Open concept kitchens have been a popular aspect of open floor plans for decades. Open kitchens do not have walls to separate prep, cooking and dining spaces, which can have some key advantages for some homeowners. However, an open concept kitchen might not be right for everyone. Here are some of the major pros and cons to consider:
Maximizes Space - Open concept kitchens are excellent for homes with low square footage. An open layout makes more efficient use of space than traditional kitchens with multiple walls.
More Light - With an open concept kitchen, there aren’t any extra walls obstructing the flow of light. You can take advantage of natural light from nearby windows and use artificial light more efficiently. All of that extra light makes cooking, food prep and other kitchen tasks easier and safer.
Supports Multitasking - When you have an open concept kitchen, you can take part in conversation and activities outside of the kitchen. Even while cooking, you can be part of conversations and do other things like enjoy your favorite media. Open concept kitchens make multitasking much easier than in a traditional, closed-off kitchen.
Noise & Smell Can Travel - Sometimes, kitchen activity is noisy. With an open kitchen, that noise can travel elsewhere and cause disruptions. Cooking breakfast in the morning while people are sleeping, for example, becomes more difficult when you have to be extra careful about not making noise. Smell is also a major factor. Especially fragrant foods can permeate the entire house with no walls to contain them.
Reduced Cabinet Space - Open concept kitchens have less room for cabinets. Built-in cabinets are only under counters and against walls and with fewer walls, there is less storage space to work with. While there are ways to mitigate this, such as with a kitchen island or free-standing shelving, lack of cabinet space is a definite downside of open concept kitchens.
These are just a few of the factors to consider when deciding about an open kitchen. Weigh the options to determine whether this open concept layout is right for you.
“I sell your home like it's mine”
A licensed real estate salesperson since 2016, Rob is affiliated with the Briarcliff Manor office of Corcoran Legends Realty. He serves buyers, sellers, renters, in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam counties. Rob, a native of New York and Westchester County for most of his life, brings an extensive local knowledge of both residential and commercial properties to the table. His experience includes a wide range of property types – single-family, multi-family, condos and mixed use. “Hard to sell” properties is where Rob really excels. “There’s no problem that cannot be solved.”
Rob is certified for many different disciplines in real estate. Cartus Relocation Network Agent, AARP Agent, National Tenants Network (NTN) Agent, Green certified and Pricing Strategies Master. In addition, Rob has completed the Leader’s Edge Advanced training to better serve his clients. Rob has been both associate of the month and top closed dollar agent.
When you work with Rob, you get the feeling you’re his only client. Numbers don’t count, you do. Clients always come first. Each transaction is handled as if it were his own home. Rob strives to make the process as seamless as possible and takes care of all the details, no matter how small. His clients rave about his above-and-beyond service and prompt informative communication. Rob is easy going, friendly, and patient. However he can be a determined and aggressive negotiator when the need arises.
When not out actively working on behalf of his clients, Rob spends time with his wife and two teenage daughters. A devoted supporter of community he sits on several local boards and volunteers for numerous locale nonprofit organizations. He enjoys cycling, hiking, kayaking and winter skiing.
“May your price be right, and your sale be swift!”