5 Remodeling Tips to Open Your Kitchen Layout

Back5 Remodeling Tips to Open Your Kitchen Layout

“Kitchen: (noun) – a gathering place for family and friends – a place where memories are made and seasoned with love.” 

One of the first spaces to consider for a home remodel is typically the kitchen. This socially central space can become outdated as the years pass by. Many homeowners around the Overland Park area are looking to Wineteer to bring their new family dynamic needs into their kitchen. Some homeowners are finding ways to simply enlarge the doorways or knock down walls, upgrade lighting and finishes, rearrange the appliances or even upgrade the flooring and countertops/backsplash. 

Keep on reading to have a deeper understanding of how to implement the ideas to make your kitchen feel open, inviting, and welcoming.

5 Proven Functional Kitchen Design Tips to Open the Kitchen Layout

To have an open layout kitchen remodel, all you need is a trusted design and build contractor to trust with transparency. Wineteer Construction has worked with a number of Kansas City area homeowners on redesigning and building out their kitchens, and we’ve gathered a list of the 5 Proven Functional Kitchen Design Tips to Open the Kitchen Layout. Let’s begin!

1. Remove Interior Walls to Create an Open Concept

A demolition wall is one of the best ways to add some functional space to your kitchen and results in an open layout. For instance, you need to remove the wall between your kitchen and the dining space.

With careful planning, an open-concept kitchen can provide you with a more efficient, spacious layout that improves both daily use and long-term value. It will be even easier to carry dishes from your kitchen to the dining room or help you socialize with family and guests while cooking.

However, without taking certain precautions and major considerations, it is no wonder, you will be left with critical and dangerous structural issues.

• All you need to first determine whether your wall is load-bearing or non-load-bearing. It is not easy to know the load-bearing wall as it supports the weight of the upper story down to the foundation. However, it still can be replaced with a beam and post system.
  • According to the spruce.com, here are the 9 signs to look at when determining if the wall is load bearing or not: https://www.thespruce.com/determining-load-bearing-wall-1822005
• With the wall gone, the second major thing you need to consider is how the kitchen and dining spaces connect. You can set up cabinets or any other appliances as replacements.
• Also, think about the electrical wiring and plumbing that your walls often contain. Make sure to reroute them.
• Most of the experts recommend installing a high-quality range hood. It prevents sound and cooking smells from traveling during efficiency.

2. Install a Freestanding Island or Replace a Peninsula

The kitchen island is another effective way for open-concept spaces that helps you to move around freely. It often comes with a seating setup that you can use as a social space for gathering and sharing quality time.

Either you can install a freestanding kitchen island or replace a traditional peninsula. Both offer super functionality and add extra storage. A peninsula is typically attached to a wall or a run of cabinets. It is more likely an extension of your kitchen that usually comes in either a U- or G-shaped layout.

A freestanding island, on the other hand, stands alone, from where you will get 360-degree access and more flexibility. Also, you can install cabinets, a sink, or even a cooktop on the island. Or you can keep it simple.

However, if your kitchen lacks sufficient space for a standard island that typically needs a minimum of 36–42 inches around all sides, choose a peninsula to open the kitchen layout. It offers the same benefits as the island, such as additional workspace, storage, and seating.

3. Raise Ceiling Lines or Vault the Ceiling

Vaulted ceilings are the special feature where the ceiling is curved or arched stylishly and makes a spacious kitchen. This solution idea doesn’t add square footage but dramatically adds the feel of openness to the kitchen layout.

Raising the ceiling adds a vertical openness. In many older homes, kitchen ceilings often drop to conceal ductwork or plumbing. By just restoring the ceiling line to its original joist, you can save a lot of space.

To set up the vaulted ceilings, you need to first determine if your kitchen roof is suitable. It is even easier to install this ceiling if you have a pitched roof and attic space above the kitchen. In the case of flat-roof homes or homes with truss systems, you need to modify it first.

It effectively increases the natural sunlight in the space and reduces your reliance on artificial light. As an additional storage option, you can install taller upper cabinets and make the space more functional.

4. Rearrange the Appliance

Beyond just knocking down the wall or raising the ceiling, you can open your kitchen layout by just rearranging the appliances. Higher chances are the refrigerator is swinging into a narrow walkway, or the range may be too close to the sink. Simply repositioning these elements can open up your kitchen layout.

Another best approach is that you can go with the zoning plan, dividing your kitchen space into multiple spaces for cooking, prepping, and cleaning. For instance,

• Prep zone—between the sink and fridge
• Cooking zone—near the stove or range
• Cleanup zone—around the sink and dishwasher
• Storage zone—near the pantry or cabinetry

In some cases, oversized appliances reduce the kitchen’s functionality. Make sure to use the perfect size appliance for your kitchen layout.

Also, avoid clustering tall and bulky appliances together. Spread them out strategically or surround them with cabinetry. Leave 36 inches minimum clearance between opposing type appliances or when setting up the cabinet.

5. Widen Doorways and Entry Points

Widening doorways and entry points is another best way to create an open kitchen design. It not only makes your space look bigger but also enhances the movement in the space. Most older homes have 28 to 32-inch-wide doorways leading into the kitchen.

However, it is not the open-concept flow that modern lifestyles demand. For a widened doorway, plan for at least a 42–48-inch opening. This is even often the efficient way to allow the movement of strollers, wheelchairs, or mobility aids to the kitchen. This is a solid option to consider as many couples are deciding to age in place, requiring accessibility options. 

Additional Kitchen Remodeling Ideas to Make It Feel Open

Have a glance at some of the expert-level remodel ideas you can consider to make your kitchen space feel open:

• First off, focus on advanced lighting in the kitchen. Use under-cabinet strips and toe-kick LED accents to make the surface pop up.
• If removing a wall entirely isn’t entirely possible, you can consider a glass partition or pass-through window instead. That not only preserves light but also adds an open feel between the dining and kitchen space.
• Instead of standard protruding hardware on every cabinet, use integrated handles or touch-latch doors.
• Prefer to install a single-basin, deep sink with a pull-down faucet to improve function while freeing up nearby counter zones.
• If possible, recess the fridge into the wall or an adjacent pantry niche. Through this minor adjustment, you can save up to 3–5 inches of your kitchen space.

An open kitchen layout isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about improving how your space works for daily life. Starting from adjusting ceiling heights to smart appliance placement, each upgrade creates a kitchen that’s more functional and spacious.

Ready to open up your kitchen the right way? Contact Wineteer Construction today and let our experienced remodeling professionals bring your vision to life.