Last month, we came up with an article showing you the numerous <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/beautiful-open-kitchens-for-bto/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ways you can do an open kitchen in style</a>. This was following the HDB announcement that they will take away the option for closed kitchen schemes in new BTOs. Instead, all BTOs will now be open ones.
While open kitchens are gorgeous (and oh-so-trendy), there are certain blights to having one. If you cook often, fumes and grease will pervade your space, furniture and clothes more easily in an open setting. You will also hear the clunk and clatter of cooking and see the mess in the kitchen.
Still, don’t be in a hurry to close off your open kitchens with concrete walls. If you entertain often, an open kitchen is a wonderful layout for engaging your guests while you prep your meals. It’s also a great way to invite more light and ventilation into your home, and will make your small apartment appear a lot more spacious.
So what's the solution? Semi-open kitchens. The best of both worlds, they offer the openness without all the mess, noise, or the pervasion of oil and smells.
Here are some ways to work them into your HDB flat:
<h2>1. Using frameless glass panels</h2>
Openness: 8/10 
Concealment ability: 6/10
&nbsp;
Frameless glass walls are perhaps the most elegant way to block of unwanted grease and noise when you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen, while still allowing you to see what’s going on in the rest of your home.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172460" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/CarpentersHabitat-310CPunggolWalk-3-1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="831" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/carpenters-habitat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Carpenters by Habitat</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172461" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/ObbioConcept-RioVista-4-1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/obbio-concept/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Obbio Concept</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172462" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Studio-20-Bukit-Batok-Central-8-1.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/studio-20-concepts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Studio 20 Concepts</a>
You can opt for a hinged glass door or sliding glass panels that take up a lot less space.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172463" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/2ndPhase-419Hougang-04-1.jpg" alt="" width="720" height="480" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/2nd-phase-design/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2nd Phase Design</a>
&nbsp;
<h2>2. Using framed glass panels</h2>
Openness: 6/10 
Concealment ability: 7/10
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172464" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Third-Avenue-Studio-62A-Strathmore-3-1.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="960" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/third-avenue-studio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Third Avenue Studio</a>
Trending since 2014, black-framed glass walls arise from the industrial style. But it works even in a more contemporary setting. While not as clean-cut as frameless glass walls, they are great for providing a dramatic flair.
Go for larger panels and pencil-thin frames if you’re after a more minimalist contemporary aesthetic. Chunkier frames work better in industrial homes, or with period themes and Victorian settings.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-34397" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/DotsnTots-870ATampines-3.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/dots-n-tots-interior/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dots 'N' Tots Interior Design</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172465" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Akihaus-Rivervale-Crescent-5-1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="580" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/akihaus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Akihaus</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172466" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/dc-sengkang-2-1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/dream-creations-interior/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dream Creations Interior</a>
Not a fan of black? Go for white frames instead. They are fresh and modern, and recommended for country style kitchens rocking the farmhouse vibe or even Scandinavian themed homes.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172467" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/CozyIdeas-116AJalanTenteram-5-1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/cozy-ideas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cozy Ideas</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172468" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/I-Chapter-Compassvale-Crescent-10-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="689" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/i-chapter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">I-Chapter</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172481" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/intrigue-d-telok-blangah-1.jpg" alt="" width="559" height="960" />
Design: Intrigue-D Design Consultancy 
To add warmth to an interior, opt for wooden frames, which are usually constructed by swathing the frames in woodgrain laminates.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172469" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/fsi-PunggolWay2-9-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/free-space-intent/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Space Intent</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172470" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/KWYM-Ascentia-Sky-4-1.jpg" alt="" width="958" height="718" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/kwym-interior-designs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">KWYM Interior Designs</a>
&nbsp;
<h2>3. Separating the wet kitchen from the dry kitchen</h2>
Openness: 5/10 
Concealment ability: 8/10
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172472" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/FuseConcept-WaterwayTerrace1-4-1.jpg" alt="" width="685" height="960" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/fuse-concept/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fuse Concept</a>
Separating the wet zone from the dry zone in a kitchen with a partition in the middle helps to keep the noise and cooking fumes restricted to just the wet area, while still giving you the sense of an open kitchen. You don't need a physical barrier to make this design work, but it does help to keep unwanted sounds and grease from entering the rest of your home. If you do opt for a physical divider, consider going for glass.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172473" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/ReztRelax-Waterway-Brooks-BTO-2-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="638" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/rezt-relax-interior/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rezt &amp; Relax Interior</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172471" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/i-chapter-331Aanchorvale-010-1.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="960" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/i-chapter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">I-Chapter</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-64361" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/AE_8.jpg" alt="" width="3872" height="2592" />
Design: Amoz Boon
The dry kitchen is sometimes used as a pantry, sometimes used to prepare lighter meals. But you can always include a breakfast bar that lets you have casual meals in. It also provides the perfect spot for you to mingle with your guests when you have them over.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20932" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/AceSpace-TheLuxerie-07.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="746" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/ace-space-design/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ace Space Design</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172474" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/D4S-217CSumang-2-1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/design-4-space/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Design 4 Space</a>
&nbsp;
<h2>4. Incorporating bi-fold/folding dividers</h2>
Openness: 9/10 
Concealment ability: 7/10
