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Designs for open plan living


22 open-plan living room ideas to create a seamless space

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These days you're more likely to find free flowing living spaces than more smaller, closed off rooms. Open-plan living room ideas are a hallmark of contemporary homes, thanks to their ability to cater to nearly any occasion.

Our homes need to be more fluid than ever before, and your choice of living room ideas play a big part in this. After all, you need to create a space that works for the whole family in a range of different situations.

'We know by now that our homes need to be ready to transform into whatever we need, be that a home gym, classroom or office – often with just a moment’s notice,' says Rebecca Snowden, interior style advisor, Furniture And Choice . 'Creating these dedicated spaces in our home doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style.'

'Open-plan spaces are increasingly popular and are great for entertaining, but can sometimes feel sparse or empty,' continues Martin Waller, Founder, Andrew Martin .  'Use contrasting colours to demarcate distinct spaces and inject personality into different areas of the room. Wallpaper can also be used in certain areas of the space to create a distinct zone.

'Use statement lighting to create different zones, that each have a purpose. Open furniture, such as cabinets, bookcases, or shelving can be used to create different zones, without making the space feel closed in. Alternatively, a folding screen can provide privacy, something that is often lacking in open plan living.'

Open-plan living room ideas

'Whether it’s a big project like adding some sliding doors or a divider wall, or simply laying out your furniture in an intelligent way,' says Rebecca from Furniture and Choice, 'there are plenty of ways to create self-contained spaces within open-plan living room ideas in a way that works for you. '

1. Create cohesion through colour palettes

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark C. O'Flaherty)

'It is easy for the different areas to get lost and feel disjointed if the design is not cohesive,' notes Rob Ellis, Head of Design, dwell . 'So it important to zone the different areas, whilst keeping a common colour palette throughout.'

'Start by deciding how you will use the rooms, for example a distinctive dining space for friends and family, paired with a relaxing living room. To keep a consistent feel throughout, choose similar colours and textures across the two rooms.'

'If your scheme is blue, avoid it looking one dimensional by including different tones of blue to create layers and depth. This could be a soft, dusty blue rug under the dining table paired with a statement dark blue velvet sofa.'

This is especially useful in tandem with small living room ideas, as too many colours and textures can be overwhelming.

2. Zone with an oversized rug

(Image credit: Interior Fox/Daniel Villarreal)

You can visually zone spaces without any building work or big projects. A large, oversized rug goes a long way with open-plan living room ideas.

Choose an option which can comfortably fit your sofa, armchairs and coffee table. This 'island' created by the rug becomes a room in its own right, differentiating it from the dining or kitchen areas in the same space. 

For modern living room ideas, choose a rug with pattens that reflect the graphic shapes and lines used elsewhere in the area.

3. Use the same flooring throughout

(Image credit: Future PLC/Georgia Burns)

'In today’s modern home, people are choosing open-plan layouts to maximise the feeling of space and light,' says Simon Myatt, Brand Ambassador, Havwoods . 'This remains a popular trend in the living areas, where flooring is used to transition seamlessly from one room into the next, without interruption from door bars or floor strips.'

'Alternatively, use living room flooring ideas to zone. In this way, you can create zoned areas, perhaps by layering your floorboards in alternate patterns, or choosing slightly different tones or textures. '

4. Make it work for every function

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)

'An open-plan living area is often a multifunctional space that is home to entertaining, relaxing and dining,' reminds Rob from dwell. And while that it is on the whole a positive thing, it can be tricky to fully visually close off one function to focus on another. For example, tucking away the family/entertainment side of things when you want a relaxed, conservational space, or a WFH location.

Learning how to hide a TV is a great example of the ways you can keep all these elements in one space, but gloss over them when not in use.

5. Use steps for a subtle division of space

(Image credit: Future PLC/Robert Sanderson)

Not all home layouts are created equal. If you don't have a large, flat space to explore open-plan living room ideas, then think outside the box. A few steps leading  to the dining or kitchen space will allow the spaces to stay open and connected, even if on slightly different levels.

This can provide a welcome small feeling of separation for family living room ideas, so you can easily keep an eye on the kids while still feeling as though you each have your own space.

Keep the colour palettes the same across the areas to really hone the link between the spaces.

(Image credit: Future PLC/James Balston)

'When designing an open-plan living room, think about the scheme as a whole,' advises Ann Marie Cousins, Founder, AMC Design . 'The different spaces need definition but there needs to be a thread that ties it all together.'

