KITCHEN & BATH
Opening Up Your Space
Rita Beck of Cumberland Kitchen and Bath Design Center shares how open floor plans can optimize your living and eating spaces.
EDITED BY EDELINDA BAPTISTA
O NE WAY TO CREATE A MORE WELCOMING area in your kitchen is to go with an open floor plan. It never goes out of style and creates endless functional possibilities. A designer at Cumberland Kitchen and Bath Design Center can help you imagine your space in a one-on-one, in-home consultation. The designer oversees the project from start to finish, from taking in-person dimensions, to drafting a 3D rendering of the new design for your review, to selecting the best furnishings and products for your new space. After all, CKBDC is the only Cambria premier dealer in Rhode Island. Plus, once it’ s time to build, CKBDC’ s on-staff contractors can even perform all the work.
Trying to visualize your new space? Here are four open plan suggestions from Rita Beck of Cumberland Kitchen and Bath Design Center.
COZY CORNER For an open floor plan kitchen, you don’ t need a large amount of space, so a corner kitchen is a great way to go. Connecting the rooms, it wraps around the corner rather than taking up one wall. This clever use of space makes for a functional and practical option that works in a variety of different homes.
PHOTOGRAPHY:( TOP) COURTESY OF CUMBERLAND KITCHEN AND BATH;( RIGHT) LISA BRUNO.
DUCKS IN A ROW If you want to connect your kitchen to the dining area, you might want to think about installing an arch in between. It’ s a unique design touch. Within this layout, have a single wall of appliances with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and island seating. This use of space allows more room for dining tables, kitchen carts and islands.
LIVING TO ENTERTAIN An extended version of a corner kitchen, an L-shaped kitchen gives you a bit more space to spread out. Your dining area or living space will be closer and you’ ll have easier access to the kitchen, which is ideal if you love to entertain. With an L-shaped layout, though, make sure that you consider the number of windows you have; as without enough, it might feel a little closed in.
The team at Cumberland Kitchen and Bath Design Center.
CUMBERLAND KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGN CENTER 1764 Mendon Rd., Cumberland, 401-334-7317, cumberlandkitchen. com
ISLAND LIFE If you have a smaller living space, an open floor plan can create the illusion of a bigger kitchen, bringing the areas together so that they don’ t feel claustrophobic. However, you might find that it’ s a struggle to fit both the dining table and couch into the same area. If this is the case, opt for a kitchen with a built-in counter or roll-away island. Casual and space-saving, this simple layout will work for anyone with a more compact home. ◆
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