Is A Semi-Open Kitchen Design and Renovation Right For Your Lifestyle?

The Semi-Open Kitchen Remodeling Trend

If you watch any of the home improvement shows, you've seen examples of one of the hottest renovation trends more than a few times. The open concept floor plan is not only one of the hottest trends going, but it's also become the norm in newer homes as well. While it does offer benefits, sometimes you want a little privacy.

A newly growing trend in the industry in recent years is known as the "semi-open" kitchen design. It's a compromise that offers homeowners the best of both worlds. Let's take a look at semi-open kitchens and the benefits they can provide if you sometimes want or need a little more privacy in the kitchen.

A Semi-Open Kitchen Gives You Options

this semi-open kitchen boasts an arched opening overlooking the living room, and a doorway to walk from the dinette to the living room to the right side.

For homeowners who love to entertain, but don't like the kitchen mess in full view of their guests, the semi-open kitchen gives you several creative options. Depending on your needs, lifestyle, and aesthetics, a good designer or design-build firm can work with you educate you about all of the options available. Here are some semi-open kitchen ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

• Double-Sided Glass Doors

If you have an existing open concept kitchen and need additional cabinet space, hanging upper cabinets over the island can give you separation from the living area. The addition of glass doors on both sides of the cabinets will allow for natural light, and keeping that open feel.

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This is also another excellent option for homes with smaller kitchens. It helps the space to feel more open and expansive while providing much-needed storage space. Glass cabinet doors also have a practical side as well. If you love to entertain, your guests can have access to items like wine glasses from the adjoining living space. Double glass door cabinets are also a great way to display treasured items, like your fine china, crystal, or antique porcelain collection.

One of the most significant benefits is double-sided glass door uppers is that they allow natural light to flood the room. More than any other design element such as tile, or paint color, natural light brings warmth into your home. If you're worried about displaying items, consider frosted glass. It will hide your dishes while still delivering the benefit of natural light.

this semi-open kitchen has a wall anchoring the island, separating it partially from the sunroom beyond.

• Pocket or Sliding Barn Doors

If you have an open kitchen that is framed by a casement, consider adding a sliding barn door or pocket doors. Not only do they look aesthetically beautiful. They take up very little floor space, because there is no “swing,” and you have the option of keeping the kitchen open to the living area, partially open to the living area, or when you're entertaining and the kitchen is a mess, completely closed off.

If you want to close off the kitchen, without losing the open feeling and natural light, install a door with a translucent glass insert. You can shut the door to block out sound, or cooking smells without creating the feeling of completely closing the kitchen off from the rest of the house.

• Visually Close off The Space

This is an excellent option if you are going for a contemporary or modern design, for example, in a loft space. Install metal mesh curtains on a track. This can take your kitchen from open to closed. While it still has an open feel, you can block and disguise the kitchen mess. It's also a great way to keep guests out of the kitchen as you're creating your culinary masterpiece!

this semi-enclosed kitchen sits in an alcove. open to the dining area, a two-sided fireplace keeps the kitchen visually separated from the great room.

• Widen Openings

This is the perfect option if you live in an older home with smaller rooms or if you need a clear line of sight, but don't want to open up your floor plan completely. Widening doorways to create a cased entry to the kitchen can not only give you a clear line of sight, but it can also improve the flow between rooms.

• Raise The Island

If you're ok with guests and kids circulating in the kitchen when you're prepping meals or entertaining, add a raised edge along the front and one end of your island. This is the perfect option if you love the openness of your living space, but want a little help hiding kitchen meal-prep messes. It's also a great way to add seating, it's the perfect place for kids to have a snack and do their homework, and helps to keep you involved in the conversation when entertaining while you work.

When viewed from the main living space, a raised island will block the view of kitchen work surfaces, while keeping the clean, sleek lines and aesthetic design open.

• Add A Half Wall

Much like a raised island, a half wall, and keep the kitchen open to the dining area, while still hiding most of the work areas from view. This means that you can still mingle and serve guests without having the prep-mess on display.

There are a lot of benefits of open concept living, but sometimes you need a little privacy. A semi-open kitchen design gives you the best of both worlds and allows your creativity to shine through. Many of these features, like double-sided glass cabinet, translucent glass pocket or barn doors can serve as a beautiful visual focal point that can enhance your home's overall design aesthetic, while providing you with the privacy you seek.

This article was updated by Abe Degnan on 3/8/21.

Are you thinking of remodeling your kitchen? If you live in the greater Madison, Wisconsin area, give the design experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel a call at (608) 846-5963. Our designers are current with all of the latest kitchen design trends, including semi-open kitchen design. We work closely with our clients to help them realize their creative vision and give them their dream kitchen, on time, and budget.