'So, if you have a navy sofa in your open-plan sitting room with richly-patterned scatter cushions with orange, teal and green, you might then opt for a leather upholstered bar stool at navy kitchen island ideas to merge the two together.'

'By bringing colour from one space to the other with pattern and texture, but allowing for differentiation, the spaces will tie together but not match.'

7. Use paint to define different zones

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Jo Henderson)

Open-plan living room ideas needn't be devoid of different personalities for different purposes. Opening up a living room and dining area is great to create a more generous space, ideal for busy family life. But it does blur the lines when it comes to lifestyle choices. 

Simple paint ideas on architectural details, such as widened doorframes and arches, helps to gently signify different zones within the open space.

Creating zones within the larger space helps to give a sense of purpose for a living room end to that of a dining area or a kids playroom. This unimposing way of dividing the living space doesn't defeat the object of making it open – it merely gives more structure to how you use the space.

8. Continue a style throughout

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Create a seamless flow from one living area into the next by way of a considered decorating scheme throughout. 

'Keeping a cohesive scheme will allow the style of the space to flow seamlessly from room to room,' explains Juliette Thomas, Founder & Director, Juliettes Interiors.

'Whether that’s using the same paint colour across your living room wall decor or incorporating the same textures across your soft furnishings, from curtains to scatter cushions, this will tie everything in together. '

9. Cheat it with broken plan

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Veronica Rodriguez)

Broken plan is the newer take on open-plan living room ideas. All the benefits of the latter, but allows you extra flexibility.

Replacing traditional doors with a unique glass door frame helps the open layout onto the space beyond. A feat in interior design, using glass in place of hard materials makes the walls disappear - while allowing you to shut off the living room for more intimate use, as and when some 'me time' is needed.

10. Leave a partition wall to benefit both areas

(Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith)

While you may desire the feeling of openness, you might not want to create one vast space that is devoid of structure. If this is the case consider leaving a section of wall still in place, to divide one end of the room to the other.

Having an element of division allows you to retain a living room layout – not losing a wall to place furniture against or hang wall art for instance. A smart space could use the diving wall to situate open living room fireplace ideas to ensure both areas either side of the wall benefit.

11. Add personality with block painted zones

(Image credit: Dulux)

While lounging, eating and working may all take place in one large open-plan area, it doesn't mean you can't zone each area with a different colour. Signify a change of purpose with a splash of colour, with a thoughtful living room paint idea to transform with accent walls. 

12. Utilise a neutral scheme

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Rowland Roques O'Neil)

Create an effortlessly sophisticated and inviting open-plan lounge by choosing neutral living room ideas, using the same paint shade and flooring throughout. 

This soft approach helps to make the space feel more grounded, and adaptable for all uses. Echo tonal accent pieces, such as lilac-grey and charcoal, to add soft colour contrasts without making the space feel overwhelmed.

13. Choose a sliding door

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachael Smith)

'Sliding doors work well for larger spaces and can really make a difference in a room' explains Rebecca from Furniture and Choice. 'While they require more work to incorporate into a space, including sliding doors into your interior design will enable you to separate an open space with style and versatility.'

'As an example, incorporating a sliding door into your kitchen/dining/living area will provide you with the flexibility to close off one space when you need to. Perhaps for home working, but then seamlessly transform it back into a vibrant space for dining and entertaining when needed.'

14. Create distinct areas with different textures

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

Instead of zoning with paint colours or furniture, you can go a long way by playing with materials. Using different textures can be used to create distinct divides in open-plan living room ideas, separating off the dining or cooking areas.  

You might want to overload the former with softer, plush items to hone the relaxed element of the area, while kitchen ideas or dining spaces may be filled with harder surfaces and materials.

15. Use partitions to display items to reflect the zones

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)

When planning how to design a living room, partially divide an open-plan space with a central column. Within that partition wall add handy alcoves to provide extra storage and also helps to add a decorative touch.

Each side of the partition can be used to display items relevant to the use of that space. For example, decorative kitchen items in the dining area, and books and plants in the living section.

16. Open up a period property

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Don't let the age of your property deter you from making modern alterations. Formal front rooms in older properties can often feel dark and enclosed, so knocking through to form an open-plan living room is a popular choice. Removing a wall between rooms offers greater flexibility for the space and enhances the light in townhouses and terraces particularly.

