“This layout is perfect for those who love to entertain or who want to create an inviting, social space that works for all the family," advises Richard Moore. Kitchen island ideas are great for open plan spaces where they can provide a spot for all sorts of appliances and activities. The island should act as a divide from the functional areas of the kitchen used for prepping food and the social side, so consider your appliance and storage layout with this in mind. Include Built-in Seating in Small Open-Plan Kitchens To help keep a feeling of width and avoid a long narrow ‘galley’ feel I avoided wall cupboards and have our glass-fronted Curiosity Cupboard which allows for practical storage and pretty display of colourful kitchenware." 6. "The two ends of the room – for cooking and for seating – are instrumental in breaking up the potential long run of cupboards which can be a problem in a galley kitchen. I also knew I wanted a big Lacanche cooker and a large marble sink, so it almost designed itself in terms of layout.
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When designing her own kitchen remodel, Helen Parker (creative director at deVOL) used a galley kitchen layout to her advantage: "Zoning the distinct areas was based on the architecture and period of the house - this room has such beautiful arched windows that lend themselves to a dining area, so my kitchen table absolutely had to go there. Slim or small kitchens are often considered awkward in terms of layouts, but if you space is long and narrow, by incorporating well-considered galley kitchen ideas an open plan kitchen can really shine. Don't Dismiss Open Galley Kitchen Layouts In any case, it is sensible to look into fire suppression systems – such as sprinklers and smoke curtains – to limit the spread of fire and smoke throughout the home. If the first floor can be exited without having to go through the kitchen and open plan area, then this should not present a problem. In these cases, you may need fire doors between the kitchen and first floor, as well as a fire protected escape route from the first floor. This is usually an issue if the open plan area is your main means of escape. If your home has more than two storeys (as is common where a loft has been converted), then you need to be sure that your open plan space will meet the Building Regulations with regards to fire and escape. "While the idea of knocking down interior walls seems simple enough, in reality, there is much to consider before opening up your kitchen and dining room, not least whether the wall is load boarding and how removing it will affect your home's structural integrity," explains chartered surveyor Ian Rock. Choosing Quietmark-approved appliances is a good idea for a multi-functional space at the best of times, but especially when you’ve got an important Zoom meeting but washing in the machine.Ī separate utility room with noisy appliances, with a door that shuts, is another way to ensure both your peace and peace of mind. Most importantly, consider what in the kitchen could disrupt your work plans. Why not consider a desk behind pocket doors that can be shut away when not in use? Think about where a desk may be incorporated into a kitchen - try to have it slightly set apart to ensure it can be kept out of sight and mind on the weekends. In the daytime, you might find it’s quiet enough to act as a work space, while offering you potentially the brightest and most inspiring room of the house, compared to a small study.īut what should you consider? For regular work from home from the kitchen, a dedicated space is preferable to working at the island. With the rise of working from home, there’s a lot to be said about considering a home office design alongside your kitchen.