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172475" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/DB-Studio-515-CCK-2-1.jpg" alt="" width="801" height="1200" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/db-studio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DB Studio</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-36506" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/DISTINCTidENTITY-Circuit-2.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="960" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/distinctidentity/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Distinctidentity</a>
Bi-fold dividers give you a convertible kitchen. They fold up neatly to reveal an open kitchen, and when closed, help to conceal the clatter and cooking grease from the rest of your home.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-30291" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/ThreeD-Conceptwerke-FlametreePark-4.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/three-d-conceptwerke/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Three-D Conceptwerke</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-60197" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/KUROplus-ProjectTE-5.jpg" alt="" width="686" height="960" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/kuro-plus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">K U R O +</a>
This bi-fold mechanism is a particularly great asset for smaller kitchens, since they don’t take up that much room when the panels are stacked neatly against one another.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172480" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/intrigue-d-pasir-ris-1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="666" />
Design: Intrigue-D Design Consultancy
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172476" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Versaform-KampongArang-5-1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="686" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/versaform/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Versaform</a>
Folding windows built on top of counters create a kitchen pass-through that makes serving meals a lot easier. When opened, they create more countertop space for food preparation.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172477" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/AceSpace-CompassvaleCres-8-1.jpg" alt="" width="2449" height="1633" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/ace-space-design/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ace Space Design</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-36699" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/ThreeDConceptwerke-SengkangWestway-2.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/three-d-conceptwerke/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Three-D Conceptwerke</a>
&nbsp;
<h2>5. Placing a glass casing around the hob area</h2>
Openness: 9/10 
Concealment ability: 5/10\
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172478" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/clifton-leung-design-workshop-ROYALTON-in-Mid-Level-West-1.jpg" alt="" width="479" height="720" />
Design: Clifton Leung Design Workshop
If you rather not have a fully enclosed kitchen, you can surround just your hob area with glass. Glass doesn't have visual obstruction yet still blocks the cooking fumes.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172482" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/DesignPractice-TheSummit-07.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="960" />
Design: Design Practice
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172479" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/intrigue-d-cck-1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="639" />
Design: Intrigue-D Design Consultancy
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172483" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Studio20Concepts-AMK-7-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/studio-20-concepts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Studio 20 Concepts</a>
&nbsp;
<h2>6. Installing a kitchen pass-through window</h2>
Openness: 5/10 
Concealment ability: 7/10 
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14853" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/ibridge-5RivervaleCres-03-1.jpg" alt="" width="899" height="1348" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/i-bridge-design/">I-Bridge Design</a>
A kitchen pass-through window is meant to provide you with the convenience of passing food through to the dining and eating area after cooking. But it’s also a way to open up the space in a small kitchen, while ensuring that it still retains some privacy.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172484" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/FuseConcept-Livia-4-1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="639" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/fuse-concept/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fuse Concept</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-64368" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Voila-417A-Fernvale-5.jpg" alt="" width="1125" height="750" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/voila/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">VOILÀ</a>
You can do a cut-out however big or small you want, depending on how private you like your kitchen area to be. If you entertain often, consider opting for a larger pass-through.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172485" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Le-Interi-The-Quintet-CCK-4-1.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="600" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/le-interi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Le Interi</a>
Incorporate a glass panel or just leave it open. Opt for the former if you do heavy cooking at home.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172486" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/BSD-Residential5-03-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/boon-siew-dsign/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Boon Siew D'sign</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172487" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/KYDA-Lush-Acres-Condo-10-1.jpg" alt="" width="512" height="687" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/kyda-interior/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">KYDA Interior</a>
&nbsp;
<h2>7. Built a raised counter</h2>
Openness: 8/10 
Concealment ability: 6/10
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172490" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/D4S-662EdgedalePlains-3-1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/design-4-space/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Design 4 Space</a>
A raised counter such as a breakfast or bar counter, when placed at the entrance of your open kitchen, helps to hide your kitchen mess partially when you view from the outside. It’s also a great way to sneak in an extra eating area in your home. However, it doesn’t quite block out unwanted smells or grease.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-60042" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/The80Studio-116-Edgefield-Plains-4.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/the-80s-studio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The 80's Studio</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172489" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Voila-821-Yishun-3-2.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1500" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/voila/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">VOILÀ</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172491" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Design4Space-603-Punggol-5-1.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="1200" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/design-4-space/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Design 4 Space</a>
&nbsp;
<h2>8. Planning for strategic wall structures</h2>
Openness: 6/10 
Concealment ability: 7/10
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172492" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/AceSpace-PotongPasir-1-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/ace-space-design/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ace Space Design</a>
Rather than erect concrete walls that surround your entire kitchen, opt to place wall structures at strategic points that can still conceal what you need to hide while keeping the rest of your kitchen open to light and airflow.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-172493" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/D4S-542BukitBatok-2-1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="631" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/design-4-space/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Design 4 Space</a>
&nbsp;
<hr />
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8 Ways to do a Semi-Open Kitchen in your HDB

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