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Lessons from 5 Small Kitchens That Encourage Socialising
Eat-in kitchens are trendy but not easy to squeeze into an apartment – but it can be done, as these designs demonstrate
Chiquit Brammall
5 December 2019
Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.
1. Open-concept island
Home: Apartment on Haig Road
Designer: The Association
Social features: With its open-concept layout where the living and dining areas are merged with the kitchen, this apartment enjoys a modern, sculptural island that also functions as a breakfast bar. The homeowners can cook and entertain guests at the same time.
See more of this project
Home: Apartment on Haig Road
Designer: The Association
Social features: With its open-concept layout where the living and dining areas are merged with the kitchen, this apartment enjoys a modern, sculptural island that also functions as a breakfast bar. The homeowners can cook and entertain guests at the same time.
See more of this project
Photos by K Studio
2. Cleverly semi-open with glass partitions
Home: HDB in Pasir Ris
Designer: Design Collective Studio
Social features: Glass pocket doors provide the option of closing in the cook-and-wash spaces so that cooking aromas don’t always waft through the rest of the house. The open island however, still allows interaction with guests or family members seated at the dining table while the homeowners prepare or plate the meal. It can also double as a buffet table for bigger gatherings!
See more of this project
2. Cleverly semi-open with glass partitions
Home: HDB in Pasir Ris
Designer: Design Collective Studio
Social features: Glass pocket doors provide the option of closing in the cook-and-wash spaces so that cooking aromas don’t always waft through the rest of the house. The open island however, still allows interaction with guests or family members seated at the dining table while the homeowners prepare or plate the meal. It can also double as a buffet table for bigger gatherings!
See more of this project
3. Space to grow
Home: S Apartment (maisonette)
Designer: Right Angle Studio
Social features: Despite the structural column in the middle of the newly-opened kitchen, seating is provided for conversation and quick meals. Add two or three bar stools around the kitchen island, and the homeowners can easily cook for and enjoy their party at the same time.
Home: S Apartment (maisonette)
Designer: Right Angle Studio
Social features: Despite the structural column in the middle of the newly-opened kitchen, seating is provided for conversation and quick meals. Add two or three bar stools around the kitchen island, and the homeowners can easily cook for and enjoy their party at the same time.
4. Cosy. comfy and family-friendly
Home: HDB in Upper Serangoon
Designer: Dots n Tots Interior Group
Social features: With one wall partially hacked open so that the kitchen is easily accessed from the living and dining areas, the homeowners can chat with guests as they go about food prep duties. There’s even extra seats inside the kitchen if guests want to hang out while the homeowners cook. This semi-open design also makes it convenient for mum or dad to supervise homework being done at the dining table, or kids’ TV time in the living area.
Home: HDB in Upper Serangoon
Designer: Dots n Tots Interior Group
Social features: With one wall partially hacked open so that the kitchen is easily accessed from the living and dining areas, the homeowners can chat with guests as they go about food prep duties. There’s even extra seats inside the kitchen if guests want to hang out while the homeowners cook. This semi-open design also makes it convenient for mum or dad to supervise homework being done at the dining table, or kids’ TV time in the living area.
5. Eating out in the hall
Home: 4-room HDB in Bukit Batok
Designer: Distinctidentity
Social features: Partially opening the kitchen wall by the hallway provided a clever eat-in bar located along the circulation space, without sacrificing the kitchen’s floor area. Guests can linger here (instead of heading to the living and dining area) while the homeowners cook; this also works nicely as a place for quick meals.
See more of this project
Home: 4-room HDB in Bukit Batok
Designer: Distinctidentity
Social features: Partially opening the kitchen wall by the hallway provided a clever eat-in bar located along the circulation space, without sacrificing the kitchen’s floor area. Guests can linger here (instead of heading to the living and dining area) while the homeowners cook; this also works nicely as a place for quick meals.
See more of this project
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See Singapore kitchen designs
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