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How to design an open plan kitchen. A practical guide to creating a harmonious space

2 settembre 2025

There are obvious benefits to designing an open plan kitchen. The natural light is better distributed, the space seems bigger, and there is instant communication between the people preparing food and the people in the living room. Perfect for families with children, ideal for combining entertaining with practicality.

That said, it is not always easy to combine two separate rooms into a single, harmonious space. How do we create stylistic continuity without compromising practicality in each area? How do we visually divide the space while maintaining a feeling of openness? And above all, how do we manage the smells, noise and clutter that are inevitable in a kitchen?

In this guide we will accompany you step by step in the design of your perfect open plan kitchen. You will discover creative solutions for dividing rooms, tricks for choosing coordinated colours and materials, and intelligent strategies for optimising even the smallest of spaces. All without compromising on the comfort and style you deserve.

How to design an open plan kitchen and living room. Basic principles

Designing a single kitchen and living space requires a strategic approach that takes into account both form and function. The first fundamental principle is to maintain stylistic consistency in the different areas, without affecting the specific character of each room.

Start by choosing a main style that will be a theme throughout. Whether modern, contemporary traditional or industrial, it will characterise the whole area, creating immediate visual harmony. This does not mean making everything the same, it is more a question of a balanced dialogue between the various elements of the décor.

Managing flows is equally important. Think about how you move about on a daily basis - from the kitchen to the table, from the sofa to the dining area. The routes need to be fluid and obstacle-free, so that several people can use the space at the same time.

One aspect that is often neglected is the practical management of a single area. Cooking smells, noises made by domestic appliances and the natural untidiness created when we cook can negatively impact on the comfort of the living area. Here various innovative technology solutions come into play, such as concealed extractor hoods, which retain the clean lines of open plan living without compromising on efficiency. The Sky collection by Ar-Tre is a perfect example: the hood is incorporated into the island worktop, eliminating any visual obstruction. Unexpected, minimal, practical.

Finally, consider differentiated lighting: each area needs to have its own source of light. Under-cabinet lights for the kitchen, ambient lighting for the living room, and accent lighting to highlight design details.

Design ideas for open plan kitchen-living rooms. How to divide the space

The real challenge in designing an open plan kitchen-living room is to create visual and functional separation without building walls. The aim is to clearly define the various areas while preserving that precious feeling of openness and continuity that makes open plan living so attractive.

One of the most stylish and versatile solutions is kitchen islands, which act as a natural divider. These can include a breakfast bar that can also be used for a quick snack or as a practical surface when entertaining guests. The slightly higher counter creates a subtle but effective separation.

Open metal frames are a sophisticated choice for those seeking the perfect balance between functionality and design. These solutions enable rooms to be divided while enabling light to pass through, at the same time creating precious storage space. Ar-Tre’s metal frames stand out for their versatility. They can be used to display books, decorative pieces and plants, or as an open-fronted larder for your more decorative ingredients.

The advantage of metal frames is their visual lightness. They take up very little space in visual terms but have a major impact in stylistic terms.

Another effective strategy is to use carpets of various sizes to divide areas. A carpet under the dining table and a different one in the part of the living room used for relaxation immediately create two separate areas while retaining visual unity.

Do not forget the power of changing heights. A lower ceiling over the kitchen area or different floor heights can give definition to different areas in a natural, sophisticated way.

Colours, materials and lighting for the kitchen and living room

When you design your kitchen and living area as a single room, the choice of colours, materials and lighting become key elements to creating harmony without monotony. This approach is particularly important in modern living rooms with open plan kitchens, where every element is immediately visible and needs to contribute to the overall aesthetic.

How to combine colours in an open plan kitchen

Start by choosing a palette of a maximum of three to four colours that will feature throughout the open plan area. A neutral dominant colour (white, grey or beige) will act as the base colour, while one or two accent colours will give the rooms character. For example, if you choose light grey as your base colour, you can add touches of petrol blue in the living room accessories and pick out some of the kitchen details in the same colour.

Avoid making the mistake of drastically changing the colour scheme from one area to the next. This creates fragmentation, which goes against the philosophy of a modern single kitchen and living area.

