Small open concept kitchen dining living room
Open Concept Kitchen - 8 Great Open Kitchen Living Room Combos
Last update: Home & Garden
An open concept kitchen combined with the living room often appears in small apartments located in apartment complexes. It's a popular design, as it offers a possibility to organize the space practically and create an interesting arrangement. But an open kitchen can be designed in a house as well. Are you dreaming of such a solution? Check what it might look like and get inspired.
What is an open-plan kitchen with a living room?
It was believed for many years that a kitchen should be a separate room. Houses and apartments were designed according to this concept. But it’s problematic if the space is limited. For this reason, open concept kitchen combined with the living room has been trending recently.
Such an interior is characteristic for combining several functions in one. It’s a place where you can prepare and eat meals, but also rest - open concept kitchens are usually matched with living rooms.
Source:yourhomeandgarden.co.nz/inspiration/tips-and-advice/ways-to-design-a-seamless-open-plan-living-roomWhat are the advantages of an open concept kitchen?
An open concept kitchen comes with the most important benefit - you get one, extensive space instead of two non-functional interiors. Thanks to this, the process of designing such a room is much easier and offers new possibilities to make it look interesting.
Being able to spend more time with the family is another advantage. If you prepare meals in a separate kitchen, while the rest of the family spend their time in the living room, the contact is limited. An open-plan kitchen with a living room gives you more options in this regard.
Source:evokekitchens.ie/portfolio/2019/1/30/a-modern-open-plan-kitchen-and-living-area-is-perfect-in-this-busy-family-homeAre there any drawbacks of an open concept kitchen?
Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that an open concept kitchen is not a flawless solution.
One of them is the fact that when guests visit you - they can see everything. That’s why you have to prepare snacks beforehand and clean everything up prior to their arrival.
Smells getting to the living room area is another common disadvantage of this solution. But the problem can be eliminated if you use a good quality kitchen hood. This way, any smells are removed right away. Additionally, you can purchase an air purifier which will help you remove unpleasant smells.
The last issue concerns the noises emitted by the fridge or the dishwasher. But modern models of kitchen appliances are relatively quiet, so they shouldn’t disturb you during watching movies and shows. As for the dishwasher, you can turn it on when leaving home, This way, you don’t have to listen to the noise, and clean dishes will wait for you when you’re back.
Source:m.made-in-china.com/product/Open-Kitchen-Dining-and-Living-Room-Duplex-Apartment-House-Furniture-1898875015.
htmlA small kitchen and living room combo
Apartments often have not enough space for designing a separate kitchen and a living room. But it’s not a problem. An open concept kitchen can look incredible - especially if it’s well-designed.
Separating two zones - for the kitchen and the living room - is the first step. You have to think about the following issues:
- where to put the TV and living room furniture,
- how to situate kitchen cabinets and appliances.
If the building is new, the issue shouldn’t be problematic - you can design the interior from scratch. It’s more difficult if you’re renovating an existing apartment. In such a case, you have to make significant changes, sometimes along with demolishing a wall.
A small open kitchen living room design looks good if all the furniture and appliances are placed on one wall. This gives you more options, as you can arrange the remaining space according to your needs. Sometimes, you can even create a dining space, in addition to the leisure area.
An open kitchen living room with a kitchenette
If an apartment is tiny, an open concept kitchen and living room combo has to look different. In this case, the interior consists of a small kitchenette and a leisure area. Make sure to use every opportunity resulting from the building’s layout - a niche in the wall is a good example. If it’s large, perhaps you can fit kitchen cabinets in there.
Sometimes, the room contains another, tiny interior. You can design a kitchen in there, and use the bigger area as the living room. Perhaps it’s not the most convenient solution, but it’s relatively practical.
Source:housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/kitchens/g394/small-kitchensAn open concept kitchen with an island
A design with an island is one of the most popular open-plan kitchen ideas.
It’s a very functional and good-looking solution. Typically, kitchen cabinets and appliances are placed on one of the walls, the kitchen island is in the middle, and the living room is planned in the remaining space.
Depending on the needs and availability of the space, a kitchen island can be used for meal preparation, as well as for eating them or for doing homework. If the latter two options don’t apply, you can implement a stove top on the island.
What’s beneficial, this solution is perfect for any type of interior. Furthermore, the island can have different sizes and shapes, which is another advantage.
Source:designingidea.com/open-kitchen-designs-living-room Source:loveproperty.com/gallerylist/70546/61-really-clever-ideas-to-make-openplan-work-for-everyoneA partially open kitchen with a living room is a perfect solution for interiors of an unusual layout. Typically, it’s an “L” shaped room, and many homeowners wonder what design will make it practical and good-looking.
Of course, every project can look completely different. The usual solution places the kitchen in the shorter part, while the wider side of the interior functions as the living room. You can reverse it, although such a design will probably be less functional.
