Designing an Open Space Kitchen: The Philosophy of Space Balance

When it comes to home interior design, in recent decades, the concept of an open space kitchen has gained significant popularity in modern homes. It's an approach that has forever revolutionized the way kitchens are arranged, creating a seamless environment that blends the dining area and living room.

In essence, an open space kitchen provides a functional and inviting environment that encourages greater socialization between guests and those preparing delicious meals. However, to create a modern open space kitchen, whether with an island or not, it's essential to adopt an appropriate philosophy that emphasizes the importance of space balance. Let's explore how to achieve this in the following paragraphs.

In recent times, the concept of an open space kitchen has been gaining ground within Italian homes. It represents a revolutionary way of conceiving interior spaces, characterized by the removal of partition walls that traditionally separated the kitchen from other areas of the house, such as the dining room or the living room.

The goal of an open space kitchen is to create a unified environment where the kitchen itself becomes the focal point of daily activities. Designing an open space kitchen, therefore, requires a particular sense of organization and arrangement of elements.

As you will see in the continuation of this guide, the philosophy of space balance is an essential factor in creating an environment that is both harmonious and functional. An open space kitchen necessitates the correct placement of furniture, appliances, and work areas to optimize the workflow in the kitchen.

Another aspect to consider when discussing the open space kitchen is privacy. While it promotes sharing and interaction among people, finding a balance is crucial in this regard as well. For instance, there are various solutions that can be adopted to visually separate the kitchen when necessary, ensuring the possibility of easily opening up the spaces and interacting with guests again.

It is undeniable that the open space kitchen has numerous advantages that make it particularly appealing to an increasing number of people. Let's explore them in the following paragraphs:

1. Sense of spaciousness: One of the primary advantages of an open space kitchen is the ample sense of space achieved when partition walls are removed. This makes the environment brighter and more airy.

2. Socialization opportunities: An open space kitchen allows for increased socialization between those preparing meals and guests. While cooking, those at the stove can interact with other family members or guests in the living area. This enhances the sense of family cohesion and makes everyday activities more enjoyable.

3. Balance in design: The open space kitchen is capable of providing a perfect blend of functionality and design, ensuring that the kitchen itself is considered both aesthetically pleasing and practical.

4. Flexibility: The absence of fixed walls allows for space customization according to individual needs and preferences. For example, the addition of a central island can serve as a visual separation between the kitchen and the rest of the open space while providing a practical workspace and a communal area for breakfast or gatherings.

Before delving into our tips on how to design a balanced open space kitchen, there are some fundamental suggestions to consider. Firstly, the functional layout is crucial, ensuring a smooth workflow. Therefore, a solution that is often considered involves a modern open space kitchen with an island, creating a triangular arrangement.

Another essential element is optimizing storage space: although an open space kitchen may appear spacious, it's important to make the most of every corner to avoid clutter and maintain a clean and tidy environment.

If you are planning to design an open space kitchen within your apartment, the choice of materials and colors plays a crucial role in achieving a perfect balance. Firstly, it's important to select durable and high-quality materials that can withstand daily wear and maintain a "new" appearance for a long time. This way, you can save hundreds of thousands of euros by avoiding the need to purchase a new kitchen after a few years.

As for colors, it is advisable to opt for a palette that is neutral and harmonious. For example, you should know that light tones contribute to creating a sense of calm and spaciousness. On the other hand, strategically using brighter colors adds a touch of personality without overwhelming the surrounding environment.

When designing an open space kitchen, another factor to consider is certainly lighting, an essential element for creating a serene environment that puts everyone at ease. Therefore, it's important to achieve a combination of natural and artificial light sources that contribute to transforming the space, providing functionality to your kitchen.

For example, among the choices you cannot ignore are large windows that allow natural light to enter during the brightest hours of the day, all with the goal of making the space even more welcoming and airy. In the evening, an appropriate lighting system can create different atmospheres according to your needs.

You can choose to use only floor lamps that contribute to providing a softer and more relaxing illumination to the environment, or consider installing LED lights to ensure adequate artificial lighting.

