If your kitchen is open to a dining room or family area, keep it clean and clutter free. To avoid looking too chaotic, use a breakfast cupboard to store your utensils and appliances so they’re readily available when needed.
When you’re going with an open concept, limit your rich shades to the floor and let pale walls and cabinetry accentuate natural light. This trick will make the space feel bigger and more cohesive.
Maximize functionality in your open-concept small kitchen with expert tips from Edison Home Improvement. Explore space-saving solutions and clever design ideas at Exploratoryglory
Create a Cohesive Aesthetic
The openness of an open concept layout gives you a great opportunity to create a cohesive aesthetic that blends the kitchen with the living space. One of the easiest ways to do this is by using a neutral color scheme that extends across walls and larger elements like appliances, cabinetry, and flooring. Layer in one or two accent colors on accent chairs, bar stools, rugs, and wall art to add depth and interest to your design.
Another way to create visual harmony is by incorporating textures. Whether it’s natural materials, varying shades, or unique finishes, combining various textures can help make your open concept small kitchen feel pulled together and polished.
While light shades of neutral paints work wonders for open concept kitchens, don’t be afraid to experiment with darker colors. These moodier hues can also serve as a stunning focal point and are a popular trend right now. Just be sure to incorporate lots of light and brightening features, as dark hues can sometimes feel too heavy in a large open space.
Define Your Living Room
Often the heart of your home, a living room can be where we entertain, spend time with family and friends, relax on a couch, and watch TV. It’s also the place where we fold laundry and iron, play board games, read or work on a computer, craft or art.
To avoid a cluttered atmosphere and bruised shins, furniture should be strategically placed in the space to define the area. This may mean placing a sofa in front of the fireplace, or putting an accent chair next to a coffee table.
To further delineate the space, area rugs are an excellent choice. Long runner rugs can help create a path for walking between kitchen and living rooms, while large patterned rugs are a great way to add some visual interest. Lastly, wall decor is important to include to add personality and depth. A mixture of texture is a great way to do this, as shown in this boho-inspired small living room, where ivory pillows have nubby textures, and the wood bowl on the coffee table adds natural, organic appeal.
Merge Your Dining Room with Your Kitchen
Many homeowners love the idea of eliminating walls in order to create a seamless kitchen and dining room combination. Especially in small homes, blurring the lines between these two spaces helps to maximize space and promotes social interaction.
However, knocking down walls can be a structurally challenging project to execute on your own and may require professional assistance. If you’re not ready to take on the task of removing a wall or if it simply isn’t possible, consider creating visual separation through other methods like floor material and furniture layout.
For instance, if your open concept small kitchen has hardwood flooring, try adding large area rugs to denote the kitchen as a separate zone. Or, you could install a kitchen table that doubles as an island when not in use to help define the dining area. You can also utilize other creative storage solutions to help maintain design cohesion. For example, using a pantry or installing Lazy Susans can help to keep essentials out of sight but within reach.
Add Area Rugs
Adding area rugs to your kitchen can define the dining and living areas, help create a more unified space, and provide warmth. You can find many styles of rugs to match your design aesthetic. For example, a runner in a classic style works with a traditional kitchen, while one in a more casual pattern is perfect for a contemporary kitchen.
Don’t be afraid to use multiple rugs within the same room, as long as their colors and patterns work together. For example, a green rug with a large-scale pattern pairs well with a smaller-scale patterned piece in the same color.
With proper planning, your open concept small kitchen will be both functional and beautiful. Consider these pro tips and real-life client projects from Havenly designers to get the most out of your open floor plan. Then, enjoy your newfound functionality with the rest of your family. Happy designing!