How to make an open plan kitchen feel cozier – 7 ways designers make these much-used spaces warm and welcoming

Three kitchen images: a kitchen with a marble island and an open shelf above the countertop, a modern kitchen with white cabinetry and a wooden slat partition wall, and a kitchen with banquette seating in the corner.

These days, open-plan kitchens come as standard in most homes. Versatile kitchen diners aren't only a place to cook; they're a space to relax, eat, socialize, and entertain. But, while larger multifunctional spaces have so much to offer, they can also feel stark and clinical if you forget to add a few cozy elements into the mix.

'The kitchen has evolved from a purely utilitarian area for food preparation into a multifunctional space where family members and guests naturally gather,' explains Philip Consalvo, Principal designer at PJCArchitecture. 'This transformation has reshaped how we view and design kitchens, presenting a new challenge: how to incorporate distinct areas for various activities within one cohesive and cozy space.'