This post shows you the best open plan kitchen living room ideas to try today!

An open kitchen plan will always be my go-to, especially since I’m always hosting and feel like I am missing out if I have to cook while my guests entertain themselves in the living room.

They also have this amazing ability to make my small rooms look airy and spacious.

Finally, open plans are super easy to style, and that is why I prepared this article.

I want to share 20 of my favorite open-plan kitchen/living room ideas. Hopefully, you’ll find one you like.

Pin it for later! ⤵️

Natural light oasis

Open-plan kitchens look exceptionally good in well-lit spaces, especially when it’s natural light.

Construct your white kitchen in a strategic corner with lots of windows and glass doors.

Add a few dark elements, such as deep navy cabinets and stainless-steel appliances, then keep the living room simple with a grey couch and blue pillows.

Add black elements

Black elements will add contrast to an open kitchen plan and its environs.

All you need is a white cabinet set with black knobs.

The counters should be made of polished black acrylic.

The island’s stools should also have black leather seats.

Lastly, install black pendant lights and a large off-white couch in the living room.

Artificial light

If your kitchen does not have proper access to natural light, try artificialones.

For a neutral-toned open kitchen with gold hardware, install various downlights across the ceiling.

Also, invest in two pendant lights above the kitchen island, and a crystal chandelier in the living room area.

Lastly, place brown leather and upholstered grey couches with green accent pillows in the living room.

Install LED panel lights

Panel lights are perfect for illuminating an open kitchen and living room, making them look bigger.

Get white walls for the space with light oakwood cabinets and an island, then add marble to the backsplash and island top.

Pick large white LED panels and install them overhead in the ceiling.

For the living room, get a grey L-shaped sofa with a black coffee table and grey carpet.

Add hints of gold

Gold will instantly add opulence and luxury to your kitchen space, so use gold-plated metal for your bar stools’ legs, the living area’s chandelier light, and the cabinet’s hardware.

The rest of the room’s elements should be maple wood or acrylic white with nearby wall art to decorate the space.

Also, get a glass table for the lounge space.

Choose wood cabinetry

Make your spacehomier with smooth wooden cabinets and cupboards.

Choose a medium-tone wood, like oak, and contrast it with a white and black patterned backsplash.

Add a white and black breakfast island in the center and a lightwood dining table adjacent to the kitchen.

For the living room, pick a comfy white sofa with a matching ottoman.

White, grey, and black

White, grey, and black make a fantastic color blend for an open kitchen.

Get white paneled cupboards and cabinetsfor the space, then add white, glossy subway tiles for the backsplash.

Set a grey-paintedwood dining table with black C-leg chairs in the center.

Choose a grey sofa set for the living room with a single white shell seat and a round coffee table.

Install wooden floating shelves

Wooden shelvesare a pleasant alternative to the usual inbuilt ones.

This design features a white and light grey kitchen unit with a complementary island.

Above the stove are wooden shelves that make grabbing condiments and other items easy.

On the other side is a grey-walled living area with grey seats and a wooden TV stand.

Go for all-black

Mix and match different black textures and designs. Have matte black cabinets and a kitchen hood with a marble backsplash.

Add a black, fluted island in the center of your open plan space and finish the kitchen look with glossy black bar stools.

Pick a grey velvet couch for the lounge area and accessorize with cream throw pillows.

Industrial grey aesthetic

For an industrial, masculine open kitchen design, get steel-grey flush panel cabinets with no handles.

Match the seamless look with a grey subway tiled backsplash, then add grey marble work surfaces, black appliances, and a black wire glass shelf unit.

Carry the theme into the living room with a dove grey couch, textured carpet, and throw blanket.

Warm marble tones

To achieve this look, you need soft, matte white cabinets with open shelves and gold hardware.

The backsplash and coffee table are made of marble material.

To add warmth, the dining chairs are tan and upholstered, while the room has warm light from a chandelier, cove, and recess lights that spread over the living room and kitchen areas.

Install a kitchen peninsula

A kitchen peninsula is a convenient divider that acts as an extra work surface.

This design has a redwood peninsula with a black terrazzo top.

Overhead, install a matching geometric shelf unit and a similar kitchen unit with black elements.

The living space has a simple, grey four-legged seat with a grey footrest, knot pillows, and a glass coffee table.

Build a pony wall

Another aesthetically pleasing kitchen/living room divider type is a pony wall.

It lets your kitchen maintain its openness while creating a barrier to the living space.

This one is white with a smooth surface and extra cabinets below for storage.

