How to Keep Kitchen Views Looking Picture Perfect in an Open Floor Plan

By Becky Harris, Houzz

One of the tricky things about an open floor plan is the view from room to room. When you’re throwing a nice dinner party or hanging out in your living room, you don’t want to feel as if you’re in the middle of the kitchen. So you need to think about the kind of view you want when looking into your kitchen, and make your kitchen’s “backside” work hard for the room it faces.

Traditional Kitchen by Optimise Design — *Optimise Design, original photo on Houzz*

Have it serve the dining room. This kitchen has clever built-ins on the back of the peninsula that serve the dining room. A tall built-in displays that wedding crystal and other glassware, and drawers provide room for linens. Easy-to-grab cookbooks bring color into the room, while a rack stores wine right beneath. The peninsula can serve as a bar, buffet or sideboard during parties. Also worth noting is the lamp, which adds cozy ambiance on the counter.

Create a home bar. A beverage refrigerator makes it easy to grab drinks without getting in the chef’s way. It also helps turn this area into a bar during parties. 45k+ Inspirational Home Bars

Contemporary Kitchen by Klopper and Davis Architects — *Klopper and Davis Architects, original photo on Houzz*

Free up outdoor views. With the kitchen cabinets and appliances tucked to the sides, the only thing between the other rooms and the view out the wall of glass is this streamlined island. The pronounced wood grain and the interesting wooden silhouettes on the pendant lights complement the view.

Here’s another thing to think about: When you have a dinner party, you won’t want to look at a stack of dirty dishes as the night moves along. A deep sink tucked out of sight is a good way to keep the views clear.

Keep it neat. When an island is all that stands between another room and a full view of the kitchen, plan the side that faces away from the kitchen accordingly. Shelves on the backside of this island provide space for books and items corralled in boxes for a less kitcheny look.

Let stools serve two rooms. Using backless counter stools means that it’s easier to sit on them to face the living room. Here they are flanked by cabinets that can also serve the adjacent space. The Counter Stools You’ve Been Looking For

Make room for technology. Interior designer Sandy Brock devised this idea for studio apartments but has been testing it in her own home. Her kitchen faces the living room and dining banquette, and she wanted the backside of her island to serve as her work station.

Keep Your Kitchen’s ‘Backside’ in Good Shape — *Becky Harris, original photo on Houzz*

The drawers on the left side have a sophisticated look that resembles a chest, and Brock customized them to contain a charging station complete with USB ports. They also house a bluetooth keyboard, a printer and other work necessities. A hidden screen pops up from the island to serve as a computer monitor and TV when needed, then tucks down below when it’s time to cook.

Farmhouse Kitchen Farmhouse Kitchen — *Farmhouse Kitchen, original photo on Houzz*

Unify the look. The uniform panel profiles and neatly spaced matching stools create nice lines along this kitchen’s backside. Also note the way the chandelier and the china display distract from the more utilitarian aspects of the kitchen — it’s a lovely view.

Contemporary Kitchen by Tess Bethune Interiors — *Tess Bethune Interiors, original photo on Houzz*

Use a partial wall to anchor furniture. In this compact cottage, a family of four makes every inch count. This kitchen peninsula left enough room behind it to fit a sofa comfortably.

Contemporary Kitchen by Dyer Grimes Architecture — *Dyer Grimes Architecture, original photo on Houzz*

Make the kitchen fade into the background. The glossy minimalist cabinetry and island surround make this kitchen practically disappear into the background when you’re sitting in the living and dining areas. A lack of pendant lights over the island helps with this effect. Is Open-Plan Living Here to Stay?

How to Keep Kitchen Views Looking Picture Perfect in an Open Floor Plan

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