Designing an open-plan kitchen-living room

Is an open-plan kitchen living room a good idea? 

An open-plan home makes it easier to practise sociable living, combining multiple functions and features into one large space. Here are some of the other advantages of an open-plan kitchen-living room: 

• It’s family-friendly
  Get the most out of family time by creating a sociable cooking, eating and living area that everyone can enjoy, at any time of the day.
• A space to entertain
  If you love having guests over for dinners, parties and other gatherings, an open-concept kitchen lounge gives you the perfect reception area. 
• Allow for multiple chefs
  A large open-plan kitchen accommodates more than one chef. A spacious triangle layout allows for plenty of room for cooking, cleaning and prepping. This means food-focused families can have fun cooking and baking together.
• Let more light in
  Fewer walls and doors also mean more natural sunlight, resulting in a light and airy space that looks and feels much more spacious. 

• Increase home value
  Open-plan kitchen-living areas are a coveted feature, with many buyers preferring this layout to traditional kitchens and living rooms. The illusion of more space will also help to sell your home in the future, boosting your property’s overall value. 

• Great for multitasking
  Whether you work from home or you need to keep an eye on the kids while cooking, an open-plan kitchen-dining and family room allows you to juggle multiple things at once.

What are some disadvantages of an open design kitchen? 

Although an open-plan kitchen lounge brings a multitude of benefits, it doesn’t suit everyone. Here are some things to think carefully about before choosing this layout for your kitchen:

• It can be harder to heat

With a much larger open space, your home could cost more to heat. Consider adding underfloor heating or more energy-efficient heating solutions.

• There’s less privacy 

While kitchens doubling up as a dining space and even an office are very popular, it’s important to bear in mind that you won’t get as much private time. For those who work from home, the added noise may be something you need to consider carefully, too. 

• Smells can linger

Good ventilation and airflow are key, as cooking odours can linger. Things like opening windows and using air purifiers can help, but the most important feature to include during the design phase is a good-quality, well-positioned extractor hood. 

• It can be mess-prone

Clutter or mess in one area of an open-plan kitchen-living room will affect the other areas (you can’t close the door and forget about it!). Careful storage planning is essential.

Five tips for creating an open-plan living room kitchen

Designing an open-plan space should be easy without the restrictions of walls and partitions, but as with most things, the hardest part is knowing where to begin. Get started with these five open-plan kitchen ideas to jumpstart your creative process.  

1. Look for inspiration 

Get inspired by our real-life customer kitchens or use image-sharing sites like Pinterest to gather ideas on colours and kitchen design styles. Create a mood board online and keep adding to it throughout the process. 

2. Set clear goals 

What sort of space are you trying to create? Do you want a straightforward dual-functioning kitchen-living room? Or are you looking for a multi-purpose, open-plan family room with an office or play area? Ordering your “must-haves” by priority will help you stay on track and stick to a budget. 

3. Contact a design expert

Asking for help from a professional kitchen designer is a great way to navigate the design process. Our design consultations are free and give you an idea of the price. Arrange a no-obligation appointment in-person or online. 

4. Focus on the layout 

The layout of your space is a critical consideration during the design stage. Consider things like traffic flow, the distance between appliances and workspaces, designs that allow for social interaction, storage solutions, and placement of countertops. 

5. Sketch a basic floor plan 

Before diving into the specifics, start by sketching a basic floor plan of your open-plan space. Measure the dimensions of the room and mark the locations of doors, windows, and existing fixtures. This will help you experiment with different layouts that ensure you’re maximising the space effectively.

What are some open-plan kitchen lounge ideas?

Need something to get the creative juices flowing? Our designers are on hand. Turn your kitchen dreams into a viable design plan with these open-plan kitchen living room ideas: 

Create a chill-out zone

A multifunctional space can be highly practical, but it can also be chaotic, especially in a family home with lots of different things going on at once.

Having a chill-out area with chairs or comfy seating can give you a chance to take a break, and can make the space conducive to calmer activities for the kids. 

Section off an area

If you want to create an open-plan kitchen lounge area that’s comfortable for the whole family, consider using zoning techniques to create dedicated spaces for cooking, eating, or relaxing.

This can be done with furniture or worktop placement, as well as applying different colours or even textures to generate different focal points.

Arrange furniture strategically 

After deciding on the layout of your kitchen units, the next most important step is determining where to place your furniture.

Consider which areas you want to be able to socialise in. For instance, a dining table or breakfast table facing the cooking zone means the chef can entertain and prepare food at the same time.

A sofa or bench facing away from the main cooking zone can mean a little extra privacy when you have guests over.

Follow a colour scheme 

There are a few basic colour schemes you can choose from: 

• Tonal colours (monochromatic scheme – in other words, variations of a single colour) 
• Harmonious colours (colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel) 
• Complementary colours (contrasting hues that sit opposite each other on the colour wheel)

Each offers a different look or effect, and choosing one will guide you as you decorate your space. For instance, the harmonious colour scheme is easy on the eye and can be used to create a relaxing space.

Opting for a monochromatic scheme works well with minimalist homes, while colour pops and colour contrasts will instantly add interest and intrigue to your concept.

Use lighting and flooring as design features

The right lighting can bring your kitchen to life, and size matters too when it comes to light fittings and fixtures.

Oversized lamps or chandeliers can help you fill a large area that would otherwise appear empty, adjusting perspective and preventing an open-plan home from feeling unfinished. 

When it comes to flooring, the choice of colour or material can make all the difference. Wood can add warmth or a rustic edge, while marble can give you a high-end finish. 

Invest in artistic decor 

Decorative walls or artwork can create helpful focal points in a large, open-plan room, helping to section different areas or improve flow and movement.

It’s the small details that count, so consider saving a good amount of your budget for a few quality pieces or creative features.

What to do next

Open-plan living can change the way you approach daily tasks and even elevate your quality of life. But designing a harmonious space requires careful planning, as you will be combining the functions of more than one room. 

If you love hosting or want to spend more quality time with your family, an open-plan kitchen-living room or kitchen-diner is a worthwhile investment.

Not only will it open up your space and boost natural light, but open-plan kitchens are highly sought-after and can increase the value of your home, too. Find out more in our open-plan kitchen buying guide.