Open plan living has become incredibly popular across the North West, and we’ve transformed dozens of open plan kitchen-diners over our nearly three decades in business. But here’s what we’ve learned: simply having an open plan space doesn’t automatically make it functional. In fact, many of our clients come to us specifically because their open plan kitchen isn’t working as well as they’d hoped.
The good news? A Gordon’s Makeovers transformation can completely change how your open plan space functions—without any structural work, without moving walls, and often in less than a week. Let’s walk you through how we approach open plan kitchen makeovers and the solutions we implement to create spaces that are both beautiful and genuinely practical.
The Open Plan Challenge: What Our Clients Tell Us
Before we start any makeover, we spend time understanding the specific problems our clients face. With open plan kitchens, we hear the same concerns repeatedly:
“The kitchen mess is always on display when we have guests” “Cooking smells drift into the living area and linger in the soft furnishings” “We love the openness but it feels chaotic and undefined” “The whole space looks cluttered even when it’s relatively tidy” “We can’t decide where the kitchen ends and the dining area begins”
Sound familiar? These are exactly the issues we address through our makeover process.
Our Island and Peninsula Solutions
One of the most effective transformations we offer for open plan spaces is adding or reconfiguring an island or peninsula. This isn’t just about extra worktop space—it’s about creating that crucial boundary between your working kitchen and the rest of your living area.
Custom Islands That Define Zones
When we design an island for your space, we’re thinking about multiple functions:
- Creating a physical (but not visual) barrier that contains kitchen clutter
- Providing additional storage exactly where you need it most
- Adding seating for casual dining or homework supervision
- Installing services like sinks or hobs if your layout permits
We measure meticulously to ensure you’ve got proper clearance (minimum 120cm) on all sides. An island that makes your kitchen feel cramped defeats the entire purpose, so we’ll be honest if your space isn’t quite right for one.
The Raised Breakfast Bar Feature
One of our most popular open plan solutions is a split-level island with a raised breakfast bar on the side facing your dining or living area. We typically raise this section to 100-110cm (compared to the standard 90cm worktop height).
Why is this so effective? The raised section acts as a screen, hiding the inevitable washing-up bowl, dish drainer, and food prep mess from view whilst you’re relaxing in the living area. It creates a much more defined boundary between kitchen and living spaces without blocking light or conversation.
We fit bar stools on the raised side, giving you casual dining space that doesn’t require a separate table. Perfect for quick breakfasts, homework sessions, or perching with a coffee whilst chatting to whoever’s cooking.
Cabinet Design for Open Plan Viewing
In a standard kitchen, only one side of your units is on show. In open plan spaces, particularly if you have an island, your cabinetry is visible from multiple angles. We design our makeovers with this in mind.
End Panels That Impress
The ends of your island or peninsula units are constantly in view from your living area. We don’t cut corners here—we use quality end panels that match your door style, creating a finished, furniture-like appearance rather than an obviously utilitarian kitchen.
For traditional styles, we might add decorative mouldings or corbels. For contemporary designs, we keep it sleek and handleless. Either way, these visible ends become a design feature rather than an afterthought.
Two-Tone Designs for Definition
We’re increasingly recommending two-tone kitchen designs for open plan spaces. This might be:
- Lighter units on the walls, darker on the island
- One colour for base units, another for wall units
- A feature colour on the island only
This approach creates visual interest whilst subtly defining the kitchen zone. The island’s different colour draws the eye and clearly marks where “kitchen” is without needing any physical barriers.
Strategic Storage Solutions We Implement
The biggest challenge in open plan living? Everything’s on display. Our makeover solutions focus heavily on giving you enough closed storage to keep clutter completely hidden.
Tall Unit Banks
Where space allows, we incorporate banks of tall units (typically 2.1-2.4m high). These become your utility zone—housing:
- The fridge-freezer (integrated behind matching doors)
- Cleaning supplies and hoovers
- Brooms, mops, and awkward items
- The boiler (if needed)
- Recycling bins out of sight
Having this concentrated storage area means your main kitchen can remain relatively clutter-free, which is essential when it’s always on show.
