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Open plan kitchen ideas: 29 ways to create the ideal space

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If you are designing an open plan kitchen or even just in the planning stages and weighing up whether to go open plan or not, you are in the right place. Our ultimate guide will take you through everything you need to know about open plan kitchen design, plus plenty of inspiring spaces to help you make some decisions. 

From where to start and what to consider in the design stages such as zoning and where to put your best dining table – to decor ideas that will show you just how gorgeous open plan can be, plus practical tips on budgeting and employing the right people for the job. Yep, we're going to take you through everything from A–Z, so just keep on reading...

For more expert kitchen ideas and advice, you can also look to our feature.

(Image credit: Fritz Fryer)

So what exactly is an open plan kitchen?

Open plan kitchens are one of the most sought after features of a modern family home, thanks to their light, spacious feel and versatile design. They usually combine the kitchen and dining area of a home, while you can also include a lounge setting as part of yours. They are in fact completely versatile which is, quite frankly, the reason why we love them so.

How do you create an open plan kitchen?

The first step when it comes to designing an open plan kitchen, is considering the layout of the kitchen and how it functions with the rest of the zones of an open-plan arrangement is vital, especially if you're thinking about creating a practical family kitchen, which needs careful planning. 

We also have plenty of tips on how to create a family kitchen, should you need them.

Bear in mind that once a kitchen is part of an open space it will impact on every other area – there’s no closing the door on noisy appliances and clutter left on worktops after preparing a meal. Likewise, the cabinetry will be in plain view all of the time, so it needs to look stylish. 

Getting it right needn’t be tricky, though. Whether you’re working with a kitchen designer, architect or builder (our guides are designed to help you source each) use this guide to create a stylish, open plan kitchen and living space. We start with all the practical stuff up top, and then move onto inspiring ideas to get you excited about your project.

(Image credit: Harvey Jones)

What are the pros and cons of an open plan kitchen?

PROS

One of the biggest pros is that open plan kitchens really do bring the whole family together and therefore reinforces that the kitchen is the heart of the home. They also create a spacious feel, as there are no barriers visually which allows the room to flow. If you love entertaining they’re a great option - you can be cooking and still talk to your guests - less walls make for a more sociable space. 

Kitchen islands with breakfast bars become the hub where homework can be done whilst catching up with the day’s news. Or if you have young ones, they can be watching TV from the sofa whilst you’re in the kitchen, and the open plan area allows you to keep an eye on them all the time. 

CONS

They can be pricey initially if walls need to be knocked down, however on the flip side they can then add value to your home - so a bit of a pro and con in one! Because there are no individual rooms, storage can be an issue so it’s worth considering how you might want to tackle that - ideas can include shelving units, extra wall units, sofas with storage underneath and sideboards. 

Due to the kitchen, dining and living areas all becoming one, noise can be an issue – for example, there's no room to relax if the kids are being noisy in the living space! Also, sometimes in an open plan kitchen the mess can spread easily – and if you’re relaxing on the sofa you may well be able to see the dirty pots and pans that need washing up.

32 open plan kitchen ideas

(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)

Take time to think about how people will move through the open-plan room. Circulation space between zones needs to be unimpeded by furniture and it’s also vital for safety’s sake that people aren’t going to pass through the work area of the kitchen to get from one zone to another.

Is the kitchen zone far enough away from the seating area? Watching TV or talking may be difficult against the background noise of clattering pans and worktop appliances, so think about the distance between these zones.

Think too about whether you want appliances like washing machines and dryers to be part of the kitchen. Remember that noisy spin cycles will do nothing for the atmosphere of the room. You may wish to plan cupboards or a separate utility room in which these can be kept. Artificial light will suffice for a utility space so this closed-off zone can be located at the center of an open-plan floorplan. For tips on planning and designing a utility room, check out our handy guide.

Top tip: Visualising an open-plan space as a series of rooms can help you plan the space effectively.

(Image credit: Argos)

When you look across your open-plan space, you want it to have a flow, and for it to be cohesive. This living area works well as the kitchen is very sleek and simple, and the Skandi table and Harlow chairs – due to their light oak design – also work in the same way. They visually balance out the dark gray sofa and armchair in the living area, and the rug and cushions pull through the mid-gray and pale pinks from the kitchen and dining space. The turmeric cushion, throw and rug are the accent colors that set the living space apart from the rest. 

3. Zone your open plan kitchen, diner and living space

(Image credit: Future/Chris Snook)

An open-plan, live-in kitchen diner needs to have defined areas – seating, dining, cooking – even if they’re open to one another, so start by planning which zone the kitchen will occupy.

Although not essential, locating the kitchen by an external wall is convenient for both waste water and ducting for an extractor fan, and is more budget-friendly. An external wall is also useful in the kitchen zone for locating base and wall units against, as well as kitchen appliances.

You should also consider where the dining table will be positioned. Bear in mind that you won’t want a long walk from preparation and cooking areas to take food to the table, so kitchen and dining zones need to be thought of together.

How about a garden view from the kitchen? If that's on your list of priorities, your kitchen will need to occupy an area of the room near to windows or bi-folding or sliding doors. You may prefer to create immediate views from the dining and seating areas instead, though – in which case the kitchen can be located further back.

4. Create a broken-plan layout

(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)

Apparently, 'broken-plan' living is the new 'open-plan' living. It's about creating distinct zones within an open-plan layout with different floor finishes, split-level flooring and partitions, such as half-walls, bookcases, glazed doors or screens.

What's the benefit of broken-plan kitchen, diners and living spaces? Visually, you can keep a spacious, bright, sociable feel for your room, but also create a definite impression of separation between the various zones.

From a practical point of view, it means that a messy kitchen can be quickly screened from a dining area; or a noisy kitchen diner can be separated from the lounging space.

5. Devise an open-plan kitchen floorplan 

(Image credit: Kasia Fiszer © Future)

Once you know in which zone of an open-plan area the kitchen is to be located, it’s time to plan the kitchen itself. For this, your kitchen designer or architect can make scale drawings, or you can create your own using graph paper.