If you want to partially separate the kitchen and the living room, use a dividing wall. It’s an easy solution, and it gives you many interesting options.
Source:home-designing.com/l-shaped-kitchen-layout-design-ideas-tips-picturesA large open concept kitchen with a living room in a house
A large open-plan kitchen and living room gives you plenty of options - you can use it to design a leisure area and a dining zone. Large, multistory houses often design such spaces on the ground level. It’s a convenient solution not only for everyday situations, but also whenever you expect guests. This way, you don’t have to worry you will run out of space for the visitors.
Such a large open concept kitchen can contain more appliances.
You can also design a mini pantry, or even a special wine-storage area in it. It’s a popular option among house owners.
Open-plan kitchen ideas - use bright colors
Many think that an open kitchen with living room looks best if arranged in bright colors. There are a lot of designs in white and cream colors. But keep in mind these aren’t the only options. If you are dreaming of an open Scandinavian kitchen combined with the living room, consider using:
- beige,
- grey,
- blue.
Additionally, the interior looks beautiful with wooden and marble elements - depending on the style you pick. Bright colors make the room look bigger, so even a small interior might seem large with such a design.
Many interior designers use this simple trick - make the kitchen area lighter, and the living area darker, while everything remains in the same color, e.
g. shades of gray.
A dark open-plan kitchen - industrial style
A dark open concept kitchen is a characteristic design appearing in large apartments and houses. Note that such colors make the interior look smaller, so not every interior looks good in such style. A dark, e.g. black kitchen requires good lighting for more convenient meal preparation. Not everyone is able to rest well when surrounded by such colors, so think well if it’s a good idea for you.
A dark open concept kitchen is definitely very modern. When combined with wood and copper elements, you can get industrial style in it. But keep in mind such an interior is more difficult to keep clean. Black or dark blue cabinets expose every, even the smallest speckle of dirt.
Source:trendsettingkitchenandbath.com/post/industrial-the-raw-refined-open-modern-styleAn open concept kitchen - an interior - a colorful interior
Do you like colorful interiors and are wondering whether you can add some color to an open concept kitchen? Of course! Interestingly enough, it’s a popular solution for dividing the two zones - the kitchen and the living room.
What’s more, you don’t have to use two shades of the same color. Nonetheless, make sure the colors aren’t entirely different, either e.g. red and green or orange and purple. Pick colors that look good with each other:
- mint green and dusty pink,
- blue and grey,
- green and gold.
There are many options. Everything depends on your creativity and preferences.
Source:interiorzine.com/2018/06/21/open-concept-kitchen-living-room-55-designs-ideas📍 What is an open concept kitchen?
An open concept kitchen is simply a kitchen combined with another interior, e.g. a living room. It's a very practical solution, which might make the space seem bigger. An open-plan kitchen also offers more options for its design.
📍 What are the best colors for an open-plan kitchen with living room?
An open concept kitchen with a living room looks great in light colors. Pastel colors are the best option - beige, delicate grey or pink.
Such shades look good in interiors of any size. If the kitchen is large, you can use darker colors.
📍 An open concept kitchen design - what flooring to pick?
The flooring in an open concept kitchen should match the whole design. Depending on your expectations, you can use the same type of flooring in the entire interior - both the kitchen and the living areas. Sometimes, tiles are preferred in the kitchen zone.
📍 What hood for an open concept kitchen design?
A good kitchen hood is the basic element in an open-plan kitchen. It has to eliminate all odors created when cooking. In addition to efficiency, pay attention to the visual aspect as well. The kitchen part is exposed, so make sure the design looks good.
Dorota Czerwińska Author
Dorota is an economist by profession, but her biggest hobby is photography and interior design.
In Treehouse since the beginning of 2019.
Contact: [email protected]
Small House Design Ideas With Open Concept Kitchens And Living Rooms
By Simona Ganea | Published on
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Picture this: a small house, open concept kitchen and living room, with a cozy bedroom or two and a cute bathroom.
It’s all you really need to be happy and there’s a ton of cool ideas for personalizing and decorating it in a way that suits your style. First through let’s talk about some of the more controversial features like the kitchen.
The standard kitchen size
In order to really determine whether or not your kitchen is small we should talk a bit about the average size of a standard kitchen. How small is a small kitchen anyway? Well, typically these are the dimensions to keep in mind:
- A small kitchen usually measures up to 70 square feet – which is 6.5 square meters.
- A mid-size kitchen is somewhere around 100 and 200 square feet – between 9 and 18.5 square meters.
- A large kitchen is anything bigger than 200 square feet – 18.5 square meters.
Based on these average measurements we can each determine what sort of kitchen we want in our homes. Of course, there’s a few other questions you should first ask yourself such as how many people will be using the kitchen at any time, how often you actually cook, how many appliances you actually need and how you’ll be using the kitchen.
