How To Make An Open Concept Kitchen Work In A Small BTO Flat

According to a report by The Straits Times, new HDB flats will now come with open kitchens, starting with this month’s Build-To-Order (BTO) exercise. This means that the wall dividing a kitchen from the rest of a flat’s living space will no longer be offered under the Optional Component Scheme, where buyers pay for additional features such as floor finishes, sanitary fittings and room doors.

Even though the wall option will no longer be available, HDB said the provision of open kitchens “offers home buyers greater choice and flexibility in how they want to use and design the space, and lay out their furniture to better suit their lifestyle needs”.

“It also saves them the hassle and cost of hacking the partition walls to create an open kitchen layout. Flat buyers can also choose to use cupboards and shelving creatively to define the kitchen and dining/living room area if they wish,” HDB added.

Here are seven design ideas and must-know tips when planning your open-concept kitchen:

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/style/home-ideas/make-open-concept-kitchen-work-small-bto-flat/

How To Make An Open Concept Kitchen Work In A Small BTO Flat

1. Consider an island

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Kitchen islands are great for zoning an open cooking space, and also provide an additional worktop, but make sure you cater enough walkway clearance (here there are passages on either side of the island counter), especially if your kitchen is also a thoroughfare.

Design: PIU Design

2. Install glass panels and windows

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If you do heavy cooking, you might want to think twice about a totally open concept, as grease and smells can permeate to the rest of your home. You can still achieve the open-concept look, with doors or partitions that allow you to open or close up the space — like sliding doors with glass panels shown here.

Design: The Scientist

3. Hob to it

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When in full view (and scrutiny), it is probably better to go with an induction hob, aesthetics-wise. But make sure you’re clued in about the various types of hobs to determine which type is most suitable for you and your space first.

Design: Collective Designs

4. Keep things sleek

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Consider a hideaway kitchen with panels that allow you to conceal worktops and appliances when not in use. Great especially if you seldom cook.

Design: Habit

5. Use vertical space

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The design of this compact gallery kitchen makes efficient use of vertical space by accommodating storage in various ways — cabinets and open shelving — while still maintaining the openness.

Design: J+A Design

6. Try peninsula counters

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If you really want the open-concept kitchen look, but your kitchen is tucked away and separate from the rest of your home, you can visually extend it out of its original footprint by installing counters just in front of it. And the area can function as a breakfast or bar counter or even a work area or pantry. Click here for plenty more ideas!

Design: Shen Interior Design

7. Combine it with your dining space

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7. If your dining area is integrated into your open-concept kitchen, you might want to customise your island counter such that the dining table is also part of it. It not only minimises the bulk, but you get an extended worktop surface, too.

Design: The Scientist

You can view HDB’s show flats with the open kitchen concept at the HDB Hub. They can also be viewed online on HDB InfoWeb or the Mobile@HDB app.

Text: Rachel Au Yong, The Straits Times and Louisa Clare Lim, Home & Decor Singapore

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How To Make An Open Concept Kitchen Work In A Small BTO Flat

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