When planning your kitchen remodel, one of the biggest choices is whether to open up or to keep your kitchen walled off. This decision impacts the view of your house. In addition, it influences daily operations and even your enjoyment of the area.

There’s no single correct answer to this dilemma. But the best option fits your way of living. We will discuss the two options to help you make an informed choice.

An open concept kitchen

An open concept kitchen eliminates walls and barriers. This makes the kitchen open up to the surrounding living or dining spaces. This is a design that you have probably encountered in contemporary homes. The kitchen is not an isolated room but an extension of the main living room.

Advantages

Connection is the primary benefit. You are able to cook while talking to family, keeping an eye on children, or entertaining visitors. Open kitchens also make the homes look bigger and brighter as the natural light can move freely. If your house is not very large in terms of square footage, this design can improve the impression of the space.

In view of resale, open kitchens are still favored by most consumers. They are favourable in regard to contemporary ways of life and adaptability in space usage. This can be an attractive kitchen remodeling idea if you intend to sell later.

The drawbacks

The absence of isolation can be a disadvantage. Appliances, cooking noises, and food smells can be easily spread throughout the house. You also lose the wall space. Therefore, there are fewer upper cabinets and less storage space.

If you desire a clean look, an open kitchen is in a state of constant maintenance. Every plate, every crumb, everything is visible!

A closed kitchen?

A closed kitchen is a specific cooking room that has its walls and a door. It is distinguished from the rest of the house. It is traditional in some ways. But it remains remarkably effective with a good number of homeowners.

Advantages

The largest advantages are privacy and control. Noise, heat, and cooking smells can be contained. Hence, the rest of the home can be made more comfortable. Closed kitchens also have more wall space for:

• Cabinets
• Shelves
• Appliances.

This is excellent in case you cook frequently or require lots of storage.

It can be a more relaxed and concentrated layout, particularly when you prefer to cook without any interruptions. It also enables you to shut the door on any messes when you have guests.

The drawbacks

Kitchens that are closed may be small and dark, especially in older houses that have few windows. They can also bring more difficulties to entertaining, as the cook is separated from guests.

In other instances, a completely closed kitchen may seem outdated. Unless you carefully remodel it with contemporary finishes and lights.

The final take: Deciding what is right

Take a moment and ask yourself how you actually use your kitchen. Do you love hosting and participating in the action? An open-concept kitchen can be a good fit. Are you an organized and storage-oriented person? A closed kitchen would be more appropriate.