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Open-plan kitchen-dining or a narrow galley space, our design director, Fred Horlock, shares his expert tips onÌýhow to make the most of your °ì¾±³Ù³¦³ó±ð²Ô’s footprint.Ìý

NO. 1

Open-plan rooms can be generous and airy, but don’t feel the need to fill every inch of wall space with fitted cabinetry. This roomy layout enables keen cooks to maximise storage and prep areas and introduce flexible pieces like an extending dining table. Use furniture and rugs to clearly define the different areas.Ìý

NO. 2

A symmetrical floorplan, with the dining table at the centre, helps the room feel balanced and calm. You can change the pace with shortened stud walls (‘nibs�) or even a bank of high bookcases to create a dual-use room with a cosy living area away from the kitchen action.

NO. 3

Tuck domestic elements out of the way by building a pantry or utility room so the remaining kitchen space can be focused on relaxing, entertaining and socialising. A circular dining table works well in a smaller footprint and softens the flow of the room. Adding bi-fold doors will connect inside and outside.

1. Imagine your dream kitchen, regardless of your actual space. You can then identify what elements are important to you and work them into your plan while letting go of the less key aspects.
   
   
2. Keep the areas around architectural details free. For example, don’t butt cabinetry right up to a chimney breast; give it room to breathe. It will have a big impact on the room’s sense of space.
   
   
3. Spring-clean your cupboards to identify what storage you really need. Why build cabinetry to store bulky items that you never use when you could free up and decorate the area to enhance the feel of the kitchen?
   
   
4. Too many heavy cabinets or too much busyness above the worktop can make a room feel oppressive, so mix in open shelving with glass-fronted wallÌý
   cabinets, and embrace plain wall space as a spot to display art.
   
   
5. Consider where you position your sink. Unless you’re super tidy, sinks will be messy areas, so you might not want it in the middle of your social island.
   
   
6. If you don’t have a utility room, consider relocating your washing machine and drier to a downstairs loo or landing cupboard

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