Open vs closed kitchens layout design
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The whole open concept kitchen trend started in the 1990s and is still very popular, particularly in modern and contemporary homes. An open kitchen can be described as a space that’s integrated with the adjacent rooms, usually the living and dining areas. More exactly, an open kitchen doesn’t have walls or dividers on the sides where it connects to another room.
Open kitchens
There’s many advantages to having an open concept kitchen which is why the design is so popular:
- An open kitchen gets more natural sunlight and better ventilation
- It’s easier to engage to other people in the adjacent rooms when cooking or spending time in the kitchen – better for bonding, keeping an eye on the kids or socializing with family and guests
- Opens kitchen look and feel more casual and welcoming compared to the closed ones
- The open concept design also helps the house as a whole look bigger, more airy and spacious – great for small homes
- With an open concept design the kitchen decor is put on display and becomes part of the social area
As always, nothing is just rainbows and unicorns.
There’s a few disadvantages that you should also keep in mind if you’re considering an open concept kitchen:
- Open concept kitchens can’t be hidden. In other words, all the mess in the kitchen is put on display for everyone to see. Of course, this is easy to solve by just keeping the kitchen area clean and organized
- Open kitchens are not soundproof at all – all the noise from the cooking and from all the appliances will be heard from the adjacent rooms. The same goes for all the smells.
Closed kitchens
A closed kitchen is pretty much the opposed of an open one, meaning it’s closed off and isolated from the rest of the house. It doesn’t seamlessly connect to the adjacent rooms and it’s a room of its own in every sense of the way.
Some of the advantages of a closed kitchen design include:
- A closed kitchen is more formal compared to an open one. This is good if the rest of the house also has a formal air or if you prefer privacy while cooking.
- Closed kitchens are contained meaning all the smells and noises stay inside and don’t interfere with any of the adjacent rooms, at least not as much as in the case of open concept kitchens.
- Closed kitchens have more walls which means more surfaces for furniture and accessories and thus more storage and more space for appliances as well.
- A closed kitchen is not seen by anyone sitting in any of the other rooms so if there’s any mess in here it will remain a secret.
- At the same time, closed kitchens give you more intimacy and privacy which is good if you’re the type of person who doesn’t like an audience when cooking or enjoys to be focused on what they’re doing without any interference.
Based on these elements, all of the advantages of open kitchens become disadvantages when it comes to closed kitchens.
The best of both worlds
You might be wondering if there’s any way you could enjoy the advantages of both open and closed kitchens without having to choose one or the other.
Well, there is. In fact, there’s multiple design options that sit somewhere in the middle or offer lots of flexibility. For example:
- Give your kitchen sliding doors so you can have it open whenever you want to but also have the open to close it off
- Include a seating area in a closed kitchen to give it more of a social feel similar to what open kitchens offer
- Install a glass partition between the kitchen and the adjacent room to let in some of the light while keeping the sounds and smells contained
- Close off a section of the kitchen and keep the rest open. Perhaps you’d like to be able to hide the cooking area but let the rest of the kitchen interact with the living room
- Install powerful vents in your open kitchens so the smells are immediately carried outside instead of spreading through the rest of the house
- Get some quiet appliances in an open kitchen so there’s no annoying noises disturbing those in the adjacent rooms
- Raise the kitchen slightly (on a platform for example) to give it a sense of sort of being separate from the rest of the house.
This would also mean you have a bit more privacy in the kitchen and you’re not seen by your guests sitting at the dinner table - Plan the adjacent spaces so that the seating area positions the guests with their back at the kitchen to give you some privacy while cooking
Open concept kitchen and living room design ideas
An L-shaped corner kitchen
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Here it’s not just the kitchen that’s open concept but pretty much the whole house. To be fair, it’s only a 27 square meter home so getting rid of the walls separating the main rooms was smart in order to gain a bit more usable space. The kitchen sits in one of the corners and is L-shaped which allows it to fit perfectly in here.
The white cabinets and their fairly symmetrical placement give the room and airy and inviting look. The cabinets also offer sufficient storage for all the kitchen-related items. There’s no upper cabinets and instead the walls are left fairly clean and empty for a sense of space and openness.
Found on finn.
The little black kitchen
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White is the go-to color for small spaces but that doesn’t mean anything else is out of the question. In fact, these black kitchen cabinets are a magnificent addition to this 22 square meter apartment. They really help to anchor not just the kitchen but the living room as well which is decorated with lighter shades of gray and little colorful accents.
Although we’re talking about a small and open kitchen, you can see that it sort of has its own nook framed by partial walls on either side. This gives it a sense of privacy without actually turning it into a separate room. Found on finn.
A semi open concept
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A closed kitchen can become open if you remove one or more walls that separate it from the rest of the house. You can also achieve a similar effect with big sliding doors. You can get a sense of what this looks like in this 30 square meter apartment.
