Open space
An open-plan kitchen, dining, and living room offers great versatility for today’s lifestyle. The idea of open-plan kitchen layouts is that the chef can be part of the conversations. They don’t have to be tucked away prepping the meal while the rest of the family discusses their day. With this, the whole family can be together.
Most of the apartments in Malta have an open-space approach to the living area, but designing a space that integrates the different areas smoothly, takes skill. Clever zoning and a cohesive decorating technique are vital factors. A well-designed kitchen with a poor living room setup will not look good, and vice versa. You have to look at the open plan as a whole when creating the interior.
The main problem I see is that the contractor “finishes” the apartment with the installed floors, usually with the one with the most significant discount… since he purchased a large quantity.
But with the already installed floors, the future owners’ hands are tied concerning the design. Flooring is the most extensive area in your home that will stick with the apartment forever, so choosing the right one should not be taken lightly.
The flooring that is the best for a kitchen might not fit the rest of the open plan. You could use tiles in the kitchen and engineered wood flooring in the dining and living area. And this also includes using different colours of flooring.
There are many options for choosing a suitable kitchen layout for your home. Don’t stick to the one that comes with the blueprint because, many times, there is not much work behind the floor planning. Don’t be afraid to move a wall if that gives you a better space. This has to be authorised by the Planning authority, but it usually doesn’t take ages.
Choosing a simple, clean design for a kitchen that is visible from every point of your living area is always a great decision. You don’t want to overwhelm the space with many patterns, so go for flat, minimalist cabinet doors. They work really well with contemporary or modern interiors. And since they don’t have any pricey elements, they can be budget-friendly.
The right colour for cabinetry can help indicate the kitchen as a zone within the open-plan layout. Don’t be afraid to select hues such as blue, green or grey for the cabinets. This can be repeated in accessories or soft furnishings in other zones to link the open-plan space. Creating contrasts within a space also helps to define the various roles of the open-plan area.
You must also consider choosing your large appliances wisely, such as the dishwasher or washing machine (in case you don’t have a laundry room). You do not want to constantly over shout your spinning washing machine, right?
A maximum spin noise level of around 70dB (which is actually quieter than most vacuum cleaners, except iRobot’s Roomba j7+, with an attractive noise level of 55 dB) will ensure peace in your open-plan setup. Opt for low-noise items when choosing the dishwasher, washing machine and fan in your open-plan kitchen.
“A designer is a planner with an aesthetic sense.”
Bruno Munari, Designer
Another problem I see is that the dining table is far from the kitchen in the other corner of the area. Just don’t do that!
You don’t want to run a marathon between the cooking areas to take food to the table, so kitchen and dining zones must be considered together.
How can you break up an open space without breaking up the open space? Sounds complicated? Well, it is.
You can create distinct zones within an open-plan layout with different floor finishes and partitions, such as bookcases or glazed doors. The messy kitchen can be quickly screened from the lounging space.
Creative decorating and styling will keep each area looking separate but seamless.
Believe it or not, engineered wood flooring is a safe choice for Maltese homes and makes the space feel cosier.
In an open-plan design, there are many smart ways to divide rooms, e.g. with glazed walls, sliding panels, or slatted screens. They offer great flexibility, so spaces can be closed off or opened up as required.
Think about your lifestyle!
Are you one who has friends and family over often and entertains a lot? Do you have kids who like to snuggle with you on the sofa? Or only the family would use this space? Before you begin any work, take a little time to figure out how the space functions.
Good lighting is as critical in a long-layout apartment as the cleverly arranged pieces of furniture. Think of a combination of possibilities – spots, pendants, table lamps, floor lamps – so you can change the mood quickly.
You can visually create spaces with large, oversized rugs; choose an option that comfortably fits your sofa, armchairs and coffee table. This will differentiate the lounge space from the dining or kitchen areas.
When designing your open space, there has to be a sense of flow and unity by keeping to a similar colour palette. But it doesn’t mean you can’t zone each area with a different colour.
There is no easier, quicker, or simpler way to cleverly zone a room than through paint.
Helen Shaw, UK Director of Benjamin Moore