How to combine materials in an open plan kitchen

Designing an open plan living room and kitchen means paying particular attention to the combination of materials. Wood is perfect for creating continuity. So if your kitchen cabinet doors are in wood, choose the same (or similar) wood for a piece of furniture in the living room or for the dining table.

Metals must coordinate with each other. If you have steel appliances, choose handles and taps in the same finish, and use the same material for items in the living room such as lamps or occasional tables. The same applies to opaque black, bronze and brass.

In a modern kitchen, worktops can be a leitmotif, and the same nuances and grain/veins can be used for a small table top or in decorative details in the living area.

Lighting in an open plan kitchen

A differentiated lighting system is essential to define each part of an open plan kitchen/living room. In the kitchen LED lighting is used under wall cabinets for functional purposes, together with directional spot lights to illuminate the worktop.

The dining area requires a warm central light. A pendant lamp over the table creates intimacy and clearly defines the area. When you are planning how to design your combined kitchen and living room, remember that the living room lighting must be softer and at different heights - floor lamps, wall-mounted lamps and LED strip lights behind the TV or incorporated into the bookcases.

Using dimmer switches means you can adapt the mood to the time of day - brighter light when you are cooking, softer lighting for dinner, and a cosy atmosphere for relaxing in the evening.

Do not forget colour temperature - cooler lights (4000K) for cooking, warmer lights (2700K) for relaxing in the living room. This difference may be subtle, but it helps the brain to distinguish between the different functions of each area.

Designing a kitchen and living room in a small open plan area. Space-saving solutions

Designing a kitchen and living room in a small open plan area requires a different approach from that of larger spaces. Here every choice needs to be carefully thought through. It is not enough to be attractive, it also needs to maximise functionality and the perception of space.

Tips for designing an open plan kitchen and living area. Base cabinets as furniture

A clever tip for smaller spaces is to make the kitchen cabinets function as living room furniture. Kitchen cabinets can extend beyond the kitchen to become living room storage. For example, a base cabinet with smooth doors can be used to store books, toys and documents, or be used as a TV stand.

This approach creates visual continuity and optimises the space. Instead of having separate kitchen and living room furniture, you have an integrated system that exploits the same design. Choose cabinet doors without handles or with a hidden groove for an even cleaner, more continuous look. The same finish used for the kitchen cabinets is repeated in the living room, creating a harmonious single room.

You can also play with different heights - lower base cabinets in the living room for more visibility, and higher cabinets in the kitchen for more storage space. The important thing is to maintain the same style and finish.

Colours for kitchens in small spaces

In small open plan kitchens, the choice of colour is key to increasing the perception of space. Use light, neutral tones as base colours. White, cream, light grey or beige are your best allies as they reflect light and create an impression of space. Check out our tips on colour psychology in the kitchen.

The single colour trick works very well. You use the same colour for the kitchen and living room furniture (opaque in the kitchen, glossy in the living room) to separate the functions while maintaining visual harmony.

If you want to add character, include one contrasting element - a feature wall, an island in a different colour or black appliances. This breaks up the monotony while keeping the overall impression light.

Flooring in an open plan modern kitchen and living room

Continuous flooring is crucial in small spaces. Use the same material throughout the area. Avoid too many changes in materials or colour, as these visually break up the space.

Worktops can also extend beyond the kitchen. If you choose quartz for the worktop, use the same material for the top of a low table or cupboard in the living room, or for a windowsill. This repetition reinforces unity in the space.

For an even more coordinated look, consider a total look approach, and use the same finish for all the main features in the area. You can have the kitchen worktop, chair backs, cabinet doors and even the living room furniture all made out of the same material, creating total continuity. Ceramic materials are particularly suited to this type of approach. Ceramics are robust and versatile, and can be used for worktops, splashbacks and even flooring, guaranteeing a homogenous, sophisticated aesthetic throughout the open plan area.

Check out all our ideas for designing an open plan kitchen/living room

As we have seen, the secret lies in finding the right balance between unity and distinction, openness and cosiness, style and practicality.

Remember the key points - always maintain a consistent style throughout, divide spaces using open elements like metal shelving, coordinate colours and materials to create visual continuity, and never forget the importance of differential lighting to give character to each area.

Ar-Tre solutions can accompany you on your design journey. Ask your local retailer for advice.

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