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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Quick poll - do you like your kitchen to be open-plan?

46 replies

bimbabirba · 10/10/2013 20:02

Just asking because at the moment we have a traditional layout with kitchen and separate dining/living area but all the houses around here seem to have an open plan kitchen so I'm wondering whether open plan is indeed better? We're planning an extension next year and one option would be to link the kitchen and dining/living area at the back by making them open plan. I do have DCs and our house is a typical 1920s layout at the moment.
Thanks!

OP posts:

AloePickle · 10/10/2013 21:37

I would adore an open plan kitchen. One day maybe it will happen...

HaveToWearHeels · 10/10/2013 21:37

I like an open plan kitchen/family room, but must have a separate living room.

StopDoingThat · 10/10/2013 21:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

invicta · 10/10/2013 21:43

I prefer having separate kitchen and reception rooms, although presently have a kitchen and breakfast area.

I don't like combined living and dining room. From experience, if someone wants to work, and someone wants to watch tv, the two don't mix.

BellaI · 10/10/2013 21:47

Ideally open plan kitchen/dining living room but with step rooms playroom and grown up living room!

fossil971 · 10/10/2013 21:48

This thread was just next to "House stinks of fish: party in 20 minutes" on active convos. Perhaps that's a hint.

Chewbecca · 10/10/2013 21:52

I think the essential thing is that the kitchen needs room for a table or, a minimum, a breakfast bar. Somewhere for people to sit and chat whilst I'm cooking.

Noggie · 10/10/2013 21:53

Yes open plan so don't feel away from everyone whilst making endless meals! Much more sociable to be able to chat/ help with homework etc whilst cooking

OnePlanOnHouzz · 10/10/2013 21:59

There's no where to hide in an open plan kitchen - so it truly does require careful consideration ... Eg - if you currently escape to the kitchen from a all knowing PITA mother in law - you won't be able to ! Or if the local bore drops in unannounced you can't say you are up to you neck in jam and can't chat Etc etc etc - also - that dinner party for 8 your other half sprung on you at the last min ... They will all be hanging around watching you cook !!!

In real life - open plan works if you are tidy, friendly, love everyone watching you cook and if you never drop the chicken and put it back on the serving plate !!! :-)

Original poster

bimbabirba · 10/10/2013 21:59

The truth is I can't make up my mind! I had open plan and it was fine. I have separate now and it's also fine!
Being able to keep smells away from living area is definitely a plus of having them separate and it feels like it's easier to contain the mess by having separate rooms.

OP posts:

PolterGoose · 11/10/2013 16:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

magimedi · 11/10/2013 16:33

Have got kitchen diner & separate living room. Love it - one room stays nice most of the time.

Zoe456 · 11/10/2013 16:45

I would prefer it yes, but I don't have it at the moment. I am going to put in double doors (heavy glass doors) to give the impression of open plan, but to give me the option to close them in the winter. I was going to go totally open plan but my parents talked me in to the double doors idea and it will be cheaper (and also there is a different floor in the kitchen so I think this is the simplest solution............ My father is convinced that the open plan thing is a fashion that will go out of fashion. I don't agree with him! But I do agree that heating bills are an issue in an older house.

Zoe456 · 11/10/2013 16:51

At the risk of hi-jacking the thread, is double doors between dining room and kitchen really dated??

Obviously if your parents upsell an idea, it might be dated!!

Yama · 11/10/2013 16:57

I thought I would like it but actually I like cooking alone, preferably with a glass of wine and Radio 4.

We have a hatch through to the dining room (1970's house) and I love it.

So, open plan seems best but really isn't.

Lagoonablue · 11/10/2013 17:02

I like a kitchen big enough for a table and chairs so you can potter and cook and the kids can sit at the table. Like a separate living room away from food and smells etc. ideally a great big kitchen and a nice cosy living room plus another family room type place.

exexpat · 11/10/2013 17:06

I have open-plan kitchen/dining/family room but separate living rooms too. If it was the only living space, and it's for a family rather than a single person/couple, then no - I'd rather have a small separate kitchen. You need to be able to get away from cooking smells and the noise of appliances (if washing machine etc are also in the kitchen).

beaglesaresweet · 11/10/2013 17:14

large kitchen with a table but separate living room, definitely!
Otherwise everything incl upholstery in living room will stink of cooking and if you burn a toast, it will be all oiver he place. Plus - litchen has to be kept pristine at all times - it's a PITA! you don't want even a whiff of rubbish bin in your living. Plus, yes, it's hard to watch tv for someone, and noisily cook for another person.

Original poster

bimbabirba · 11/10/2013 19:33

The main issue with going open plan would be the loss of kitchen cupboards that would be consequential to losing the wall between living and kitchen. At the moment the kitchen is thin and long with cupboards on both rows, up and down. I don't think it'd be worth the loss of cupboard space but I wonder if the traditional layout would put off buyers when we decide to sell?

OP posts:

BackforGood · 11/10/2013 19:40

I prefer rooms to a big open space. Don't get me wrong, I love the big kitchen diners you see on the property programmes, but I wouldn't sacrifice the advantages of being able to have separate rooms for it.... be great if an extension allowed it without losing the lounge and dining room.
I have to say, being able to put a proper sized table in a kitchen is a real plus point in buying a property - in fact, for me I'd say a deal breaker/maker.
When you have a growing family, it's useful to be able to have walls between the one doing their trumpet practice and the one watching tele and the one who is chatting to their mates, etc.,etc.

lighthousesea · 11/10/2013 20:00

I love the kitchen/diner combo. This was top priority in our recent house hunt. It's the way forward for modern family living! We are lucky to have seperate dining area which is now opened up for use as a playroom/second lounge.

NotCitrus · 11/10/2013 20:07

I'm in the middle of building a kitchen diner, replacing the separate kitchen. We had to walk through the dining room to get to the kitchen anyway though, and will make the kitchen end separate using cupboards, so will actually gain space (will have a baby gate across the opening, will see if dd will ever play happily in the diner area while I cook... Not getting hopes up!)

OnePlanOnHouzz · 13/10/2013 13:26

I don't think it will put buyers off - as not everyone wants open plan !

mummaemma · 13/10/2013 18:27

i prefer a large kitchen diner with a separate lounge.

Helliecopter · 13/10/2013 19:00

We're in the process of building an extension too, which will be an open plan kitchen diner linking through to a 'family room' informal lounge/dining room/playroom.

Like the majority have said here, we only planned it that way because we have a separate lounge at the front of the house that can be a mess-free sanctuary for cosy evening wine drinking telly viewing.

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