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Open Versus Closed Kitchens

For centuries, the kitchen was regarded as strictly a workspace. Tucked away, it was never seen as a statement piece in a home. But today people tend to favor a very different approach, making the open concept the more popular choice and turning the kitchen into the heart of the home. However, some homeowners still embrace elements of the past and prefer a closed off layout. At the end of the day, it’s all about choosing what’s right for you. Having a conversation with a designer will help if you’re having trouble deciding. Start with a list of needs and wants, and go from there. In the meantime, here are some initial thoughts to guide you in the right direction:

Open Kitchens

The main reason homeowners prefer an open concept kitchen is because it allows them to spend more time with family and friends while cooking and cleaning.  When the walls come down, the kitchen becomes the main hub of the home- the room that everything else revolves around. This style is particularly popular for families, as it allows for optimal multitasking- parents can make dinner, keep an eye on the kids and help with homework, all at the same time. Another major benefit of an open kitchen is to show off the investment that often goes into it! From counter tops to gorgeous back splashes to stunning appliances, there are many design elements worthy of showing off with an open kitchen in your home.

Photo: Architectural Digest

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Chameleon Design

Closed Kitchens

While most clients do prefer an open-concept kitchen today, some do still like a closed-off space; it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you want to leave your smells and mess behind when serving meals, a closed layout could be for you. Some people don’t want to worry about keeping their kitchen clean and organized all the time and would prefer to have their kitchen closed so that it’s not a major focal point in the home.  In those homes, the kitchen can still be a beautiful room, just not a room that’s on center stage. And for homeowners who’d rather invest in other parts of their kitchen, reworking the layout may not be worth it.  When it comes to allocating your kitchen budget, which is more important- an efficient, functional kitchen with better appliances, or an open layout? Don’t forget that you CAN get creative with a closed kitchen, too.  If space allows, a small booth, fold-down table or rolling bar can make a closed kitchen more of a social space.

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

Simple Design Tricks to Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger

Your bedroom is the one room in the house that should feel like no other.  It’s the place you go to relax and unwind from a long day and, most importantly, to get a good night’s sleep. If you’re challenged with a small space it can sometimes feel cave-like and uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to. Your bedroom can go from cramped to cozy with a few simple ideas and tips. You’ll find that not only will your bedroom look larger, it will also be more functional. Here are a few tricks to help make the most of the space you have:

Let in natural light: While you should avoid blocking natural light in a small room, sometimes the only place that makes sense for a bed is right in front of the window. If that’s the case, try a low or see-through headboard to make the most of your sunlight.

Use a daybed: A daybed can help create the illusion that the room is more of a small sitting area, instead of a small bedroom that’s been taken over by a bed. Daybeds often have storage built in underneath too — another bonus for a small room.

Paint the ceiling: Painting the ceiling the same hue as the walls can help to erase the shadow lines that visually define a space. A white ceiling against a darker wall immediately shrinks a space — your eye can sense the room’s size right away. When the walls and ceiling are the same color, it’s harder for your eye to tell where the room’s parameters start and end, so the room looks larger.

Install pendants: Don’t take up precious bedside table space with bulky lamps and oversize shades; install pendant lighting instead. Hanging pendant lights from the ceiling creates a focal point while providing task lighting on each side of the bed. Pendants lights are also very on trend and you’ll have no problem finding a wide selection of stylish options.

Find Creative Uses for Storage: To help keep your bedroom clutter free, use decorative baskets in a bookshelf or wall unit to keep small items that don’t need to be seen tucked away. Storage bins under the bed are easily accessible, inexpensive and can store just about anything. And don’t forget to use your imagination when it comes to storage.  A small bedroom benefits greatly from multifunction pieces.  If you have room for a furniture bench at the foot of your bed, opt for one with a flip open seat with storage space inside.