An interior designer has shown how she was able to make a home kitchen more functional by optimising the available space.Laurie Butler told StarTribune.com that the homeowners wanted a more open kitchen with additional workspaces, but did not want the room to be enlarged by having walls knocked down.Ms Butler explained that she reconfigured the kitchen by moving around appliances. She also converted a coat cupboard into a recess for holding two wall ovens in order to make more space.To add a contemporary feel to the room, Ms Butler added a range of stylish surfaces in and around the kitchen sink area including granite countertops and mosaic tile backsplashes.A kitchen island with a glass top was installed to open up the space further. The glass bar also makes a natural gathering spot for guests, noted the news provider.Kitchen designer Johnny Grey recently told the Daily Mail that in homes where there is a shortage of space and where the home is intensively used by a family, people are increasingly abandoning dining rooms in favour of open-plan kitchens.