Before undertaking any work make sure to consult a structural engineer and research any planning permission required.

17. Make rooms work on another level

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

Not all homes have horizontal ceilings and single-level floors. Highlight these features by building clever storage and outside-of-the-box zones. Play with the levels in tandem with your open-plan living room ideas. 

Be savvy with heigh ceilings and create a mezzanine to act as extra living space – such as a home office or guest bedroom. Using a tonal colour palette throughout will help tie the areas together.

18. Boost light and energy with a skylight

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Claire Lloyd Davies)

The beauty of open-plan living room is the sense of space, keeping the mood as light and airy as possible aids this effect. Skylights are the ideal solution for single-floor spaces or extensions. 

19. Take windows from floor to ceiling

(Image credit: Future PLC/ James Merrell)

Think about natural light sources to ensure the room stays bright. Making the most of natural light is a great way to keep a room feeling vibrant and lively and can even help a space feel larger than it actually is. 

Take things further by optimising your open-plan living room to flow seamlessly out to an adjacent outdoor space. Consider wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling patio doors - they will extend your room and optimise light. Make the transition from inside to out seamless by colour-matching internal flooring with external garden decking ideas.

20. Choose an L-shaped sofa

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Use a corner sofa to define the seating area in a multi-functional open-plan living room ideas, and add a sense of intimacy to a large room. Create a comfy haven and nestle a rug and coffee table into the gap made in front of the living room sofa ideas to give a friendly, more cosy feel.

To further enhance the warm mood and create a cosy feel, paint the wall in this area a darker shade than used in the rest of the room. The moody colour behind the sofa helps to enhance it and make it even more inviting.

21. Plan out your space

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Nicholas Yarsley)

As one of the most social spaces in the house, your living room needs to look good, work hard and function well. Before you begin any work, take a little time to work out how the space functions for you. Is it a relaxing haven, and entertaining space of family central? A sophisticated neutral palette helps create a comfortable feel in this kitchen living area.

The trick is to pay attention to balancing the colour scheme and keeping everything in proportion. After all, open-plan living room ideas are a fundamental part of modern family schemes and need to incorporate all aspects of living.

22. Reconsider furniture placement

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

It's very easy to keep your dining areas in, or linked to the kitchen section of your open-plan living room ideas. However, this really doesn't haven to be the case. 

There's no reason why your dining table can't sit at the other end of the space, leading on from the living area. 

If you love entertaining, we recommend positioning your dining table and chairs by the window with the most light. It also creates a lovely flow to a dinner party and you will naturally feel more relaxed sitting near the window and the comfier parts of the space.

How do you style an open-plan living room?

The way you style your open-plan living room ideas helps to determine how you use the space for maximum potential. Think carefully about how to arrange living room furniture. 'Use furniture to separate multi-functional spaces,' advises Rebecca from Furniture and Choice. 'Nothing adds personality to the home like the furniture you choose, and beyond adding to the style, furniture can be positioned in such a way to stylishly divide rooms into clear sections.'

'Start by taking measurements of your furniture, then mapping out on paper what you want each area of the space to be used for. Having this plan in place will help you to visualise the finished product and notice where you can use accessories and statement pieces to create clear “zones” within the room.'

'A bookshelf can be a good way to break up and separate a room in two, just fill the shelving with plenty of books and some trailing houseplants to create a cosy but stylishly-vintage reading nook,' suggests Rebecca. 'This style is perfect if you’re living in a studio apartment or have an open floor plan, as you can add a bookshelf next to your bed to separate your sleeping area from the rest of your space.'

How do you divide a room in an open floor plan?

'Dividing open-plan living room ideas can be done in a number of ways,' says Juliette from Juliettes Interiors. 'If you want a physical divide without compromising the light and feeling for space, opt for a glass screen or Crittal doors. These will give both privacy and separation, but still allow for the rooms to flow together.'

'Alternatively, you could zone the spaces with the use of rugs. Whether it's in the centre of a living space or under a dining table, rugs are a great way to create separation.'

Open-plan living room ideas: 12 multifunctional spaces |

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future)

Who doesn’t love the idea of an open-plan living room? Moving beyond the kitchen-diner, a modern open-plan living room ditches the formal living space, home office and sitting room in favor of one large, multifunctional space, with entertaining at its heart. 