A scale drawing can help you focus on what the space offers in terms of walls against which you can position base and wall units and appliances. You can note the position of windows and any external doors that lead from the kitchen zone, too.

6. Choose the best open-plan kitchen layout

(Image credit: Brent Darby)

When it comes to the layout of an open-plan space, there are plenty of options available to you. These include:

Galley kitchens

This layout can work effectively in an open-plan space, maximizing use of an exterior wall for the sink, base and wall units and appliances. 

Linear layouts are often teamed with a kitchen island directly opposite. This can visually and physically mark off the kitchen zone from the rest of the room and helps keep the work area safely apart. 

An island can incorporate a breakfast bar, leaving kids or guests in contact with the cook, but away from preparation and cooking space. Plan in space on the dining side for kitchen island seating to be pulled in and out.

Browse our clever kitchen island design ideas for inspiration. You may be interested in our kitchen island seating ideas, too. 

In a small open-plan kitchen layout, the dining table could be positioned opposite the linear run of units to perform the same separation function. Get a better idea of what's possible with our beautiful small kitchen ideas guide.

Alternatively, consider incorporating a peninsula to create a more closed-in preparation area. Find out more about galley kitchen ideas in our guide.

L-shaped kitchens

Using the corner of an open-plan floorplan can maximize space as well kitchen storage potential. L-shapes can also be combined with an island.

Find inspiration with our L-shaped kitchen ideas.

U-shaped kitchens 

This is another option available if maximum separation without losing the open layout is required.

Explore more of our U-shaped kitchen ideas.

Be prepared to tell your designer or architect your ideas, but take their advice on combining the kitchen layout with the rest of the zones – and on how the preparation and cooking spaces, storage and sink are positioned within the kitchen.

7. Decide on what to include in an open-plan kitchen

Put together a list of all the must-have elements of the new kitchen so nothing gets missed from the design. Now’s the time to check that all that’s required will fit into the zone:

8. Pick an open-plan kitchen style

(Image credit: Kasia Fiszer © Future)

Once you’ve decided on the elements your open-plan kitchen should include, think about the style of cabinetry and the materials both units and worktop are made from.

You can find guidance with our expert advice on the best kitchen worktops, including everything from granite, quartz and marble, to laminate, glass and wood.

In an open-plan layout, your worktops and cabinetry will be on display all the time and will be set alongside the dining table and chairs and sofas and armchairs. With this in mind, you’ll need to consider how the individual furniture choices you make for each zone work together.

When it comes to the style of your kitchen, there are a number of options available to you. 

Contemporary kitchens

If the aim for the overall look of your open-plan layout is contemporary – sleek, flat-fronted kitchen units can be a winner, complementing the fuss-free lines of sofas and dining furniture.

Browse our contemporary kitchen ideas for inspiration. 

Traditional kitchens

If your furniture has a more classic or country feel, go for cabinetry that continues the vibe. Shaker kitchens are perfect in this instance, though they work equally well in a kitchen with more of a contemporary feel, too. Our flexible freestanding kitchen ideas may be of interest, too.  

It's important to think about your unit finish during this stage, too. High-gloss cabinetry can maximize light while painted kitchen cabinets are easy to update if you think you may want to change the color in the future, making them a cost-effective choice.

9. Yes, open plan living works in small spaces too

(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)

If you don't believe that open-plan can work in a small space, you need to check out this new-build log cabin. The main room in the cabin is the living room, kitchen and dining room but it's been designed so cleverly and stylishly it all works and doesn't feel too cramped. 

10. Think about the small details in an open plan kitchen

(Image credit: Ikea)

You'll want to keep the following design tips and tricks in mind if you're wondering how to design an open-plan kitchen, as it's these small details that will make the difference between a nice kitchen and the kitchen of your dreams. 

11. Select the right color for your open-plan kitchen

(Image credit: Bruce Hemming)

Choosing the right color for cabinetry can help distinguish the kitchen as a zone within the open-plan layout, so don’t be afraid to choose stand-out hues such as blue or green for units.  

This can be repeated in accessories or soft furnishings in other zones to create a subtle link across the open-plan space.

Our kitchen paint ideas provide an inspiring overview of the options, if you're not sure what you're looking for. Alternatively, read on for our favorite options.

White kitchens

White’s a popular choice in an open-plan layout, reflecting light to keep the overall impression airy and spacious. If you’re worried it’s too cool, try adding in wood finishes – for example for wall cabinetry, or on a kitchen island unit or bar stools.

Our white kitchen design ideas provide all the inspiration you could ever need. 

Gray kitchens

Gray is as popular for open-plan kitchens as it is in other kitchens, and can be toned with gray upholstery in the seating area. Gray makes a great alternative to white if you like the idea of a light, spacious feeling kitchen but are concerned about it getting dirty. 

Take a look at our gray kitchen ideas for more inspiration.

Cream and off-white kitchens

These tones can look softer than white in classic and modern country-style homes, making them a popular option.

Black and dark, atmospheric kitchens

Black, black and white or inky-toned units can make a striking impression if you want an on-trend, atmospheric kitchen. 

Find plenty of inspiration in our black kitchen ideas.

12. Opt for the right open-plan kitchen worktop

(Image credit: Swift Blinds)

Choosing the right kitchen worktop is an important stage when designing a kitchen, open plan or otherwise.

The whole gamut of worktop materials are available from economical laminate through to natural stone, manufactured composites and wood, together with other materials such as stainless steel and concrete. Bear in mind that each has its own maintenance requirements as well as qualities. 

Once again, the important point to note is that the open-plan layout means the worktop is on permanent show and is also set against other surfaces across dining and living spaces, so consider the aesthetic qualities alongside the room’s other materials as well as thinking of the look of the kitchen.  

13. Get the right window dressings for open-plan kitchens

(Image credit: California Shutters)

When dressing windows for an open-plan kitchen, diner and living space, you need to find a solution that suits and complements all zones in the room. They might also need, for example, to be fitted to a bay window at one end of the room and folding sliding doors at the other. 

