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Harrogate Kitchen Extensions and open Plan Living
Inglish Design’s Top Tips for Open Plan Kitchens & Living
Inglish Design design kitchens and furniture for all sort of rooms, but Harrogate properties and North Yorkshire homes still tend to be following the trend of open plan living spaces. Kitchen extensions built to create ‘Open-plan living’ have been one of the most popular phrases in interior design and kitchen design over the last few years. A multi-functional, social, light-filled space that can be enjoyed by the whole family is, understandably, something that many of our clients are looking for in their kitchens. Creating a multifunctional living space, not only seen as desirable to suit busy working families lifestyles, but also a selling point for homes. By including a bespoke kitchen in such a room will further value to this room. Afterall, why create a fantastic new space, and then compromise on style, durability and design by making an “off the shelf” kitchen fit the space. Mass manufactured kitchens simply do not have the longevity, or the look to go alongside such property rennovations. Inglish Design are often brought into building and home rennovation works at early stages, which is great as we have lots of experience in this field. We work on properties mostly in Harrogate and North Yorkshire but can also work in other parts of the UK if required.
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Here are some tips from Inglish Design about things to consider if you’re looking to convert your home to include an open plan space:Adding a kitchen island to the kitchen design can really help the flow of an open plan room. It gives you the option of adding appliances into it in order to maximise the efficiency of the space between the ‘working triangle’ of the most used appliances in the kitchen.
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An island could also incorporate an informal seating area where the kids can get on with their homework, you can sit and have a coffee, or friends can chat with a drink prior to eating.
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If you don’t have the space for an island, a peninsula is a great alternative. This will provide you with extra work surface, and the potential for seating. Always make the most of your peninsula – Inglish Design often creat penisulas with hidden storage so that every inch of space is used both front and back.
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Think about the amount of storage you need. Do you need wall cupboards? If not, low level cabinets or open style kitchen with open shelving can look great and adds to the feeling of space.
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Continuing the kitchen furniture into the living space binds the spaces together. With a bespoke kitchen, cabinets and furniture can easily be designed to tie in with the kitchen style, while providing you storage options for dining and home studies.
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Consider quiet appliances, so they don’t disturb you when you’re in the living area. There are some great options available. Alternatively, move the noisier appliances to a utility room, if you have the space.
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Odours from cooking are a consideration, but there are a host of efficient extraction products that will solve this problem for you. Planning the extraction is very important as in a large space it will function better if it can duct outside and not simply recirculate. You must consider the capability of the extractor relatively to the space, and also the noise it will make.
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Make the room cohesive by repeating colours used elsewhere. For instance, the colour of furnishings in the living area could be repeated in elements of the kitchen cabinetry, or via splashbacks or even china and glassware.
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Because your open plan kitchen will be a multi-purpose room, it’s important to keep things tidy and in order. Integrated appliances are a must, and a large pantry cupboard or pull-out larder with lots of storage space would come in useful so that you can keep your worktops clutter-free. Tambour door cabinets conceal kettles and toasters but provide quick access and can be left open during use.
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Think about the space and how it may be used. For example, is it wise to have a drinks area so that this is accessible and not disturbing cooking. Also if you are working in an open plan kitchen, you want ot be able to see what is happening in the rest of the room, so plan the food prep, sink and cooking areas with this in mind – afterall there is no point facing a wall when you can look around your fantastic new room as you cook !
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It’s important that this social space doesn’t become too chaotic, so think about ways to create subtle boundaries between the different areas in the kitchen. Again, islands and peninsulas can be good for this, and so can lighting.
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The most common “zones” for large open plan rooms are kitchen, dining and living. Inglish Design can create furniture including dining furniture and living room furniture, and our interior design service can guide you through the process of making the space work as a whole.
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Seating whether it be bar stools, dining chairs or sofas should be considered. Variety makes spaces work – so why not have mixed areas for snacking, dining and relaxing. Inglish Design have a portfolio of seating options, including bespoke options. Our made to measure sofas are ideal as nowadays the off the shelf sofas are simply enormous ! We can have any type of sofa made in any fabric you wish and sized to suit your exact requirements.
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Lighting – again variety is key. A large space needs different light sources to suit the many activities which will happen in the room. Some lights will be purely functional, others for can be for ambience, and you should also include directional or task lighting. Natural light is important also – so think about the size and proportions of doors, windows and veluxs/skylights.
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Architects and builders are great for creating the overall concept and how the space will work aesthetically with your existing home. However an interior designer can provide invaluable advice on space planning and detailing. Inglish Design provide a full interior design service, this can be by the hour, by room, or can implement a complete turnkey interior solution – so whether simply on an advisory capcity or fully project managed we are here to help and make the most of your space.
If you don’t have the space or budget to create a new extension or fully open-plan room, perhaps you can simply open your existing kitchen up by clever design. Inglish Design are experienced kitchen designers and also interior designers, so we will be happy to discuss ways of making the space you have for your new kitchen more light and airy, through cabinet layout and design, colour and lighting.
If you have a kitchen extension project or are planning to make your exisitng kitchen more open plan, do give us a call. We have a great showroom where we can discuss your plans over a coffee, or we can visit your home. Call 01423 864951 to organise an appointment. In the meantime below are some inspiring open living spaces to get you thinking !!!
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