06 April 2023
Open-plan dining room: how to create a warm and comfortable environment
There is nothing better than spending time with friends and family at home in a spacious and functional kitchen. Designing a well-organised and welcoming kitchen is essential for creating a comfortable and suitable environment. Here, you and your guests can build memories to treasure, on any day of the year or during holidays, when we all gather together to celebrate unique moments.
In this article, we will explore some of the key factors to consider when designing a kitchen, particularly an open-plan one. This type of room, also known as an open kitchen, is not separated from other rooms in the house by walls or doors, but is instead integrated into an open space, such as the living or dining room. In other words, the open-plan kitchen merges with the other rooms to create a single continuous, flowing room, perfect for dining in company.
Planning an open-plan kitchen: the basic elements
The open-plan dining room is an ideal environment for sharing meals with family and friends, creating a cosy and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for everyone to be together, comfortable and at ease.
Designing an open-plan kitchen requires special attention to the arrangement of elements and the choice of materials and furniture. First of all, you can think about creating an open-plan kitchen in your home if you have enough space to allow for a large work and movement area.
One third of this space should be dedicated to the kitchen, its appliances and equipment, while the rest is all space for conviviality.
Don't stop at measuring space: find out if the area is ventilated enough, as an open-plan kitchen can generate some heat and smells during meal preparation, so it is important to consider an adequate ventilation system to keep the air fresh and clean. This can be achieved by installing an extractor hood or a controlled mechanical ventilation system.
The work area of an open-plan kitchen
The kitchen work area should be organised in a functional and practical manner. Ideally, the cooking and sink area should be positioned close to the wall so that there is free space to move around and use appliances.
There should also be plenty of drawers and cupboards, so that products and tools can be hidden behind the doors, maintaining order and pleasing to the eye. Record cucine is a brand that can provide your open-plan kitchen with made-to-measure and functional furniture elements. It does not matter if you have a very large or particularly small home: its customised solutions are suitable for all environments.
The use of refined materials of the highest quality ensures that every detail, from cladding to painting, is realised with the utmost precision and attention. Record cucine offers innovative and avant-garde solutions for kitchen design, with low environmental impact and perfect for every furnishing style.
Kitchen island: yes or no?
The kitchen island is a popular design solution for an open-plan kitchen, but like any other design choice, it has its pros and cons.
The kitchen island provides an additional area for food preparation, cooking and cleaning. It can be used as a breakfast space or as an informal dining table to maximise the kitchen area. However, it is not suitable for small spaces, as it can be cumbersome and make it difficult to move around.
The kitchen island allows you to work in the kitchen while socialising with family or guests in the living area. It is possible to cook, chat and have fun all together in the same room, while at the same time achieving elegance and modernity, as the island is an aesthetically pleasing and also functional architectural element.
In summary, the kitchen island is a modern and functional design choice, but it must be carefully evaluated according to economic needs, as it is more expensive than a traditional kitchen, and the size of the kitchen space.
The dining area of an open-plan kitchen
The dining area is the heart of conviviality in your open-plan kitchen. It is the place where your guests meet and can enjoy moments of pleasure all together, with good food and good company. That is why, when designing the dining area, you must always put comfort and space first.
Guests should feel free to move around and enjoy their meal in comfort. The ambience should be cosy, the seating comfortable and the details perfectly thought out. The dining area should also be positioned to facilitate interaction between people and allow them to enjoy the view of the rest of the house.
Choose a dining table that is large enough to seat all diners comfortably. Consider also the shape of the table: a rectangular table may be more suitable for a long and narrow open space, but also with hard and minimalist lines; a round or square table may be better for a larger space and also to give more balance to the room.
Pacini&Cappellini offers dining tables suitable for all needs, fixed and extendable with a solid wood frame and wooden, tempered glass or marble top. Simplicity and elegance are the key words of these furnishing elements, designed to offer any kitchen a refined and uniform look.
Add comfortable, back-supporting chairs for a pleasant seating experience. You can also add cushions to increase comfort. Discover Kristalia's wide range of chairs, perfect for any furnishing style and requirement. Comfortable, refined, upholstered or in resistant materials, Kristalia chairs will give your kitchen a touch of sophistication.
Finally, illuminate your dining room with a soft, warm light, such as that of a table lamp or hanging chandelier. Avoid too strong or blinding light that can disturb the view and make the room less welcoming. It is important to choose a combination of general lighting and one focused on the work area. LEDs installed directly in the kitchen can be a good solution. Or you can opt for pendant lights, which are sure to catch the attention of guests.
Ultimately, designing an open-plan kitchen requires careful planning and careful consideration of the specific needs of your home and family. By following these tips, you can create a functional and cosy open-plan kitchen that blends perfectly with the rest of your home.