Here's How to Make the Best Cabbage Soup Recipes for a Healthier Winter
Photo Courtesy: Arx0nt/Moment/Getty Images
Often, the simplest things are the most satisfying, especially when it comes to making a delicious lunch or dinner. And almost nothing is simpler than cabbage soup. Unfortunately, far too many of us still turn our noses up at the concoction, assuming it's bitter and not as enjoyable as other winter soups and stews. But the soup is way more than just boiled cabbage and hot water. We promise that it's both healthy and delicious. In fact, we bet that cabbage soup is about to become your new favorite winter staple.
What Is the Cabbage Soup Diet and Are There Health Benefits?
Like many other cruciferous vegetables (think broccoli, kale, and cauliflower), cabbage is chock-full of vitamins and minerals. In fact, a single cup of cooked cabbage contains more than half the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. Not to mention, a cup of cabbage is just 35 calories, which, when combined with its low carb and sugar content, makes the nutritional veggie the ideal diet staple.
Photo Courtesy: istetiana/Moment/Getty Images
Enter the somewhat infamous cabbage soup diet. Taking place over the course of a week, this diet restricts diners to meals of cabbage soup, fruit, vegetables, brown rice and chicken. It's an excellent option for those who'd like to shed a few pounds quickly, though it may be necessary to supplement the diet with an easily digestible multivitamin. While cooked cabbage soup does provide some life-sustaining vitamins, minerals and macronutrients — you know, protein and carbohydrates — it's not the most wholesome option, hence the need for supplements.
Some of the best vegetables to add to your cabbage and water concoction include kale, collard greens, onions, carrots, and tomatoes. In terms of herbs and spices, a little basil, rosemary, sea salt, black pepper, garlic, and turmeric go a long way. And, luckily, we've rounded up two all-star options, both of which double as cabbage soup diet-friendly recipes and some of the plain best cabbage-centric recipes around.
Classic Cabbage Soup
If you're someone who enjoys maximizing their time, you'll be happy to know that this classic cabbage soup recipe requires very little effort. All the prep and cooking take about 30 to 40 minutes total, leaving you with a lot of time to multitask while things are simmering. And the fanciest kitchenware you'll need is a traditional stainless steel stockpot.
Photo Courtesy: lenazap/E+/Getty Images
Additionally, this recipe calls for pretty basic ingredients, which means less time spent at the grocery store. So, what will you need? It would be best if you had plenty of green cabbage on hand, but you'll also need a host of other vegetables. Some of the best veggie add-ins include button mushrooms, onions, carrots and green peppers. You'll also want to raid your spice cabinet for garlic, salt and black pepper. Finally, this dish calls for chicken stock — though you can use a vegetable alternative if needed.
Once you've gathered everything, heat a little olive oil in a pan and cook your mushrooms a bit; they'll need a little extra time in the pan than the other ingredients due to their dense nature. Next, add onions and let them come to a golden-brown, caramelized color. Then, it's time for carrots and celery. At this point, you can toss in some green peppers, garlic and additional seasonings as well. After all of that's good to go, it's time for the star attraction: cabbage.
Need some more step-by-step instruction? Be sure to check out Food Network for the full, detailed recipe.
Instant Pot Cabbage Soup
First, you'll need an Instant Pot, like the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus Pressure Cooker, which can be used for nearly a dozen different culinary applications, from pressure cooking a delicious cabbage soup to making rice and yogurt. You can even use this handy device to bake foods or saute and steam various veggies. That's a lot of power and usage from one tiny device.
Photo Courtesy: Dinner Then Dessert
Once you're all set up, we recommend following this delicious recipe from Dinner Then Dessert. Not only does this Instant Pot-friendly recipe reduce the total preparation time, it also makes the cooking process a (relatively hands-free) cinch. All you really need to do to enjoy this dish is gather your ingredients, chop them up, throw them into your Instant Pot, shut the lid, set the timer and wait. Honestly, that neat six-step process is difficult to beat.
