The Pros and Cons of Open-Concept Kitchen Remodeling in New York

A survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index in 2016 found that 45% of home buyers prefer a completely open kitchen. This means that if you’re planning to sell your home soon, an open-concept kitchen will make your property more attractive to home hunters. Interior designers have quickly embraced open-concept kitchens for the right reasons.

An open-concept kitchen allows you to entertain your guests while you cook and share hearty meals. But, even though it’s a rising trend in kitchen remodeling in New York City and other parts of the world, the open-concept kitchen has some disadvantages that could turn some homeowners off. Before you decide on kitchen remodeling in New York, take time to consider this kitchen layout by knowing its advantages and disadvantages. 

What is an Open-Concept Kitchen?

In an open-concept kitchen, there are no walls that separate the kitchen from the rest of the house. This type of kitchen layout is most suitable for small homes because it saves floor space while making the home feel larger than it is. The lack of walls in an open-concept kitchen creates a seamless transition from the living room to the dining area and into the kitchen. 

Additionally, an open-concept kitchen gives you the freedom to get creative in your home’s layout. Kitchen appliances and equipment can be placed on countertops and cabinets as decorative elements in the space.

Finally, the open kitchen gives you a functional space for entertaining guests while you cook and enjoy meals together. If you have a big family or you love to invite friends over, the open-concept kitchen is the design you should go for. 

Open-Concept Kitchen Advantages

The open-concept kitchen has gained momentum in kitchen remodeling since the ‘90s because of its convenience and coziness. It’s no surprise that it has become an instant hit because there’s so much to love about this design. If you are thinking about getting a kitchen renovation NYC project, here are the advantages of an open-concept kitchen: 

1. Great for socialization

Open-concept kitchens are conducive to socialization because it’s a space that brings people together. This barrier-free type of kitchen gives you enough area to move around for food prep, meal preparation, socializing, and enjoying good food.  

2. Space-saving

Homes with small kitchens (100 square feet or less) should opt for an open-concept kitchen. An open-concept kitchen layout makes your home feel larger and more spacious. Because there are no wall barriers between rooms, you can maximize every inch of the area. This type of kitchen design integrates different sections into one seamless area that’s visually and functionally pleasing.

3. Modern aesthetic appeal 

Some homeowners do kitchen remodeling in New York and other cities to achieve an open-concept kitchen for aesthetic reasons.  The unobstructed space you get from an open kitchen allows for more natural light to enter, making it appear larger, brighter, and more inviting. The open-concept kitchen is the home’s happy space where conversations flow along with good food.  

4. Attracts more potential buyers 

Homeowners who are planning to enlist their property do open-concept kitchen remodeling. It’s because homes with an open-kitchen design are easier to sell than the traditional kitchen with wall barriers. Consider this layout when remodeling your kitchen if you want to sell your home quickly.

Open-Concept Kitchen Disadvantages

Even though the open-concept kitchen may feel like an easy choice in kitchen remodeling in New York, it also has disadvantages that may turn off some homeowners. Here are the drawbacks of an open-concept kitchen: 

1. Smell spreads throughout the home.

The biggest disadvantage of an open-concept kitchen is that odor from cooking food spreads throughout the entire house. It’s a cause for concern especially when you’re sensitive to some odors. Without walls that contain the smell of food in the kitchen, odor from food preparation stays in some areas of the house for a few hours or even days. 

2. You can’t hide the kitchen mess.

If you’re a messy home cook, then the open-concept kitchen may not be the best choice if you’re kitchen remodeling. In the absence of walls and partitions, the mess in the kitchen is visible from the living room and other areas of the home. If you can’t commit to keeping the kitchen neat and orderly, then don’t go for an open-concept kitchen.  

3. Remodeling can be costly.

Transforming a closed kitchen into an open-concept kitchen can be very costly. The majority of the cost comes from taking down the walls to create an open space in the home. To achieve the open concept, you may need to redo the cabinetry, kitchen counters, kitchen island, floor, and plumbing when kitchen remodeling. And, these cost a lot of money to get done. 

4. Kitchen noise is hard to contain. 

Are some members of your family sensitive to sound? Perhaps the whirring of the blender or a high-pitch pressure cooker? If so, then it’s a factor to consider when you’re planning an open-concept kitchen. One major disadvantage of this kitchen layout is that kitchen noise is difficult to contain. As a result, the sound from the kitchen can be disturbing for family members with highly sensitive hearing which may even lead to stress and anxiety.

Work With the Experts in Open-Concept Kitchen Remodeling in New York City

Open-concept kitchen remodeling in NYC offers an exciting way to upgrade your existing space into a functional and welcoming area. It’s a favorite kitchen design of many home and lifestyle enthusiasts because of its versatility and convenience. An open kitchen brings people together, gives you more space for food preparation, and feels warm and welcoming because of the natural light that comes in. But with no walls, you cannot hide the kitchen mess, the smell of food spreads throughout the entire home, and noise from kitchen appliances may be disturbing to sensitive ears. The decision is still up to you. 

To achieve a state-of-the-art open-concept kitchen, only work with kitchen remodeling NYC experts. Remodel Magic has worked with hundreds of open-concept kitchens over the years. We have done it all from a simple kitchen renovation to an upscale luxurious kitchen makeover in Brooklyn, Queens, and other parts of New York City. Are you ready for a remodel? Contact our kitchen renovation NYC experts and get a quote now!