The kitchen has its own space off the side of the living room but there’s no wall or solid surface sitting between these spaces.
All on one wall
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Having all the kitchen-related furniture and accessories concentrated on one wall is practical and great if you want to have an open and airy floor plan in general. There’s no furniture sticking out or getting in the way and everything is in plain sight. In this 3 square meter apartment the kitchen is seamlessly integrated into the living area but you don’t really see it when you’re sitting on the sofa because of the way everything is oriented. Found on kvarteretmakleri.
A natural transition
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When it comes to open concept kitchens usually the dining area or the island serve as an intermediary between the kitchen and the living room. This makes the transition between these spaces feel more gradual and natural. In this 36 square meter apartment the kitchen and dining area are a perfect combo.
They’re both small and cozy and they fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. Images from svenskamaklarhuset.
Hidden but still open
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Not everyone likes their kitchen to be all out in the open and exposed. Also, some layouts make it difficult to actually have an open concept kitchen when the apartment wasn’t initially designed to function this way. This 37 square meter home sort of offers the best of both worlds.
The kitchen is small and you can barely see it from the living room especially when you’re sitting down. The kitchen cabinets are all white and placed in the inner corner against a partial interior wall. It gets tons of sunlight from the windows and it transitions into a cozy little dining area quite smoothly.
The kitchen island room divider
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This stylish 35 square meter apartment features the iconic kitchen island room divider. It’s a great way to keep an open concept kitchen but still make it feel like its own space.
Also, the island is much more functional than just a simple wall because it gives you additional counter space, it can have built-in appliances and storage space.
A bold pop of color
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In open concept spaces where the kitchen, dining room and living area are all just one large space the distinction between each of these areas can be done in a few different ways. One option is to use color. Take this small but cozy 33 square meter home for example.
The kitchen cabinets are dark green and stand out against the light grey walls and light-colored flooring. This is also the only green-themed section of the apartment which gives the kitchen its own identity. Similarly, the living room is delineated by a big area rug which visually demarcates it as a separate little space within the context of the larger room.Images from bosthlm.
A distinct kitchen floor design
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Speaking of subtle ways to delineate an open concept kitchen from the rest of the floor space, using a different floor design for this area is also a very effective option.
A great example is this 34 square meter apartment where the kitchen and living area are seamlessly connected.
The primary color of the apartment is white and the kitchen cabinets and the backsplash suit this theme. There’s a small kitchen island that can also be used as a bar and/or dining setup which acts as a visual separator between these spaces but, more importantly, the kitchen floor is covered in black and white tiles while the rest is herringbone wood.
Light, bright and cozy
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The kitchen can also just blend in with the rest of the open floor plan, like in the case of this cozy 33 square meter apartment. The gray kitchen cabinets match the rest of the furniture in the living room and the sleeping area and the backsplash has this really cool brick pattern design which gives the kitchen a lot of warmth. The lighting is really nice here as well.
Minimalist with a bold floor design
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In a small space like this one designed by studio Huseby Homes keeping the walls white and adding matching simple furniture that blends in is a smart and practical idea.
That also leaves room to include some bold design accents like a patterned floor for example. This one stretches across the whole space allowing the areas to seamlessly connect.
Parallel configurations
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In this case the interior designers at studio Krista + Home made sure that the living room, kitchen and dining area all seamlessly come together in this big open space. At the same time they allowed each area to have its own identity. The kitchen is L-shaped and almost parallel to the living area which has a two sofa configuration.
Partial separation
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Here studio Syndicate created a partial separation between the kitchen and the living room. In between these two areas stands a partial dividing wall which is carved out to include a bar with a countertop and additional storage. This allows the kitchen to be visually connected to the living area but also to feel like its own room.
A ton of natural light
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Architecture and design studio Kathleen Bost brought the beautiful backyard into this lovely open concept kitchen and living area.
The white walls, shelves and cupboards make it easy for the kitchen to blend in while the big glass panel windows let in an abundance of sunlight. Furthermore, the lovely view can be enjoyed from both of these areas.
Warm wooden accents
View in galleryPhoto by Jessica Helgerson Interior DesignThe easiest way to bring lots of warmth into a room’s design is by incorporating wooden accents into its design. This charming house has a beautiful farmhouse-style kitchen with an entire wall covered in wood panels. The kitchen itself is white which brightens up this whole room. It’s a nice balance with lots of charm.
A unified and modern aesthetic
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This design by studio Feinmann has its own way of being warm and inviting. The building has an industrial character which this design respects and molds into its new modern aesthetic. The kitchen in particular is very welcoming thanks to the warm wooden furniture and the simplicity of its lines and shapes.
The contrast with the dark gray floor is really beautiful and helps the furniture to stand out even more.
