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.