Do you like/dislike "open kitchen" floorplans? (floor, granite, fireplace)

[Chango]

Just curious to see if y'all prefer the modern "open kitchen" floorplan or would rather have the kitchen be a separate room?

[brien51]

We have an open kitchen plan that flows into a great room with a fieldstone floor to ceiling fireplace. The two rooms are defined by a granite counter top divider that seats about 8 people. It is in the shape of a a bent "L" and defines the two rooms nicely. We also have a small breakfast nook so that makes for a bit of a definition between the kitchen and the great room. On the opposite side of the "nook" in the kitchen we have a floor to ceiling cabinet that serves the same purpose. Both of those 18" walls have columns on their edges to help define the two rooms as well. There is a carrier beam between those two points because the kitchen ceilling is 9' and the great room cieling slopes upward to 19 ft at the top.

People always want to gather in the kitchen and having this arrangement allows us to spread everyone out and still include them in the "kitchen goings on". There is a separate dining room off this area a den, a guest room, and a full bath next to the guest bedroom. Works great for us.

[Chango]

I prefer a separate kitchen because:

I'm old fashioned.

I see a kitchen as more of a workspace or workshop, not the focal point of my house.

I don't spend hours making stuff in the kitchen to begin with, so there is no social benefit for me by being "connected" with everyone in the family room.

I prefer to keep the sights, sounds and smells of the kitchen away from the other living areas of the house.

We have a large parlor/formal dining area, plus a separate "breakfast room" for staging parties and gatherings, so we don't necessarily need the room...

[SteveArmy]

it works for 95% of the time, especially with a toddler around. I hate it when I watch a talky movie and my wife is full blast with the kitchen faucet, clink-clanking every dish and utensils. I now hand wash the dishes after my movie

[yankinscotland]

I'd love an open plan kitchen but it won't happen. My house is 1927 and the location of the kitchen means it just wouldn't work. And we're never moving.

[Creek Hollow]

The last semi-closed kitchen I had was a house in the early 1980's. I've missed it ever since.

We're tired of "kitchen noise" interfering with the TV or conversation in the family room. Even quiet dishwashers make noise. Running water gets annoying.

When we move again, and we will, I will NOT buy a wide open floor plan again, even if it means buying an older home.

[Racelady88]

I HATE open kitchens! The house I am in now has one and I will never buy another house with open anything!

I like separate rooms.

[PerkyandPunctual]

I prefer the kitchen as a separate room. It keeps the sights and sounds from the rest of the house and if I need to be in the kitchen when we have guests, I don't want any of them in there with me.

[Narfcake]

I'm indifferent. What's more important is how functional it is. A small, closed in kitchen that garners more ughs than oohs, but is well laid out otherwise, is better in my book than a top-of-the-line open kitchen with a horrible work triangle.

[plaidmom]

I like a kitchen that I can close off from formal spaces (DR/LR) due to cooking smells and clutter, yet I want it to be large enough so the friends and family can "hang out" while I cook for informal occasions.