Discover the ways to create an open plan kitchen lounge with tips on zoning, styling, storage, as well as the pros and cons of this layout.
The concept of an open plan kitchen living room is a popular choice for modern homes as they offer a multifunctional space to cook, dine, work, and play. This layout removes barriers between the kitchen and other living spaces, creating a seamless and inviting environment that brings the family together.
When exploring open plan kitchen ideas, it’s good to keep in mind things like the layout, storage space, and how to style the area. It’s also important to choose the right dining table set as that will add the finishing touch to your space. Whether it’s a rustic dining table that you like or a simple compact one, you can browse our collection of dining sets to find what you’re looking for.
Ready to create your open plan kitchen lounge but don’t know where to begin? Here are some ideas to inspire you.
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of this layout can help you decide if an open plan kitchen living room is a good idea for your home. This design is perfect for those who want the flexibility to experiment with different layouts for their open space. For example, consider a galley kitchen layout with two parallel walls of cabinets and a corridor in between.
Another layout idea is the broken plan design which divides an open plan layout into separate zones by using different floor finishes, floor levels, and temporary dividers like bookcases and screens. These give a sense of separation while keeping the roomy feel of an open plan layout, especially for smaller homes.
Having an open plan layout can feel overwhelming at first if you’re unsure where to place your furniture. Think of how you naturally move about your space and identify the main areas of traffic. Is there a clear path between your fridge and dining table? Or is there anything that can be easily knocked over? Once you have identified these areas, arrange the furniture based on your natural movement. If you’re looking for more tips on living room layouts, read our guide to find out more.
3. Connect Your Dining Table To Your Kitchen Island
If you have a kitchen island and want to maximise space, connect your dining table to your kitchen island for a streamlined look. The tip is to pick the same colour for your chairs, stools and dining table. This makes it easy on the eye as it creates a natural flow as the kitchen and dining area merge into one. Bring in lots of texture to prevent the space from looking one-dimensional. A marble or high gloss dining table will contrast plush fabric or velvet chairs while brass pendant lighting will set the mood.
On the other hand, having an open plan kitchen lounge means that there will be less privacy. To counter this, you can create a quiet zone that can be opened up or closed off according to your needs. Sliding doors, wood slats, and glass wall partitions with doors are all great options as room dividers.
Another way to define your dining area is with a rug. Before choosing, consider the shape of your table and the layout of your space. The rug needs to fit seamlessly into your open plan space while creating a zone to tuck into your meals. If you’re interested in finding out more tips on using rugs under dining tables, read our guide.
Defining the different sections of your open plan kitchen living room is essential. Start by introducing an island or peninsula to serve as a natural divider between the kitchen and living area. Use pendant lights over the kitchen island to further section the area as a particular zone. Depending on the size of your island, go with either three or five pendants. Odd numbers create a more balanced look.
Cooking smells can also spread and linger around in your open plan kitchen. So it’s important to have a ventilation plan when designing your open space. Investing in a good cooker hood will help filter the air and keep your space odour-free. Another good tip is to open any windows when cooking so this will allow the air to circulate and get rid of cooking smells quickly.
Another way to divide your open plan kitchen lounge is to position your sofa strategically. A well-positioned sofa can separate the kitchen and living area without obstructing the flow of the room.
L-shaped sofas or corner sofas are particularly suitable for sectioning off areas. Whether it’s a standard sectional or L-shape, the corner sofa design will help create a clear divide between the dining and living room zones. Position the sofa so the back faces the kitchen island or dining table.
Install an island to create a multifunctional kitchen, this is extra helpful if you have a small open plan kitchen. Use the island as a food prep area to prepare your cooking ingredients. No more cutting and chopping on cramped countertops! The island can also be used as a cosy dining spot for quick meals or casual gatherings.
The best part? You can transform it into your perfect home office, with ample space for all your work necessities. Pick out some trendy and comfortable bar stools to match your kitchen island.
Zoning with lighting is an easy way to define areas in your open plan kitchen. You should use different lighting in each zone for different purposes. To separate the dining area from the kitchen, hang pendant lights or statement fixtures above the dining table to create a focal point.
For task lighting, install under-cabinet LED strips to illuminate the countertops so you’ll have plenty of light when doing things in the kitchen. For the ultimate flexibility, use dimmable lights. They are great for defining zones and you can adjust the brightness to alter the mood and ambience of that space.
Design your open plan kitchen to allow plenty of sunlight in. That way you can save on electricity from lighting while making your home feel more spacious and airy. To fill your open layout with natural light, install large windows or floor to ceiling glass doors. Crittall windows and doors are a good option if you love a sleek look with geometric lines.
Your choice of hues can connect your entire space so keep a consistent colour scheme throughout. You can do that by choosing furniture in complementary colours for example, a white dining table with grey dining chairs. You can never go wrong by using neutral tones like white, grey, cream, and beige in your open plan kitchen living room.
Black is another colour that works wonders in creating a cohesive look. Match it with colours like warm brown and marble grey for a modern industrial look. Black also looks great with wooden floors. Besides coordinating your furniture, you can also use decorative items in the same colour palette to pull a look together. Get creative with framed prints, vases, and kitchen accessories. For more ideas on choosing the right colour for your home check out our colour psychology guide.
With fewer walls in an open plan design, there will naturally be less storage space. You can counter that problem with smart storage solutions.
Choose built-in cabinets and open shelves for your open plan kitchen lounge. Built-in cabinets can seamlessly blend into the decor while keeping clutter out of sight and open shelving can be used to store your everyday kitchenware.
Compared to the living room, kitchens can feel challenging when you want to add personal touches. However, that shouldn’t stop you from bringing small pieces of your personality to the heart of the home. Make use of any free shelving to display cookbooks or indoor plants. If you’ve got a plain kitchen wall, you can use it to hang artwork or a wall decoration that fits the theme of your space. Use artwork to inject colour to your kitchen or pick an abstract pattern that matches your colour palette.
We hope you enjoyed reading these open plan kitchen living room ideas. Want to read more inspirational ideas like this? Check out our room divider guide for more ideas on how to zone your home.
