It’s becoming more and more common for people to spend time in the common areas of their homes; although, interestingly, when guests are over, everyone often ends up in the kitchen.

In addition, for reasons of comfort, it is also common to find open spaces in homes, as they create a sense of depth and spaciousness.

Nowadays, many interior architects are opting for this type of design. In addition to creating a more modern style, these designs also align with today’s lifestyle, which emphasizes functionality and simplicity.

So, if you’re wondering how to incorporate an open-concept living room and kitchen into your home’s decor, here are some ideas to help you do just that.

And remember, everything has its pros and cons, and this case will be no exception!

All-in-one

The living room and kitchen are already separated, and we can also decorate them in slightly different ways.

The most traditional option is to install different flooring in the kitchen and the living room. In fact, the kitchen requires a different kind of maintenance, since it’s constantly exposed to oils, flour, and so on. For this reason, you can install cement-based tiles in the kitchen and hardwood flooring in the dining room.

Visually, it will give the impression of two distinct spaces that are, at the same time, connected.

However, this isn’t always necessary. If we want, we can use one type of flooring for both rooms and create a separation using the furniture in the living room and kitchen.

Lighting

Lighting is a strategic element in this type of design, as it can help distinguish between spaces by creating contrasts from one room to another. For example, the kitchen will always need more light than the living room might require; and this light should also be warm, to convey a sense of “relaxation.”

The dreaded odors

Yes, we know that when it comes to cooking, odors are often one of the main concerns.

Today, there are some increasingly efficient methods for keeping them under control, such as extractors. As this design has become more common, companies that specialize in these types of materials have worked to develop extractors that are increasingly powerful and feature modern designs.

Island layout: yes or no?

I’m sure we can all agree that open-concept kitchens are known for combining the living room and kitchen—and for including an island.

In this type of layout, islands aren’t necessary, but they can serve as a connecting point between the two spaces if you have enough room.

On one side you’ll have the kitchen, the island in the middle, and the sofas on the other side, etc. This can also help reduce the amount of furniture if you have limited space. In other words, you can use the island as a dining table.

If, despite all this, you’re still not entirely convinced about combining the two rooms, you can install a glass partition. In other words, semi-open doors or walls that you can open and close as you see fit, and which won’t disrupt the harmony of the space.

We recommend:

• How to Keep a Small Home Organized: Tips and Tricks
• Tips for Decorating Small Kitchens: You’ll Be Amazed by the Results!