This makes window shutters or kitchen blinds an obvious choice. They come in various styles, can be color-matched to suit your scheme, are easy to keep clean and needn't cost a fortune if you opt for DIY-fit designs. If you want to add a softer touch to your scheme, café-style shutters look wonderful matched with curtains at a bay window, for example.

Find inspiration with our kitchen window treatment ideas. You can also peruse tips on how to choose shutters, as well as kitchen blind ideas, should you go for either of these options. 

14. Plan open-plan kitchen lighting carefully 

(Image credit: Kasia Fiszer)

Kitchen lighting should be planned for individual zones in an open-plan space and operable on a separate circuit. This way, when you’ve moved away from the kitchen to the dining area the lights won’t be shining brightly on the accumulated cooking dishes and pans.

Light the zone just as you would light a kitchen elsewhere: task lighting is necessary to provide good light for work areas, and there should be effective overall ambient light, too. What about hanging pendant lights above a breakfast bar as well? They can create a fantastic focal point.

Our guide to how to plan kitchen lighting will talk you through the steps and ensure you get your lighting right first time. 

15. Pick open-plan kitchen flooring that suits all zones

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

Most often the flooring in an open-plan layout extends across all areas to emphasize the proportions of the space and help it feel unified. Kitchen flooring needs to stand up to floor traffic, splashes, and dropped items, so make sure the floor you choose across the whole space meets its demands.

Another alternative is to mark the kitchen zone with a change of flooring – for example patterned tiles that introduce a more decorative element to a work area. If you’re taking this route, make sure there’s a style or color link with other features in the open-plan space.

For expert tips, take a look at our guide to how to choose the best kitchen flooring. 

16. Maximize natural light for an open plan kitchen that feels open and spacious

(Image credit: Tile Mountain)

For those designing a modern open plan kitchen, it's often the prospect of a space flooded with natural light that appeals the most. 

The use of skylights, roof lights, clerestory and glazed doors is the easiest way to flood a space with natural light, though it's worth considering suitable window treatments if your kitchen diner is south facing and you want to prevent it feeling like a greenhouse during the warmer months. 

(Image credit: Delight FULL)

While 'open plan' often conjures up images of large, airy kitchens, it is possible to achieve similar outcomes in a smaller space by applying slightly adapted design tricks.

As mentioned, you'll want to make the most of natural light and might also consider opting for a light scheme in order to make your kitchen feel as spacious as possible.  

In terms of incorporating the dining aspect, it's best to opt for a table in a similar shade and finish to your kitchen cabinets, which will help it blend into the scheme effectively. Alternatively, round tables or glass tables are go-to options for smaller kitchen-diners. 

For more design tips, we'd recommend making use of our guide to small kitchen ideas feature. 

18. Embrace the dark and atmospheric interiors trend in an open plan kitchen 

(Image credit: Brayer Design)

Despite everything we've said about using light shades for a bright and spacious open plan kitchen diner, you shouldn't write off the dark and atmospheric interiors trend as good open plan kitchen ideas altogether.

Designed as part of a scheme with plenty of natural light, darker, moodier shades can make a stylish addition to an open plan kitchen diner, and is an on-trend option at the moment. 

19. Create a laid-back, unfitted feel with open shelving 

(Image credit: Garden Trading)

For an open plan kitchen idea with a laid back, or unfitted, family feel,  you might consider turning to Scandi-inspired spaces for inspiration.

Incorporating features such as open shelving or freestanding kitchen units and intentionally mis-matching materials is an easy way to make a space feel lived in, without compromising on style. 

20. Invest in contemporary bi-fold doors and bring the outdoors in

(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)

A popular addition to contemporary open plan kitchen ideas – and in particular those designed as part of a larger kitchen extension – bi-fold doors make for a stylish design feature that draws the eye, effectively creating flow between the kitchen and the outdoors.

While bi-fold or sliding doors tend to be more expensive additions, they're worth the investment if you have budget to spare and want to add a standout feature to your dream kitchen diner.

Use our guide to bi-fold and sliding doors if you're considering either as an option.

21. Or opt for stylish metal windows and doors

(Image credit: Brent Darby)

If you love the idea of bi-fold or sliding doors to flood your kitchen diner with light and give it a distinctly contemporary feel, but don't have the budget to invest in such a standout feature, it's worth considering floor-to-ceiling metal windows and doors as an alternative.

They're equally stylish, have the same effect light-wise and, while not to be considered cheap, make a much more affordable alternative. Use our guide to metal doors and windows for more practical advice and information.

22. Use pendant lighting to create a focal point in an open plan kitchen diner

(Image credit: Fritz Fryer)

Positioning pendant lighting above a kitchen island is an easy design technique that can be used to create a striking (or understated) focal point within an open plan kitchen diner, and can be effective in helping to zone a space.

Watch our guide to styling and zoning a large room if you're looking for tips on how to define different sections of your open-plan scheme effectively.

(Image credit: Kasia Fiszer)

If you plan on using your open plan kitchen diner as a location for socializing and entertaining guests, it's worth considering incorporating a kitchen island into your scheme.

Teamed with stylish bar stools, they're the perfect open plan kitchen idea for creating that social hub while you cook dinner or enjoying a laid back breakfast on a Sunday morning.  

Prepare your dream set-up using our kitchen island seating ideas, too.

24. Create an open plan kitchen diner that works in a flat

(Image credit: Cuckooland)

Similarly to small homes, it's possible to implement an open plan scheme to create a spacious-feeling kitchen diner in a flat.

It's worth minimizing the number of kitchen cabinets to what's absolutely necessary and opting for slimline appliances, in order to maximize space. Open shelving will prevent the space from feeling boxy and can make an attractive addition if styled with only the prettiest of accessories.

25. Or an open plan kitchen that works in a loft space

(Image credit: Plain English )

How gorgeous is this open plan kitchen? if you are lucky enough to live in a loft space (these New York-style digs are becoming more popular over here) then take some inspiration from this Plain English kitchen. The actual kitchen space may be small but because of high ceilings and open plan design, the space doesn't look cramped or shoehorned into the corner. Plus by adding some stools to the other side of the kitchen cabinets, a kind of breakfast bar has been created too, a great way to save space. 