Classic with a twist
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There’s plenty of details to be inspired by in this small open concept kitchen designed by studio HA Architecture. For instance, the walls are partially covered with white subway tiles arranged in a vertical pattern. Also, the two-tone cabinets add traditional flair to the design while the stainless steel appliances give it a modern and professional vibe.
Open studio kitchen combined with living room and dining room
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Recently, in private economy class houses, it has become popular to make the living area open, connecting rooms to each other with wide openings or combining different functional areas in one volume - a common open space, not separated by partitions.
Large rooms make it easier to breathe and give a feeling of freedom. Connecting and unifying rooms reduces the area of corridors and halls, provides greater convenience and comfort of living in the house, and also allows you to create a unique interior in these rooms.
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The most popular combination of rooms in the house is the kitchen, open towards the dining room and living room. Such a layout creates a spacious daily zone in the house, and also makes it possible to communicate between people who are in the premises of this zone.
Cooking processes in modern kitchens are quite fast. The emission and spread of unpleasant odors and other harmful substances is minimal. For this reason, there is no special need to separate the kitchen from other rooms.
The food in the kitchen is usually prepared by the hostess or the owner of the house. It is not humane to deprive them of contact with other household members while cooking.
It is convenient when the dining room is located between the kitchen and the living room. Meals are served from the kitchen. From the living room, the household and guests go to the dining room. This arrangement of the premises of the daily zone corresponds to the natural course of events.
Life in the canteen continues even after the meal is over.
Keep in mind that the studio's open kitchen requires increased attention to keeping it clean and tidy. And the sounds and smells from the kitchen can interfere with guests and household members in the living room.
There are several options for planning the house with a combination of kitchen, dining room and living room. These options differ in the degree of openness of the kitchen towards the dining room and living room.
The degree of openness of the kitchen also dictates certain requirements for the interior of the combined premises.
Wide open kitchen
The kitchen area in this version is wide open towards the living room: 3 - kitchen 9.8 m 2 ; 4 - dining area 5.5 m 2 ; 5 - living area 29.2 m 2 .
The interior of the kitchen, when viewed from the hall, should be in harmony with the living area in terms of style and color.
Islands in the kitchen
Left island: 3 - kitchen 11.9 m 2 ; 4 - canteen 9.0 m 2 ; 5 - living room 28.0 m 2Right peninsula: 7 - kitchen 10.1 m 2 ; 6 - living room + dining room 32.2 m 2
On the border of the kitchen and dining room there is an "island", which includes a table, stove and sink. To make it convenient to cook, the kitchen table on the island should be at least 40 9 in length.0029 cm , and the width of the passage around the island is at least 80 cm .
The layout with the island is convenient because it allows several people to work in the kitchen at the same time, and the cook on the island faces the living room.
tempered glass partition is installed between the living room (item 5) and the dining room (item 4). The partition has a sliding door made of the same material.
This solution ensures constant visual contact between people in the kitchen and in the living room. But the sounds and smells from the kitchen will not reach the living room and disturb the guests.
In the picture on the right, a table with a stove is adjacent to a fireplace shaft and a built-in kitchen cabinet. Such a layout closes the kitchen more from the guests.
Kitchen behind the fireplace
3 - kitchen 9 m 2 ; 4 - living room 30.5 m 2The fireplace somewhat limits the degree of openness of the kitchen. Most of the kitchen is not visible from the living room.
Visual contact between the hostess in the kitchen and people in the living room is difficult. But the hostess hears well what the guests are talking about, and can, if desired, go out and participate in the conversation.
Kitchen in the room at the dining table
5 - living room + kitchen - 27.4 m 2 The dining table, located in the room near the kitchenette, is convenient to use as an additional work surface when cooking.
Serving the dining table does not require any extra movement from the hostess.
Kitchen behind partition
4 - kitchen 10.9 m 2 ; kitchen + dining room 28.6 m 2The position and width of the opening in the partition determine which part of the kitchen will be visible from the living room. The dining table further limits the connection between the living room and the kitchen.
Kitchen behind closed doors
8 - kitchen 11.1 m2; 6 — living room + dining room 35.1 m2The kitchen can be separated from the living room by closing the sliding or hinged doors in the partition. By closing the door from the hall, the kitchen can be completely isolated from other rooms. This may be necessary if dishes with a strong smell are prepared in the kitchen.
A closed kitchen is also convenient when important guests are being received in the living room, negotiations are being held, and a hired chef is working in the kitchen.
At your request, this kitchen can be both open and closed.
Kitchen behind the bar
3 - kitchen 10.6 m 2 ; 4 - living room + dining room 25.8 m 2Bar counter with a height of 100 - 120 cm. closes the view of the kitchen part from the living room and decorates the interior. At the bar you can drink and eat without setting the dining table.
