5 Open-Plan Kitchen Tips for Dubai Homes

Claudia
Jul 16, 2021
3 min read

Multi-purpose rooms have been taking over the interior design world in recent years, and Dubai is no exception.

Blending a kitchen with a dining and living room is a good choice, creating a large multi-functional room, providing an open space for each family member.

If you live in a villa or an apartment, your architects and interior designers must be highly mindful of designing and maximising the space.

This article focuses on the kitchen design and the main factors you have to bear in mind when you go for an open-plan living space in Dubai.

1. Decide on the layout and design

First step: think through all the zones you want in your open plan, and decide where to place the kitchen. The layout will highly affect your daily life, so ask yourself:

How to set the furniture to have still enough place to walk around?
Will the kids have enough space to play?
How do you usually use your kitchen?
How much space do you need for cooking? Where to put the sink?
Where to put the stove?
Will you reach every drawer conveniently?

When it comes to design, aim for a flow; match the kitchen design to the overall look of the open space. For example, pick a flooring that will suit both the living room furniture but the kitchen cabinets.

Nu Projects Dubai's top tip: Divide the different spaces with sliding doors or room dividers.

2. Be Careful with Colours

Trends come and go; keep that in mind. If you want to go for an open feel, use lighter, toned down colours. This will help light bounce across the room, creating a bright ambience.

If you want to create a more fun kitchen, go two-toned. You can pick two matching but contrasting colours, using a lighter tone for the cabinets and a more popping, darker one for the kitchen island.

You may not be a fan of simple and light colours. No need to worry; there are several timeless shades you can use for your kitchen. For example, navy blue or forest green complemented with grey tones would create an elegant design, but any deeper hue combined with a gold finish would do the magic!

3. Decide between traditional or modern

The great thing about interior design is that you don't have to commit to any style; everyone has their preferences and taste.

For fans of modern, we recommend clean lines, muted surfaces with a sheen-free finish. Choose more contemporary materials, e.g. concrete flooring.

If you want to aim for a more traditional, timeless kitchen, pick classic, framed doors, combine white cabinets with a bronze finish. If you want a cosy and welcoming kitchen, chose shaker-style cabinets.

4. Go Monochrome

If you are not a fan of bright colours but want to avoid a dull look, choose a monochrome colour palette. This may sound even duller, but hear us out! You can pick an all grey palette, experimenting with styles, materials and surfaces. Or go all white; create a fresh look with all-white cabinets, make the room look tidy and organised.

Now here comes the twist! You can create monochrome looks with colours by picking one hue and expanding your palette with its shades, tones, and tints.

5. Think About Appliances

People often forget that design doesn't stop at picking the right furniture and shades. You can make your cooking experience extraordinary by selecting the right appliances. Forget the usual, place the hob on the kitchen island!

This way, you can be the chef but also interact with others in the same place. If you are big on product design, choose a sleek induction stove with a glossed surface. If you rather prefer traditional, you can find beautiful gas hobs with 5 burners.

One main disadvantage of an open-plan design is that all living areas use the same air. So when it comes to cooking, you have to think about extracting all the smells. Consider a ceiling fan for a clean and fresh smelling place!

If you have limited space in your house, you may not have a separate room for utility and laundry. If you optimise the layout of your cupboards, you can spare space for a washing machine and dryer. We recommend picking a device that works quitter (noise level of 40db or lower), so it won't interrupt your daily life.

We can't emphasise the importance of sustainability and recycling. When designing the kitchen, think about waste storage! You can choose integrated bins which help to separate your waste for a more organised and sustainable home.