Only people who own a small house can understand the pain of saving space. This is one of the most common issues I’ve encountered while working as an interior designer, in Florida.
I was usually asked to design layouts for open concept kitchen and living room for small houses.
Who even likes working in cramped closed spaces? It can get quite frustrating when there’s not enough walking space. It would be so much better if the space was more open, where you can breathe and work freely.
The best way to accomplish more open space in a small house is by having an open concept kitchen and living room. The idea is quite famous in many cities, where houses are typically small.
This concept of blending kitchen and living room is a fantastic way to combine two areas into one cohesive and functional space. This way you can make your home feel more spacious and connected.
While working for many clients as an interior designer, I exactly know what layout and design makes this concept possible. I’ll be sharing various tips, and 10 best ideas for small house open concept kitchen and living room. These ideas will help create more spacious house, making it more beautiful, and functional, all at the same time.
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Layout Planning For Open concept Kitchen and Living Room
Before we begin with the ideas, it’s extremely important to plan the layout. Without a plan, you will be just flying in the dark. And, you will eventually end up messing things.
That’s why, let’s together plan the layout for open kitchen and living room. From the color scheme, structure, to placing the furniture, let’s get planned everything possible.
Here are some crucial points that you should consider planning, before structuring your open kitchen-living room:
Important Key Points
- Choose a color palette of pastels, earthy tones, or light colors, to give the illusion of a large space.
- Multi-purpose furniture to maximize the space functionality.
- Using rugs under dining tables or other furniture to define structures.
- Same flooring creates a cohesive look and makes the area appear spacious.
- The kitchen island provides extra counter space for dining and working.
- Open shelving in the kitchen to make the area appear open and airy.
- Cozy lighting to make the room appear.
10 Small House Open Concept Kitchen and Living Room
Now, once we have got everything planned, it’s time to dive deeper into our list of small open kitchen-living room design ideas. From very small houses to long narrow layouts, I’ve something for everyone.
1. Maintain the color scheme
Paint color of your houses has a great impact on overall design. And, for small and very small houses, it becomes even more important.
When it comes to choosing a color for your space, it is important to consider what colors go best with the interior of your house. By choosing the right color scheme, you can create a visual harmony that flows seamlessly between the kitchen and living room.
Alright, let me put in: always use monochromatic colors for small kitchen living space.
You can use pastels, earthy, or light colors, to make your space appear large and aesthetically pleasing. Just make sure to use the same color palette throughout the living room and kitchen area.
Monochromatic colors(same colors in kitchen and living room) create an illusion of large space, making your home look more bigger than actual.
2. Get multi-purpose furniture
The best way to make your small house open kitchen living room functional, is by using furniture that serves multiple purposes. This will cut down the excess furniture space from your open-concept design.
Incorporate multi-purpose furniture like ottomans with hidden compartments, or a coffee table with built-in storage space.
Multi-purpose furniture is quite efficient as it provides flexible solutions according to your needs. For example, you can maximize and minimize them according to your requirements. Its a great way to keep the space clutter-free and also add a modern touch to your living space.
These days, this concept is gaining a lot of popularity, so you can easily find multi-purpose furniture for your open-concept living room design, as well as practical elements such as, SF-2000 surface-mounted access door or any other elements.
3. Use area rugs to define zones
Adding area rugs to the different zone is one of the best way to create difference within your open concept living room design.
Consider using rugs made from natural materials like jute, cotton, or a natural fiber blend, as they create a more organized and visually appealing environment. By strategically choosing a right rug size into different zones, you can create separate sections for dining room, kitchen, and living room.
For example, for kitchen you can use small rugs like 4×6, however, for living room you will need a much larger rug to define the zones.
Additionally, these rugs complement the interior of your house and stop noise from echoing. Choose a rug that fits best with your interior decor, for example, if you want to define the walkways then use runner rugs, if your living space has an awkward shape then you can use oval or round rugs.
This sounds like an easy thing, but believe me, I have got pretty decent results for my clients’ space.
4. Get floating shelves in your kitchen
Make your kitchen appear more open and spacious with the help of floating shelves. Replacing the thick shelves with floating shelves, can add more space to your open small open kitchen design and make it feel less crowded.
Moreover, it’s also a great way to display your beautiful crockery, cookbooks, or some plants, to make the kitchen feel more lively and fresh.
Floating shelves make your kitchen more functional and also give it a sleek and contemporary look. They are also everything more accessible in comparison to traditional boxy cabinets.
You can use those shelves for daily-use items, this way you can have more storage space and make your kitchen look clutter-free and visually spacious.
