We know, it's not a popular opinion, but... there are many reasons why maybe you shouldn't open up your kitchen to the living room!
As trendy as they are (which they are, really), open concept kitchens are not for everyone, or for every home. So before you throw yourself into the kitchen, we recommend that you don't miss this article. Remember that the important thing is not the trend, but what adapts to your needs and day-to-day life. Here we go!
You have plenty of space
Lack of space is one of the main reasons for creating an open concept home, because although you don't really gain metres, the absence of walls visually opens up the room and makes it easier to move from one area to another.
If you have plenty of space in your kitchen, ask yourself why you want to open it up.
No lack of light
In old houses and flats it is very common to find kitchens with little or no natural light, as they were conceived only as work spaces and were located in the least pleasant area (the living room used to be in this area).
That is why in many renovation reforms, kitchens are often opened up to the living room. If this is not your case, maybe you can save yourself the work.
All the space is open
do you have a loft flat and your bedroom shares space with the living room? Then seriously consider not opening up the kitchen, because the noise and fumes will probably haunt you in your sleep.
Remember that if what you need is to gain light or visual amplitude, you can always close the kitchen with a glass door.
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You're hopelessly messy..
If when you finish cooking it feels like a tornado has blown through your kitchen, maybe the open kitchen isn't for you. You'll spend all day with the feeling of clutter flooding that open concept floor plan you've lovingly created.
That advice also applies to those who like to relax after lunch or dinner and leave the task of tidying up for another time.
Privacy and practicality
Hands up for those for whom cooking is their daily meditation time. And also raise your hand for those who love to relax in the living room. If you are one of them and you don't live alone... don't open the kitchen to the living room!
Closed kitchens provide the privacy and isolation necessary for each inhabitant of the house to find their moment of inner peace. Even though extractor hoods are becoming quieter and quieter, you have to recognise that cooking (and cleaning up) makes noise.
Design freedom
By having a closed kitchen, you have absolute freedom in its design, being able to create different atmospheres in each of the rooms of your home, regardless of whether they combine with each other or not.
Saving on electricity
If you spend more time in the living room than in the kitchen, consider whether the electricity consumption of air conditioning an open space is not going to give you some headaches.
If after reading this article you are still determined to create an open-plan concept, we recommend two further readings. On the one hand, a list of mistakes you should avoid when opening up your kitchen to the living room if you want both areas to be perfect. And on the other, an article in which we focus on one of those blunders: the one of not thinking about the floor of the room beforehand.