Why a Designer Kept Her Kitchen Walls
Closed kitchens help hide messes (and smells) and create a zone for ‘me time.’ Do you like your kitchen open or closed?
There’s no denying the positive attributes of an open-concept kitchen: It allows you to be more social while cooking and can often make your kitchen feel bigger. For these and other good reasons, open kitchens are wildly popular. And yet, I am firmly a fan of the closed kitchen.
When we recently moved, one of the reasons we chose our new apartment was because the small kitchen was enclosed — meaning separated from the rest of the house. Here are six reasons why I embrace the walls and solitude of my closed kitchen, and why you might want to consider keeping yours closed, too.
When we recently moved, one of the reasons we chose our new apartment was because the small kitchen was enclosed — meaning separated from the rest of the house. Here are six reasons why I embrace the walls and solitude of my closed kitchen, and why you might want to consider keeping yours closed, too.
1. A closed kitchen conceals the mess. The obvious reason to love a closed kitchen is the fact that the walls of the kitchen hide that opened package of pasta, that spill on the counter and the dishes in the sink. When I’m entertaining guests I don’t want to worry about cleaning up while I’m being social. Thankfully, the mess in a closed kitchen can wait until the dinner party is over.
2. More walls may mean more places for storage. My apartment kitchen isn’t huge. I always imagine what it would feel like if we opened up one wall, but then I immediately look around and wonder where I would put everything. The walls of an enclosed kitchen offer room for more cabinets and more storage. To me, this is a very pragmatic reason to stick with a closed kitchen.
3. A closed kitchen can have its own personality. My kitchen being separate means I have another room to decorate, and that makes me happy. Since it’s a separate room, it can be aesthetically distinct from the rest of the home without feeling off-kilter. In my kitchen I chose to paint one wall a charcoal gray and accent with marble shelves and a selection of gold drinking glasses. These design choices don’t have to match the rest of the apartment.
My clients with closed kitchens have hung art, painted bold colors and even hung wallpaper in their kitchens. Because their kitchens are closed, these features won’t compete with other rooms. What distinct colors or patterns would you introduce in your kitchen?
My clients with closed kitchens have hung art, painted bold colors and even hung wallpaper in their kitchens. Because their kitchens are closed, these features won’t compete with other rooms. What distinct colors or patterns would you introduce in your kitchen?
4. Smells can be somewhat contained. While I know that food smells quickly move through the air and can permeate every nook and cranny, the walls of my separate kitchen do seem to help keep odors from spreading as quickly.
Though my kitchen doesn’t have a door, I’m able to minimize cooking smells by opening the window and turning on the vent. If my kitchen had a door, I could close it, so that may be something to consider if you want to be able to fully close off your own kitchen.
Browse range hoods and vents
Though my kitchen doesn’t have a door, I’m able to minimize cooking smells by opening the window and turning on the vent. If my kitchen had a door, I could close it, so that may be something to consider if you want to be able to fully close off your own kitchen.
Browse range hoods and vents
5. I can hear what I’m doing. When I’m in my enclosed kitchen I love that there is no competition with what’s going on in the living room, whether that’s a lively conversation or a sports event blaring on the TV. The isolation of my closed kitchen is helpful when I want to hear cooking sounds like a sizzle or chop. It’s also great when I want to enjoy a conversation with a friend, listen to music or watch a cooking video.
Equally important is that those in the living room don’t have to listen to sounds of clanking dishes or running water, allowing them to have their own conversations or watch television in peace. If your home tends to be a busy place full of people and sounds, choosing a closed kitchen can give you a little space away from the hubbub.
Equally important is that those in the living room don’t have to listen to sounds of clanking dishes or running water, allowing them to have their own conversations or watch television in peace. If your home tends to be a busy place full of people and sounds, choosing a closed kitchen can give you a little space away from the hubbub.
6. My closed kitchen gives me some private time. I love being social and I love my family, but sometimes it’s terrific to go into my separate kitchen and be alone. I can focus on the joy of preparing a meal. My music is on, I have no visual distractions, I see some framed photos on the windowsill and I’m thrilled. Having an enclosed kitchen really gives me a mini solitude and helps me get a little more creative when cooking.
Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling the one you already have, that precious “me time” might be something to consider if you’re a person who really values it.
Tell us: Do you prefer a closed or an open kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
Open vs. Closed Kitchens — Which Style Works Best for You?
Have Your Open Kitchen and Close It Off Too
Find a designer to help you configure your dream kitchen
Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling the one you already have, that precious “me time” might be something to consider if you’re a person who really values it.
Tell us: Do you prefer a closed or an open kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
Open vs. Closed Kitchens — Which Style Works Best for You?
Have Your Open Kitchen and Close It Off Too
Find a designer to help you configure your dream kitchen