An open-plan kitchen that opens onto the living room : who hasn’t had that dream ? Ideal when designing a large living area, it allows you to cook and watch your favourite show at the same time, or to supervise your kids while they watch TV. But how do you harmonise these two living spaces ? Our experts have some tips to do just that !
Two solutions : focus on continuity or break the codes
Friendly kitchens that open onto the living room are a big hit. If they catch your eye too, you should know that there are two great solutions available. You can either fall for a fitted kitchen that blends in with your interior or choose yo play with contrast and clearly distinguish these two rooms instead. Of course, whatever you choose, creating a beautiful sense of harmony and consistency in your interior is key.
Designing an open-plan kitchen that extends into your living room
Do you want to create a single, large room ? Then the first solution is perfect for you ! No distinction here, and a sense of expansion that comes from the creation of a uniform space.
Clean, stylish lines
If you like everything to match, then a timeless, designer kitchen is the perfect choice. Minimalism meets these criteria perfectly, ensuring a clean interior design that you will love for years to come. Opt for kitchens in understated colours, such as white or charcoal grey. You should also consider handleless systems and lots of storage space, in order to avoid having appliances all over the worktop.
Well thought-out continuity
Since you want to create a large living space with no boundaries, avoid installing a bar or central island. In addition, be sure to use the same colour for your walls and the same flooring. If you want to take this even further, why not also use the same materials for the façades of your kitchen and living room cabinets ?
Every detail counts, right into the way you fit out each corner. For example, consider moving the TV area away from your stove, in order to avoid hearing issues because of the noise of the extractor fan and cooking. Instead, place your table and chairs near your kitchen, to facilitate moving between the two.
Designing distinct yet harmonious spaces
Are you more into contrast ? Then opt for the second solution and create distinct spaces, clearly separating the kitchen and living room. Of course, this makes it harder to harmonise the two. But don’t worry, it’s not impossible.
How to delineate the two spaces ?
There are lots of solutions to creating a nice contrast between your fitted, open-plan kitchen and your living room. For example, you can paint your walls in different (but complementary !) colours. Or you can change the flooring : use warm wooden flooring in the living room and easier-to-maintain tiling in the kitchen. Or opt for solutions that physically delineate the two rooms : a central island, a bar, a glass partition (which is very on trend at the moment), etc.
But how do you maintain harmony ?
While the idea is to create contrasts, it is still essential to retain a certain degree of consistency, particularly in terms of style. Otherwise, your home or apartment is at risk of seeming more discordant than harmonious.
This consistency, therefore, involves your décor, colours and materials, etc. The goal is to integrate elements that create a link or common thread into both rooms : living room furniture made from the same wood as your worktops, replicating the colour of walls in your kitchen in niches in a bookcase, etc. Be inspired to create a décor that suits you! This will create a sense of consistency, which is really important to achieve a beautiful harmony.
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