Q: I want to open up my kitchen to the living-dining area to make my flat feel more spacious. I'd like an island cooktop, but there isn't room for both a hob and food prep area as my kitchen layout is narrow. What's the solution?

A: An open kitchen with an island-style worktop that sits inside the living space is becoming the norm in homes all over the world. Island units are popular as they can be used for light cooking as well as entertainment, with the counter offering elegant space for serving food and drinks.

What you need is a duo-counter island worktop that can do double duty. The idea is to layer two worktops so the cooker hob is concealed by a second countertop that slides aside when you need to cook. In this compact, delightful little kitchen by The Interarch Design, a sliding Corian worktop is positioned above a second counter. When closed, it forms a neat work surface together with a built-in sink. When it slides out along tracks on either edge, the counter reveals a hob and even extends towards the dining table to create extra serving space that is especially useful for buffet spreads.

Word of caution though: Your island unit should be used only for light cooking. Create an area for heavy cooking at the back of the kitchen, so oil particles and smells can dissipate through the yard window. Unless you are willing to install a powerful cooker hood over the island hob, heavy cooking will splatter the living-dining area with oil particles and leave behind strong cooking odours.