Open kitchens are built with minimal walls to allow the kitchen to flow into the other common areas in the house, often the dining room and living room. While an open kitchen gives a house a modern look and makes the space you have to seem more extensive, they do come with some challenges.
Because of the lack of walls, open kitchens tend to have less cabinet and storage space than closed kitchens. Being able to see the kitchen from the rest of the house means if you leave a mess in the kitchen, it's visible everywhere. There's no hiding that pile of dirty dishes.
Regardless of any challenges, homes with open floor plans continue to be wildly popular and sell much faster than homes with closed floor plans. If you're interested in an open kitchen and living room design, here are some images to inspire you:
1. Bi-Level
This dual-level design would be great for a home where a lot of different activities occur in common areas. A small kitchen could be placed on the wall in the dining area. The living room and multipurpose loft are all connected, allowing for family members to talk to each other no matter where they are.
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2. Maximizing Space
Just because you're short on space doesn't mean you have to compromise on amenities. By using an open floor plan, this designer was able to fit a dining room, living room, and kitchen in a very limited space. There's even a small bonus loft that would be great as an office.
3. Cook's Treat
It can seem impractical to have a huge kitchen when your space is limited, but this design proves that it can work. This gourmet kitchen doesn't scrimp on luxuries but the open plan incorporates it into the rest of the house seamlessly. The bar doubles as an island for working and a dining space while the living room is close enough that the cook can chat with everyone else.
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4. Minimal and Modern
The clean, simple lines of the furniture and structures in this home make for a beautifully modern space. The three main common areas, the kitchen, living room, and dining area, are all close enough to feel like they are in the same room. Because the kitchen is situated by the far wall and includes an island, there is a surprisingly large cabinet space.
5. Industrial Chic
An open layout can work with any design style. Modern industrial design is particularly well-suited to an open floor plan, though. The locker-like cabinets and task lighting in this plan carry the industrial aesthetic throughout the space. The natural stone finishes and blocky furniture add to the sparse, modern feel.
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6. Spacious Retreat
While open floor plans do make the most of a small space, that doesn't mean they can't look great in a bigger space as well. This large home manages to feel both spacious and homey. There is a bar for casual dining and a dining room for more formal meals. The glass doors that lead to the patio makes the room seem even more expansive by providing a view to the outside.
7. Retro Charm
If you're a fan of mid-century modern design, you'll love this look. The barrel chair curves, and the bar stools stand out against the counters and furniture's straight lines. The red provides a pop of color in the otherwise neutral tones that characterize the rest of the house.
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8. Small Style
There's nowhere open floor plans shine as much as in small spaces. This space packs everything you need in here. Not only is there a bar, but also a separate dining area. The living room is distinct from the kitchen, but the lack of walls gives everything a cozy, intimate feel. This is a small house that would be perfect for entertaining. The numerous seating options ensure no one will feel crowded despite the small space. When the guests leave, the compact nature of this home makes it idealy suited for a small family.
9. Simple Flow
This gorgeous combination room provides an effortless flow from the living area to the dining area to the kitchen. The extra-large sectional sofa means there's room for plenty of family and friends to gather to watch a movie. The plants bring in a touch of nature, a welcoming element in modern homes. The built-in bookshelves are generous enough to house a home library and show off your decorative pieces. The accent lighting on the wall would be an amazing way to display your favorite painting.
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10. Airy Oasis
One of the main benefits of an open floor plan is the shared light. This house lets all of the common rooms benefit from the natural light pouring in from the living room. The grays and whites in the furniture and appliances really let the yellow of the spectacular chair in the living room be the focal point. The glass coffee table echoes the oversize glass windows and does its job without providing additional clutter.
11. Natural Inspiration
Another benefit of the open floor plan is that the decorative items in one room influence the other rooms. In this adorable space, just a few plants seem like more because they can be seen throughout the house. The red refrigerator adds a lot of personality to this kitchen. The floor plan's modern aesthetic is carried over into the furnishings, such as the bookshelf and television stand.
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12. Picture Perfect
This house is all about the view outside of the bank of windows. When you have a fabulous view, an open space lets it be seen from every area in the house. With minimal, neutral furniture, and just a few pops of color from the plants, every aspect of this home is designed to maximize the view. This home plan would be perfect for a beach or mountain home.
13. Effortless Design
This plan is so simple and understated that the green chairs steal the show. The rest of the elements in the house fade into the background, as they should. Modern design is all about form following function. The cabinets and appliances in the kitchen have clean, sleek lines. The only curves in the room come from the chairs, which keep the neutral furniture from being boring.
Conclusion
While there are some drawbacks to an open floor plan, such as less privacy and increased heating and cooling expense, most homeowners find the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. One of the main reasons people remodel their house is to give it a more open floor plan, which is proven to increase the value of a house. Whether you are remodeling or building a new house, there is a perfect open floor plan to suit your needs.
If you're contemplating remodeling or redecorating, you may be interested in these articles:
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