26. Use furniture to create cohesion throughout your open plan space

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

If you want to create some consistency in your open plan kitchen diner, you'll need to choose furniture that's similar in style and finish, but not too matchy.

This might be achieved by opting for furniture in similar wood finishes – in this kitchen-diner the bar stools and dining table complement one another – or through the use of an accent shade incorporated subtly throughout a space.

27. Create an industrial feel by combining dark shades and exposed brick

(Image credit: Future/Katie Lee)

Exposed bricks walls make for a statement open plan kitchen idea, creating a distinctly industrial feel when paired with darker, more atmospheric shades. Renovating a period property? Exposed brick can be used to hint at the history of a space while still working as part of a more contemporary interiors scheme.

Use our guide to exposed brick walls for more expert advice and information. 

(Image credit: Micheal Paul)

Looking for rustic open plan kitchen ideas? If designed effectively, they can have all the functions of a contemporary space without sacrificing its country appeal.

The trick is designing the space with a muted or neutral color palette and opting for furniture with more traditional appeal – we're thinking a Shaker style kitchen design and country-style dining tables.

(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)

An open plan kitchen doesn't need to end at a kitchen and dining room – if you have the space, why not incorporate a small living area too? We aren't talking a whole set of sofs and a 75in inch TV here; just a small sofa and a coffee table, or even just a statement armchair could create a chill-out area. Pop down a rug to add comfort and to break up the space, and there you go, a mini living room in your kitchen. 

30. Warm up an open plan kitchen 

(Image credit: Harvey Jones)

We love the feel of this spacious light and bright open plan kitchen space. It’s easy on the eye and the white color scheme is sleek and modern. But how do you prevent this kind of look from becoming visually cold? Firstly, add in some wood. There’s the walnut style breakfast bar on the right and the warm toned wooden table on the left. 

Then consider painting some key areas like the storage unit at the back of the kitchen – the mid gray color anchors the whole kitchen and adds depth. Finally, add in some accessories like cozy cushions and throws on the sofa, and some patterned jugs and vases for a decoration. 

31. Make a compact space work

(Image credit: Ikea)

We don’t all have oodles of square meters in which to design our dream open plan kitchens spaces do we? Often it could actually be the opposite - trying to get it to work in an oh-so-small room! 

This is where clever design comes into play and having the kitchen units along one wall is the first key idea - note the storage unit on the left, ideal if you can’t get in all the base units you require.  

Then pop in your table, if your space is super tight then opt for a round table rather than square or rectangular - you can flow around a circle better than angled corners. Finally, this idea of matching sofas opposite each other is a great one - and it allows for a small coffee table too.

32. Use color to zone an open plan kitchen 

(Image credit: The Main Company)

Creating contrasts within a space also helps to define the various roles of the open plan area. Here, the bottle green kitchen area is clearly marked and we love the way the color is carried through to the painted dining chairs. 

The dark shade also contrasts beautifully with the plywood island and lime washed floorboards and as a result you get a really light and bright space for cooking, relaxing and eating in. 

What does a new open-plan kitchen cost?

Before you start getting down to the specifics of how to design an open plan kitchen, you'll likely want to consider the costs.  

Prices start from around £3,000 for good quality units for an average sized kitchen. Add in worktops, which will cost from £100, and appliances and fitting, which can vary from a few hundred pounds to more than £2,000, depending on the kitchen design. 

Bear in mind that an open-plan space tends to be larger than the average kitchen, and includes more elements that need to co-ordinate for a cohesive feel; this means the cost of refurnishing and accessorizing the room will be incrementally greater. 

However, there are clever ways to cut the cost of a new kitchen to help you keep to your budget.

Will you need planning permission for an open-plan kitchen?

Demolishing walls to create an open-plan layout doesn’t usually require planning permission.

If you’re extending to create an open-plan layout, this can often be achieved under the permitted development regime. However, you should check with your local authority’s planning department to verify that this applies in your case.

Structural changes will require the input of a structural engineer, and the building regulations will apply to aspects of the work, too.

Find our more about planning permission in our beginners guide. We've covered everything you need to know about permitted development rights, too.

Who can fit an open-plan kitchen?

If you’re working with a kitchen company, they may provide a fitting service, and kitchen designers can also take charge of the entire process from design to final fit out, managing the trades involved.

It’s also possible to find a reliable builder yourself to install the kitchen, or even take on some aspects of the work yourself if you are a competent DIYer.

Use our guide if you want to know how to find a good builder.

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor writing for websites, national newspapers, and magazines. She’s spent most of her journalistic career specialising in homes – long enough to see fridges become smart, decorating fashions embrace both minimalism and maximalism, and interiors that blur the indoor/outdoor link become a must-have. She loves testing the latest home appliances, revealing the trends in furnishings and fittings for every room, and investigating the benefits, costs and practicalities of home improvement. It's no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house revamper. For Realhomes.com, Sarah reviews coffee machines and vacuum cleaners, taking them through their paces at home to give us an honest, real life review and comparison of every model.

50 Open Concept Kitchen, Living Room and Dining Room Floor Plan Ideas (2022 Ed.)

8.6K shares

Tear down the wall. Many contractors these days have been told that by homeowners as the first order of renovation business. Many homeowners want to turn older homes into contemporary open concept kitchen, living room, and dining area floor plans.

I can’t blame them. Our home was built in the 1980s and it’s not an open concept. My wife and I often wished it were. It’s a great layout; makes your home feel bigger without adding square footage. It’s a great way for everyone to hang out together without being on top of one another.

To that end, we cherry-picked over 50 open concept kitchen and living room floor plan photos to create a stunning collection of open concept design ideas.

Related: Open vs. Closed Concept | Living Rooms with Kitchen Opening | Types of Living Rooms | Living Rooms with Fireplaces | Modern Living Room Ideas | Scandinavian-Style Homes | Open Kitchen Pros and Cons 

Photo Gallery

Our gallery focuses on open-concept spaces that include a kitchen and living room. Most of these also have a dining room. An alternative concept is just a kitchen and dining area, but the inclusion of living space such as a family room makes it a true open concept home.