Integrated Appliances
In our open plan makeovers, we almost always recommend integrated appliances wherever budget allows. When your dishwasher, fridge, and bins are hidden behind doors that match your cabinetry, the whole space looks infinitely more streamlined.
We can integrate:
- Dishwashers
- Fridge-freezers
- Washing machines (if your kitchen doubles as a utility)
- Bins (pull-out systems that hide away completely)
- Microwaves (built into tall units)
The visual difference is remarkable—instead of a collection of appliances in various finishes, you see one cohesive run of beautiful cabinetry.
Internal Organisation
Every unit in an open plan kitchen needs to work harder because you can’t afford to have overflow clutter sitting on worktops. We fit:
- Pull-out drawers instead of fixed shelves
- Carousel units in corners (no black holes where things disappear)
- Drawer dividers for cutlery and utensils
- Pull-out larder units that maximise storage in narrow spaces
- Pan drawer systems with adjustable pegs
When everything has a designated, accessible home, you’re far more likely to keep worktops clear—which is crucial in open plan spaces.
Our Lighting Transformation
Lighting is one of the most dramatic changes we make in open plan kitchen makeovers, yet it’s often overlooked. We work on multiple levels:
Under-Unit LED Strips
We fit LED strips under all wall units, illuminating your worktops for food prep. These are on a separate circuit from your main kitchen lights, giving you flexibility. In the evening, you can have just the under-unit lights on, creating a softer ambiance whilst still having functional task lighting.
Island and Peninsula Lighting
We typically recommend pendant lights above islands and peninsulas. These become focal points that define the kitchen zone whilst providing excellent task lighting. We help you choose fixtures that complement your cabinet style—industrial pendants for modern kitchens, traditional shades for classic styles.
The positioning is critical—we ensure pendants are high enough that they don’t obstruct sightlines but low enough to be effective (usually 70-75cm above the worktop).
Separate Circuits for Zone Control
Where possible, we arrange your lighting on separate circuits:
- Kitchen working lights (bright, functional)
- Under-unit lighting (task lighting with softer feel)
- Island/peninsula pendants (feature lighting)
This allows you to completely change the atmosphere of your open plan space. Cooking dinner? Everything bright. Relaxing after dinner? Kitchen lights off, just under-unit strips providing subtle background glow.
Worktop Choices for Open Plan Spaces
Your worktop choice matters even more in open plan kitchens because it’s so visible from living areas. We guide clients towards options that balance practicality with aesthetics.
Material Recommendations
For open plan spaces, we often suggest:
- Quartz: Durable, low-maintenance, available in endless colours, and looks consistently good. Perfect for worktops that are constantly on show.
- Solid Wood: Warm, characterful, and ages beautifully. Needs more maintenance but creates that premium, furniture-like feel that suits open plan living.
- Quality Laminate: Modern laminates have come a long way. We can now offer options that genuinely look like stone or wood at a fraction of the price, which means more budget for those crucial storage solutions.
Extended Worktops for Flow
In our open plan makeovers, we often extend worktops to create better flow. For example:
- Wrapping worktop around the end of a peninsula to create a small desk area
- Extending worktop along a wall to create a coffee station or drinks area
- Creating a lowered section for dining if you’re not having a separate table
These extensions blur the boundary between kitchen and living space whilst maintaining functionality.
The Extraction Solution
In open plan spaces, extraction is non-negotiable. Cooking smells have nowhere to go except throughout your entire living area. We guide clients towards appropriate solutions:
Island Extractors
If we’re putting a hob on your island, we’ll specify either:
- A ceiling-mounted extractor (these can be stunning design features)
- A downdraft system that rises from the worktop (more discreet)
We never compromise on extraction power in open plan spaces—you need minimum 600 cubic metres per hour, often more depending on your space.