The ingredients you'll need for this recipe are nearly identical to those you'd need for the classic option above. However, one notable difference is the addition of thyme, an aromatic evergreen herb with a slightly minty taste. Kind of ironic when you're saving so much time with this recipe…
Placing a rug under the table can provide a visual anchor in a dining room. Particularly in an open floor plan, a rug helps define the dining space and separate it from the rest of the room. Here, bloggers at A Beautiful Mess chose to incorporate not one but two Persian-style rugs.
abeautifulmess.com
Country Comfort
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A rustic table can work well in a casual dining room or an eat-in kitchen. To amp up the cozy quotient, plop a pillow or custom-made cushion on each chair, and drape a faux fur throw over the bench.
fourgenerationsoneroof.com
Dramatic Artwork
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Bold is the watchword in Home Made By Carmona's dining room. Dark blue walls lend elegance to the dining space, while a gallery display of generously sized framed artwork adds interest to the walls.
homemadebycarmona.com
The Perfect Paper
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Today's wallpaper comes in a variety of modern, elegant, and playful designs. In this dining room by In Honor of Design, a gold-and-cream-colored wallpaper from Hygge & West both sets the stage and steals the show.
Related: 7 Reasons to Reconsider Wallpaper
inhonorofdesign.com
An Assortment of Chairs
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There's a time and a place for being matchy-matchy, but the dining room doesn't have to be one of them. Here, traditional dining room chairs and woven side chairs coexist beautifully.
jenwoodhouse.com
Focus on the Table
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If it has the right bones, a lackluster garage sale find can be transformed into a stellar dining table. Follow the lead of the blogger at Cherished Bliss by painting and distressing a worse-for-wear table to create a focal point for your dining room. Chalk paint, a belt sander, and a free afternoon are pretty much all you need to do the job.
Related: 10 Vintage Decorating Ideas We Were Wrong to Abandon
passionshake.com
A Softer Bench
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If you like the look of bench seating but not the feel of a hard slab of wood, this dining room decorating idea from StoneGable Blog may be just what you need. For comfort and a softer appearance, a wooden bench is dressed in a skirted cushion, and the rest of the seating options are equally plush.
stonegableblog.com
Mixing Patterns
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Why be boring when you can make a statement? That's the principle behind this dining room at The Gathered Home. The rug, curtains, and dining chair cushions each bring a different pattern into the mix, while the dark walls and black chairs bestow a sense of unity.
thegatheredhome.com
Spoiled for Color
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The explosion of color in this blue dining room feels cheerful but not childish. Warmth and sophistication emanate from the wood chairs and the dining table base that echo the fireplace surround.
Related: Set the Tone: 8 Colors for an Inviting Dining Room
thouswell.com
A Sense of Order
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Everything has its place in this well-planned dining room. With a bar cart and a coffee station standing sentry along the wall, both aperitifs and after-dinner coffee are within easy reach.
littlehouseoffour.com
White and Wood
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The combination of white and raw wood evokes the simple beauty of farmhouse living. Here, the blogger at The Lily Pad Cottage plays up the theme with a collection of herbs in woven baskets.
thelilypadcottage.com
Brightness Underfoot
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The dignified silhouette of Danish midcentury-style furniture stands out against the playful pattern of a colorful rug, creating a grown-up dining room that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Related: 10 Area Rugs You Can Actually Afford
thesweetbeastblog.com
Color on Color
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There's no reason to shy away from color in the dining room. Choose colors that play off each other—warm blue and pink work well together—to avoid visual chaos.
pmqfortwo.com
Sleek and Space-Saving
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An Art Deco archway in this Brooklyn home, renovated through Sweeten, opens onto an urbane dining area. The slender legs on the dining table and chairs take up minimal visual space, preventing the room from appearing cluttered.
Related: 10 Decorating Mistakes That Make Your House Look Smaller
blog.sweeten.com
Close the Door
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A pocket door blocks out kitchen noise and clutter without taking up the floor space that a traditional door would require.
blog.sweeten.com
Modern Lines
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When it came time to update their home, a comfortable and inviting dining room was a priority for these homeowners who entertain frequently. Their calm, dignified dining area would look entirely at home in a high-end furniture gallery.
blog.sweeten.com
Space Smart
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Many dining room tables seat at least six people, but if your family is small or if you don't host big sit-down dinners, there's no reason to spring for lots of seating. Particularly if the dimensions of your dining area are restricted, consider a small table with an extra leaf that will give you space when you really need it.
Related: 14 Ways to Pull Off a Double-Duty Dining Room
blog.sweeten.com
Playful in Pink
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No, pink isn't everyone's first pick for the dining room, but Exuberant Pink by Sherwin-Williams strikes a surprisingly sophisticated pose in this dining room.
sherwin-williams.com
Claim a Space
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If you don't have a dedicated dining room, you can put one wherever you want. When centered on top of a textured rug, this dining set becomes a room unto itself in a wide-open entryway.
colorhousepaint.com
Kitschy and Cute
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With Grandma's dishes in the china cabinet and faux fur on the midcentury-style chairs, different decades collide harmoniously in this white dining room. The disparate elements are unified by the monochromatic color scheme.