Northwest Craftsman

See the floor plan here.

2-Story Mid-Century Modern Open Concept Home

See the entire house here.

Sleek Contemporary

Designed by: Feldman Architecture

A contemporary home with an open concept style showcasing concrete tiled flooring, wood-paneled ceiling and glazed walls that bring plenty of natural light in. It houses a comfy living space by the fireplace and a kitchen on the side equipped with modern appliances. Photography by: Joe Fletcher, Jason Liske

See more of this home

Pristine White Room

Source: laurenmuss.elliman.com and TopTenRealEstateDeals.com

A classy white room with shared living and dining spaces features wainscoted walls, parquet flooring, and a round tray ceiling mounted with a contemporary chandelier. The room is furnished with a modern dining set and a comfy sofa set that sits on a velvet rug.

See more of this home here

Industrial Style

Designed by: Clairoux

An open concept home decorated with stylish mirrors and various wall arts mounted on the white walls. On its left is the living area with comfy seats and a glass top coffee table over a jute rug. Then we have the dining space and kitchen across showcasing top of the line appliances and a cozy dining set lighted by a black dome pendant.

See more of this home

Bright Contemporary

Designed by: SAOTA

This is a bright and spacious Contemporary style home that has a great room housing the living room, informal dining area as well as the formal dining room at the far end. These are illuminated by the wide wall that opens up through folding glass doors. Another eye-catcher here is the unique design of the wooden ceiling.

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Wood and Stone

Designed by: ARRCC

This elegant home has a great room that houses both the kitchen and dining room under one wide wooden ceiling with exposed wooden beams. This is matched by the wooden dining table while the gray marble flooring is matched by the stone textured kitchen island.

See more of this home

Light and bright Reno

I love this casual light-filled open concept living space which includes a sizable living room, renovated a contemporary white kitchen and large dining space off the kitchen.

Open concept luxury condo

Open concept kitchen and living room in a luxury condo by DECOR AID

Modular Open Concept Floor Plan

This design is featured on the top of the gallery because it is the perfect example of what an open concept floor plan looks like. The kitchen, dining room and living room are beautifully distinguished by placing large jute chenille rugs in the center of each area while wood is used as a common material in the three spaces to merge them cohesively. Long brunette ceiling panels that match the floorboards and canopy throughout the space are the ultimate way to bring together the different elements of a house in one single room.

Ocean Breeze Open Room Design

This house gracefully blends the kitchen and the living room through the strategic placement of a round dining table in between that serves as a buffer zone. More chairs lined with the kitchen island provide additional seating for the family members. A few potted plants bring life to the place and highlight the various hues of mild blue and ivory, which are at play here.

White and Mahogany Maisonette

This duplex apartment is a graceful mix of pure white furnishings on a two-toned wooden floor. Modern café-style, counter height stools, and the kitchen island serve as a dining area. Subtle touches of light green accentuate the room while sleek wood-top tables with steel bases give the living area a completely chic look.

Decent Cottage Style Open Room

This practical design features a kitchen and dining area that overlooks a well-spaced living room. The milk tea wooden floorboards give the place a neat and tidy appearance while the plush pure white seats further add to the same. Other than the metallic lamps and the LCD screen, this brown wooden themed open room reminds one of a decent cottage.

Most Modern Open Room

A large steel-gray vent hood coupled with more steel accessories and an embedded induction cooking stove add volumes to the trendy industrial style kitchen. The kitchen overlooks a simple but spacious living room furnished with eccentric seats in one half and a traditional sofa in the other. Complete with a mini home theatre system, this open room concept is the ideal place to have fun-filled parties.

Geometric Shapes Grandeur

This beach house is the perfect getaway for the whole family to relax and unwind. A square glass table sits delicately in the center with similar shaped white leather seats. Except for the fairy-like cylindrical light fixture, the place is void of any decorations but still manages to shine brightly. Wall-length windows illuminate the whole place and give an unhindered view of the natural beauty outside. The striped coffee-colored throw rug in the center brings warmth in the otherwise plain white room.

Open Room Design for Organic Living

This open room is a fresh take on the traditional living space. Large crème colored tiles cover the entire space whereas the kitchen cabinets are a soft chestnut shade. Classy jute chairs and conventional sofas can be seen but the pristine steel handles on the cabinets, steel vent hood, and utensils coupled with steel spotlights in the kitchen say hello to the modern style.

Lustrous Living

The natural light and views are important enough to make any house lively and comfortable. This is why designers of this open concept floor plan placed the kitchen, the dining area and the living space parallel to each other, along a wall with numerous ceiling-to-floor windows that provide a dazzling view of the lake outside. An assortment of various pots and plants underneath transparent round globe lights add to the luxurious décor of the place the

Wish Upon a White Washed Open Room

If Snow White had a contemporary house, it would probably look like this. The hazelnut floorboards and a wooden side table are the only breaks in this otherwise bathed-in-white open room. However, the glossy kitchen furnishings and a cheerful peek of the forest outside keep at bay, the dullness that often stems from the excessive use of whites.

Graceful Grandiose

Glorious use of deep brown and soft beige shades, this open room seems more like a five-star hotel than an actual residential place. The kitchen lies in between the living and dining areas for easy access and feasibility. This place is surely grand but it’s graceful at the same time.

Bold in Black

This corporate style open room keeps it professional and strictly says no to any nonsense. Leather lounger with cushions packed in the same material, sleek and slender metal lamps, and an elegant monochromatic kitchen overlooking a spotlessly white dining table and chairs giving a brisk nod to the professional billionaire-style living.

Impressive Italian Living Room and Kitchen

The imposing leather couches in this open room design might look old-fashioned at a glance. But coupled with dark chocolate velvety cushions and dandling vintage lamps in the background, this house boasts of rustic beauty and ancient charm.

Muted Ivory Open Room

This place is compact but the genius use of light beige and muted ivory tones make it far more spacious than it actually is. The wide rectangular window provides the necessary lighting while the pendant bulbs atop the dining table add a hint of studio apartment living.