5. Use a bar counter
You can add a bar counter between the living and kitchen, to separate both areas without compromising on the space. It’s quite useful if you want a cozy dining space with some seating.
Building a bar counter helps create a gap between the kitchen and the living room, creating a well-organized open concept.
This is a great way to make your living space feel more connected and functional. Plus you get extra seating space where you can prepare breakfast, work, or use it as your dining area
While buying a bar counter, make sure to choose one that is easy to clean and fits in your living area without taking any extra space.
6. Make use of proper lighting
Lighting can greatly impact the ambiance inside your open plan kitchen living room ideas.
I right usage of lighting and lamps can makes it feel spacious and large. If you are place has windows to let the natural light inside your space then it can make your space appear brighter and open.
However, in case, your place doesn’t get much natural light then you can consider getting a pendant light over your dining table and island.
Just with the lighting, you can enhance the space in your room and make it appear more cozy and visually appealing. You can also install dimmer switches to adjust the brightness depending on whether you are having a cozy evening or a vibrant gathering.
These lights can also be placed to create focal points in some areas and make the your small house visually bigger and appearing.
7. Incorporate Glass Elements
Make your small space appear expensive and spacious by incorporating glass elements. With the transparent glass, you can trick the eyes by creating an illusion that the space is larger than it is actually.
By incorporating glass in your space, you can also elevate the aesthetics without taking up any additional space inside your kitchen living room.
To accomplish this, you can use glass tabletops, cabinet doors, or shelves, to bring a sense of openness. Since it is easier for light to pass through glass, it helps create a brighter environment inside the small space.
8. Add Mirror Backsplash
Adding mirrors is another smart and effective way to make your open-concept kitchen floor plan more interesting and open. By adding mirrors, you make the space look more welcoming and visually large. This is a great way to make your space look more cohesive and bright.
Mirrors help in reflecting the light, giving a sense of openness and connection. So, if your kitchen is small or needs proper lighting, then try adding mirrors and enhance the aesthetic of your space.
9. Use same flooring throughout
When it comes to the flooring of your house, use the same flooring in kitchen and living room. This will create a cohesive and seamless look inside your house, making it look bigger yet connected. With this approach, you can create a smooth transition from one room to another without breaking the flow.
By having the same flooring, you can create a sense of openness and connectivity, both at the same time.
10. Accent Wall
To make the small house open concept more interesting, you can create an accent wall. It’s not that difficult if you know what kind of look or style you want inside your living space.
An accent wall can help create largely differentiate the spaces in the open-concept kitchen and living room plan.
You can choose any bold color or texture you like, it’s a great way to add a personal touch to your space. An accent wall also becomes a focal point in your space, drawing attention to that one place and creating visual interest without making the room feel cramped or full.
Choose a color scheme that suits the overall aesthetic of your living space and compliments the look.
Conclusion
Now that we are at the end of our article “small house open concept kitchen and living room”, we should have a quick go-through of what we have learned so far.
It’s true that in today’s compact living spaces, creating an open-concept kitchen and living room isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about maximizing every inch of your home in a smart and functional way.
There are a few things that you should consider while planning the layout of the open kitchen and living room. You can transform your small space into a spacious and welcoming living space by incorporating multi-purpose furniture, color scheme, area rugs, lighting, and flooring.
Each and every element is important as they work together to create a harmonious environment inside your small house. Remember, the goal is to craft a space that is not only practical and stylish but also spacious and connected.
By following these ideas and tricks, you can transform your small house into a space that truly feels larger, cozier, and most importantly, truly yours.
If you feel any doubt, or just have any question, drop it down into the comment section and I will make sure to answer you. Moreover, if you’re a home decor expert, we are open to take inspirational stories through our home decor write for us submission.
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Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Is an open kitchen and living room a good idea?
In the open-concept kitchen and living room, the designs are made to maximize the space by eliminating the walls. An open kitchen and living room is a great idea for those who want their small house to feel large and more connected.
How to arrange furniture in a small space?
When you are arranging furniture in your space space, make sure the largest furniture is opposite to the focal point. After this is done, you can arrange the rest around it, according to your aesthetic preference and need.
What is the best layout for a concept kitchen?
You can go for gallery or corridor style for the open-concept kitchen. These layouts make your kitchen appear spacious and functional.
What flooring works best for an open kitchen and living room concept?
Opt for flooring that is easy to clean and also creates a seamless transition from one space to another without breaking the flow. You can choose materials like vinyl, hardwood, tiles, or laminate.
