The biggest challenge in an open kitchen is maintaining order within openness. I often suggest homeowners start with a movement simulation: draw the complete route from the fridge to washing, preparation, and cooking, ensuring that every step can be completed with a turn. One client insisted on installing the dishwasher opposite the stove during their renovation, resulting in having to cross the entire kitchen every time they washed dishes—this is a typical example of a movement design error.
Last week, while selecting materials at a building materials market, I found that it is now popular to use gradient glazed tiles for invisible divisions. For example, using dark gray stain-resistant tiles in the cooking area transitioning to light beige wood grain tiles in the dining area is both practical and full of design ingenuity. In one case, we embedded LED strip lights on the side of the bar, creating a natural visual divide when turned on at night, which is much more dynamic than a physical divider.
Lighting systems should have layers; remember to install 3000K warm light strips at the bottom of the overhead cabinets. A detail many people overlook: installing motion-sensor lights inside storage cabinets that automatically turn on when the door is opened, making it especially convenient when looking for spice jars. In a recent design project for a client, we installed a height-adjustable pendant light above the island, lowering it for a warm atmosphere during gatherings and raising it during everyday cooking to avoid bumping heads.
Recently, while helping a client renovate an old kitchen, I found that 90% of households suffer from wasting vertical space. We installed a track system on the walls, paired with adjustable hooks and shelves, effectively doubling the storage capacity. One clever idea was to add magnetic strips to the bottom of the overhead cabinets, allowing all spice jars to be replaced with metal packaging, creating an organized look at a glance.
The corner of a traditional L-shaped cabinet often poses the greatest headache; nowadays, it is popular to install rotating tray systems. Last week at a friend’s house, I discovered they had turned their corner into a pet feeding station, with a bottom level for cat food buckets, a middle level as an automatic feeder, and the top level for storing pet medications—this design really impressed me.
Currently, high-end kitchens trend towards tri-sensory design: integration of visual, tactile, and auditory elements. When selecting countertops, pairing matte stone with wood grain cabinet doors creates a soothing tactile experience when fingers glide across. In one case, leather handles were added to the cabinet doors, making the tactile feel and sound of opening and closing the cabinets feel luxurious.
There was a cautionary tale from a failed case last year: a client used terrazzo flooring, metal cabinet surfaces, and natural wood countertops simultaneously, resulting in a chaotic look. We later altered the solution to use different materials in the same color scheme: a light gray cement wall paired with a dark gray metal pendant light, transitioning with a walnut dining table, ultimately achieving visual balance.
Many are drawn to the aesthetic appeal of integrated kitchens without understanding the importance of maintenance access. Last week, one client had an issue with their embedded oven, and because no maintenance opening was left, they had to dismantle the entire cabinet structure. Now, we always request to leave a 20cm space at the back during design, covered with a magnetic decorative panel to keep both aesthetic and practical needs in mind.
Recently, the liftable breakfast table I designed for a small apartment has received rave reviews: it hides in the cabinet normally and rises automatically at the push of a button during breakfast, paired with stackable bar stools, achieving full dining functionality in just 2 square meters. The key to this design lies in the embedded load-bearing structure and the choice of a silent motor, which has now become a popular design within the community.
The essence of open kitchen design lies in allowing each design element to serve multiple functions. Just like that award-winning case last year, where the island served as a preparation station, breakfast table, work area, and parent-child interaction zone—this is true spatial magic.