At Varoco Design & Renovations Inc., we have years of experience creating modern open-concept kitchens. However, in a cyclical world, it is becoming increasingly common to see families who want to preserve their closed kitchen during a renovation.
For the past twenty-five years, the answer has been clear. Open-concept kitchens in the United States and Canada are the standard. This is because removing a wall between the kitchen and the living room solves genuine problems: it brightens up spaces, eliminates unnecessary layouts, and brings the family together during gatherings.
Despite what has been said above, we know that even standards can change, and that seems to be happening with the return of closed kitchens. This raises new questions such as: Which is the right choice? Are open-concept kitchens a timeless improvement or something that will eventually go out of style?
The short answer is simple: neither. The long answer depends entirely on the architecture of your home, your household habits, and whether you plan to sell the property in the next five years.
The popularity of the open concept was not manufactured by marketing strategies. It expanded because it offered benefits that homeowners experienced immediately.
First, it makes small homes feel more spacious without adding a single square foot. A 1,200-square-foot home will always measure 1,200 square feet, but removing the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room creates a visual effect where the eye perceives greater spaciousness.
Second, it improves the distribution of natural light. Interior kitchens often have a small window or none at all. Opening the kitchen to an adjoining room with exterior windows allows you to “borrow” that light. Homes that once felt dark are transformed into bright spaces.
What we have described above is very important, but there is one reason that often carries more weight when families make a decision. Open-concept kitchens allow parents to supervise their children while cooking. This is no small convenience. In homes with young children, a closed kitchen forces a constant choice between food preparation and childcare. The open concept eliminates that dilemma.
These are the reasons why at Varoco Design & Renovation Inc. we continue to install load-bearing beams and relocate HVAC ductwork for open-concept renovations every month. The need for light, space, and family care has not disappeared.
Criticism of open-concept kitchens relates to how daily life changes when you have one of these kitchens.
The most common complaint we hear involves noise. Open kitchens tend to be noisy spaces. Dishwashers, range hoods, blenders, and running water generate sounds that travel unimpeded through adjacent areas. In homes where one person cooks while another watches TV or works from home, this situation can become problematic.
The second complaint does not apply to everyone, but it does apply to those who are less concerned with tidiness. A closed kitchen contains its own mess, whereas an open kitchen displays it. For homeowners who keep their spaces spotless at all times, this is irrelevant. For the rest, it means that the preparation of dinner each night becomes visible from the sofa.
The third is the loss of storage. Walls hold up cabinets. Removing a three-meter wall means getting rid of three meters of upper and lower storage at the same time. Islands can compensate, but they require floor space and don’t usually offer the same amount as a full wall of cabinets. Many open-concept kitchens are objectively less functional for storage than the closed kitchens they replaced.
These disadvantages are real, but the question is whether they are a more decisive factor for you than the benefits.
The open concept continues to be an attractive feature for first-time homeowners and young families, as they associate open layouts with modernity and value.
For other, more experienced buyers, preferences shift. Buyers at this level often expect differentiated environments, formal dining spaces, and the privacy that defined boundaries provide. A completely open floor plan can be perceived as a missed opportunity for variety and sophistication.
The safest approach, from a resale perspective, is neither total openness nor complete enclosure. It is a layout that offers both: an open area for everyday living and at least one separate room for quiet use or more formal events.
At Varoco Design & Renovations Inc., we do not discourage homeowners who want to keep their spaces closed, nor those who want to open them up. As part of our work ethic, we make sure you understand the pros and cons of both options so that you can make the decision that best suits your needs and how you envision your home in the long term. The homes that work best are those that respect the preferences of the people who actually live in them.
If you are unsure which category you fall into, a good exercise is to spend a week paying attention to how you move around your current kitchen. Notice when you feel limited and when you feel exposed. The right layout will reveal itself.
At Varoco Design & Renovations Inc., we can achieve the right solution for your home in Waterloo or Kitchener. Don’t hesitate to contact us right now for a quote tailored to your requirements.