Dipped in Elegance

Lavender curtains that convey peace and serenity and plush grey lounge that can seat all the family members make this living room the ideal spot to spend a lazy weekend binge-watching your favorite TV shows or quietly reading your favorite book in a comfortable place. We see a table in the back but nonetheless, the kitchen isn’t a part of this design because this open room is exclusively a relaxing recluse. Let those cooking chores remain hidden behind a wall.

The Greek Sailor’s Humble Abode

The untainted white and genial hues of blue and fawn combine elegantly in this graceful living space. A coffered ceiling and matt wooden floorboards along with a granite kitchen island top and an array of fine decorative pieces together make this open room a modern space with character.

Vintage Charm

Raw oak panels that seem to be suspended in mid-air and the low hanging glass balls chandelier chained above the table give this living room magical and mysterious feels. The red-bricked fireplace and French door and windows further add to the rustic charm.

Expansive Design

Situated in the middle of a forest clearing, this open room layout has an ample amount of space. The kitchen is kept simple with rich mahogany wooden furnishings that perfectly counterbalance the hushed gray in the living room. Although the glass wall illuminates the place well, ceiling lights are added for more glitz and glory.

A Piece of Cake

With a snow-white ceiling supported by light mocha coffee walls that further darken to a smooth hazelnut brown in the living room, this living room seems like an architectural representation of a chocolate cake. The majorly white kitchen is cleverly sandwiched between the living room and dining area that is dominated by brown tones. Patterned high gloss floor and ultra-sleek shelves add a touch of extravagance.

A Decent Triplex

This apartment brilliantly houses all the functional zones on one floor. A turquoise sunroof over the dining area that is already accentuated by the bold red velvet seats is a fascinating way to uplift an otherwise plain space.

It’s All About Textures

This kitchen, dining room and living room leave no stone unturned when it comes to using different textures in its interior designing. While the floorboards are the conventional two-toned wood, the kitchen island is composed of matt black polish and a solid marble top. Amber wood is used repeatedly in the living room while the cabinetry features steel as well as a tint of teal.

Mountain Side Living

This residence located on a mountainside uses high ceilings to the maximum advantage. Not only does it give a very open look, but it also allows the owner to introduce a mezzanine floor. Cool blue floor lights in the kitchen add an ultra-hip look while dissimilar chairs in the dining area bring eccentricity.

Honey Dew Cozy Room

With quite a pretentious ceiling coupled with the paraphernalia on open shelves in the living room, this house makes efficient use of limited space.

Coffee Lover’s Dream

Whoever loves minimalism will love this open room. Low leveled coffee table and a geometric wall hang along with a few white decorations that keep the space uncluttered, yet add volumes to its beauty. Milk coffee colors combined with a deeper shade of matt brown go well with pure white and the green outside.

Royal Majesty

Words cannot do justice to the royal sophistication permeating through this place. Giant velvet cushions, woolen rug, tech-savvy fireplace, luminous kitchen, and matching embellishments all together make this open room a wonder to behold.

Lustrous Living

The natural light and views are important to make any house lively and comfortable. This is why designers of this open concept floor plan placed the kitchen, the dining area and the living space parallel to each other, along a wall with numerous ceiling-to-floor windows that provide a dazzling view of the lake outside. An assortment of various pots and plants underneath transparent round globe lights bring the space to life.

Most Comfortable Open Room Concept

Hushed tones of gray in the living room that complement the whites in the kitchen makes one want to snuggle on the plush couch. The island and dining table are kept black which is a stark contrast against the light shades. But this only adds more magnificence to the zone.

Wooden Box

It’s all about wood in this residence. But despite the neutral tone of the material, this place still displays sheer exquisiteness. The floor is a multi-toned tiled floor; the island has thin panels while the ceiling has broader ones. A crystal blue glass wall at the side and this zone are ready to shine.

Stately Simplicity

A lavish ceiling is, without a doubt, the defining feature in this open room concept. But this extravagance is counterbalanced by keeping the furnishings low-key.

Joyful Café Style Open Room

Doesn’t this look like a trendy breakfast café you might visit on a vacation in Paris? Under-shelf light panels, central lamp and a slender one in the corner add the required illumination while also adding a unique quality to space. So many elements are at play here that only an attentive observation can provide you with the full picture.

The Timeless Primarypiece

It’s elegant. It’s stylish. It’s decent yet it’s overflowing with splendor. Featuring white and deep walnut brown that comes close to black, this opulent space is guaranteed to stand the test of time with its undying magnificence.

Rich Beyond Words

With patterned cushions, woolen rugs, leather sofa, and a shiny ceiling, this place uses almost every element available to create an artistic space that is loaded with character.

Profound Refinement

The kitchen and the dining room are slightly shielded from the living room by the stone wall in between, this place speaks of dignity and grace.

Coastal Glam

The kitchen and living room in this design embraces the coastal beauty outside with the wall-length windows that provide a stunning view. The sharp white ceilings match the clear sky while the wooden and blue furnishings merge well with the sand and water in the surroundings.

Tribute to the Common

A round wooden table beside a giant kitchen island that overlooks the living room, this house tore down all walls so that everyone stays connected no matter what they are doing.

The Millionaire’s Mansion

Trulia

Consisting of all possible shades of grey, this open room design is extravagant all the way.

Perfect and Pristine

Trulia

This decent open room concept combines the dining table with the kitchen island to save space. Well-spaced panels on the top also add to the spaciousness.

White and Brown Only

Perfect for large gatherings, this design features a table for a dozen guests overlooking a gorgeous pool outside.

Peace and Tranquility

Trulia

Perfect for large gatherings, this design features a table for a dozen guests overlooking a gorgeous pool outside.

Peace and Tranquility

The light tones of grey and sand brown combined with silver and metallic finishes make this space truly unique.

Modern Museum

This open room is well adorned with contemporary art forms including posters and statues as well as dramatic light effects.

