Open Concept or Closed?
Open concept or closed – that is the question for many attempting to map out the design of their kitchens. Like anything, there are pros and cons to both, but it really comes down to personal preference and functionality. While an open concept can provide the convenience of spending time with guests and family while preparing meals, the closed concept can give you that sense of privacy when you end up getting a little messy. So which is the best option for you?
Here we break down a few of the pros and cons of each to help you determine what suits your lifestyle and design best.
Open Concept
Pros
- Open concepts kitchens generally provide a greater abundance of natural light since there are fewer barriers in place. This can make your space feel airy, bigger, and well ventilated too.
- When preparing meals for family and friends you don’t have to be secluded. Without the barriers, you get to join in on the conversation and fun while prepping for dinner.
- If you love to cook then you can easily show off your culinary style and skills. Without those walls, everyone gets to see the chef at work.
- You can also keep an eye on the kids (and the pets) when you’re busy getting dinner ready.
Cons
- Although it can be a great way to show off your culinary skills, it also means that the accompanying mess will be on display as well. So if you’re one that hates the idea of making a mess in front of the guests, a closed concept might be best.
- Without any barriers or walls in place, it could create a lot of ruckus with the pots, pans, and dishes clattering about.
- All eyes are on you when you are in there prepping for a meal, so if you don’t like the pressure of having an audience, then it may create an uncomfortable environment.
- Sometimes, open concepts can remove a sense of coziness from the interior without having some of those barriers that make great nooks and crannies.
Closed Concept
Pros
- A kitchen can act as a sanctuary for some homeowners and having a closed layout can provide that sense of space where you can get into the groove of cooking without interruptions or distractions.
- Having a closed concept kitchen also helps to contain some of those aromas stemming from your cooking.
- They also help to contain your mess so that you won’t feel obliged to tackle it immediately to get it out of sight when guests are over.
- With more walls, comes more room to store things. You have more storage options.
Cons
- Closed concepts tend to be old fashioned. So if modern design and trends are important to you, this could be reason enough.
- This design can also become outdated easily, and if you ever happen to dislike it in the future, having to rip down walls and renovate could be a costly endeavour.
- With more walls in place, less natural light can flow through, making your space appear darker with less ventilation.
- This can also make your interior appear smaller and more confined.
There are many pros and cons to each option. The key is spending the time to weigh and consider each. By doing so you can determine which will suit your needs and design best.
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