While the open floor plan concept remains to be a popular layout for public spaces within a home, the right design is key for a seamless flow, uncluttered look, and visually pleasing design. From creating continuity with ceiling accents to sticking with a cohesive color palette, we’re sharing exactly how you can make your open kitchen and living room as functional as it is beautiful.
Get inspired by these 28 open kitchen living room ideas.
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01
of 28Create Continuity
One of the best ways to create visual cohesiveness in an open floor plan is to continue ceiling details. Whether that’s wood beams or a statement-making wallpapered ceiling, the uniformity of the ceiling helps pull the space together.
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02
of 28Repeat Materials
Repeating materials throughout the kitchen and living room will help tie the two spaces together. Apply this design principle by choosing one material and using it in multiple ways.
For example, incorporate natural wood throughout the open space in the form of cabinets in the kitchen and ceiling beams in the living room.
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03
of 28Pick a Color Scheme
A cohesive color scheme maintains a visually appealing space and naturally helps connect the kitchen and living room. To prevent a flat and boring look, use varying shades of the same color and incorporate plenty of textured details and touches of pattern for an interesting layered look.
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04
of 28Use Artwork
Look to wall decor for a simple but effective way to create a common focal point and tie an open kitchen and living room together. Pay attention to scale and make sure to use artwork that’s large enough, so that it doesn’t drown in proportion with the big open floor plan.
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05
of 28Opt for White Walls
Bounce light around and keep an open floor plan light and airy with a bright white paint color. Whether the space gets plenty of natural light or it relies on artificial lighting, a white paint color throughout the entire area is an excellent visual opener. It’ll instantly brighten up the kitchen and living room.
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06
of 28Choose One Design Style
An open floor plan means that furniture and accessories are in relatively close visual proximity. To avoid a cluttered look that breaks up the space, choose one unifying design style and stick to it in both areas.
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07
of 28Maximize Natural Light
Floor-to-ceiling windows are the perfect way to maximize natural light, which in turn is a clever design trick to enhance an open feel. This is especially useful in a small space that runs the risk of being cramped and where the kitchen and living room furniture is arranged close together.
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08
of 28Add Built-Ins
Add visual interest, extra storage space, and a visual transition between the kitchen and living room with built-in shelves. Opt for arched shelves for an elevated, custom look, and top them with pictures or books for an elegant touch.
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09
of 28Say Yes to One Accent Color
Use one dominant accent color throughout an open floor plan to tie the different areas together visually. Take cues from this chic space where a dark green shade is used on the kitchen island, an accent wall behind the dining room banquette, and as backing for open shelves in the living room.
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10
of 28Think of Proportions
When working with an open kitchen and living room that features large square footage and tall ceilings, keeping proportion in mind is essential. Bring in appropriately sized furniture, built-in cabinetry, and fixtures to fill the space without using too many small pieces that either drown in the large space or make it feel cluttered.
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11
of 28Hang Identical Light Fixtures
Hang identical light fixtures in different areas of an open space to make it feel like one big room. In a living room and kitchen with tall ceilings, they fill the negative space with their oversized sculptural shape. They also prevent an empty-looking, sterile design.
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12
of 28Draw the Eyes Up
Enhance the open feel of your kitchen and living room by drawing the eyes up towards the ceiling. You can achieve this by installing wood ceiling beams, using a statement light fixture, or turning the fifth wall into an accent using a contrasting paint color or wallpaper.
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13
of 28Define an Area
Anchor furniture and clearly define the living room and kitchen using area rugs. They make a clear visual separation between the spaces without blocking the view or walking path with furniture and add a cozy feel at the same time.
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14
of 28Maintain a Minimal Color Palette
An open floor plan can easily feel messy and cluttered when there is too much going on. Stick with a minimal color palette when it comes to wall paint, furniture, upholstery, artwork, and accessories to visually streamline the space and set a calming tone.
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15
of 28Continue Flooring
Just as a uniform ceiling creates continuity in an open kitchen and living room, extending the same flooring throughout the space has the same effect. Light, warm-toned hardwood floors are a popular choice that’s suitable for a variety of design and architecture styles and a beautiful backdrop for any color palette and furniture pieces.
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16
of 28Repeat Design Elements
Blend the kitchen and living room by repeating design elements through different mediums. Take inspiration from this modern open space where a black and white table lamp base mimics the monochrome color palette and graphic nature of an accent wall above the countertops.
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17
of 28Coordinate Furniture
Since an open kitchen and living room capture seating in both spaces with the same view, choose coordinating pieces that work together. This doesn’t mean you have to purchase armchairs and counter stools from the same collection, merely that you can repeat the same upholstery material or frame material to tie the two together.
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18
of 28Transition With a Dining Table
If space permits, create a natural and practical transition between an open kitchen and a living room with a dining table. If you already have a formal dining room, make this a more casual eating space that can be used for everyday meals and relaxed entertaining.
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19
of 28Mix Patterns
Patterns add personality, break up solid surfaces that can fall flat, and introduce shapes and details you can mirror through furniture, artwork, and accessories. Use contrasting patterns for an eclectic aesthetic and bring it in through a kitchen backsplash or living room furniture upholstery in an open floor plan.
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20
of 28Avoid Contrasting Light Fixtures
Too many statement pieces can easily turn into visual clutter, especially when it comes to ceiling light fixtures. Avoid them clashing with one another by limiting the number of oversized fixtures unless they are identical. Instead, stick to a cohesive color palette and limit material choices.
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21
of 28Utilize Mirrors
Bounce light around and reflect visually appealing moments using wall mirrors between an open kitchen and living room. Play around with the shapes and sizes or use a collection of smaller mirrors that will double as a cool alternative for a gallery wall.
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22
of 28Don’t Block the View
Use low-sitting furniture so it doesn’t block the view from the kitchen to the living room. Additionally, this will keep window views front and center and maximize natural light pouring into your home.
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23
of 28Connect With Color
Color is an excellent design tool when it comes to connecting spaces. Go a step further and simply use the same solid color in the kitchen and living room.
Incorporate the color in the form of contrasting patterns whether it’s a gingham pillow on the sofa, a striped area rug that anchors the living room, or plaid seat cushions on the kitchen counter stools.
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24
of 28Pay Attention to Ceiling Height
Room square footage determines the size of the furniture, but ceiling height is an often overlooked factor. When you’re selecting ceiling light fixtures or large pieces like a sofa or window treatment, make sure they’re all in the correct proportion to the space so everything looks visually appealing.
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25
of 28Try Wood Accents
Make a large open space feel homey and cozy by bringing in lots of warm wood accents. You can do this with wood kitchen cabinets that add a rustic look, statement ceiling beams in the living room that give the room an instant lived-in feel, or smaller additions like a wood side table.
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26
of 28Opt for Metals
Add a little sparkle to an open living room and kitchen through shiny metals. Brass is a timeless choice and a warm material that can be incorporated through light fixtures and cabinet hardware. They can also be decorative elements like a stylish bowl on the coffee table or a unique sculptural object on a stack of books in your built-ins.
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27
of 28Leave Some Negative Space
Leave some negative space between the kitchen and living room to prevent visual clutter. Not only will it allow for a practical walking path between the rooms, but it will also help maintain an open and airy feel that is a key draw for an open floor plan.
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28
of 28Stick to Clean Lines
A modern aesthetic featuring clean lines and uncomplicated silhouettes is a fitting design choice for an open kitchen and living room. It prevents furniture and fixtures from competing, doesn’t clutter the view, and allows decorative accents such as artwork and accessories to shine.