make it easy to blend into the kitchen, while large glass panel windows let in plenty of sunlight. In addition, both of these areas offer great views.

Warm wood accents

Photo by Jessica Helgerson. Interior Design.

The easiest way to bring a lot of warmth into the design of a room is to include wooden accents in its design. This charming home has a beautiful farmhouse-style kitchen with wood paneling all over the wall. The kitchen itself is white, which brightens up the whole room. It's a good balance with a lot of charm.

A unified and modern aesthetic

This design by Studio Feinmann is warm and cozy in its own way. The building has an industrial character that matches its new contemporary style. The kitchen is especially cozy thanks to the wooden furniture in warm colors and the simplicity of its lines and shapes. The contrast with the dark gray floor is really beautiful and helps the furniture stand out even more.

Classic with a twist

Designed by HA Architecture, this small open-plan kitchen has plenty of details to inspire.

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