Types

• Above all things, a kitchen's design must be functional. There are five traditional kitchen floor plans that create organized, functional kitchens. The G-shape, U-shape and galley kitchen plans are all enclosed kitchen floor plans and are not ideal for creating open floor plan kitchens. Ideal layouts for homeowners seeking to create open kitchen arrangements are the L-Shape and one wall design layouts.
  
  

L-Shape

• One of the two appropriate floor plans for an open kitchen, the L-shape kitchen makes use of a work triangle to create a continuous span of work surface and appliances. The work triangle determines the position of the stove, refrigerator and sink, positioning these three elements in a triangular pattern to cut down traffic and increase efficiency in the kitchen. One long wall and another shorter wall creates an L-shape counter and cabinet space, giving the floor plan its name. The L-shape kitchen keeps all appliances, cabinets and work surfaces relegated to one area in the kitchen and is often coupled with an island for additional counter space. This floor plan is often found in homes where the kitchen space opens into an informal dining area or the home's living room.
  
  

One Wall

• Originally called the "Pullman kitchen," this kitchen floor plan consists of every kitchen element lined up along one wall. While the Pullman-style kitchen was often installed in small apartments as a space-saving technique, the one wall kitchen has become an ideal choice for modern homes looking to create an open design for kitchen spaces. Like the L-shaped kitchen floor plan, the one wall design may utilize an island and almost always opens into another living area, such as a nook or family room.
  
  

Size

• Regardless of size, an open kitchen floor plan is simple to achieve with the right layout. Small homes are as likely, if not more, to have open floor plan kitchens because they lack the space to include unnecessary walls that larger homes might have. Larger homes are in a position to create open kitchen floor plans with less regard for the kitchen's shape because the surplus space makes the kitchen in large homes naturally more roomy.
  
  

Considerations

• Color is of primary concern when creating an open floor plan kitchen. These spacious kitchens are often painted in white or bright colors that help to open up the space. Dark colors have the adverse affect of making spaces feel smaller and more closed in. Open floor plan kitchens often utilize light colors in cabinet, countertop and floor selections. The goal is to create an open, airy space achieved by opening the kitchen up. Windows also help to open up kitchen spaces and many open kitchen floor plans utilize windows to extend the open space outdoors.