So, if you are a family that likes to hang out – together or with friends – living room ideas like these will suit your lifestyle. ‘The main motivation for creating an open-plan living space is to be more sociable. Parents can prepare meals while interacting with their children, perhaps helping them with homework or a project, and monitor TV or internet use,’ says Robert Burnett of Holloways of Ludlow . 

’There are also many secondary benefits of living in one room, such as the sheer freedom and joy of spending time in a sunnier, airier space with plenty of room to manoeuvre. Combining existing rooms allows you to utilize space that was previously reserved for formal gatherings. Heating and lighting one space rather than several can also help reduce your energy bill. The list goes on. 

‘From a design angle, open-plan spaces allow you to unify the details, textures and materials across the entire room to achieve really impressive results,’ adds Jamee Kong of DesignSpace London . 

The only real question is, given the opportunity, why wouldn’t you go for an open-plan living room?

Open-plan living room ideas – maximize space and let light in

Open-plan living rooms are so popular that it's unusual to find a modern or renovated home with separate reception rooms. That said, designing, furnishing and lighting an open-plan living room needs some decorating know-how – which is where our ideas and expert advice comes in.

1. Analyze your space

(Image credit: Veronica Rodriguez / Future)

There’s no getting past the fact that living the open-plan dream requires space. However, achieving that space needn’t be prohibitively expensive. Simple adjustments to the existing small living room layout can be enough to make your space more sociable. 

Making small structural changes such as moving or blocking up a doorway, switching the direction of a staircase or adding sliding glass doors can also all help increase space and improve flow, without breaking the bank. Seeking advice from an interior designer or architect at this juncture could help you see the project with fresh eyes, and result in clever spatial solutions that don’t involve a mini-digger or acres of steel. 

‘Ultimately, we can prevent clients from making expensive mistakes further down the line, and deliver optimum results within the available space. In our world, anything is possible,’ says Helen Bygraves of Hill House Interiors .

2. Knock down walls

(Image credit: Polly Eltes / Future)

If you have a separate dining room or formal sitting room, chances are it is underused. Getting heavy with a jackhammer to combine these rooms with your kitchen will physically open up your living space, while still keeping a reasonable rein on the budget. 

‘Rather than knocking down entire walls and installing expensive steel supports, consider creating a large opening between the rooms. It’s cheaper and, if wide enough, still very effective,’ says interior designer Anna Burles. Don’t forget adjoining hallways, garages or oversized utilities for space-stealing potential. 

‘Think about whether to position the steel beam below the ceiling, or within the ceiling space. The latter will be more disruptive and expensive but will more successfully create the appearance of a single large room,’ adds Robert Burnett of Holloways of Ludlow.

3. Focus on lighting – both natural and artificial

(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

It is worth devising a lighting scheme for an open-plan living room early on, allowing for functional down lighters, and more decorative fittings.

Ask your electrician to wire zones on different circuits so you can adjust the mood. Wherever possible, try to accentuate natural light. A home with sliding doors and double-height space creates an arresting first impression – or, on a single-storey extension, consider installing skylights or a roof lantern.

4. Define the space in an open-plan living room

(Image credit: Rowland Roques O'Neil / Future)

Figuring out how to design a living room is vital. Open-plan living rooms often have a number of activities that take place within them, so it’s important to identify an area for each one to avoid the space feeling confused and cluttered.

Use a sofa to mark out the boundary of a seating area in a multi-purpose space. L-shaped or curved designs are a great tool to create a more intimate zone within a larger area.

5. Establish 'zones' in an open-plan living room

(Image credit: Brent Darby / Future)

Open-plan living is a popular choice, with many contemporary schemes now eschewing the traditional sitting space for a more informal area that blends neatly with the kitchen and dining space.  

The key is to delineate the space. The best approach to zoning is to create breaks in color, design, flooring, and furniture, at the same time maintaining a flow that unifies the design. Rugs are a great way to 'zone' a space.

6. Make sure your open-plan living room is fit for purpose

(Image credit: Lisa Cohen / Future)

Will your open-plan living room also include a kitchen and dining area? If so, work with your designer to achieve a logical flow through the space that avoids obstructions.

A route to the garden that passes in front of the television will quickly prove unpopular, as will any layout that hinders the chef in full-flow. ‘An island unit or banquet-style table can be a real saviour in an open-plan design, as it aids traffic flow and provides the perfect link between the kitchen and living areas,’ adds Andrew Hayes of Smallbone of Devizes .

