Three ways open-plan kitchens make everyday life work better

The idea of the open-plan kitchen is soon turning 100—so it’s not a new trend. Austrian architect Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky designed the “Frankfurt Kitchen” in 1926, which became a model for open kitchen solutions. On Margarete’s drawing board was also born the “work triangle,” where the placement of the stove, refrigerator, and sink enables efficient work. Open-plan kitchens took off in the United States in the 1950s when families wanted more shared space at home. They made it possible to combine family life with cooking, fitting the ideals of a new era. 

Customizability tailored to residents’ needs

The kitchens in Olas’s geothermal homes are characterized by versatile customization. The high ceilings in our homes allow flexible cabinet combinations. Some prefer an airy look with space left between the upper cabinets and the ceiling; others want the cabinets to reach as high as possible to maximize storage. The cooktop can be placed on an island or a peninsula. Even multiple ovens don’t have to remain a dream when planning an open-plan kitchen. And you don’t need to do everything at once: the customizability of an open-plan kitchen also means it’s easy to update later.   

A good open-plan kitchen minimizes unnecessary steps. Careful planning of the kitchen work triangle ensures smooth movement and time-efficient cooking. An open-plan layout can be designed so that detours are minimal. You also don’t need to carry food and dishes from a faraway kitchen to the dining area—the table is conveniently close.  

Open-plan kitchens offer many advantages, but also challenges—and good home and kitchen design can overcome those challenges. The openness of the space may bother those who want to cook while guests are present but do not wish to showcase every step. In addition, traces of cooking can annoy those who want their home to stay immaculate. If kitchen mess worries you, a large sink can help as a temporary place to set dirty dishes. An 80 cm-wide sink is already spacious enough to hold quite a few items. Moreover, the customizability of open-plan kitchens enables generous storage, making it easier to put things back in place.  

You can also add a visual screen to the island so that cooking isn’t a show for everyone. Our cabinetry partner offers many types of screens: for example, a 40 cm-high back panel can be built from stone or tile. Even a 20 cm-high screen on the island hides more than you might expect.   

If cooking smells are a concern, we offer a variety of range hoods for different chefs: you can choose a downdraft model, a suspended hood, or an integrated option. In addition, the modern ventilation systems in our geothermal homes are so efficient that if you anticipate a fragrant, spice-forward cooking session, you can switch on the boost in advance to prevent smells from spreading.

An open-plan kitchen is togetherness

An open-plan kitchen allows several people to work at once, so it’s no longer one person’s domain. In our homes, the kitchen is a space where all family members can take part in cooking and everyday tasks. Thanks to the open plan, the person cooking can prepare the meal while keeping an eye on the kids, watching TV, or chatting with guests or the rest of the family.   

The opportunities for togetherness are extensive. As the heart of the home, the open-plan kitchen forms, together with the living room, a space where family and friends can gather and chat without crowding into a small room—or isolating the cook in a separate space. When arriving home, a child can sit at the table to do homework while a parent bustles in the kitchen. Because the kitchen is part of a larger area, everyone can catch up on the day’s events together. 

Efficient use of square meters

An open-plan kitchen is a good example of how home spaces are used efficiently today. A closed, walled-in kitchen is not as efficient a use of square meters as an open-plan layout. Practicality and efficiency are central in designing an open-plan kitchen. The space can be customized to needs, which helps optimize usable area. Some people need a larger kitchen for smooth everyday life; others prefer something more compact. The size of the island also affects the use of space, since it can be sized to the residents’ needs—or left out entirely.   

An open-plan kitchen enables togetherness and efficient spatial planning. It’s not only about openness; it also represents togetherness, practicality, and flexibility. More and more people want to combine the kitchen, dining area, and living room, softening the boundaries between rooms and creating a space that adapts to a variety of needs.    

Have questions about the open-plan kitchens or material choices in Olas’s geothermal homes? Contact our customer care lead Hannamari Peltomaa, tel. 044 970 0851
hannamari.peltomaa@olas.fi