Related: 8 Things You Never See on the Dining Table Anymore
songbirdblog.com
Flexible Seating
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A bench may be one of the most space-smart seating options around, and it's especially well suited to a long farmhouse table. With a bench, you can squeeze in more diners than you could with individual dining room chairs, and it adds a rustic charm.
thediyplaybook.com
Better with Banquettes
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The benefits of a banquette can't be overstated. They're not only cushy and comfortable, but many can also be customized to provide storage for linens, cutlery, and so much more right below the seat. Genius!
Related: Is a Kitchen Banquette Right for You?
theinspiredroom.net
Breezy Style
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Beachy vibes abound in this seagrass-hued dining room. The addition of natural textures like wood and wicker amp up the beach house aesthetic.
theturquoisehome.com
The Timeless Appeal of Wainscoting
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Clad in board-and-batten, this two-tone dining room is as simple as it is stunning, a lovely mix of modern and traditional.
worthingcourtblog.com
Spotlight on the Centerpiece
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A large floral arrangement is nice for special occasions, but for everyday a few branches in a vase make an excellent centerpiece. If greenery is too tall to see over, remove it from the dining room table before you sit down to eat.
erinspain.com
Consider Pastels
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Though they're not often seen in the dining room, pastels can bring a refreshing and tranquil vibe to a room that's often considered stilted and stuffy.
younghouselove.com
Drink Up
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A well-stocked bar behind the dining room table means cocktail hour can blend seamlessly into dinnertime.
abeautifulmess.com
On the Map
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If you love eating your way through cuisines from around the world, a map on a dining room wall can encourage you to learn where your ingredients hail from and marvel at the diversity on your plate.
lemonthistle.com
A Shiplap Canvas
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Shiplap and hardwood floors provide an earthy palette for a white dining table, chairs, and trim in this modern and eclectic dining room at A Beautiful Mess.
Related: 17 Times Shiplap Made the Room
abeautifulmess.com
Stripes Aplenty
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From the board-and-batten walls to the spindle-back chairs, wooden floorboards, and bold, stripey rug, lines abound in this dining room. The motif welds together the many elements of the space and energizes the design.
Related: 10 Doable Designs for a DIY Rug
itallstartedwithpaint.com
A Green Thumb
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Plants, plants, and more plants enliven this sunny dining room. Broad, dramatic leaves catch the eye, and an array of succulents on the wall serve as artwork.
abeautifulmess.com
Light the Way
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A deconstructed chandelier helps define the dining area in this open floor plan space. Consisting of a cluster of pendant lights hung at different lengths, the "fixture" is a work of art unto itself.
Related: 16 Brilliant Lighting Ideas You Can DIY on a Dime
liagriffith.com
In the Round
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A sunny nook has just enough space for a round table set atop a round rug, giving a family of four a bright, attractive spot for comfortable dinners at home.
Related: 15 Photos That Prove You Need a Breakfast Nook
littleredbrickhouse.com
Rugged Yet Refined
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While the antler chandelier and large dining table bring to mind a hunting lodge, the geometric artwork and upholstered dining chairs hint at softness and sophistication. A warm, rich wall color—Sierra Redwood from Sherwin-Williams—pulls it all together.
Related: The New Neutrals: 9 Colors You Can Trust for Today's Home
sherwin-williams.com
The Personal Touch
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Put a selection of your favorite treasures on display in the dining room. Here, the blogger at Lolly Jane installed farmhouse-style shelves and gathered together evocative items, focusing on clean whites and pops of light aqua that echo the shade of the colorful pendant.
lollyjane.com
A Multipurpose Space
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This blogger transformed a seldom-used formal dining room into a multipurpose space, part library, part dining room. Built-in shelves accommodate books and give the room a cozy vibe, while a small round dining table fits in comfortably, allowing the space to continue to serve its original function when needed.
Related: Why 7 Families Ditched the Dining Room
thriftydecorchick.com
Red, White, and Blue
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Country style and love of country meet in this farmhouse-inspired dining room. A frame made from 1x4 scrap wood sits on top of an American flag (an antique market find) for patriotic flair.
thelilypadcottage.com
A Dark Accent
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It's incredible what a coat of dark paint and a fiddle-leaf fig can do for a room. If you're reluctant to cover all four walls with a bold navy or black paint, choose just one wall and make it the focal point. A sideboard, artwork, and other decorative elements can provide even more emphasis.
northstory.ca
Comfort and Color
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Add a splash of color and a welcome element of comfort to your dining chairs by providing each one with a lumbar pillow. This little bit of support will encourage guests to linger after dinner and make conversation more enjoyable.
amykrist.org
Dining Room Decor
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Turn your dining room into a comfortable spot to gather.
bobvila.com
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Open plan kitchens have been a firm favourite among self builders and home improvers for well over a decade now, while ideas and designs are ever-changing.
