Open concept kitchen or Cabinets?

Question

Good morning BP,

Could really use some input, doing a flip in Arlington MA. What will be a better selling point, open concept kitchen/living room or a closed off wall to allow for my cabinets in the kitchen? Without the wall there is minimal cabinent room, toying with the idea of putting in glass cantilevered top units that open both from living room and kitchen.

Thoughts?

Ann Bellamy · Answer

Consider open shelving above a peninsula or island.  Open shelving instead of all cabinets is a trend in urban kitchens, although I've had a few discussions with local rehabbers about it.  Here are some photos on Houzz

Char Prado · Answer

Go to HD or Lowe's and get a kitchen design done...it would really help you in your decision with this small space and yes open concept is the trend.  It's also great to visit Realtor "open houses" to keep with current trends of materials and design.

Happy Investing

Char

Moe Hirsch · Answer

Open seems to be the trend, but knowing the comps, and your space would help to give an opinion.

Byron Bohlsen · Answer

what are the comps telling you

Mike F. · Answer

Craig,

Having not seen the space, it's hard to give an opinion (pics would help). If the cost are low I would go for open concept, if it's a really small kitchen should be cheap to do nice RTA cabinets, maybe 42" uppers?

Jim Brown · Answer

That's a tough one.  Open floor plans are everything these days it seems.  I would look at what other properties that are for sale and houses that sold in the last few months have. Go with what's popular in your area and what you will be competing against when it's time to sell.

JD Martin · Answer

Even with open concept you should be able to get lower cabinets and a countertop peninsula or island in; then all you are losing are the upper cabinets.

It depends on the size of the rooms. If the living room and kitchen are both more than 200 SF I would go with the wall and cabinets, if either is less than 100 SF I would go open concept, and in between would depend. And this is just going from not seeing a picture of the space.

What's already in place? There are compromises where it doesn't have to be either/or. What is your budget? Less cabinets = less money unless you have to spend a lot of cash taking down a wall and fixing what is left behind.

All things being equal, people will remember wide open spaces more than they will remember no cabinets, unless it's over the top with a lack of cabinets.

Harry Rosen · Answer

Open concept kitchen/living room is better option in my opinion.

Good Day

Open concept kitchen or Cabinets?

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