One Wood Wall

Source: Trulia

With a chestnut wooden wall opposing the dining room and kitchen, this house is a unique mix of elements of the past and present. Old style wood cupboards and suede seats combined with modern metallic touches here and there will make you wistful to upgrade your own place.

Dumbo Loft

See more of this home. Designed by Chango & Co

An open-concept room featuring a living space with a cozy sofa set, a dining area with a brick wall and an oval-shaped dining table set and a single wall kitchen featuring a breakfast bar island.

Red Brick and Wood

See more of this home. Source: Toptenrealestatedeals.com

This angle of the large open floor plan showcases the red brick arches on the side of the dining and living room with a view of the kitchen on the other side of the dining area.

See more of this home. Source: Drozdov&Partners

This open area room is surrounded by glass walls. The stairs have its glass walls that match the concept of the room.

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What is open concept?

The open concept combines rooms into one larger space. It’s most popular with kitchens, living rooms (or family rooms) and dining areas. There are no walls that separate the space. It’s a very trendy layout these days. In fact, many homeowners get inspired to renovate their homes so that they can open them up into open concept.

What are the typical open concept layouts?

There isn’t a one layout fits all concept. The layout can be one long room with a kitchen, dining room and living room or it can be more a square footprint or L-shape footprint. The key is that space is opened up. Usually, the dining area is in between the kitchen and living space (but not always).

How big are these spaces?

This is what’s interesting about open concept. While one would think you’d need a huge room to fit two or three different rooms in one space, that’s not the case. In fact, open concept is a much more efficient use of space which means you can get more livable space in less square footage. Small condos and apartments are often open concept not because people want that design, but out of necessity (it now turns out people prefer that design so it’s a win/win).

You can create open concept kitchen, living room, and dining room layouts with less than 300 square feet (albeit, that would be pretty much a micro-apartment, but it can be done).

Open Concept Trend (Chart)

As you can see from the chart below, the open concept floor plan concept has grown tremendously in popularity over the last 15 years.

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TOP-70 photos how to decorate the interior of the kitchen-living room

Design features

A number of basic nuances:

Pros and cons of combining

Before connecting rooms, you should pay attention to the advantages and disadvantages of such a solution.

Pros Cons

It turns out to plan a single spacious and bright space in which several functional areas are located.

Smells and sounds of the working kitchen process will penetrate into the recreation area. To partially solve the problem, you will need to install a powerful hood and purchase silent household appliances.

A small kitchen, due to its combination with an adjacent room, provides a convenient organization of a dining area next to the working area. The combination of rooms is a labor-intensive process that requires competent project development, organization of work for the dismantling or transfer of walls, as well as obtaining redevelopment approval from special organizations.

The merger contributes to a significant reduction in traffic in a house or apartment.
While cooking, you can communicate with family members or guests who are in the room. The room needs more thorough and frequent cleaning.

Layout

The kitchen and living room must fulfill certain functional tasks. The kitchen area is divided into three sections, in the hall they organize a place to relax and a dining group.

Rectangular kitchen-living room

Despite some imbalances and not very attractive appearance, there are ways to elegantly decorate a rectangular room. In an elongated and long room, one should highlight the semantic center and concentrate all attention on it.

It is better to place furniture and household items in one line and leave the parallel wall free. The U-shaped layout will organically fit into the room, which uses corners and saves useful meters.

The photo shows the design of a rectangular kitchen-living room in white and beige tones.

Square kitchen-living room

An island type of layout is suitable for a square room. Thanks to the arrangement of furniture in small groups, it turns out not only to take into account all the design features of the kitchen-living room, but also to clearly plan the space.

Furnishings can also be installed against one or two parallel walls using a peninsular, U- or L-shaped method.

The photo shows the layout of the combined square-shaped kitchen-living room.

Kitchen combined with a living room with two windows

The main design idea in a room with two windows located on the wall opposite the doorway is symmetry. Any style will fit into the atmosphere of the kitchen-living room, which implies the presence of symmetrical details and structures.

It is better to furnish the interior with custom-made furniture and a kitchen set.

The photo shows the design of a spacious modern-style kitchen-living room with two window openings.

Interior with one window

The layout of the room with one window opening requires additional lighting. Hanging, spotlights, chandeliers and built-in light sources are installed in the area of ​​​​the stove, sink and above the countertop.

As a zoning element, a glass partition is ideal, which will provide unhindered light penetration into all corners of the kitchen-living room.

The photo shows an elongated kitchen combined with a living room with one window opening.

Open plan options

This floor plan is versatile and fits well in both a small studio apartment and a large apartment. The open floor plan gives the room a feeling of spaciousness and freedom.

The photo shows the interior of a studio apartment with an open-plan kitchen-living room.

Examples of non-standard layouts

An unusually shaped kitchen-living room is distinguished by the presence of one, two or more atypical corners. In order to balance the wrong layout, space zoning is performed. In a trapezoid-shaped room, you can highlight functional areas in a contrasting color or design a podium. To create standard right angles in a triangular room, furniture items and shelves built into niches will help.

The photo shows a kitchen-living room of a non-standard trapezoidal shape.

Zoning options

Read also

The best solutions for dividing rooms

Examples of partitions

To conditionally delimit a room, upholstered furniture is installed on the border between zones in the form of a rectilinear, corner sofa or a pair of armchairs.

A dining group with a dining table and chairs can also act as a zoning element. This functional segment will not only help divide the space, but also contribute to the correct planning of the location of the headset in the kitchen area.

No less popular design technique is zoning with the help of a kitchen island. Such a design will not completely block the space and interfere with free movement.

Another convenient way is a bar counter, which can simultaneously act as a dispensing table and work surface.

In the photo, zoning with finishing in the interior of the kitchen-living room.

A variety of decorative partitions will perfectly fit into the interior. For zonal separation, it is appropriate to install sliding glass doors, bamboo screens, plasterboard, plywood and wooden structures or shelving.

Blackout curtains, light curtains or curtains made of beads can also be hung at the intersection of two zones.

If the layout of an apartment with a kitchen-living room is large and assumes a high ceiling, zoning can be done through multi-level ceiling or floor design. To create clear boundaries, the kitchen area is placed on a low podium or isolated using a lower level of a stretch or false ceiling with a built-in lighting system.

