Remodeling your kitchen comes with an abundance of decisions, but luckily when it comes to general floor plans, there are only two options — open or closed. Both layouts have their benefits, and ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and for many people, cost. There are too many things to factor in to be able to estimate the difference in cost between floor plans. However, it will be cheaper to remodel around the plan that you already have. Of course, it is in the homeowner’s best interest to weigh all the pros and cons of both options before deciding.
Open Kitchen
Open Kitchen Advantages:
An open floor plan in the kitchen means that there are fewer walls, which allows more space for natural light to come in. This creates a more user-friendly environment when it comes to cooking or even dining in the kitchen area. Natural light reduces the need to have as much overhead lighting.
Not only is the lighting improved, but so is your view. Whether you want to look out the window, interact with family in the other room, or watch the television while you are cooking, an open kitchen plan is sure to impress. This makes it possible to be social instead of isolated while preparing a meal for your guests. The final, and perhaps the most obvious, advantage of an open kitchen is the space. When there are fewer walls, it makes that area seem larger and creates more spacious walkways.
Open Kitchen Disadvantages:
The lack of walls separating the kitchen makes for a noisy kitchen because nothing is blocking you from the other rooms. This can be off-putting for some people who like quiet while they are cooking or baking.
Another downside of your kitchen being visible to everyone is that you’ll have to keep it clean. If there are even a few dishes in the sink or on the countertop, it could be unsettling to dine next to dirty dishes if the dining room is connected. The cost of removing walls to achieve an open kitchen layout is arguably the biggest disadvantage. Removing a non-load-bearing wall can cost between $300 to $1,000 while removing a load-bearing wall can cost $1,200 to $3,000 on average.
Closed Kitchen
Closed Kitchen Advantages:
A closed kitchen consists of more walls, which allows for more cupboard space. Extra storage in your kitchen is a huge plus because you can store dishes and even put them on display if you choose to have glass fronts on them. Aside from storage, walls make the area more private. This is great if you like a quiet kitchen while cooking and no interruptions. Also, if you don’t want to do the dishes right away, your guests don’t have to stare at a dirty kitchen.
A closed kitchen can also be considered more formal and allow the opportunity to have a separate dining room. Having a formal dining room is a great selling point when it comes time to put your house on the market. In older homes the kitchens are generally closed, therefore, if you want this look you do not need a complete remodel. This will save a lot of money, especially since you do not need to tear down any walls.
Closed Kitchen Disadvantages:
The number one downfall of a closed kitchen is of course isolation. Not being able to interact with guests can make it a lonely day of cooking in the kitchen. Not only are you alone in the kitchen, but generally speaking, there are minimally visible windows, thus making it darker and blocking any view of the outdoors. Lastly, once you remodel your kitchen with new beautiful countertops and cabinetry, no one can see it. It’s difficult to show off a kitchen that is closed off from the rest of the house because guests cannot admire it from any other room.
You can’t go wrong whether you choose an open or closed plan for your kitchen remodel. Weigh the pros and cons, take into consideration the theme and current layout of your house, and decide which choice is best for you! If you have any questions or need help choosing a layout, please don’t hesitate to contact us!