The layout and decoration of a kitchen open to the living room is not always easy. To help you, we’ve put together some designs that might inspire you, along with some decorating tips and tricks.
1. Monochrome
A kitchen living room combo should be monochrome. There shouldn’t be any obvious separation on the walls or a big difference in color. After all, why do you want to divide them when you have decided to bring them together in one room?
2. Materials for flooring
Just like the colors, the materials of the flooring should not clash. However, it is quite difficult to find the ideal material for both the kitchen and the living room. If you decide to lay two different floor coverings, make sure that their color or texture is (or almost) the same.
3. The right layout
Why choose an open floor plan if it’s to install screens or partitions later? A kitchen open to the living room, as its name suggests, should remain “open”. So, forget about these different partitions and instead find the right arrangement of the furniture. Avoid oversized furniture or at least place it against the wall and make sure the room is open, airy and spacious.
4. Accessories for dividing
Do you like the open plan but would still like the two areas to be quite separate? Use accessories instead of partitions! With the help of rugs, lighting, works of art or other accessories, you can easily visually delimit the living room from the kitchen.
5. The details
Small details in the room can help you achieve a harmonious decoration. For example, you could match the color of the cushions in the living room with an accent wall in the kitchen.
6. Open shelves
We often recommend the installation of open shelves in the kitchen for several reasons; among other things because they allow you to easily reach the utensils that you need daily. However, when it comes to a kitchen open to the living room, this is not always a good idea; unless you place there a minimum of objects that play a decorative role.
7. A breakfast corner
It’s always convenient to have a table in the kitchen for breakfast. The fact that the kitchen is open to the living room shouldn’t prevent this. However, instead of a table, you could have your breakfast on the kitchen bar.
8. Clearly delimit the spaces thanks to a change of soil
Having a kitchen open to living room does not mean that spaces have to mix. On the contrary, it is because there is no physical partition that it is necessary to delimit the two places even better.
To take again one of the advice that I had already given you to separate two rooms , you can choose to create a demarcation on the ground. Switch from parquet in the living room, to beautiful cement tiles for the kitchen, for example. Or, just change the direction of the herringbone cutting slats , or the color of your siding. No matter. All it takes is that we can see that we are changing rooms. Ideally, you take the opportunity to choose a floor with simplified maintenance for the kitchen such as porcelain stoneware tiles . Indeed, it perfectly imitates the most diverse materials but requires simplified installation and reduced maintenance. It’s all good!
9. Ensure an area of at least 7 m² in your kitchen open to living room
While visually you can get the impression of a larger kitchen, you shouldn’t underestimate its needs. And so, you should not be fooled by this feeling of space that comes from a kitchen open to living room. Because on a daily basis, if it is too small, you risk paying the costs.
Thus, for a kitchen open to living room, it is advisable to have at least 7 m² for a minimum of comfort. – There, if you live in an 11 m² in Paris , you must have a good laugh. – Of course, this rule should be qualified if the kitchen is L-shaped, takes up little space but allows good circulation.
10. Accentuate the separation of rooms thanks to the bar
The bar is indeed a very good way to clearly delimit the kitchen from the living room since it corresponds to a physical barrier. In addition, it has a very convivial aspect, which really fits into the very spirit of the kitchen open to the living room. Indeed, from this room, he invites us to sit down and join the people who are getting down to preparing the meal.
11. Prefer closed storage in order to visually declutter the space
Sometimes, even when everything is in order in the kitchen, it feels like a mess. In fact, it is simply the fact that it is a room where a multitude of things are stored: utensils, ingredients, cleaning products, etc. Even stored, they visually clutter the room. This is why I advise you to opt for closed and opaque storage.
12. Harmonize your decoration
In a kitchen open to living room, it is not surprising that you need a few decorative touches to remind you of the living room. After all, these pieces coexist in the same space. It is therefore necessary to create a link between them thanks to the decoration. It can be a touch of color that you recall, or an accessory, a material … It’s up to you to see what will fit best in your kitchen.
13. Buy bar stools that can be stored under it
Earlier, I praised the virtues of a bar. Well now, I put a condition there: to have stools that can easily be stored under it. Because once the meal is over, it would be a shame if your seats were lying around in the kitchen and living room. And that they end up obstructing the passage. This is why I strongly recommend choosing a model that can slip under your bar.
14. Equip yourself with an extractor hood in your kitchen open to living room
If the smell of a good cake that is baked in the oven can make you salivate at snack time, the smell of meat that you simmer when you wake up for lunch will perhaps displease you as you read quietly. on your sofa early in the morning.
To avoid these annoyances due to odors, equip yourself with an extractor hood so that they do not spread to the living room.
15. Hang a light above the bar for a successful open kitchen
Nothing better than a beautiful pendant light above your bar to give character to your kitchen open to living room. It’s a little detail that can turn everything upside down. Like the icing on the cake, the light will complete the decoration of the place and give this high table greater legitimacy.
16. Open kitchen gives depth and widens the living room
The open kitchen gives depth and widens the living room. By removing the partitions between the living room, the dining room and the kitchen, you create a large space in the heart of your home. Ideal for small dwellings looking to save space, the kitchen open to living room, dining room offers the possibility of opening up the rooms. For large houses, this offers a grandiose impression of freedom. And this allows a renewal of modernity in your interior decoration. If you are lucky and have a garden, you have the opportunity to gain light and an opening to the outside.
17. Kitchen-dining room
The kitchen-dining room has the advantage of allowing you to be both preparing the meal without cutting off conversations. Whether it is daily with your loved ones or during dinners with friends, no more dilemma. You continue to participate in the aperitif and can gain an eye on the cooking of your dish. If you have children, you can continue to watch them while making them snack. A room which becomes the lung of family life.
18. Open kitchen offers interesting creative possibilities
For lovers of interior design, the open kitchen offers interesting creative possibilities. You can choose to play with contrasts or conversely take advantage of the opening to harmonize your interior decoration. Decorating your kitchen open to living room is a challenge that you will be eager to take up to create a style that reflects your image.
19. Neat and tidy interiors
Do you like neat and tidy interiors? To help you park your well-organized open kitchen, opt for plenty of storage. The better they are arranged, the more practical it will be for you to keep your room in order. We love the touches of color and starised kitchen items that create a warm atmosphere. A smart trick to juggle functionality and aesthetics!
20. Create a clearer demarcation between spaces
To create a clearer demarcation between spaces, consider partitions, Japanese panels and metal curtains. Modular, the latter allow you to go from an open kitchen to a semi-open kitchen in no time at all. Perfect for adopting the open kitchen without the constraints.
21. Continuity of space
Do not delimit! The open kitchen also makes it possible to play on the continuity of the space. To do this, avoid islands and other marks to recognize it. Play on an effect of harmony and the open kitchen will then blend into your living room. Clever!
22. Decorate your kitchen open to living room and dining room
To decorate your kitchen open to living room and dining room, all that remains is to find inspiration. Modern models allow the steel of household appliances to be nuanced with sofas, bar chairs and chic-looking furniture. A gray open kitchen is easy to harmonize with a living room for understated elegance.
23. Sophisticated balance to your open kitchen decor
The raw, natural look of the walls can be used to create a warm yet sophisticated balance to your open kitchen decor. Using a set of white and wood furniture, the kitchen blends into the decor of the dining room.
24. Open kitchen furniture
Open kitchen furniture can set the tone for the rest of the room. The play of colors and the apparent robustness of the furniture create an aesthetic break.
25. Work island open to the living room
The work island can also be fitted with ceramic hobs or induction hobs. It is then transformed as a space for cooking food.
