Do you fancy American cuisine? Are you just at the thinking stage or on the contrary well advanced in your steps? If you are wondering whether or not to opt for an American kitchen, you have come to the right place.
What exactly is an American kitchen?
An American kitchen is a kitchen open to another room, whether it is the dining room or the living room, sometimes both. It is a kitchen often sought after in modern family homes because it allows the person preparing the kitchen to see others and continue to participate in the life of the family. They enlarge the space and make the place more versatile than before. You can sit around the table or the island to read, work or do your homework.
How to create an American kitchen?
The first step, when it comes to designing an open kitchen like the American kitchens are, is to consider the layout of the kitchen and how it works with the rest – living room or dining room. Keep in mind, for example, that once your kitchen is open, it will have a sound and visual impact. It will no longer be possible to close the door on noisy appliances. And if countertops remain cluttered after preparing a meal, it will show. Similarly, the cupboards will be clearly visible at all times, so you will have to choose them carefully. Opt for elegant storage.
Choose the right layout
Take some time to think about how people will move around your new open-plan room. The circulation space between the zones must not be impeded by furniture. And a reflection must be carried out to avoid, for example, that the kitchen area and the television area are sufficiently far apart. Watching TV or talking can be difficult due to background noise from pots and appliances. You should keep in mind that some dishwasher cycles can be noisy and will do nothing to soften the atmosphere of the room.
Choose a simple kitchen design
Having an open room means ensuring that the kitchen and living room set is harmonious. Chairs or stools should visually work with the sofa and armchairs in the living room. There should be a balance between the kitchen cupboards and the dining room carpet. In order not to visually overload the space, opt for a simple kitchen design. You’ll always be in time to accentuate with a few accessory pieces like cushions, which will especially set the living space apart from the rest.
Mark the different spaces
It is important that you consider areas. Where is the living room, where does the dining room start, where am I in the kitchen? Where will you position your dining table? You don’t want to travel miles between your kitchen and your table. So think about dining room and kitchen together. An open space does not necessarily mean that all spaces live in one piece, on the contrary. You can have an American kitchen and keep elements that will visually “mark” the areas. Think of the floors which can be different or of low walls, bookcases, glass doors which can delimit the space.
What style of American cuisine?
Once you have decided which elements you will integrate into your American kitchen, think about the style of the cupboards and the materials of your worktops. When it comes to the style of your kitchen, you have several options. If the overall look of your layout is more contemporary, the very sleek flat front kitchen units may suit you, complementing the simple lines of your sofa and dining room furniture. If your furniture is a little more classic, opt for kitchen cupboards in the same vein.
Choose the right American kitchen color
All colors are possible! Here are some examples.
White kitchens: White is a popular choice for open plan kitchens as it reflects light which makes the overall feel airier and also more spacious. If you’re worried it’ll be too cold, try adding wooden finishes – for example your worktops or bar stools.
Gray kitchens: Gray is a great alternative to white if you like the idea of a bright and spacious kitchen, but are worried about it getting dirty.
Cream or off-white kitchens: These tones may appear softer than white if your home is traditional in style.
Black or dark kitchens: Black, black and white or dark-toned elements can make a strong statement if you want a trendy kitchen.
Choose the right work plan
Whether your kitchen is American or not, choosing a good worktop is an important step. You get a whole range of worktop materials that range from laminate, natural stone, composites, wood, as well as other materials like stainless steel or concrete. Keep in mind that everyone has their own maintenance requirements as well as qualities. Once again, the key point to note is that the open layout means that the worktop is exposed to view from the living room, at all times. So consider the practical and aesthetic qualities.