Open or Closed Kitchen: What Should You Choose?

Home decoration techniques have evolved over the years. With the arrival of new products in the market, there has been innovation in how houses are designed and decorated. Recent times have introduced us to designs that are a treat for the eyes and can make your house stand out in the neighbourhood. The kitchen, commonly addressed as the heart of the house has also seen many innovations over the years. Among the many amazing kitchen ideas, one that can put the owners in a dilemma is to choose between an open or closed kitchen.

Gone are the days when kitchens were limited to separate spaces in the house. Modern times have seen kitchens exist in the living rooms or other common rooms. But deciding which type of kitchen is the right fit for your house can be a tough task. We have compiled a guide to help you decide between an open or closed kitchen.

Open or Closed Kitchen

A kitchen is perhaps the most used space in any house. Families can engage in conversations and activities during cooking as the new designs give them the space to do so. During home decoration and renovation, people pay extra attention to match the kitchen design with the rest of the home interior.

People now have the leverage to select from a pool of designs and select the ideal one. That said, let’s dig a little deeper and learn all about an open and closed kitchen, their pros and cons to help you select the right one for your place.

What is an Open Kitchen?

An open kitchen is a layout that is part of the rest of the room. It is not a separate room or space. An open kitchen can be a part of your living room/tv lounge or any other room for that matter. It is visible to everyone since there are no doors and walls except a counter to demarcate it from the room where it’s been constructed.

Advantages of an Open Kitchen

An open kitchen is a modern kitchen that can be a great addition to your home. Besides there are several advantages of having an open kitchen which are detailed below:

GREAT FOR SMALL SPACES

Open kitchens can be ideal for small homes. If you are looking for a rental apartment in the UAE, you might want to consider getting one with an open kitchen. For small spaces, an open kitchen can blend with the common rooms leaving more space for you to use. You can use the extra available space for your home library, home theatre design, or any other idea. You can also check out the advantages of small space living.

Since an open kitchen is a part of the common rooms, you can socialise while carrying out the kitchen chores. You won’t feel left out of family gatherings as they’ll all be happening right in front of you. Additionally, you can add some chairs alongside the kitchen counter. Not only will they allow the family members and guests a good seating space but can also be a great part of the decor.

DON’T MISS OUT ON YOUR FAVOURITE SHOWS

A kitchen in the TV lounge/living room can be a blessing in more ways than one. Besides enjoying the shows with your family and friends, you can also watch your favourite shows while carrying out kitchen tasks any time of the day. This can particularly be handy if you’re trying a new recipe from a video. Watch it all on the big screen and get the best out of your cooking experience.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE LITTLE ONES

Another factor that can help you decide between an open or closed kitchen is monitoring the little ones. Kids can make some real mess when they are not being watched. With an open kitchen, you can keep an eye on them while carrying out your chores. Additionally, you can babyproof your house to make a safer environment for your kids.

Disadvantages of an Open Kitchen

The advantages of an open kitchen can be intriguing but there are some disadvantages as well which you should be aware of. The disadvantages are listed as follows:

KEEP THE KITCHEN IN TOP SHAPE AT ALL TIMES

Since an open kitchen is visible to every visitor, there’s extra pressure to keep it in top-notch condition at all times. People usually like to make good impressions with their home decorations and a messed-up kitchen can ruin the entire look. Kitchens can get messy rather easily, you can follow this house maintenance checklist to take proper care of your kitchen and home.

ADDITIONAL NOISES

grinder use — Noises made by kitchen appliances can cause distractions for others in the house

Working in the kitchen can be a noisy task with the sound of cutlery and appliances. This can affect the room’s environment if someone is trying to study or watch TV.

RISING TEMPERATURE

With all the cooking going on in the kitchen, the temperatures can get high. This can affect the overall temperature of the room causing discomfort to the rest . You might want to consider getting a proper ventilation system to overcome this issue.

FEW CABINETS

open or closed kitchen — Since an open kitchen is not surrounded by walls, there is no space to install more cabinets

An open kitchen is not covered by walls and it leaves no room for cabinets which you get in a closed kitchen. Fewer cabinets might leave you looking for other spaces for kitchen supplies and equipment storage.

WHAT IS A CLOSED KITCHEN?

Closed kitchens are the traditional types covered by walls. They are in a separate room with doorways for entry and exit. A closed kitchen is a separate area from the rest of the house. The closed kitchen design has been used for years. For rental houses in the UAE, you can consider getting one with a closed kitchen because of the extra space available in the place.

Advantages of Closed Kitchen

NO DISTRACTIONS

You can cook and carry out the chores in peace with minimal or no distractions. Since a closed kitchen is independently located in a separate room, you are less likely to get distracted by outside noises.

NO ADDED PRESSURE TO KEEP IT CLEAN AT ALL TIMES

In a closed kitchen, there are fewer chances of the guest’s entrance, unless you invite them. Therefore, there is no pressure on you to keep your kitchen presentable at all times. You can choose to clean it whenever you get time.

NO SMOKE, SMELLS OR NOISES

kitchen stove — Closed kitchens help to keep the burning smell, sounds and heat away from the other rooms

As a closed kitchen is covered by walls from all sides, others in the house will not have to bear the increasing temperature, smells and noises caused by kitchen appliances. All of these are kept within closed walls and you don’t need to worry about disturbing others in the house.

EXTRA SPACE

The extra space you get in a closed kitchen can help you decide between an open or closed kitchen. A kitchen in a separate room gives you the luxury to have extra cabinets on the walls. All your supplies can be stored in a single room. Additionally, you can try these coffee corner ideas and put the kitchen counter to good and creative use. If you like the idea of closed kitchen, you can learn practical design ideas to close an open kitchen and utilise its advantages.

DISADVANTAGES OF A CLOSED KITCHEN

Besides all the advantages, there are some disadvantages of a closed kitchen you should know about. The disadvantages are listed below:

Since a closed kitchen is isolated, you can miss out on family time if you are working inside. Family bonding time can be affected.

LESS ROOM FOR CREATIVITY

From a decorator’s point of view, a closed kitchen leaves little room for creativity. The cabinets take up much of the space and the lighting has to be right too. As compared to an open kitchen, closed kitchens can be hard to decorate.

NOT IDEAL FOR SMALL SPACES

For small homes and apartments, closed kitchens can take up an entire room making the place look even smaller. Additionally, you don’t have enough space to adjust sitting arrangements inside the kitchen for the guests if you want to carry out conversations during cooking.

This brings us to the end of our comparison to help you choose between an open kitchen or closed kitchen. Both the kitchen types have their pros and cons and in the end, it all comes down to your preferences and budget. Furthermore, with all the food supplies, kitchens can get infested. You need to ensure proper maintenance and follow pest prevention tips to keep your kitchen in top shape. Consider all the factors before going for any of the types.

If the idea of an open or closed kitchen sounds fascinating to you and you want a place with either one, check out the following and select from a wide variety of places with different designs of open and closed kitchens:

Stay tuned to UAE’s top property blog for more information.

This Or That: Open Kitchen vs Closed Kitchen