How to make an open kitchen functional and, at the same time, spectacular?
Connecting the cooking area to the living room has many advantages. The path from the sofa to the refrigerator is shortened, snacks, coffee and tea are always at hand. However, there are no ideal solutions - in a house or apartment with an open kitchen, a mountain of dirty dishes does not allow you to forget about yourself, and the pleasant aroma of coffee that spreads through the rooms can be muffled by the smell of burnt dishes. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid such situations.
You just need to think carefully about the interior of the kitchen.
In a small kitchen, you don't have to give up shallow shelves, which are great as a place for condiments and small dishes. In parallel with planning the layout of furniture and equipment, a lighting project should arise.
Kitchen combined with living room and dining room
A small open kitchen can be connected to the neighboring areas of the house or apartment to varying degrees - included in the common space of the dining room and living room or visually separated in some way, while maintaining a functional and convenient combination of all areas. See layout options at the beginning of the article.
Kitchen interior, wide open towards the dining room and living room
The kitchen is fully integrated with the living room.
Having chosen this solution, we must ensure that her decor works with the rest of the space. We will not feel good if the kitchen stands out strongly in the interior and gives the impression that it got there by accident, as if there were no wall separating it from the living room. The kitchen should not be an element that attracts attention and dominates the space.
The borders of the kitchen, dining and living areas should be soft and hardly noticeable. If some elements of individual zones move into neighboring zones, we will achieve a greater consistency of the entire interior.
The furniture that is installed in both of these spaces has a great influence on the nature of the perception of the common space of the open kitchen and rooms. It is a very good idea to choose kitchen cabinets that match the shape or materials used with the dining and living room furniture.
In modern interiors, kitchen cabinets often blend seamlessly into the walls of the living room or merge with the doors and furniture shelves, which emphasizes the single-space character of the living area.
You can enhance this effect by abandoning the traditional handles in doors and drawers in favor of the “push-to-open” system (pressed and opened). The use of this method of controlling doors and drawers will allow you to get a smooth surface that resembles a wall with a carefully chosen rhythm of vertical lines.
A way to better integrate the kitchen space with the seating area can also be the use of a variety of finishing materials in height. If we decide that the hanging cabinets in the kitchen will be made of a different material than the floor cabinets, we will get a separation effect that will add lightness to the interior.
The floor is a surface that can emphasize the boundary of the division of zones in the room, or smooth it out. We achieve the effect of unity and smooth blurring of the boundary between the kitchen and the living room by using a single type of floor covering.
We get a greater feeling of coziness if the warmer and softer floor of the living room enters the kitchen area.
You should not completely abandon the well-washable, but hard and cold flooring in the kitchen. But it is better to minimize the dimensions of such a floor - only near the sink with a sink and a stove.
The inclusion of the living room floor in the interior of the kitchen gives the impression of a harmonious interpenetration of both functional areas.
Kitchen interior bordering the living room
There are many ways to mark the boundary between the open kitchen and the living room, at least symbolically.
For example, a kitchen located in an alcove is naturally isolated from the common space.
A kitchen in a corner makes it more open, but also allows for a clear definition of boundaries.
Each additional action - the installation of a bar counter, a kitchen island, or even a dining table on the border with the living room, will emphasize the allocation of the kitchen area.
You can mark the boundary between the kitchen and the living room - by lowering the ceiling level or raising the floor level in the kitchen area, or by placing lights on the ceiling accordingly.
We can shape the kitchen space with light partitions, such as partially open or transparent glass partitions. By placing such a partition, you can not only visually separate the kitchen, but also add new functions to it. The partition can serve as a support for a small kitchen table or be a screen covering an unpresentable view of the sink.
The stepped shape of the ceiling allows you to gently define the kitchen area. It also gives us the opportunity to experiment with lighting, which will be an additional element of the kitchen space.
The same wallpaper in the living room and in the kitchen visually unite the rooms. Glass protects the wall above the worktop from dirt - a practical and almost imperceptible detail in an elegant interior.
White is a very neutral color - it does not draw attention to itself and at the same time allows you to fully emphasize the beauty of the wood.
The variety in the appearance of the top and bottom gives the kitchen an interesting character and allows you to install furniture in the living room that has the same shade as the floor in the kitchen and living room.
Choice of materials for kitchen arrangement
Kitchen cabinets
Kitchen cabinets in the same color scheme or texture as used for the furniture in the living room will visually integrate the open kitchen with the living space. And vice versa - the choice of materials that contrast with those used in the living room can add dynamics to the entire interior and give it an individual character.
Wall cladding over countertop
Choosing a smooth material (in the form of panels) instead of tiling will give the room a modern look. Such a wall is more practical, due to the smooth surface without seams - it is easy to clean.
