Décor dilemma

Sally Smith of Plumstead writes We recently moved from a small apartment into a fairly large home. The kitchen, which we plan to renovate, is separated from the living area by two walls, which we want to remove. Our concern is that an open-plan layout will create an expansive area, which we’re not used to, and we’re unsure of how to design the space to get the best flow. Any suggestions?

Hanno de Swardt of Onnah Design suggests Demolishing not only the kitchen walls but also those of the study will maximise the space and create a much-improved flow.

1 Create a ‘pyjama lounge’ where the current kitchen is located, using a built-in bookshelf as a divider. A pyjama lounge is a space that’s separate from the rest of the living area; here, thanks to sliding doors on either side, it can be opened up to become more integrated with the kitchen and main lounge. This is the perfect spot for the TV.

2 Move the kitchen closer to the current study – convert the latter into a scullery. The scullery will be out of sight and offers the ideal spot for less attractive appliances such as the washing machine and tumble dryer.

3 Position the kitchen diagonally across from the lounge. Integrate the island with the dining table, partly as a space-saving mechanism but also as a strong contemporary design element. This also means the dining table is situated near the fireplace. The hob and eye-level oven are in close proximity to the fridge, built-in microwave and prep bowl.

4 Transform the awkward space leading to the passage into a small bar.

This layout pushes open-plan living to the extreme, so it might not suit everyone’s lifestyle. I call it honest living as everything is out in the open. – Hanno