The perfect blend between a practical kitchen area and a social entertaining space, open plan kitchens are often the hub of the home, offering somewhere for the family to congregate and keep better connected. What's more, they're the perfect space for celebrating Christmas with guests.
The best open plan kitchen ideas provide versatility to design a space that works for you.
The ever-adapting nature of open plan kitchens interestingly reflects how our lifestyle and the way we use our homes is evolving. And that's not just new homes that are including open plan layouts, period-style homes with smaller rooms are being renovated, extended and remodelled to embrace the informal way of living.
Is an Open Plan Kitchen a Good Idea?
One of the big questions we asked of our homes in the last year is how functional open plan living really is, especially when whole families found themselves sharing their homes for work, school, socialising and more, for the majority of the day. And this has really influenced how we approach both kitchen design and designing our homes in general.
"For all of their benefits, open plan living doesn't always work," warns renovation expert and Associate Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating, Natasha Brinsmead. "There are several reasons for this. Sometimes the absence of walls can make for very noisy households. We all also need our own space from time to time, and it's not ideal to have to shut ourselves away to get it."
However, rather than spelling the end of open plan living, the latest kitchen trends for 2022 take into account ways to create pockets of privacy for when you need them.
From layout ideas and how to zone an open plan kitchen, to material choices, storage and appliances, these 30 real spaces offer plenty of inspiration for your own kitchen design.
(Image credit: Brayer Design)
Layouts for Open Plan Kitchens
1. Tailor an Open Plan Layout to Your Requirements
(Image credit: Lochanna Kitchens)
In times gone by, smaller rooms each had a distinct function, but with open plan living catering to activities like socialising, cooking, working from home and watching TV, the usual lines are a little bit more blurred.
The beauty of open plan kitchen layout ideas is that they can be tailored to every lifestyle requirement, so it's best to start off a plan simply with what you will be using the room for, as well as any interesting architectural features, and creating 'zones' from there.
Be it combining the best kitchen sink with a window vista to daydream while washing up (as above), an alcove reading nook in a seating area or a cosier spot for intimate dining with guests, take the room's shape into consideration when planning the overall layout.
2. What to Include Open plan Kitchen Include?
This kitchen extension, designed by Ke-Design features a dining and playroom space. (Image credit: Mo Photo C/O KE Design)
Open plan kitchens need to include materials that can withstand high amounts of traffic and various uses, so be sure to consider all kinds of kitchen flooring ideas and worktop options.
Richard Moore, design director at Martin Moore, advises: "For cooks who entertain on a regular basis or families who enjoy cooking together, a large amount of prepping space is important and a couple of sinks in different locations is also very useful."
While open plan kitchens tend to be made up of kitchen, dining and living areas, these aren't the only things that could be included in the space. A play room for children is perfect as you can keep an eye on them while using the open plan space, while a snug, bar area or utility room could also be incorporated into your open plan design.
3. Introduce a Home Office in an Open Plan Kitchen
(Image credit: Herringbone Kitchens)
With the rise of working from home, there's a lot to be said about considering a home office design alongside your kitchen. In the daytime, you might find it's quiet enough to act as a work space, while offering you potentially the brightest and most inspiring room of the house, compared to a small study.
But what should you consider? For regular work from home from the kitchen, a dedicated space is preferable to working at the island. Think about where a desk may be incorporated into a kitchen — try to have it slightly set apart to ensure it can be kept out of sight and mind on the weekends. Why not consider a desk behind pocket doors that can be shut away when not in use?
Most importantly, consider what in the kitchen could disrupt your work plans. Choosing Quietmark-approved appliances is a good idea for a multi-functional space at the best of times, but especially when you've got an important Zoom meeting but washing in the machine.
A separate utility room with noisy appliances, with a door that shuts, is another way to ensure both your peace and peace of mind.
4. Open Up a Floorplan Safely
(Image credit: Lochanna Kitchens)
"While the idea of knocking down interior walls seems simple enough, in reality, there is much to consider before opening up your kitchen and dining room, not least whether the wall is load boarding and how removing it will affect your home's structural integrity," explains chartered surveyor Ian Rock.