The range of cladding wall panels is currently very rich. We can choose panels from laminate, wood, glass and other modern materials. Custom-made glass panels are also very popular, which, thanks to the printing technique, can be dyed, patterned and matched to any interior. Similar opportunities for obtaining any pattern on the wall are provided by laminated photo wallpapers.
Kitchen worktops
Worktops made of wood always look good, especially in kitchens combined with a living room. They give the interior a cozy character.
Industrial-modern kitchens often use architectural concrete or stainless steel countertops.
If we prefer a worktop that is inexpensive, easy to install and maintain, we can opt for laminate and other composite worktops. Countertops made of modern materials are very durable and available in a wide range of colors, often with a finish that mimics other materials - stone, steel, concrete, wood.
The kitchen island cabinet helps to hide the hustle and bustle of the kitchen, and it also houses a piece of equipment - the sink. The hood installed behind the doors of the wall cabinet is also almost invisible in the interior.
Kitchen design tips
Kitchen interior planning should start with determining the necessary set of kitchen appliances - stoves, microwaves, sinks, refrigerators, ovens, as well as the composition of kitchen furniture.
They do this by remembering the sequence of the cooking process. It is necessary to provide food storage (refrigerator, pantry, cabinet), placement of pots, kitchen utensils and dishes (pantry, cabinet, shelves), processing (desktop), sink (sink), heat treatment (stove, oven, microwave, multicooker, toaster , coffee machine).
Worktop for food processing, the science of ergonomics recommends placing it between the stove and the sink. So, we will shorten the path along which a person most often moves when cooking.
Let's try to put the sink in as little visible place as possible (the sight of dirty dishes will spoil even the most interesting composition). A good way is to place the sink on a side wall less visible from the living room. It is also a good idea to decide to close this part of the kitchen with a partition or hide it behind a high barrier.
It is also worth thinking about the location of the refrigerator (especially if it is very large and tall), so that its appearance does not dominate the interior.
For the built-in model of the refrigerator, we can find a place for it in high cabinets, along with an oven and a microwave. To install a conventional refrigerator, you can provide a niche in the line of kitchen furniture.
The element that usually serves as the central point of the kitchen interior is a place for cooking with a hob and a kitchen hood hanging above it. Modern forms of stoves, hobs and hoods with a hood have departed very far from traditional designs. Their diversity gives us the opportunity to match these pieces of equipment to any interior, both in terms of shape and material, as well as color. We can make the range hood almost invisible, blend them in with the surroundings, or vice versa, position them so that they attract attention and represent the heart of the kitchen design.
The peninsula between the kitchen and the living room separates both these zones, and at the same time unites them, allowing guests and hosts, for example, to communicate while cooking together.
The kitchen, open to the living room, does not dominate the interior, it is present, as it were, in the background. Light kitchen cabinets without visible fittings can hardly be distinguished against the background of white walls.
The kitchen helper is very useful when preparing food. When not needed, it sits under the countertop.
When thinking about setting up an open kitchen, it is worth paying special attention to the ventilation of the room already at the design stage. We must take care that in the kitchen part of the house or apartment there are two ventilation ducts . One channel is left open for ventilation of the room, and a kitchen hood is connected to the other - this will ensure efficient air exchange.
Building regulations (clause 6.5.8 of SP 60.13330.2016) require in residential buildings for rooms in which gas equipment is located (gas boilers, water heaters, cookers, etc.), to provide mechanical forced exhaust ventilation and natural or mechanical supply ventilation.
If we do not have the technical capacity and our kitchen has only one ventilation duct, then there are two variants of the kitchen ventilation device with one duct.
Option 1. The kitchen hood is connected to the only ventilation duct in the kitchen through a tee on the duct. A non-return valve is installed behind the round ventilation grille. When the exhaust fan is turned on, the damper leaf blocks the passage of air through the ventilation grille.
If the kitchen hood above the stove is connected to the only natural ventilation duct in the kitchen, then the filters, valves and fan in the hood practically block the natural draft in the ventilation duct. A kitchen with the hood turned off remains without ventilation, which worsens the air exchange throughout the house. To correct the situation, it is recommended to place a tee with a check valve on the side outlet in the air duct between the natural ventilation channel and the kitchen hood.
When the hood is not working, the non-return valve opens, allowing free passage of air from the kitchen to the ventilation duct.
Option 2. Filter cooker hood with recirculation. When the cooker hood is turned on, a large amount of warm air is thrown outside for the sole purpose of removing odors and other contaminants that form above the cooker. To avoid heat loss, instead of an exhaust hood, it is recommended to install an umbrella over the stove, equipped with a fan, filters and odor absorbers for deep air purification. After filtering, the air purified from odors and pollution is sent back to the room. Kitchen filter hood saves heat in the house Such an umbrella is often called a kitchen filter hood with recirculation. It should be borne in mind that the savings from lower heating costs are somewhat leveled due to the need to periodically replace the filters for the hood.
