An open-plan kitchen is one of those upgrades that actually makes your home feel bigger. It’s less about knocking down walls and more about how the space flows. Done right, it can bring your cooking, dining, and living zones together without making it feel crowded or messy.
At Sydney Wide Kitchen, we work on all kinds of open-plan layouts, from compact apartments to freestanding homes. And while every kitchen is different, there are a few renovation ideas that always seem to work.
Here are seven things to think about if you’re planning an open-plan kitchen in Sydney.
Table of Contents
1. Start With the Layout
Before choosing materials or colours, start with how people will move through the space. Open-plan doesn’t mean open chaos.
- Keep the work triangle intact: sink, fridge, and cooktop within easy reach.
- Avoid blocking paths with furniture or the island.
- Plan at least 900mm of clearance around major zones for comfort.
Open-plan works best when it flows, not when you’re tripping over things just to get to the fridge.
2. Add a Kitchen Island (if You Can)
A kitchen island acts as the anchor in an open-plan setup. It defines the space without closing it in.
Use it for:
- Prep space
- Seating
- Storage underneath
Just don’t make it too bulky. In Sydney homes with smaller layouts, a slimline island or peninsula works better than a huge rectangle in the middle.
If you’re doing kitchen renovations, the island is one place where a bit of investment in layout and finish can go a long way.
3. Keep It Light and Consistent
Open-plan means your kitchen is always on display. That’s why consistency matters.
Stick to a colour palette that works with your living area. Go light with walls and cabinetry if your space is small or doesn’t get much natural light.
Timber tones, whites, and soft greys help tie everything together. You can still add personality through bar stools, splashbacks, or pendant lights, just keep the base neutral.
4. Hide the Mess With Custom Cabinets
The downside of open-plan? You can see everything, all the time.
That’s where smart storage comes in. With custom cabinets, Sydney homeowners can hide bins, appliances, and bulk groceries behind clean-looking panels.
A few things to consider:
- Pull-out pantry or drawers to avoid digging in corners
- Overhead cupboards with lift-up doors
- Concealed rangehoods that blend into the cabinetry
Open-plan works best when the mess stays hidden.
5. Use Open Shelving the Right Way
A few open shelves? Great for displaying mugs, cookbooks, or plants. But too many can look cluttered fast.
Stick to one section or a single row of open shelves and keep the rest closed.
This approach works especially well above the sink or near the dining area, where the shelves double as décor.
However, you can use it anywhere you want.
6. Let the Floor Do the Work
In open-plan kitchens, flooring plays a big role in tying spaces together.
Try to avoid changing floor materials between the kitchen and living zones. One continuous surface makes everything feel connected and larger.
Engineered timber, large-format tiles, or polished concrete are all solid picks for Sydney homes. If you’re doing kitchen renovations, this is the time to think about how the flooring links with the rest of the house.
7. Choose Lighting That Separates Zones
Good lighting separates your kitchen from your lounge, even when there’s no wall between them.
Use:
- Pendant lights over the island or dining space
- Recessed lighting for general use
- Under-cabinet strips for task lighting
Layered lighting makes your kitchen feel intentional, not just an extension of the hallway or living room.
Get something that feels great, and you can also cook in a proper way. At the end of the day, you are using your kitchen for cooking.
Why It Matters in Sydney Homes: Tips from Sydney Wide Kitchen
Sydney homes often deal with tricky layouts, limited space, and natural light that shifts through the day. Open-plan kitchens help deal with all of that, but only if the design is well thought out.
At Sydney Wide Kitchen, we’ve worked on everything from terrace homes to new builds. Our biggest advice?
- Don’t force a huge layout into a small space.
- Get your storage sorted early, especially with custom cabinets Sydney clients love.
- Make sure the kitchen feels connected but not exposed.
Open-plan can be done on a budget or as part of a full kitchen renovation. Either way, what matters most is how it works for the way you actually live.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, these are some of the things you can try out for a luxury kitchen vibe. While you do all these, make sure to use a specific theme for the overall renovation. In recent times, custom cabinets have made a huge debut, and it’s a new trend. So, don’t forget that.
Lastly, if you need help putting it all together, Sydney Wide Kitchen can help design a space that fits your home and your life.
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I am a food blogger. I search for recipes and write to my blog. we have a small team of two people.
My Name is Shubham Patel And My partner name is Jenish Pateliya. we both work on this website.