4 Perks and Drawbacks of an Open Kitchen

Open kitchens are more and more popular these days— and for a very good reason. They make your house feel bigger and more open, which can make for a more comfortable space when hosting. However, an open kitchen might not be for everyone. As with all things, there are some perks and some drawbacks. 

Understanding these perks and drawbacks can help you determine whether an open kitchen concept is the best choice for you or not. To help you make your choice, here are the perks and drawbacks of having an open kitchen.

Perk: Better For Hosting

Have you ever felt that when you’re hosting a dinner party and you have to prepare the food while your guests are in the other room you feel left out? This is one of the drawbacks of the separate kitchen. 

Many hosts find themselves feeling left out from all the action. This is why an open kitchen is a great option, so you can stay a part of the action also while cooking. Whether it’s while you’re hosting friends, or cooking dinner for your family, an open kitchen allows you to stay included instead of feeling “banished to the kitchen” while everyone else enjoys spending time together.

Perk: More Space

Anytime you put a wall between two rooms, you’re taking up more space. Not only does it feel like a smaller living space, but it also reduces the amount of light that is reflected throughout your home. 

An open kitchen gives you the impression of more space, and also (literally) gives you more space. Without walls blocking your kitchen off, natural light can flow freely, and make your whole home feel like a better and more spacious place. Even a small kitchen can feel much bigger when it’s connected to the rest of the house instead of detached.

No Hiding the Mess

Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks of having an open-concept kitchen is that you can’t hide the mess. Whether it’s a sink full of dishes, or ingredients on the counters, there’s no hiding your mess when it’s connected to the rest of the house. If you don’t stay on top of your cleaning, everyone who goes into your house will see the mess in your kitchen.

Smells

When you have a closed-off kitchen, one of the advantages is that the smells can stay closed off from the rest of your home. You no longer have to worry about the fried fish you made at lunch attacking the nostrils of your guests sitting on your couch. Otherwise, if you have an open kitchen, you must ensure that you have good ventilation. Yet, even with good ventilation, chances are you’ll still smell traces of what you cook in the kitchen throughout the rest of the house.