If your home has more than two storeys (as is common where a loft has been converted), then you need to be sure that your open plan space will meet the Building Regulations with regards to fire and escape. This is usually an issue if the open plan area is your main means of escape. In these cases, you may need fire doors between the kitchen and first floor, as well as a fire protected escape route from the first floor.
If the first floor can be exited without having to go through the kitchen and open plan area, then this should not present a problem. In any case, it is sensible to look into fire suppression systems – such as sprinklers and smoke curtains – to limit the spread of fire and smoke throughout the home.
5. Don't Dismiss Open Galley Kitchen Layouts
(Image credit: deVOL)
Slim or small kitchens are often considered awkward in terms of layouts, but if you space is long and narrow, by incorporating well-considered galley kitchen ideas an open plan kitchen can really shine.
When designing her own kitchen remodel, Helen Parker (creative director at deVOL) used a galley kitchen layout to her advantage: "Zoning the distinct areas was based on the architecture and period of the house — this room has such beautiful arched windows that lend themselves to a dining area, so my kitchen table absolutely had to go there. I also knew I wanted a big Lacanche cooker and a large marble sink, so it almost designed itself in terms of layout.
"The two ends of the room – for cooking and for seating – are instrumental in breaking up the potential long run of cupboards which can be a problem in a galley kitchen. To help keep a feeling of width and avoid a long narrow 'galley' feel I avoided wall cupboards and have our glass-fronted Curiosity Cupboard which allows for practical storage and pretty display of colourful kitchenware."
6. Include Built-in Seating in Small Open-Plan Kitchens
(Image credit: Harvey Jones)
In an open plan kitchen, the design hangs on the interaction between the kitchen, especially the island, and dining or living room. Where space is tight, there are some brilliant design ideas out there for kitchen islands with banquette seating attached.
"A freestanding table and chairs can really encroach on space," advises Natasha Brinsmead. "Built-in bench seating arranged around a table makes perfect sense in many cases, coming off the wall or the units themselves."
This is a super effective way to use the space, as banquette seating means you don't need to create space around the dining table for guests to get to their chairs and pull them out, meaning your dining table can be closer to the island. It's also an effective and stylish way of uniting the two spaces and ensuring your open plan kitchen doesn't feel disparate.
7. Go for a Small U-shaped Design
(Image credit: Blakes London)
Small open plan kitchens can work really well, where the lack of walls makes it possible for light to flow well and frees up floorspace for other uses.
In this space, units have been painted in a dark, bold colour to contrast with the light and airy interior design of the rest of the room. Cleverly, the peninsula of the U-shaped design creates a social space, while creating a clear divide between cooking and living areas.
U shaped kitchen ideas and layouts are great for smaller spaces as they offer plenty of workspace while essential appliances (like fridge, sink and hob) are never too far out of reach.
8. Try a Single Wall Kitchen
(Image credit: Simon Maxwell)
"Far more than a way of dealing with a small room, the one wall kitchen is popular in homes of all sizes," says Natasha Brinsmead. "It is a particularly effective kitchen idea for those with contemporary open-plan spaces, resulting in a sleek, unfussy finish."
Try to combine several full-height units (or even oversized cupboards like the kitchen above if you have the ceiling height) with deep pan drawers and sleek built-in appliances.
In this church conversion, the slate-blue Shaker-style units work seamlessly with the reclaimed and industrial interior scheme of the open plan space. A valuable lesson from this design is that although the space is large, too many functions are not being crammed in — an effective way to create a well-considered home.
Choosing Storage for Open Plan Kitchens
9. Include an Island in Social Open Plan Kitchens
(Image credit: Martin Moore)
Kitchen island ideas are great for open plan spaces where they can provide a spot for all sorts of appliances and activities. The island should act as a divide from the functional areas of the kitchen used for prepping food and the social side, so consider your appliance and storage layout with this in mind.
"This layout is perfect for those who love to entertain or who want to create an inviting, social space that works for all the family," advises Richard Moore.
"A central island is excellent for organising everything into dedicated zones, with a clear separation between the work zone and social areas. It also helps significantly with the flow of traffic around the room. Ideally, this layout would include a breakfast bar or adjoining breakfast table and a separate dining table."
This stunning Martin Moore kitchen demonstrates how an island can be the perfect pivoting point around which the interconnected dining, kitchen and living spaces flow. Also, note the elegant glazed doors, which can offer both a full open space, as well as some privacy in the living room — an ingenious addition when renovating a kitchen.