Color solution

There are universal color solutions that can give the interior of the kitchen, turning into the living room, a truly stylish and fashionable look.

Kitchen-living room in bright colors

A discreet and light range visually enlarges the room. Use smoky, cream, beige and other delicate pastel palettes. A stylish kitchen-living room in white always looks fresh and airy. Thanks to a variety of variations of snow-white shades, you can make the design more interesting.

The photo shows a kitchen-living room, made in light blue, white and beige tones.

Muted and warm tones keep the environment clean and tidy, calming and relaxing. This color scheme is especially suitable for a small-sized room with an open layout.

Bright design of the kitchen-living room

Saturated combinations are always in trend. They make the interior more dynamic and give it originality. Bright spectacular accents on a light background will favorably emphasize the design features of the combined kitchen-living room.

The photo shows a bright design of the kitchen-living room in the interior of the studio apartment.

Interior of the kitchen-living room in dark colors

Elegance and ruin of dark shades allows you to create a noble interior filled with comfort and coziness. Such a palette will also help to equalize the color imbalance in the room, which is characterized by non-standard sizes.

The photo shows dark gray-brown and emerald colors in the design of the kitchen combined with the living room.

Finishing and materials

When renovating a kitchen-living room with the help of cladding, it is possible to visually zone the room without violating the overall style, and also, thanks to properly selected finishing materials, take into account the features of each functional area.

Floor in the living room combined with the kitchen

The living room and kitchen area have completely different requirements for the design of the floor, so two types of flooring are selected for decoration. The kitchen segment can be laid out with practical tiles with a straight or rounded transition to laminate or parquet, located in the guest area.

Pictured is a kitchen area with floor tiles merging into laminate in the living room.

Walls in the kitchen-living room

Plastic panels and other well-washable materials are suitable for the kitchen. The apron zone is isolated using ceramic tiles, which can contrast in color with the main wall covering. Thus, the work area becomes more expressive.

In the living room, the surface of the walls is pasted over with wallpaper with or without drawings, laid out with stone, brickwork or decorated with panels with a 3D effect.

Ceiling

In the interior of the kitchen and living room, united together in one room, a multi-level system with built-in lighting is often installed. The ceiling can be made in white or have a specific color scheme for each zone.

Window decoration in the kitchen-living room

If there are two windows in the room, many designers recommend choosing an original asymmetrical design, however, the traditional interior often involves the same drapery of window openings, which unites two different spaces.

Furniture: selection and arrangement

Examples of the arrangement of a kitchen combined with a living room.

Sofa

In the design of the kitchen-living room, the sofa mainly acts as a zoning item and is installed with its back to the cooking area.

For a small room, a corner or straight model is suitable, which is installed near a perpendicular or parallel wall from the kitchen area.

The photo shows a modern kitchen-living room with a leather sofa with an ottoman.

Kitchen set

First of all, the design should be convenient, as well as have enough storage space in the form of drawers and shelves. It is better to choose a model with a closed facade, which has a simple design. Beautiful sets can be placed on open shelves or you can purchase a stylish showcase.

The set is installed near one wall, they prefer a U-shaped design or a product with the letter d. With enough space in the center, an island with a work surface and lower cupboards for dishes is placed. This module can also be supplemented with a dining table.

The photo shows a linear set with an island and a dining group in the interior of a large kitchen-living room.

Dining group

When choosing, you should be guided by the style of the two zones. It would be appropriate to equip a small-sized kitchen-living room with compact furniture in light colors or a transparent design. A round dining table will harmoniously fit into the interior, which, due to its shape, looks more light.

In a spacious room, the table is placed near the wall or placed in the center. For this, preference should be given to elongated rectangular models.

In the photo there is a kitchen-living room with a table located behind a low partition.

Modern interior ideas in various styles

See also

Provence-style kitchen-living room photo

Loft-style design involves the use of brick, stone, concrete finishes and metal materials. The presence of open communications in the form of wiring, pipes or a ventilation system is welcome. This design does not meet the standard rules, but is distinguished by clarity, minimalism and comfort.

A very popular solution for creating a functional and cozy kitchen-living room is the Scandinavian style. The decoration is characterized by light shades and natural materials. It is dominated by a white color scheme, which is diluted with accents of black, gray or brown. The room is decorated with discreet decor, photographs, paintings, carpets or plants.

The photo shows the design of the kitchen combined with the living room and dining room in a Scandinavian style.

In the interior of the kitchen-living room in a classic style, the predominance of expensive materials in the form of stone, wood, fine ceramics and plaster moldings is appropriate. The room assumes the presence of large windows and a high ceiling. The seating area is furnished with chic fabric or leather upholstery and decorated with elegant accessories, cream, beige or brown wooden set with appliances from the retro collection is installed in the kitchen.

The photo shows a spacious kitchen-living room with a loft-style interior.

Photo gallery

A competent design approach and careful design of the combination make the kitchen-living room as comfortable as possible and create a unique design in the room.

107 Photos (real) and 6 Ideas (non-obvious)

Non-obvious things about the design of the kitchen-living room:

  1. Lighting and switch placement is critical affect the interior of the kitchen-living room, and everyone does it is wrong .
  2. An ideal partition between the kitchen and the living room is a bar counter (specifically, a table-rack, i.e. a wide one or an island). It is possible with an attached sofa.
  3. There are specific uses for the shared kitchen that have made it so popular. But if you still do not clearly represent them, then you risk adding to the collection of the most mediocre layouts. Further there will be scenarios and how they affect the project of the kitchen-living room.
  4. Floor zoning is nonsense. About the floor in the kitchen.
  5. We unite the space and the design task is to maintain both the kitchen area and the living room area in the same style, and not to separate them, as it seems to many for some reason.
  6. You can make sure that odors do not spread and ventilation works properly, but this is done at the design stage.

We will analyze each item in detail using photo examples of real kitchens-living rooms, I will tell you how to avoid standard mistakes, but first things first.

Let's go.