Above it are simple pendant lights, while the kitchen is all-white.

The living space has two neutral, cushioned armchairs with patterned back pillows.

Neutral colors

For an elegant, minimalistic open space, try a taupe color scheme for the kitchen cabinets and surrounding walls.

Let them have distinct panels and handless designs.

Add touches of black with black island seats, window frames, and appliances.

Also, get under-cabinet halo lighting.

The lounge section should have a leather grey seat with a complementary fringed pillow.

Add pink tones

Pink tones can brighten your kitchen and give it a playful ambiance.

Start with a neutral white kitchen with a grey backsplash, island, and lower cabinets.

Hang an abstract wall art piece on the kitchen, living room, and hallway walls.

Also, add a gold coffee table in the living space with a green bean bag and a grey couch.

Beach theme

If you want a more coastal vibe in your open-plan kitchen, start with a plain white kitchen.

Add gold-painted handles and knobs for the cabinetry, then install a big, grainy wood island with a smooth top.

Place rattan weave chairs and pendant lightsaroundthe island and decorate with a gold-painted fish statue.

Finally, place a white cushioned sofa in the living room.

Make an art collage wall

This design takes advantage of the bare wall near the open kitchen using art.

Have a standard all-black kitchen, then install silver fixtures.

In the living room, install white furniture and a small, round, wood coffee table.

Finish with a symmetrical art collage wall with your favorite colorful pieces.

Try color blocking

Even though the kitchen shares a mutual space, have a distinct color from the living room to make it stand out.

In this case, matte black paint is used for all kitchen surfaces, while the worktops are white acrylic.

The adjacent living room, on the other hand, has cream-white seats with nude checkered accent pillows and a matching throw blanket.

Choose an eclectic style

An eclectic open kitchen/living room will incorporate many styles, and in this case, it has white cabinetry with a blue tile backsplash and fur bar stools.

It also has light wood floorboards.

In the living room is a quirky mahogany coffee table, an abstract wall hanging, and a large faux plant.

Also, there are white seats with wooden legs.

Add flower arrangements

Although usually overlooked, vases and flower arrangements can be excellent décor for an open kitchen and living room plan.

Strategically place them all over the space.

Pick a white bouquetto match the white kitchen andsimilar ones for the dining and lounge areas.

The living area should also have grey couches with symmetrical prints on the pillows.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I make my open plan kitchen and living room feel more spacious?

To create a sense of spaciousness in your open plan kitchen and living room, consider using light colors for walls, cabinets, and flooring.

Mirrors can also help reflect light and create an illusion of more space.

Opt for multi-functional furniture, like a dining table with built-in storage or a sofa bed, to maximize both style and utility.

Additionally, keeping clutter to a minimum and using smart storage solutions will help maintain an open and airy feel.

2. What are some design tricks to visually separate the kitchen from the living room in an open plan space?

Visual separation can be achieved with strategic use of rugs, different flooring materials, or a change in wall color.

Install a half-wall or a stylish room divider to subtly define the spaces without blocking light.

You can also use furniture placement to create zones; for example, place the sofa with its back facing the kitchen area to form a natural boundary.

Adding different lighting fixtures in each zone can further enhance the distinction.

3. How can I use color to enhance the feeling of space in an open plan kitchen and living room?

Light, neutral colors are your best friends when aiming to make a space feel larger.

Whites, creams, and soft grays reflect light and help to open up the space.

For a bit of contrast, you can add pops of color through accessories like cushions, throws, or artwork.

Creating a cohesive color palette that flows seamlessly between the kitchen and living room will also contribute to a more spacious and harmonious look.

4. What types of furniture are best for an open plan kitchen and living room?

Opt for sleek, streamlined furniture that doesn’t overwhelm the space.

Consider furniture with built-in storage to reduce clutter and keep the area looking tidy.

Light-colored or transparent pieces, like glass tables or acrylic chairs, can help maintain an open feel.

Modular furniture is also a great choice, as it can be easily rearranged to fit your needs and make the most of your open plan layout.

5. Can lighting make my open plan kitchen and living room look bigger?

Absolutely! Proper lighting is key to creating an open and airy atmosphere.

Use a combination of ambient lighting (like recessed ceiling lights), task lighting (such as pendant lights over the kitchen island), and accent lighting (like LED strips under cabinets or behind shelves).

Dimmer switches can help you adjust the light intensity based on the time of day or the mood you want to create.

Bright, well-lit spaces naturally feel larger and more inviting.

If you love these ideas, don’t forget to pin the above image to your “Kitchen” board.