Open vs Closed Kitchen Layouts: What Works Best in Melbourne Homes?

It’s the age-old renovation question:

Do you open up the kitchen — or keep it contained?

Here’s how to decide what layout works best for your lifestyle, space, and Melbourne home.

🍽 Open Kitchens: Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • More natural light

  • Social and connected to living spaces

  • Ideal for entertaining

  • Great for small homes — feels bigger

Cons:

  • Less wall space for cabinetry

  • Cooking smells spread

  • Noise travels

  • Can feel cluttered if not well-designed

🚪 Closed Kitchens: Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • More storage and bench space

  • Better at containing mess, noise, and smells

  • Can feel calmer and more focused

  • Ideal for serious cooks

Cons:

  • Feels less spacious

  • Cuts you off from the action

  • Can look dated if not modernised

👇 So, Which One’s Better?

It depends on:

  • Your floor plan (small space? Open might help)

  • How you use the kitchen (serious chef or quick meals?)

  • Who’s in the house (young kids? noise control matters)

  • Your storage needs (closed = more cabinetry options)

💡 Bluestone Insight

Some of our favourite builds combine the best of both:

  • Semi-open layouts with sliding doors or nib walls

  • Butler’s pantries to hide the mess

  • Kitchen islands that anchor open space without feeling too exposed

You don’t have to go fully open or fully closed — the smart move is finding the layout that fits you.

👉 Book a consult and we’ll walk you through the layout that makes the most sense for your lifestyle, block, and budget.

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