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Open-concept floor plans have redefined common spaces within homes. This architectural trend has become a lifestyle choice thanks to its many benefits. With open-concept living, you get better flow, increased sociability, and shared natural light. They seamlessly blend kitchen, dining, and living areas, creating a sense of spaciousness and flexibility, allowing for multifunctional use of your home's heart.
However, if not done with a sound knowledge of design and thoughtfulness, maintaining visual cohesion may be a challenge.
In this blog, we will explore open-concept kitchen and living room designs that balance aesthetics with functionality. We will discuss design ideas and styling tips so you find the right inspiration for your next home redesign.
5 Open Concept Kitchen and Living Room Designs
At ALI & SHEA DESIGN, we focus on crafting beautiful designs perfectly suited to your lifestyle. Here are some of our favorite approaches to designing a cohesive, inviting, open-concept space.
The Island Oasis
A central kitchen island is a cornerstone of the open kitchen with living room designs. It is ideal for larger spaces and serves as a functional workspace and a natural gathering point. Use the island as an informal dining area with ample seating connecting the kitchen and living space. Position the island to face the living area, allowing you to interact with guests or family while cooking.
You can tailor the shape to fit your space and design preferences, such as L-shaped or T-shaped islands. Your island shape and positioning should allow a smooth workflow between the cooking, prep, and dining areas.
Design Tip: For a cohesive look, match or complement the cabinetry in the rest of the kitchen.
The Zoned Approach
Maintaining distinct areas is essential for functionality and aesthetic coherence in an open-concept layout. Subtle design elements delineate spaces without compromising the open feel. Strategic furniture and rug placements, such as positioning a sofa with its back to the kitchen, create a natural boundary.
Ensure the overall composition of furniture and rugs doesn’t overcrowd the space or obstruct movement. The goal is to define spaces while keeping the layout open, airy, and functional.
Design Tip: Use different rugs to define multiple zones in a large space. For smaller spaces, choose a rug large enough to fit under all major pieces of furniture in the living room, such as the sofa, coffee table, and chairs.
The Continuous Flow
Create a seamless flow with consistent design elements like flooring, color schemes, and materials. Uniform flooring throughout both areas eliminates visual breaks that can disrupt the sense of openness.
For example, if you choose a hardwood floor, use it throughout the living room and kitchen to create a harmonious flow. Avoid breaks or transitions in flooring as much as possible to eliminate visual interruptions that can make the area feel disjointed.
Although colors are a personal choice, for a well-integrated and cohesive space, a neutral base, such as whites, grays, beiges, or soft taupes, work best. These colors create a calm, inviting backdrop and help to reflect light, enhancing the sense of openness. Subtle repetition of patterns or design motifs across both spaces ties the look together elegantly.
Design Tip: Maintain consistency in textures and finishes between kitchen cabinetry and living room furniture, further reinforcing this cohesive feel. For example, if your kitchen cabinetry has a matte finish, opt for a matte finish on living room furniture or accessories.
Bringing the Outdoors In
Open-concept design also means embracing that indoor-outdoor living - allowing the garden or patio to become an integral part of your living and dining experience.
Install large sliding or folding glass doors that can open completely to merge the indoor and outdoor spaces. They are perfect for an unobstructed flow and natural light. Designate specific areas for dining, lounging, and cooking both indoors and outdoors. This helps maintain an organized and functional layout.
Design Tip: Consider extending your interior design elements to your outdoor spaces. This could mean using complementary furniture pieces to carry your color palette beyond the glass doors.
Incorporate a Peninsula
For those working with limited square footage, the peninsula kitchen design offers a brilliant solution to achieve an open-concept layout without sacrificing functionality. It provides extra counter space, ideal for meal preparation, baking, or serving. It can also serve as a bar or breakfast nook. This multi-functionality helps create a space that enhances the flow between the kitchen and living areas.
The peninsula is typically connected to one side of the kitchen and extends into the open area. It allows for easy interaction with the living or dining area while maintaining a clear separation of functions. Most peninsulas are rectangular or L-shaped, but you can get creative with curves or angles to suit your space and aesthetic.
Design Tip: Maintain consistency in your color scheme, backsplash, and cabinetry throughout the kitchen and peninsula for a polished, cohesive look. It ties your entire space together.
How to Style an Open Concept-Kitchen Living Room
Incorporate Neutral Furniture and Rustic Wood Cabinets
Adding a barn door or window to your kitchen can introduce a distinctive rustic ambiance. For a bold approach, define each zone within your open-floor kitchen plan with elements that are radically different from one another. Each area should showcase its unique characteristics and personality.
