Decorating an Open Floor Plan Living Room and Kitchen With Panache

An open floor plan living room and kitchen can feel expansive and airy, with natural light flooding both spaces. But decorating and designing an open concept home layout also comes with unique challenges. Blending these two separate zones into one cohesive space requires finding the delicate balance between unifying the rooms through thoughtful decor choices while still allowing each area to maintain its distinct function and style.

With some creative tips and a dash of decor panache, you can fashion an open floor plan living room and kitchen that maximizes the benefits of an open concept while minimizing any drawbacks. Read on for advice on lighting, storage solutions, defining spaces, visual interest, and pulling off a seamless, stylish look throughout your open design.

Use Lighting to Set the Mood in Each Zone

Lighting is crucial in an open floor plan to create both functionality and ambiance. Blend natural light, overhead fixtures, and lamps to meet task and mood setting needs. Consider installing:

• Windows strategically placed to draw ample sunlight into the kitchen and living room during daytime hours.
• Pendant lights or track lighting over key areas like the kitchen island, stove, and sink where focused lighting is needed for cooking tasks.
• Recessed can lighting in the kitchen to cast an even glow over the counters and cabinets.
• Floor lamps, table lamps, and accent lighting in the living room to create a cozy atmosphere for relaxation.
• Dimmers on lights throughout the open concept space to adjust brightness seamlessly from a bright, airy feel during the day to a softer, warmer ambiance at night.

With the right mix of natural and artificial lighting, you can set the perfect mood in your open concept living area and kitchen. Bright functional lighting energizes the kitchen during meal prep times, while lamps and accent lighting help the living room feel calm and inviting.

Define Spaces with Flooring, Furniture, and Decor

An open floor plan home can start to feel cavernous without any division between the living room and kitchen. Clever furnishings and decor elements can delineate each zone into distinct spaces. Consider incorporating:

• Area rugs in bold patterns or colors under living room seating arrangements to visually distinguish the space from adjoining kitchen floors.
• Changes in flooring materials or textures like tile in the kitchen flowing into hardwood or carpeting in the living room to define each zone.
• Arranging living room furniture like sofas, chairs, and tables into defined vignettes to frame the seating area apart from the kitchen.
• Kitchen islands that double as a separation barrier between the two spaces while still allowing an open flow.
• Greenery, tall plants, screens or room dividers that add a soft border and help absorb sound between rooms.

Creative furnishings make it clear where the kitchen ends and the living room begins. Area rugs, changes in flooring, furniture arrangement, and decor dividers distinguish each zone while maintaining an airy open concept.

Choose a Cohesive Color Palette and Decor

Using a cohesive color story and decor style will make your open floor plan feel pulled together. Coordinate paint colors, textures, materials, and accents used throughout the kitchen and living room.

• Painting walls a uniform neutral shade helps visually blend the rooms together cohesively.
• Echoing kitchen cabinetry finishes or built-in shelving in living room storage for continuity.
• Using pops of the same accent colors in decor pieces like throw pillows, rugs, and artwork in both the kitchen and living zones.
• Mixing metal finishes provide unity - like pairing stainless steel kitchen appliances with metallic coffee tables and mirrored wall decor in the living room.
• Incorporating natural textures like wood, stone, rattan, live plants, and flowers for an organic look throughout the open concept space.

Consistency in colors, materials, and decor maintain harmony between rooms. Paint walls, cabinetry, shelving, and furniture complementary hues. Then sprinkle in matching accent colors throughout for a stylishly blended aesthetic.

Find Unique Storage Solutions

Storage space can easily become an issue in an open layout, with kitchen items potentially spreading clutter throughout the living area. Seek out clever and discreet storage spots to tuck items out of sight. Try incorporating:

• Floor-to-ceiling pantry cabinets or an appliance garage to keep kitchen gadgets and non-perishables concealed.
• Baskets or bins fitting under living room coffee tables and media consoles to stash items like remotes, blankets, and toys.
• Repurposed kitchen wall cabinets installed along an adjoining living room wall for closed storage.
• Multi-use furniture like storage ottomans, cabinets with door fronts, and open shelving that hides clutter while displaying decor.

Unique storage solutions prevent clutter while maintaining your open concept layout's clean, spacious feel. Conceal kitchen items in pantries or garages and stash living room clutter in discreet coffee table bins or built-in cabinets.

Incorporate Visual Interest With Plants and Art

Don't overlook the power of decor and greenery to elevate an open living room and kitchen design. Artwork and plants infuse visual intrigue and draw the eye throughout the space. Consider:

• Anchoring living room seating vignettes with large, intricate patterned area rugs full of color and design.
• Choosing oversized artwork, tall plants, or floor lamps to draw the eye vertically upwards.
• Displaying collections like framed photos or ceramic pieces along the kitchen backsplash and open shelving.
• Placing potted plants like succulents or herbs on the kitchen island and built-in window boxes.
• Hanging delicate textiles like macrame wall hangings to soften hard surfaces.

Don't leave walls bare - take advantage of vertical surfaces in both zones to showcase meaningful artwork, collections or tapestries. Greenery livens up the space while the variety and interplay of shapes, forms and textures keeps it visually engaging.

Maximize Natural Light

Abundant natural light keeps an open floor plan from feeling too cavernous and dark. Optimize sunlight through expansive windows, skylights, and reflective surfaces. Consider:

• Installing large picture windows, French doors, and transom windows wherever possible to draw light deep into the home's core.
• Strategically placing mirrors along living room walls opposite windows to reflect and amplify sunlight.
• Choosing light, bright decor like white cabinetry, pale walls, and glass pendant lights to enhance illumination.
• Sheer window curtains that softly filter sunlight while keeping the space light and airy.

Focus on expanding natural light through positioning of windows and mirrors. Supplement with lighting decor like glass vases, metallic finishes, and mirrored furniture. Abundant natural light keeps open concept living fresh and inviting.

Define Room Functionality

While the open concept combines rooms seamlessly, each zone should still feel tailored to its unique purpose. Define areas through purposeful furniture placement and functionality.

• Arrange living room furniture to facilitate conversation and relaxation, like facing sofas and clustering chairs around a coffee table.
• Maximize kitchen workflow with the refrigerator, stove, sink, and prep space positioned in a triangular configuration.
• Incorporate customized organizational solutions like a craft zone or homework station in the living room.
• Add a kitchen desk area for eating meals separate from the living room.

An open floor plan means less rigid room divisions, not less planning. Map out furnishing placements tailored to how you'll live, cook, dine, and relax in the blended space.