Farmhouse style shaker kitchen in slate grey with square edge wood worktop and classic wooden top dining table.

Kitchen Layout Ideas

Open-Plan Kitchen Ideas

A firm favourite in modern homes, open-plan kitchen designs combine living spaces, turning them into a multi-purpose room. For example, blending a kitchen and living space creates a hub where cooking and entertaining becomes easier. Designed to bring everyone together in one spot, open-plan layouts can support home working, provide a place for after school catch-ups, and weekend brunches. Explore our open-plan kitchen ideas to discover how to pack in practical and stylish elements into your new layout.

Modern white mirror gloss kitchen with two built in single oven and island unit with breakfast bar and open end shelving.

1. Fit cupboards flush

When designing an open-plan layout, space is the main asset to accentuate, so creating a backdrop that feels airy and uninterrupted is important. Slab cupboards offer a simplistic exterior that blends easily into the background. This can be enhanced by asking your trade professional to set cabinetry back within the recess of a wall for a flush fit.

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Slate grey modern handleless gloss kitchen in an apartment setting including kitchen island incorporating exposed shelving.

2. Opt for integrated

Open-plan spaces require careful planning to ensure that the flow between living and cooking areas remains clean and uncluttered. A key way to achieve this is to remove any adornments, and instead opt for integrated-handle cupboards. This contemporary look matches the modern concept of open-plan living, while also creating a fuss-free and calming interior.

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White shaker kitchen idea with island in open-plan layout. Has open shelving, clear glass wall units, and black knob handles.

3. Frame a design

For a large open-plan kitchen design, shaker-style cupboards can be a clever way to build a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. The classic, framed doors take inspiration from heritage style for a look that will last for years to come and will complement a homely living space. Double up on versatility with a subtle neutral palette for a base that can be customised to meet different trends.

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Hockley Super Matt Slate Grey and Dove Grey Handleless Main Set Shot

4. Make it modern

Muted surfaces are a smart solution for an open-plan kitchen living room, as the sheen-free finish helps to reduce visual distractions, such as the glare from a television. The non-reflective doors also disguise fingerprints, which will keep the space looking cleaner for longer - a great idea for busy family homes looking to minimise maintenance.

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Modern dove grey handleless kitchen with kitchen island featuring downdraft cooker hood, large drawers and white worktop.

5. Create a light look

To extend the open feel of a multi-use space, choose a reflective, gloss finish that helps to bounce light across the room. Great for both small and large layouts, a mirrored surface creates a bright ambience, making it an enjoyable place to cook and socialise. The extra light will draw attention to architectural features, making gloss doors a natural choice for linear-inspired schemes.

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6. Begin with blue

For an open-plan kitchen idea that is sure to make a statement, switch your cabinetry to a darker tone, like charcoal or navy. Deeper hues are very current for interiors, with blue offering an on-trend look that adds a pop of colour to a home. For added light, include glass doors that break up banks of cupboards and showcase stylish kitchenware.

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An open-plan Scandi white kitchen idea with super-matt handleless doors, a ceiling-mounted cooker hood, and a white sink.

7. Build in banks

An all-white scheme is the optimum opportunity for maxing out on cupboards, as it will create a clean, uninterrupted backdrop for an open-plan kitchen living space. This fresh look allows tower and wall units to sit side-by-side within a design, while providing sought-after storage that will help to keep an open-plan room neat, tidy, and organised.

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Neutral dove grey cottage style single wall shaker kitchen with chrome cup handles. Contains wood panelling and pitched roof.

8. Go all grey

A grey palette is the ultimate companion for an open-plan layout, as it sits comfortably in the background of an interior, complementing both traditional and contemporary decors alike. For a small open-plan kitchen idea, position cabinetry against a single wall for a discreet cooking and preparation space that does not interrupt the rest of the room.

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White slab kitchen with a navy island in the centre, light oak flooring and black pendant lights hanging over the island.

9. Go two-tone

A reason why many homeowners go open plan is to accommodate an island unit. An open-plan kitchen with island will increase surface space for food prep and casual dining, while creating a centre point that becomes the social hub of a room. In @inside.no6’s design, they have paired navy cabinetry with a white counter to create a two-tone effect that looks confidently curated.

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Kitchen extension idea using a Chelford navy kitchen with open-plan layout and island

10. Form a flow

Introducing common themes that run across each section is essential within an open-plan layout to prevent it looking stark or disjointed. Within @house_on_the_crescent’s open-plan living room, they have used surfaces as a consistent feature, with light-oak flooring spanning their dining, cooking, and living quarters. Besides adding a premium touch to their home, it is also easy to clean.

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Designer green shaker kitchen with wood grain effect finish an island layout. Double larder units and two built in ovens.

11. Add an island hob

A simple way to make an island the hub of a home is by positioning a stove centrally, to allow chefs to cook and entertain in the same space. An induction device is a sleek and streamlined solution, as it features a flush fit and a contemporary gloss surface that adds to the sophisticated style-factor. Combine with integrated extraction for a high-tech feature.

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12. Extract with ease

For a truly practical open-plan kitchen design, it is crucial to consider more than the aesthetics. A ceiling fan will draw cooking smells away from the living area, for a clean and fresh space that is easy to relax in. Add to a linear look by including a flush fitting device within the ceiling, for a discreet and unobtrusive appearance that keeps sight lines clear.

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13. Create a washing space

When planning a dual-use space, having a separate utility will ensure dirty laundry is kept out of sight and noisy machines are tucked away from conversation. Where space is limited, we recommend switching to quieter equipment, for example laundry devices that have a noise level of 40db or lower. This will ensure the sound of spinning dryers or washing is contained.

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14. Get savvy with recycling

Waste storage is often overlooked when co-ordinating any layout and considering its positioning can help to create a clean and uncluttered look within an open-plan design. Optimising cupboard space by choosing integrated bins will keep rubbish hidden from view and help to separate recycling, for a more organised and sustainable home life.

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15. Break it up

With home working becoming commonplace, it has become more important to create flexible areas that suit both home and business activities. By utilising sliding door gears, like those available in our PC Henderson collection, you can create different zones within a layout, ensuring that multiple activities can be carried out simultaneously with ease.

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