The biggest challenge in designing small apartments is creating a usable and spacious feeling while not sacrificing functionality. Open kitchen designs accomplish this by providing a visual expansion of the space, as well as allowing for greater mobility between all the areas of one’s living space. The removal of rigid structural boundaries allows for increased natural light throughout the home, helps keep the home connected inside, and gives each space a welcoming feel, while still addressing the everyday cooking needs, and blending the space with the overall design of the apartment.
Open kitchens reduce visual barriers, and natural, artificial light flows freely throughout the room, creating the feeling of larger and less congested areas than they would experience with closed kitchens.
Key Benefits of Open Kitchens
The main benefits of open kitchens are:
- Improved perception of openness and spaciousness
- Increased interaction between kitchen and living spaces
- Improved distribution of natural and artificial light
- More flexibility in how space can be used for either dining or casual seating
Suitable Layouts for Small Apartments
Linear and L-shaped layouts work best for small apartment open kitchens because they keep cooking function areas clearly defined along defined walls, allowing the remaining space to remain as free of obstruction from physical objects as possible, providing increased motion area.
Additionally, a slim breakfast counter or peninsula serves as a visual barrier between the two spaces and provides extra work space and opportunity for casual seating. This creates an opportunity to visually separate the two spaces while keeping the overall flow of the flow of the room.
Integrated Storage Walls
Having cabinets that run the full height of one wall allows for an efficient way to store all kitchen items in a neat way, giving the open kitchen space a more intentional look, versus a cluttered appearance.
Material and Finish Selection
In order to retain a consistent look to the entire home, the kitchen and adjacent spaces should have similar material choices and finish selections. Lighter, satiny finishes reflect the maximum amount of light and aid in reducing the visual weight of a room, while matte, less-textured finishes reduce both glare and fingerprints.
By using similar materials and finishes throughout the various adjacent areas (kitchen cabinets, living room furniture, and wall finishes), you create a stronger visual harmony between the kitchen and the living area of the apartment.
Solutions to Keep the Kitchen Neat and Organised
Since the open kitchen will always be on display, storage solutions must be planned and hidden for maximum effect.
Some examples of what makes good functional solutions are:
- Deep drawers for cookware
- Tall pantry cabinets, using 100% of the vertical space
- Upper cabinets that reach the ceilings
- Pull-out drawers for multi-tasking
By keeping the counter tops free of clutter, you create a peaceful and orderly appearance.
Lighting That Defines the Kitchen Space
Layered lighting will be used in open kitchens. Under-cabinet work lighting provides functional use, while warm ambient lighting helps to create a comfortable blending of the kitchen with the living space. Pendant fixtures hung above the counters or dining ledges create an understated definition of the kitchen area while still allowing for open views.
Visual Connection Between Kitchen and Living Areas
An open concept kitchen should feel like an extension of the living space, rather than a separate work zone. Using complimentary colours, minimal hardware, and clean lines will help you achieve a seamless transition from one zone to the other. Royale Touche’s premium laminate collections will help you achieve visual continuity by providing you with consistent, high-quality options for multiple applications of your home.
Final Thoughts
Open concept kitchens provide the ideal balance of functional, open, and stylish options for small apartment living. Thoughtful planning for the layout, cohesive finishes, smart storage, and balanced lighting will elevate your open concept kitchen as a functional and beautiful part of your home, while contributing to the overall design of your living space.