10. Conceal Clutter and Mess
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
Something to bear in mind while designing an open plan space is how kitchen clutter will affect the living or dining areas. Obviously if entertaining with a dinner party, no one wants to be looking at plates stacked up and although we all want to be on-top of clearing up, this isn't always the case after a long day.
The kitchen extension and conversion of an old blacksmith's forge has been cleverly designed so that the kitchen area is hidden from the dining space by an upstand — no worrying about dirty dishes and clutter ruining mealtimes.
Plus, the kitchen window seat on the left lifts to hide away cook-books and lesser-used appliances.
11. Outsource Storage in Large Kitchen and Dining Rooms
(Image credit: Border Oak)
While still open plan, the cooking and dining spaces retain their own areas thanks to a wide opening between the two, made possible by the oak frame of the house, designed and built by Border Oak.
Open plan kitchens often suffer from the lack of wall space where storage would usually be hung upon or run against. The trick to the success of this space lies in the continuation of the bespoke kitchen units into the dining room, allowing for bulky appliances or even a dedicated breakfast area to be outsourced.
12. Embrace Larder Units and Pantries
(Image credit: LochAnna)
"Open plan kitchens have to function in the same way as living rooms, with peaceful art-filled walls, and accommodate as many books as pots and pans," explains Jason Orme, Managing Director of Homes at Future PLC.
"As a result, we need to outsource some of its traditional functions to allow us to create super 'living kitchens'. And what better way to do it than with a pantry, where you can store all the food that would otherwise be taking up half your kitchen units space."
Larder and pantry units have most definitely made a come back, often bursting with ingenious kitchen storage ideas and solutions that will make the most of a limited space. They are perfect for hiding away chopping boards, kettles and microwaves for a neat worktop.
13. Get the Balance of Kitchen Units Right
(Image credit: Mowlem & Co)
Mixing and matching different sizes and types of kitchen units will not only help to serve you later down the line when using the kitchen day-to-day, but forming an essential list of the units your kitchen requires will assist in the overall design of the layout, orientation and, on occasion, style.
From small spice drawers to concealing large appliances, take inventory of how you cook, if your living area will require shelving to display treasured objects, and if your dining space will include freestanding sideboards. Modern kitchen ideas have come a long way and suppliers have thousands of innovative new designs and solutions, such as the ever-popular pan drawers or half-size larder unit, that will make the most of the space you have.
Simple and sleek, yet large-format pan drawers in this kitchen don't just provide a contemporary look, but also can store plates, bowls and pots more efficiently than cupboards, while everything in easy to access.
Zoning Open Plan Kitchens
14. Use Subtle Zoning in an Open Plan Kitchen
(Image credit: Dunelm)
Some of the best open plan spaces work so well because they have clearly defined zones for various tasks. Ideally, you should divide the room without affecting the flow of light. You may also want some private areas, but if you have young children it is important to think about the sightlines between where you may be working or relaxing, and where they will be playing.
"Zoning is important - but needs to be done subtly. You might want to vary the flooring between the kitchen and dining areas – or use the best kitchen lighting to create different moods (eg task lighting in the kitchen and a feature pendant over the dining area)," says Richard Moore.
This pale kitchen is carefully partitioned from the dining area with dark blue walls for a subtle design that means while the spaces function independently, there is an easy flow to the layout.
15. Mix and Match Zoning Ideas
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
While not every kitchen zoning idea must be obeyed to the letter, rooms without at least a few of these subtle features can feel cold and unwelcoming. Every home and kitchen is different so choose a few ideas that sit naturally in the flow of the floorplan.
The following are great ways to zone a room:
Use breakfast bars, peninsulas or islands to section up the floorplan
Create 'rooms' with low-level furniture — avoid pushing sofas against walls and create visual divisions and indicate the best route through the open space
Where possible, varying the floor levels is extremely effective, but think carefully about safety and steps in areas used for cooking or playing
Lighting is an unobtrusive and practical way to zone. Use low pendants over a dining area and spotlights for task lighting
Room dividers are becoming more popular to partially split large rooms between uses. They also offer a spot to hang art and pictures in the absence of walls
Use different types of flooring in different zones of the room. This also means you can use softer flooring in cosy areas and hard-wearing options in the kitchen-diner
16. Divide an Open Plan Kitchen Using Structural Elements
(Image credit: Chris Snook C/O Stylus Architects)
Designed for a growing family, this 1930s house renovation and extension has an open plan kitchen living and dining area which masterfully balances practicalities with aesthetics.