Feature Extractors
Modern extractors can be beautiful focal points. We’ve installed stunning stainless steel chimneys, minimalist glass designs, and traditional copper hoods that become the centrepiece of the kitchen. If it needs to be visible, we make it a feature.
Colour and Finish Consultation
Choosing colours for open plan spaces requires careful thought because your kitchen needs to harmonise with your living areas. This is where our experience really helps.
Creating Cohesion
During our design consultation, we look at:
- Your existing furniture and soft furnishings
- Flooring that extends through the space
- Wall colours in adjacent areas
- Natural light levels throughout the day
We then recommend kitchen colours and finishes that complement rather than clash. Sometimes this means suggesting slightly warmer or cooler tones than you’d initially considered.
Samples in Your Space
We always provide door samples to take home. View them in your actual space, in your lighting, next to your existing furnishings. What looks perfect in our showroom might not be right in your specific environment, and we’d rather you discovered that before we start work.
The End-to-End Process
When you choose Gordon’s Makeovers for your open plan kitchen transformation, here’s what happens:
Initial Consultation (Week 1)
We visit your home, measure carefully, and discuss exactly how you use your space. What frustrates you? What do you love? How many people typically use the kitchen at once? Do you entertain regularly? These details inform our design.
Design and Proposal (Week 2)
We present detailed proposals showing exactly what we’d do with your space. You’ll see:
- Detailed drawings showing the new layout
- Door samples and worktop samples
- Itemised costs for everything
- Timeline for the work
Final Measurements and Ordering (Week 3)
Once you’ve approved everything, we conduct final site measurements and order your materials. We’re particular about lead times—we don’t want you waiting unnecessarily.
Installation (Usually 5-7 Days)
Our experienced team arrives and transforms your space:
- Day 1: Remove old doors, drawer fronts, and any elements being replaced
- Days 2-3: Fit new doors, install new worktops if applicable
- Days 4-5: Install lighting, fit internal storage solutions, add finishing touches
- Final day: Thorough clean, final checks, handover
Throughout the process, we protect your floors and adjacent areas. We clear away rubbish daily. And we work efficiently because we know you want your home back to normal as quickly as possible.
Real Results from Real Clients
After nearly 30 years, we’ve transformed countless open plan kitchens. The feedback we get most often?
“It feels like a completely different space—it actually works now” “We didn’t realise how much difference proper storage would make” “The island has transformed how we use the whole area” “It looks expensive but cost far less than a full renovation”
These transformations work because we’re not just making things look pretty (though they do)—we’re solving the functional problems that make open plan living frustrating.
Is Your Open Plan Kitchen Ready for a Makeover?
If your open plan space isn’t working as well as you’d hoped, a Gordon’s Makeovers transformation could be exactly what you need. We can:
- Create better definition between zones without losing openness
- Add an island or peninsula that actually improves flow
- Implement storage solutions that keep clutter hidden
- Install lighting that gives you control over atmosphere
- Choose colours and finishes that harmonise with your whole living space
- Complete the entire transformation in less than a week
You get the dramatic improvement of a full renovation but without the structural work, lengthy disruption, or eye-watering costs. For many open plan kitchens, that’s the perfect solution.
Get Started
If you’re in the North West and your open plan kitchen could use some expert attention, we’d love to hear from you. Our initial consultations are thorough and honest—if we don’t think a makeover is right for your situation, we’ll tell you.
After nearly three decades in business, we’ve seen every type of open plan challenge imaginable. More importantly, we’ve developed practical, proven solutions that actually work in real family homes. Let us show you what’s possible in your space.
Contact Gordon’s Makeovers today to book your free consultation. We’ll visit your home, discuss your open plan challenges, and show you exactly how we can transform your space. With nearly 30 years of experience across the North West, we know how to make open plan living work beautifully.