Open-plan kitchens are particularly suited to modern, urban apartments where there is limited space, it has been suggested.According to a report in the Vancouver Sun, the popularity of living in city centre districts has forced many people to squeeze more into less when it comes to their home designs.Architect Michelle Biggar told the newspaper that open-plan kitchens are suited to modern lifestyles because people are time poor and appreciate the ability to easily engage with their friends and family when they are at home.The open plan is conducive to modern mingling and attuned to living less rigidly, observed the paper.Planning consultant Michael Geller also noted that prior to the surge in open-plan designs, people had been concerned with hiding away their kitchens and had not made the most of the space as a result.Open-plan designs have also allowed homeowners to install central islands with their own kitchen sinks and storage units, the Calgary Herald recently reported.