When choosing a ventilation option, pay attention to parameters such as air exchange capacity and noise level during operation.
Both of these indicators will affect the comfort of people who are not only in the kitchen, but also in the living room connected to it.
How to properly arrange and calculate ventilation in the kitchen, read the article: "How to make natural ventilation correctly"
Open kitchen in the living room: modern and practical ideas
Charming New York-style apartments - a minimum of interior partitions and a maximum of free space - we often see in American films or in interior glossy magazines. It is difficult to resist the temptation to try to arrange for yourself the same spacious and comfortable housing. Here are some tips and ideas for an open kitchen in the living room, or how to fit an American-style kitchen into a large room.
Benefits of an open kitchen
One large functional airy room instead of several small cramped spaces? An open kitchen breaks physical boundaries but creates a large space that feels almost endless. In addition to the feeling of volume and spaciousness, you open up the space to natural light.
And even the farthest corner of your house will be able to bathe in the sun. And you no longer leave your guests bored while cooking. When your kitchen is open, you can chat with guests or family, and keep an eye on the kids playing around. The space of your home will become generally more friendly and hospitable.
Separate without separating
The absence of a physical partition does not necessarily mean that there is no separation. The kitchen and living room have completely different roles, and care must be taken to retain the primary function of each now narrower zone. There are many ways to separate the space without blocking it.
Furniture
Pictured: Balder sofa by Innovation Living
If the sofa is turned back to the kitchen, you get a beautiful natural separation. Likewise, the placement of armchairs, a bookcase, or a bookshelf also creates an impression of demarcation.
In the photo: LEAF decorative elements set by Koziol, Franky high chair by Dutchbone
A bar counter or kitchen island is still a great way to say "this is where the kitchen ends and the living room begins.
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Think sliding doors, panels, glass, and even ordinary curtains.
Often the main distinction between the kitchen and the living room is made precisely by the color of the walls. However, using a completely different color scheme can be a big mistake. For example, the combination of a red kitchen and a green living room creates real chaos. For this reason, designers are advised to choose different shades of the same color or combine different neutral tones. For example, a fairly common suggestion: a white kitchen combined with a pearl gray living room.
To ensure that taste errors are avoided, it is best to opt for natural colors such as beige, white or pearl grey. The choice of one common color creates the impression of a single space. For visual differentiation, you can vary the tones and add bright contrasting accents.
Floor covering
To separate the space, not so long ago it was customary to choose different floor coverings, for example, parquet and tiles.
But now they are trying to avoid such a division, especially the joints of different types of flooring. The junction of tiles and parquet is difficult to bring to the same level, and the laminate eventually begins to move away at the junction. Reduce possible joints as much as possible, since they are not only technologically problematic, but also visually rarely beautiful. Now it is popular to make the entire floor out of wood or, conversely, to lay porcelain stoneware everywhere. Here everyone is guided solely by their preferences.
But the carpet, oddly enough, continues to be a simple and fairly common way not only to visually designate the living room, but also to give it comfort and sophistication. This applies especially to hand-made carpets made from natural materials, they add uniqueness to the interior.
Join without mixing
Since in our case the living room is still a continuation of the kitchen, the overall decor should be in the same style.
Color
The use of close color shades is of paramount importance.
You can achieve integrity through the use of furniture and decorative accessories of the same color. For example, connect the living room and kitchen by choosing the same tone for the kitchen island and decorative pillows on the sofa.
In the photo: decorative quilted pillows made of cotton velvet brand Tkano
Materials and textures
To create the desired effect of continuity, you can choose a common decorative material. For example, using wood as the main material is a great way to not only create visual cohesion, but also bring a touch of Scandinavian or rustic style to the interior. The repetition of decorative accents will unite the two visually separated spaces.
Furniture for creating separate areas
Pictured: Dutchbone 9 Dolly chairs0281
The choice of furniture allows you to create a “room within a room” in both the living room and the kitchen area. When you see a sofa, a coffee table and several armchairs combined into a decorative ensemble, you immediately guess that this is definitely a living room.
And in the kitchen, you logically expect cabinets, a work area, appliances and a countertop or a central island. By the way, an unusually functional kitchen island may well serve as a small alternative to the dining room, where you can have a quick bite to eat in a small company or have breakfast.
Lighting
A large room usually has large windows or several, but daylight in the evening will still not be enough. And in a room of this magnitude, there will certainly be some especially dark corners, since there will also be little central ceiling lighting. You will inevitably have to increase the number of light sources.
Pictured: Umage Clava Dine Red by Umage
Traditionally, a kitchen island, if any, is distinguished by additional pendant lighting. Think also about spotlights, sconces, built-in LED lighting in work areas in the kitchen. In the living room, additional lighting is usually required above the dining table and near the sofa.