7. Create cohesion in a multi-purpose space

(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

Zoning an open-plan space room into distinct areas for cooking, dining and relaxing, is a popular technique that can help maintain order in a large multi-use room. Using different flooring, decorative light fittings or color schemes to help define the role of each zone can be very effective but don’t lose sight of the overall design cohesion. 

‘Establishing similar shapes, materials or textures across the space will visually unite the room and help keep it simple and uncluttered,’ says interior designer Laurence Pidgeon.

8. Keep it comfortable

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future)

The disadvantages of cooking and living in one space can be significant, with noise transference a particular issue. Extractor fans, dishwashers and washing machines are the worst culprits on the noise front. An extractor with an external motor is the quietest option if you don’t want to compromise on suction power. It’s really worth checking the decibel ratings before you buy – anything under 45db shouldn’t interfere with conversation

If you are installing large expanses of glazing in the ceiling, walls, or both, when opening up the space, do consider the impact of sunlight glare and insulation. The aim is to create a comfortable atmosphere all year round, so talk to your glazing provider about the latest solar control and energy efficient glass, and make sure the room has sufficient ventilation to avoid excessive heat and condensation. Self-cleaning glass can also prove invaluable, especially for hard to reach glass on skylights and roof-lanterns.

9. Consider sound and vision

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future )

When you are adding soft seating and entertaining to your kitchen, sound and vision can become vital ingredients. It’s worth calling in an audio-visual expert to draw-up wiring plans for your builder and talk through the options regarding cabling or wireless integration, and the various types of control systems, at an early stage of the project.

For more complex music systems, installing flush fitting speakers into the ceiling or behind the walls is a discreet way to ensure the whole space is party-ready. It’s a good idea to zone your sound system so that speakers can be turned off and on in different areas, while wireless headphones will prove a sound investment for ensuring video-gaming teenagers are ‘seen but not heard’. When planning the room’s layout, think about the position of the television screen versus the flow of traffic through the space, and whether you want to be able to see it from the sofa and dining table as well as the breakfast bar.

10. Convert a warehouse into an open-plan space

(Image credit: Anna Stathaki / Future)

Converting an industrial space can present challenges. You’ll be dealing with unusual dimensions, incorporating statement features into your layout and navigating planning permissions. But clever use of available square footage will result in a unique home.

Warehouse living has several advantages. The open-plan layouts of former industrial premises can feel much larger than their actual dimensions. Open-plan living is also increasingly popular – families can be together while pursuing separate activities, whether working, dining, reading or watching TV. And because warehouses often have very large windows and skylights, they benefit from plenty of natural light. Ceilings are particularly high, which can make the space feel grander, offering real wow factor. Original factory features, such as exposed brick walls, which are striking in their raw state, and old Crittall windows add plenty of character and these features are often enough to imbue a scheme with natural depth. An open layout also offers homeowners freedom and few structural barriers.

11. Install pocket or sliding doors

(Image credit: Robert Sanderson / Future)

Consider making a really vast room more flexible by installing pocket or sliding doors between zones. The ability to close-down the soft seating area to create a cozier space, or shut away the children’s play area when you are entertaining, dining or cooking, allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds.

12. Provide dedicated storage

(Image credit: Richard Powers/Future PLC)

With everything on view, clutter is the nemesis of open-plan living, taking the joy out of entertaining and relaxing in your living room. It’s important to provide dedicated storage within each area – cabinets and bookcases in the lounge area – so that everything is close to hand but easy to stash away.

How do you furnish an open plan living area? 

‘The best way to structure and furnish an open-plan space is to create separate zones, so that you have a kitchen area, a dining area and a living area,' says interior designer Lesley Taylor. 'The furniture you choose and the layout will help you to clearly define each zone.’ 

If you’re lucky enough to be building from scratch, you’ll have significant flexibility in terms of layout and design – but it is also possible to transform an existing interior. An L-shaped sofa lends a contemporary look and can be successfully paired with integrated storage – to differentiate the 'zones' in an open space. Increasingly popular in both traditional and contemporary open concept spaces, the island is a sociable feature: making food preparation part of the main event and connecting the kitchen to the living and dining space.

We also recommend that you stick to one harmonious color palette when designing an open-plan living. If in doubt, redecorate using a neutral color scheme. Many rooms are suited to the neutral look, but as neutrals are so relaxing, we especially love a monochromatically neutral design for an open concept space.

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

Living room design project - Me House

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