Article
Kitchen–Living Room Design: How to Plan an Open-Plan Space
An open-plan kitchen–living room is the most popular layout in modern apartments and houses: more air, more light, more room to be together. But an open space needs deliberate zoning — otherwise the kitchen takes over the living room. Here’s what to pay attention to.
Zoning without walls
You can separate the kitchen from the living area without partitions: an island or a bar counter, a change in flooring, ceiling levels, a rug in the lounge zone. The space stays unified, but each zone reads clearly.
The island: pros and cons
An island is practical and beautiful, but it needs room: at least a metre of clear passage should remain around it. In a smaller kitchen it’s often replaced by a peninsula or a bar counter.
Lighting and extraction
- Several lighting scenarios: task lighting over the kitchen, soft light in the living area.
- A powerful, quiet extractor hood — so cooking smells don’t drift into the lounge zone.
- Natural light — don’t block the windows with tall cabinetry.
Storage
Clutter is more visible in an open space, so storage has to be thought through: built-in floor-to-ceiling cabinets, integrated appliances, a place for everything. This is exactly what a design project resolves before the renovation begins.
Frequently asked questions
How do you zone a kitchen–living room without walls?
With an island or bar counter, a change in flooring, different ceiling levels, lighting and a rug in the lounge zone. The space stays open, but the zones read clearly.
How much space does a kitchen island need?
At least a metre of clear passage should remain around the island. If there isn’t enough room, it’s replaced with a peninsula or a bar counter.
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