Open or closed kitchen: Which is better?

For years in India and abroad, the kitchen has strictly been a functional space. This is primarily why it has had a closed-off layout. However, in the last decade or so, the identity of this utilitarian area has metamorphosed into an extension of a stylish lifestyle. Perhaps that’s why the kitchen has now become a greater and more active part of the home.

Open kitchens are hugely popular and have become a way to showcase the extremely chic faucets and cosmopolitan designs that the cooking area is accentuated with. But this doesn’t mean that the walled off kitchen is outmoded. Both styles have their own pros and cons and the kind of kitchen to opt for depends entirely on one’s requirements and preferences.

Open Kitchen

An open kitchen connects directly with the dining area or the family room and allows a closer integration with the rest of the home. It has been very much in vogue since the early 2000s as a way to flaunt the aesthetic design language and state-of-the-art faucets and fittings that the kitchen is equipped with nowadays. Besides just exhibition, this style has many other advantages that have helped it attain its fashionable status.

Firstly, it eliminates the feeling of isolation that one experiences when cooking. The homemaker can whip up delicacies for the family while watching TV or joining in the living room conversation. This is especially pleasing during get-togethers and parties when the host can check on the food as well as be part of the lively action in the house.

The open kitchen also has many practical advantages. Firstly, its architectural construction is such that it gives the whole house the semblance of being larger and more spacious. Secondly, in Indian metros, where spaces are often constricted, the open kitchen prevents a feeling of suffocation. The heat, oil and spices can all get too overwhelming in a closed kitchen but in an open one that problem is taken care of. The person cooking can also benefit from the air conditioning and added lighting from the rest of the house, making the task more enjoyable.

Closed Kitchen

While open kitchens may have gained popularity in the last two decades, there is a reason why traditionally the cooking area has been walled off and why many still prefer this age-old style. The closed kitchen keeps the food preparation process and the clean-up hidden from view. This can be beneficial if the cooking in the house often involves meats and pungent spices as the aroma from these ingredients can be a cause of irritation for the rest of the family.

The closed kitchen also limits the sounds of chopping, washing, frying, cooker whistles etc. from entering the living area. Many prefer to keep these noises restricted to the kitchen as they can become unpleasant, especially when one has company at home. The walls of this type of kitchen also help in concealing the view of unclean utensils, messy ingredients, clutter and cooking vessels and similar paraphernalia from guests. With a closed kitchen, a more formal dining experience is possible. Also the closed walls of the kitchen result in greater storage space, countertop area and more room for appliances.The closed kitchen, therefore, enables a more focussed approach towards the cooking procedure.

The closed kitchen is found to be especially ideal in cases where instead of the homemaker or one of the family members, the house help does the cooking. It is also a preferred option for those who like privacy when dedicating themselves to the culinary art.

In conclusion, the kitchen is central to the home and is often the hub of the family. The perfect kitchen style depends on what one’s priorities are. It is also, however, possible to strike a fine balance between the two designs with sound-dampening appliances and extra deep sinks for an open kitchen or a glass wall that establishes some degree of privacy for the closed kitchen while letting much needed light in from the rest of the house.

The open kitchen is a mark of a more casual lifestyle and a culture of embracing the centrality of food to the home while the closed kitchen is a more formal layout. In the end, the type of kitchen design one opts for depends on his/her taste and lifestyle. With a bit of creativity and inspiration, one can create a space that reflects his/her individual preferences while integrating the best elements of the alternate style as well.

Renu Misra, managing director, Grohe India Pvt. Ltd.

The views expressed in this article are the author´s own.