First, the kitchen is separate from the snug area using a wall filled with useful storage, meaning smells and noises are reduced when someone is watching TV.
A flooring change, a rooflight and more intimate lighting scheme ingeniously divides the informal seating space and the snug.
17. Utilise a Broken Plan Layout
(Image credit: Malcom Menzies)
'Broken plan living' has been big news in the design world in recent years — and will continue to influence our floorplans in the future," details Deputy Editor Michelle Guy.
"So what it is? It's a design concept which moves away from completely open-plan spaces (which many of us find impractical), and utilises devices such as bookcases, partial walls, sliding doors, internal 'windows', fireplaces and the like to create spaces which feel sociable and connected but have a degree of separation and privacy."
Broken plan is a natural progression of completely open plan whereby a large space is creatively divided to feel like two separate spaces, while still flowing into each other.
This can be done using a change in floor level, as in this terrace extension, or simply by enlarging internal doorways.
18. Use Simple Visual Divides in Open Plan Kitchen, Living and Dining Rooms
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
Oak frame interiors lend themselves beautifully to subtle, but effective visual divisions for large kitchen, dining and living areas.
The L shaped kitchen dining and play area in this modern farmhouse has been ingeniously divided using the oak frame. The set-up is perfect for a family who wants to keep an eye on young children while they cook without having a space that is too large to function.
19. Include an Internal Courtyard to Bring the Outside In
(Image credit: Adam Scott for Turner Architects)
As an element in an open plan space, an internal courtyard has a lot to offer. Not only does it act as a light well to bring the outside in in the same was as a roof light or lantern it can, but also gives you an opportunity to introduce biophilic design inspiration to create another connection with nature and outdoor space by filling it with plants.
However, as a device in an open plan or broken plan scheme, they have another part to play. A glazed internal courtyard can act as a physical divide (with purpose) in an open plan design, allowing you to zone pockets of space for different purposes.
This design by Turner Architects creates cloistered areas, which depending on how the space is used, can create more divided, private areas, or open up into a larger open plan space.
Open Plan Kitchen Styles
20. Introduce Trends and Styles the Right Way
(Image credit: Simon Maxwell)
One tricky point to navigate when designing a new kitchen is deliberating what is a timeless, but modern style to include and what is a fad trend that will make the room feel outdated within a few years.
Thankfully many of the predicted kitchen trends of 2022 will provide the backdrop for an elegant kitchen that can be updated as times changes: including herringbone flooring inspiration and wooden kitchen ideas.
Opting to include painted kitchen ideas for timeless shaker-style or in-line doors will also ensure that if you feel differently about a bold colour choice, or just need a refresh in the decor, they simply be sanded down and repainted.
21. Open Plan Kitchens Lend Themselves to Country Homes
(Image credit: Nick Yarsley)
This is a wonderful example of a sociable, modern farmhouse kitchen which works on so many levels. What could have been an overwhelmingly large space has been cleverly sectioned into cosy and practical spaces for relaxing and eating.
The kitchen, from Neptune, cleverly utilises a mix of colours, styles and sizes to evoke a feeling of decades of collecting freestanding units. A large navy kitchen island is paired with a more informal and moveable grey butchers block while the traditional white units along the wall provide all the storage required of a family kitchen.
While those in the kitchen can feel part of the action when entertaining, there is enough space and visual division between the living and cooking spaces for them to feel distinct. The oak frame also beautifully divides the spaces without closing the kitchen off from the large windows at the rear of the house.
22. Express Personality Through Kitchen Design
(Image credit: Myer's Touch)
"Contrasting, yet vibrant cabinetry has increased in popularity as customers have become more comfortable with seeing their kitchen as a central room in their home to create family memories for all generations," says Helena Myers, director of The Myers Touch.
"Their kitchen is now a place where they work, relax, socialise and cook in, so homeowners are often looking for a personalised, wow-factor design using a range of colours, materials, finishes and furniture that remain elegant and timeless.'
Combining the kitchen, dining and living spaces maximises limited space and natural lighting in this home. The contemporary style used throughout unites the areas, while the cosy dining space, with complementary bar area, exudes a different atmosphere thanks to the lighting and change in ceiling height.
23. Connect an Open Plan Kitchen to the Garden
(Image credit: Border Oak)
Creating a greater connection between the kitchen and the garden is one of the most popular reasons for homeowners to remodel, renovate or extend their kitchens.
Installing the right glazing is key to this, be it simply replacing patio doors with newer, sleeker models or punching through to create new views to the outdoors.
