Explanation of the hype

Carpet. Good keyword. In the living room gladly, in the kitchen rather not.

Years ago I viewed an apartment that had white carpet laid right up to the kitchenette. It was brand new and the landlady praised the new flooring in the highest terms. Crazy.

The playful back and forth between fans of the open and closed kitchen variants may possibly not be helpful for the OP.

I recommend placing personal habits when preparing food and entertaining guests at the center of consideration.

- Is cooking done together with friends or not?

- Are food smells generally perceived as disturbing in the living area or not?

- Does one want to invest in kitchen aesthetics so that they fit the living space or not?

- How long does one typically stay in the kitchen?

Depending on the answers to these questions, a different kitchen type is suitable. Since on average the answers rather require an open kitchen, the trend is more than just a hype; it is a functional further development of living.

For those who prefer closed kitchens: please.

I would like to append my personal view to this objective consideration because I sometimes had to pause while reading the thread.

For me personally, the kitchen is not just a functional space but is, if not THE social center, and therefore necessarily integrated openly into the living area.

Anyone who claims that functional furniture that matches the rest of the interior cannot be placed there either never dealt with the design possibilities or has very special furniture in the living area.

I don’t understand the thing with food smells from experience. As a passionate frequent cook, I can say: In our open kitchen I can fry green herrings – and the apartment smells little and the little smell disappears quickly. However, I have also invested in a good exhaust hood, but that really sucks everything away.

My only advice to the OP is to plan here oriented to his own needs, no matter if one thing is just a hype for someone or the other is old-fashioned for others.

I myself am for open kitchens and reject the claim that this is purely fashion. Behind it is thoughtful planning based on prioritized needs.

Open kitchen clearly means two dishwashers in my opinion. So that you can load one without the first machine having to be finished already.

...I already had this in a holiday home, practical matter. But you also have to have the space for it. The alternative is a dishwasher with "party mode", 20-30 minutes washing time depending on the manufacturer.

The playful back and forth between fans of the open and closed kitchen variants may not be helpful for the OP.

I recommend putting personal habits regarding meal preparation and entertaining guests at the center of consideration.

- Is cooking done together with friends or not?

- Are food smells generally perceived as disturbing in the living area or not?

- Does one want to invest in the kitchen’s aesthetics so that they match the living area or not?

- How long does one usually spend in the kitchen?

Depending on the answers to these questions, a different type of kitchen is appropriate. Since on average the answers tend to require an open kitchen, the trend is more than just a hype; it is a functional evolution of living.

For those who prefer closed kitchens: by all means.

I want to add my personal view to this factual consideration because I sometimes had to pause while reading the thread.

For me personally, the kitchen is not merely a functional room but, if not THE social center, and therefore necessarily integrated openly into the living area.

Anyone who claims that no functional furniture can be placed there that matches the rest of the furnishings either has never dealt with design options or has very special furniture in the living area.

From experience, I don’t understand the issue with food smells. As a passionate frequent cook, I can say: In our open kitchen, I can fry green herrings—and the apartment smells little, and what there is dissipates quickly. However, I also invested in a good exhaust hood, which really pulls everything away.

I can only advise the OP to plan here based on their own needs, no matter whether one considers this just a hype or the other old-fashioned for others.

I myself am for open and object to it being explained as pure fashion. Thoughtful planning based on prioritized needs lies behind it.

You’ve summarized that nicely

... Says someone who can already look at the kitchen island upon entering the house because everything is open and delights when the smell of garlic or cumin bathes the house, because: good food awakens all senses and the spirits of life!

Since the answers on average tend to require an open kitchen, the trend is already somewhat more than a hype, but rather a functional development of living.

I didn't know that. Is the average really more for open kitchens? If I had to guess the current living situation, I would claim that more people live with a separated kitchen. I haven't seen anywhere how the distribution is in new buildings right now. You?

I didn't know that at all. Is the majority really more in favor of open kitchens? If I had to guess what the current living situation is like, I would say that more people live with separated kitchens. I haven't seen anywhere how the distribution is for new builds currently. Have you?

We were asked by every provider what we preferred, so it seems we are not the only ones who didn't want an open kitchen.