Products
below The warm bone-white base of Caesarstone’s Solenna mineral worktop lends itself to the trend for warmer tones in open-plan living
below right Neolith offers lighter surfaces such as WhiteSands, helping to create an open, airy kitchen space
Broken plan // Matt Phillips, head of UK operations, Rotpunkt
“Broken plan comes into its own to designate specific areas for work and play, and helps make converted industrial and commercial buildings feel more homely, with the clever use of partition walls and
canopy
downstairs space, as well as creating a natural flow of fresh air through the home. Removing walls immediately makes small spaces appear bigger.” An unmistakable feature associated with open plan living is the kitchen island. Its place in the kitchen has evolved, now equipped with cooking or cooling appliances, extra sinks and taps, storage, and a variety of seating arrangements for different activities. Retail manager at Cosentino UK Katie Parry-Stone, commenting on the multifunctional use of the island, says: “Open plan is ideal for those looking to create a casual kitchen that can multitask effectively – perfect for those with children who can prepare dinner whilst helping with homework.” Abode’s design manager, Paul Illingworth, thinks the trend has become
about comfort, with any design element that can help with everyday tasks and increase comfort gaining the upper hand within open-plan living schemes: “A great example of this is the popularity of 4-in-1 hot water taps facilitating hot, cold, boiling, and filtered water from one source.”
Broken plan zoning As defined by Richard Moore, creative
director at handmade kitchen specialist Martin Moore, the idea with a broken plan style is “to be able to define distinct
visually isolating
areas without them
from one another.” Moore believes you can do this with physical features such as different floor levels, half walls, or use furniture
storage solutions enhancing
architectural features. In my opinion, both schemes definitely benefit from a connection with the great outdoors, so the kitchen feels connected with the natural world for enhanced wellbeing and this is definitely being reflected in the latest trend for using quality raw materials in the home.”
such as “tall open shelving units or soft seating, both of which are also good at reducing noise transmission through a large open space.” Laminam UK’s MD, Gavin Shaw, adds: “The main advantage of a broken plan kitchen is it’s possible to include plenty of storage
to keep clutter out of sight and create cosy corners for relaxing, socialising or home working.” And for Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous Tom
Howley, glass or Crittall-style doors are an excellent addition to broken plan spaces, as “they allow for flexible separation of areas whilst maintaining the flow of natural light and visual connections.”
Future space planning Looking forward beyond the next few years, Fabiana Scavolini, CEO of
A great example of a broken plan kitchen design, by Martin Moore
Italian kitchen manufacturer Scavolini, thinks kitchens will increase their performance in terms of advanced technology, sustainable materials, and customised features tailored to individual needs: “The focus will be creating spaces that can easily adapt to different activities according to the needs of new generations, promote well-being, and encourage social engagement.” The future of space planning is perfectly summarised by Walter at Elliotts Living Spaces: “The choice between open-plan and broken-plan kitchens will continue to be shaped by individual needs, lifestyle changes, and technological advancements. Retailers, designers, and manufacturers must stay attuned to these trends, offering innovative solutions that cater to the diverse preferences of modern homeowners.”
kbbr 44 kbbreview September 2024
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