Bifold doors work particularly well in open plan kitchens as they can further open up a space to the outside, creating a blur between indoors and out. This stunning example uses three banks of bifold doors to open out to the patio outside and the flooring is matched for a seamless transition.
24. Try a Sustainable Kitchen Design
(Image credit: Used Kitchen Exchange)
With environmental responsibility at the fore of many home improvers' minds, choosing reclaimed materials, or even reusing the kitchen you already own, is becoming ever more popular.
New sustainable kitchens can come in all styles and sizes, many offering the same options as less environmentally choices.
Or, consider a second hand kitchen, like the one pictured, for a good quality, yet guilt-free new space. You may have to be flexible and imaginative with your design to get it to fit, but bargains can be founds easily and with a clear conscience.
25. Design a Small Open Kitchen
(Image credit: Higham Furniture)
Don't let space be a limiting factor as open plan can be designed to fit any kind of room when the right small kitchen ideas are included. Opting for a bespoke design can tailor the units to maximise space and often suppliers can create matching tv units, consoles and living area storage to match the open plan's interior.
Here, the kitchen units have been situated in the corner, facing a contracting island, while the brightly coloured breakfast nook is tucked snugly under the roof light.
Essential Features and Appliances in Open Plan Kitchens
26. Address Cooking Smells in Open Plan Kitchens
(Image credit: Schmidt)
Open plan spaces need excellent methods of extraction if they are not to become plagued by cooking smells and steam.
If possible, place the cooker near a window and as far from the dining and living spaces as possible. Efficient cooker hoods are also required, but look for models that are quieter so as not to interrupt people relaxing in the living area.
If you are still concerned about smells and steam (or noise), then it might be sensible to install sliding pocket doors between the kitchen and living room.
27. Good Lighting is Vital in Open Kitchens
(Image credit: Simon Maxwell)
Kitchen lighting ideas and requirements vary from the needs of a living room or dining area. Task lighting is essential to get right in cooking areas, but perhaps opt for dimmable LEDs or separate circuits so when the activity of the evening shifts to watching TV or having a drink with friends in the other spaces of the room the lighting can be adapted appropriately.
With a lighting design planned on a DIY basis, the extended terrace beautifully layers artificial LEDs with natural lighting. A glass clerestory window illuminates the new eating area from above, spotlights provide practical lighting and the pendants are helpful not only for task working at the island, but also to create a focal feature in the stunning space.
28. Soundproof an Open Plan Kitchen
(Image credit: Wren Kitchens)
Open plan spaces with hard flooring and lots of smooth surfaces are bound to be noisy and prone to echo so minimise this with soundproofing and noise control measures. Use soft flooring or rugs in the living areas and remember that furniture and textiles will absorb noise too.
You should also plan the layout to minimise disruption. If you want an office or homework zone, keep this away from the TV or play areas. It is also a good idea to look for appliances that claim to be quieter, but check out their reviews to see how people find them in practice.
This ingenious broken plan kitchen can shut away the home office space from the noise of the kitchen, while the glass doors still let in plenty of light
29. Built-in Appliances Work Well in Small Kitchens
(Image credit: Alex James for De Rosee Sa)
Finding built-in appliances that can slot in alongside runs of cabinetry will ensure open plan kitchens function as they should. As ovens are no longer limited to the spot beneath the hob, positioning this appliance at eye level will assist a smooth cooking flow — but remember, where there may be high traffic around an island or through a galley, source ovens with slide-away doors to prevent bumps and burns.
Large appliances like dishwashers, fridges and freezers can also be purchased in drawer formats these days, meaning facade door fronts are the thing of the past and these frequently-used items are integrated into the kitchen design.
30. Introduce Multi-use Appliances to an Open Plan Kitchen
(Image credit: INTU)
As the modern is no longer simply about cooking, smaller appliances like coffee machines, toasters and kettles might be best placed in a larger-style cupboard so they can be closed away when not needed.
Alternatively, double up functions of appliances or fixtures to reduce worktop clutter for a sleek kitchen. Innovative designs for coffee markers and microwaves are on the market as well as taps that provide not just hot, cold and boiling, but also filtered and sometimes sparkling water.
Integrating these products early into your kitchen design plan will help rationalise essential aspects, such as worktop space, widths of units and the amounts of plugs required.
Natasha is Homebuilding & Renovating's Associate Editor and has been a member of the team for over two decades. An experienced journalist and renovation expert, she has written for a number of homes titles. She has renovated a terrace and is at the end of the DIY renovation and extension of her Edwardian cottage. She is now looking for her next project.