For example, you can create a contrasting scheme where the kitchen showcases moody, raw concrete walls, industrial fittings, and lighting. At the same time, the adjoining dining room can feature a rustic barn table, chairs, and a dark wood floor. However, it's crucial to approach this style with caution and seek the expertise of a skilled designer to ensure a successful outcome.
Create a Breakfast Bar or Nook
A breakfast bar can be easily integrated into an existing kitchen island or peninsula. This can be an extended part of the kitchen island or the countertop. When selecting bar stools, prioritize both comfort and style. Opt for designs that complement your overall aesthetic while providing adequate seating for everyday use and entertaining.
For those seeking a cozier nook, consider transforming an unused corner into a built-in breakfast area. When positioned near a window, this space can become a sun-drenched retreat for morning coffee or casual meals.
Incorporate Pendants Lights
Pendant lights installed above the kitchen island or dining area create a visual anchor and provide task lighting while serving as a design element that subtly separates the cooking space from the living area. When selecting and placing pendant lights, consider the following:
Space pendants evenly across the island, typically using three for a standard-sized island.
Ensure pendants work harmoniously with other overhead lights, neither competing for attention nor leaving areas underlit.
Choose pendant sizes proportionate to the space and furniture beneath them.
Incorporate pendants into your overall lighting scheme, pairing them with other sources like floor lamps, wall sconces, or under-cabinet lights.
While cohesion is important, don’t be afraid to mix different styles of pendant lights in different areas. For example, more industrial pendants in the kitchen and softer, bohemian pendants in the living area can create a dynamic look.
Consider Durable Materials
Durability should be a primary consideration when selecting materials for an open concept kitchen-living room design. High-traffic areas require surfaces that withstand daily wear and tear while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Quartz or porcelain tiles offer both durability and style for kitchen countertops and flooring.
In terms of color choices, opt for visually appealing and practical hues. Grays and wood tones provide a sophisticated backdrop while being forgiving in maintenance. These colors also offer versatility, allowing for easy updates to decor and accessories over time.
Benefits of Open Kitchen-Living Room Designs
Here are the key benefits of open kitchen designs compared to closed kitchens:
Enhanced sense of spaciousness
An open kitchen with a living room floor plan enables visual continuity and a greater sense of space. Removing barriers between the kitchen and living room creates a larger room, eliminating the isolation often felt by those cooking.
Increased natural light
Open kitchens generally benefit from more natural light. Light can freely flow throughout the space without partitions or walls separating different areas of the home. This results in a more comfortable and pleasant environment. Combining natural light with well-placed LED spotlights or stylish lamps can enhance the overall ambiance.
Improved communication and accessibility
If you enjoy sharing family moments, an open kitchen concept is ideal for fostering a practical and functional environment. It facilitates better communication and accessibility, making the space more inclusive. Moreover, it allows for seamless movement between the kitchen and dining area, enabling efficient serving and preparation.
Better ventilation
Integrating a small kitchen with the dining room promotes better air circulation. This is particularly beneficial for eliminating cooking odors. Even with a reliable extractor hood, ensuring proper ventilation in the kitchen is always advisable.
At ALI & SHEA DESIGN, we are passionate about creating luxurious spaces without compromising your vision. Our interior designers are dedicated to transforming spaces from concept to the final result, ensuring that they reflect your style. Our team offers expert architectural and design guidance on material selection, color choices, and combinations that match the aesthetics of both your home and commercial spaces, all while ensuring convenience and upkeep.
Ready to reimagine your space?
Contact ALI & SHEA DESIGN today for a consultation and take the first step towards your renewed space.
FAQs
How do you combine a living room and kitchen?
Combine a living room and kitchen by creating an open floor plan, removing physical barriers between the two spaces. This allows for seamless flow and interaction between the areas, often achieved through shared flooring, cohesive design elements, and thoughtful furniture arrangement.
What is an open kitchen and living room called?
An open kitchen and living room combined is commonly called an "open concept" or "open floor plan" layout, where the kitchen and living room areas are integrated into a single shared space without physical barriers, fostering a sense of openness and connectivity.
Should open concept kitchen living room be the same color?
Whether to have the same color in an open-concept kitchen and living room depends on personal preference and desired design aesthetics. While coordinating colors can create a cohesive look, different colors can help define each area and add visual interest to the space.
Is open kitchen with living room a good idea?
Yes, an open kitchen with a living room is a great idea for creating a spacious, social atmosphere. It enhances natural light, encourages interaction, and makes entertaining easier, but it may not suit those who prefer separation between cooking and living areas due to noise or clutter concerns.