Open Kitchen vs Closed Kitchen: Which Is Right for Your Apartment?
The open kitchen vs closed kitchen debate comes up in almost every apartment renovation or purchase. It shapes how you cook, how you socialize, and how the whole apartment feels on a daily basis.
There is no universally correct answer. The right choice depends on how you cook, how you live, and the specific dimensions of your space.
Here is a practical breakdown to help you decide — not based on trends, but on how you will actually use the kitchen.
What is an open kitchen?
An open kitchen has no wall separating it from the living or dining area. The cooking space flows directly into the social space. It is the dominant design choice in new construction across most urban markets today.
Real advantages of an open kitchen
The apartment feels larger
Removing the kitchen wall is one of the most effective ways to make a small apartment feel significantly bigger. Two small separate rooms become one generous open space.
Social cooking
You can cook and stay part of the conversation. For families with children, you can watch the kids while preparing meals. For people who entertain, it removes the separation between host and guests.
Natural light
Light flows through the whole space rather than being trapped in a separate kitchen. In apartments where light is limited, this can make a meaningful difference.
Real disadvantages of an open kitchen
Cooking smells spread everywhere
This is the most commonly underestimated problem. Fish, fried food, strong spices — in an open layout, these smells reach the living room, the sofa, and the bedroom. No ventilation hood fully solves this.
Noise from cooking
A range hood running at full power, dishes clattering, the refrigerator — in an open kitchen, these sounds are part of the living room soundscape. For people who work from home or have different schedules, this matters.
The kitchen is always on display
Clutter, dishes in the sink, the aftermath of cooking — it is all visible from the living area. An open kitchen requires more consistent tidiness than a closed one.
When a closed kitchen makes more sense
A closed kitchen is the better choice when you cook frequently and heavily, when cooking smells are a real concern, when kitchen mess being visible would cause stress, or when you have a smaller kitchen that would look cluttered when open. In many Israeli apartments, where cooking with strong spices is common, a closed or semi-closed kitchen is worth reconsidering even when the open layout is tempting.
The semi-open kitchen: a middle ground
A kitchen island, peninsula, or partial wall is a popular compromise. It defines the cooking zone without fully closing it off. You get the sense of openness with slightly more separation. The tradeoff is that you still get some smell and noise spillover, but less than a fully open layout.
What people who have renovated say
One of the most common things people say after opening up a kitchen is that they underestimated the smell and noise factor. Many people in floor plan communities report that they loved the idea of an open kitchen but struggled with the reality — especially in smaller apartments where cooking odors have nowhere to go. Before removing a wall, it is worth talking to people who have already done it in a similar space.
If you are weighing this decision for your own apartment, Floorlyst is a place where people share their floor plans and ask the same question. You can see real before-and-after layouts, read discussions from people who have made this choice, and share your own floor plan to get specific feedback.
Explore floor plans on Floorlyst →Frequently Asked Questions
Does an open kitchen make an apartment feel bigger?
Usually yes, especially in smaller apartments. Removing a wall between the kitchen and living room can make both spaces feel more generous and improve light flow.
Can I add a partial wall or island instead of choosing one or the other?
Yes — a kitchen island or half-wall is a popular compromise. It defines the cooking zone without fully closing it off, giving you some of the benefits of both options.
How do I deal with cooking smells in an open kitchen?
A powerful range hood is essential — look for at least 600m³/h extraction capacity. Good carbon filters help in recirculating models. That said, heavy frying or strong spices will always spread in an open layout.
How do I know if my kitchen wall is load-bearing?
You need a structural engineer or architect to confirm. Never assume a wall is non-structural just because it looks thin or because it seems like it could be removed.
Do open kitchens affect apartment resale value?
In most urban markets, open kitchens are preferred and can increase value. In some traditional markets or with specific buyer profiles, a closed kitchen may be preferred. It depends on your local market.
Is it expensive to open up a kitchen?
It depends on whether the wall is structural. Non-structural wall removal is relatively inexpensive. A structural wall requires steel beams or columns, which significantly increases cost and complexity.