Creating an open space kitchen is certainly not easy and immediate. In addition to the aspects already discussed, it's important to consider an essential factor: your personal needs. Each family will have different needs and preferences, which is why it's necessary for the open space kitchen to reflect your lifestyle.

For example, if you love cooking, you may want a spacious and well-equipped workspace that includes accessories to assist you in food preparation. On the other hand, those who enjoy socializing may appreciate a counter where they can enjoy drinks or have breakfast with others. To achieve such goals, design is not the only important factor; furniture and appliances also play a crucial role in making your open space kitchen perfectly suited to your needs.

These days, an increasing number of people are concerned about the state of the environment we live in. The planet is under continuous stress due to the use of vital resources, and it's essential to make our contribution in terms of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

When it comes to an open space kitchen, it's worth highlighting that the absence of walls allows for better air circulation and increased natural lighting, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.

Furthermore, an open space kitchen also promotes the dispersion of heat generated by appliances, which helps reduce energy consumption. This is a significant aspect to consider, especially in spaces equipped with highly energy-efficient devices.

Now that you've understood that the open space kitchen is an increasingly appreciated choice for those looking for a home or planning to renovate an apartment, it's time to understand the solutions you can adopt to make your home modern and functional. There are several types of open space kitchens, each with unique characteristics and specific advantages. In the following paragraphs, we have identified the most common solutions.

Open space kitchens with a central island
Open space kitchens with a central island are one of the most beloved and versatile types. The central island serves as a focal point and provides additional space for meal preparation or creates a communal area. This is a solution for those who love cooking and need an additional workspace that still allows communication with guests and family members.

Generally, the island is equipped with a cooktop, sink, or retractable work area. The central island can also offer space for breakfast or entertaining guests during informal moments.

L-shaped open space kitchens
L-shaped open space kitchens are characterized by the arrangement of elements along two adjacent walls, creating a right angle. This is a perfect solution for optimizing space in rectangular or square environments. The L's corner can be used to position appliances such as the refrigerator or oven, while the long part of the L can serve as a workspace or sink. This layout provides a linear and efficient workflow and easy access to kitchen elements. It is often used when there is no window, only a window: the corner of the L is often positioned under this opening to optimize space.

U-shaped open space kitchens
U-shaped open space kitchens are similar to L-shaped kitchens but are complemented by a third wall that adds additional elements. The U-shaped kitchen offers ample workspace and a large number of cabinets and drawers.

U-shaped open space kitchens are particularly suitable for large families or those who enjoy cooking with fresh ingredients and want everything at their fingertips. This layout also makes meal preparation more efficient by providing access to multiple workspaces.

Linear open space kitchens
Linear open space kitchens feature a linear arrangement of elements along a single wall. This design is ideal for narrow or elongated spaces, such as some lofts or apartments with a particular layout.

Linear kitchens are functional, although they may seem limiting at first glance. In fact, the linear arrangement, without too many frills, makes the workflow smooth and allows the cook to access all areas easily.

Open space kitchens with a peninsula
Open space kitchens with a peninsula are similar to kitchens with a central island but with one side connected to the wall. This design offers a more compact alternative to the central island, ideal for smaller spaces. The peninsula can be used as an additional workspace or as a table for quick meals or hosting guests during informal events. This type is particularly appreciated for its versatility and ability to adapt to spaces of different sizes.


In conclusion, the open space kitchen represents one of the most modern and innovative solutions to make your home beautiful and welcoming. To design a suitable open space kitchen, however, it's essential to consider aspects such as balance and functionality. In particular, balance is one of the key elements in creating an environment that is both harmonious and welcoming for family and guests.

How to achieve this result? You will need to choose a functional layout, use consistent materials and colors, and optimize lighting, creating an effective combination of natural and artificial light. In any case, it's good to know that the open space kitchen can be customized to adapt to individual needs.

Today, the concept of an open space kitchen is still evolving, allowing future homeowners to find innovative solutions, making it an increasingly central context in everyday life.