Open or Closed Concept Kitchen?

This is one of the most requested home improvement jobs as well as the most debated. Deciding to leave a kitchen opened or closed isn’t always easy to do because both options have their pros and cons. We’ll show you the advantages and disadvantages of an open or closed concept kitchen so you can pick the one that’ll best suit your needs.

Open concept kitchens

In the case of open concept kitchens, keeping them in sync with the rest of the home is fundamental. It shouldn’t be an abrupt visual change that clashes with the home’s decor and style. So, you’ll need to create harmony between the spaces using colors, flooring, and materials.

Pros of an open concept kitchen

They make homes feel spacious. Rooms that don’t have dividing walls are a great idea for smaller homes. When you’re deciding between an open or closed concept kitchen, you need to realize that they work especially well for smaller homes because they create more space.

Opening your kitchen will create a brighter space. Light passes through more freely without walls, so an open kitchen could be a great idea for brightening up kitchens that don’t have windows or natural light sources.

An open concept also helps cooking-related issues run smoother. Setting up and cleaning off the table and serving will be easier… It’s all thanks to the lack of barriers.

An open kitchen also encourages community-based living. The setting allows family members to help with chores, keep the conversation going even while cooking, and to make sure that nobody misses out on the conversation after the meal while preparing coffee.

Cons of having an open concept kitchen

The smells are the first item on our list of open kitchen disadvantages. But a good (really good) range hood can take care of anything. You could go for a decorative model or hide it in a cabinet.

There are also models that go on countertops and they’re very practical. Make sure you look for a silent model; you wouldn’t to hear the humming in the background of your favorite TV show, would you?

Another con is a possible lack of organization. Open concept kitchens force you to keep everything in place and to always clean up dishes. If you think about it, you could transform this disadvantage into a challenge to become more organized.

Closed concept kitchens

Closed concept kitchens are clearly the more traditional option. When you’re deciding between the options, remember that a room should have 4 walls and a door. The advantages of having a closed kitchen are numerous and for an added preference, you have more freedom with the colors.

Pros of having a closed concept kitchen

More independence. The kitchen is closed off so you don’t need to match it with the rest of the home. You can have more fun with the materials and colors without compromising the balance of your home.

More leeway when you cook. We all know that keeping order is key when cooking, but we all also know that it’s easier said than done. A pro of closed kitchens is that you can quietly close your kitchen door and pretend that everything’s going smoothly… For a couple of minutes anyway.

Smells and smoke won’t be a problem, it all stays behind the walls and the rest of your home won’t have to suffer every time that you boil cauliflower or when you burn oil in a frying pan.

Another plus has to do with your home appliances. They don’t have to be pretty or hidden because you can always just close the kitchen door.

Cons of having a closed concept kitchen

Often, closed kitchens rob us of space that could really come in handy. They make your area more rigid, reducing the possibilities for your layout.

They also make cooking and cleaning up an isolated activity, removing you from time with your family. Sometimes, that keeps us from getting up and washing the dishes; staying at the table is so much more entertaining and we don’t want to miss out.

Deciding between an open or closed concept kitchen goes further than thinking about tearing down a wall or not. You need to think about your lifestyle, how you organize your family life as well as if you’re willing to make a radical change in your home while being fully aware of the implications that it could have.