Decor Ideas For An Open Floor Plan Living Room And Kitchen

Open floor plans have gained popularity over the years as families strive to create safer, more inviting spaces. It's easier to keep a watchful eye on a toddler in an open plan home than it is in a closed floor plan. People living with a disability can also move with ease around an open floor plan. Living rooms connected with dining rooms are some of the most popular open-plan spaces in modern homes. When the dining room and the living room are structured to be in one large space, you end up with a lot of creative freedom when furnishing and decorating. However, it can be a bit too much freedom when your creative juices are not flowing. You need to be careful when selecting your dining room and living room furniture as well as the accessories. After all, an open plan room can either look great or disjointed. There is no in-between look. In this article, we give you simple tips and ideas to maximize the appearance of such a room.  

Create a Cohesive Look with Neutral Color Schemes

The first decor aspect you have to think about is color. Even though you have a lot of creative freedom, it's safer to stick to neutral color schemes and monochromes. Colors evoke emotions and affect your mood in ways you cannot explain. For instance, warm color tones like red, orange and maroon can excite you but when consumed in large doses, they can evoke negative emotions like anger and violence. Since you have a large room with no demarcations, you might want to avoid too much color. Stick to neutrals like grey, dark blue, brown and beige for large living room furniture. If your dining room chairs are upholstered, adhere to the chosen neutral color scheme. Monochromes are also great if you want to maintain a simplistic approach to decor. However, you can always accent the room with accent chairs, throw pillows or curtains which are easier to replace over time.  

Break up the Space with Sectional Rugs

Often the architectural design of an open floor plan can guide you when deciding where to have the living and dining room areas. Elements such as structural supports, wall trims, incomplete walls or a sunken living room help separate the two rooms. However, you can create more distinction through sectional rugs. Place one big rug or carpet on the area where you'd like your living room furniture to sit and another rug in your preferred dining room area. With a clear demarcation, you'll be able to arrange furniture with ease. While separating these two spaces, pay attention to the room's features such as the entries, windows, and proximity to other rooms. Your living room should be closer to the main door while your dining room should be closer to the kitchen. Besides, each room should receive enough lighting and air from available windows.  

Match Furniture Sets

When your living room connects to your dining room, you're obviously staring at a lot of furniture pieces in one big room. You might, therefore, want to harmonize the two spaces by matching furniture designs and textures. For instance, if you go for a large wooden dining room table, consider buying a coffee table or a TV stand made of similar wood. You may also match the curtains or carpets and other home accessories. With a harmonized look, your eyes will not have too much to stare at. 

Find a Way to Create Balance

Balance is a crucial principle in art and interior decor. Every room in a house should have a balanced look for aesthetic purposes. To better understand the concept of balance, think about your body. Your arms, for instance, are the same size. Imagine having one arm longer than the other? Similarly, you have to find a way to achieve a balance between your living room and dining room to avoid crookedness. First, pay attention to the sizes of your furniture pieces. The larger sets, such as couches, cabinetry pieces and the dining room table should be arranged in a parallel or perpendicular manner. Also, the dining room table should not be too big or too small in comparison to living room sofas. If you invest in wall art, ensure it adds to the balance by positioning it on the walls adjacent to either the living or dining room areas. Lastly, if you settle for a large dining room table, go for a small coffee table to avoid overwhelming the room with furniture pieces. A round coffee table can help create an effective conversation space because it "pulls" the couches to a central place in the middle. However, if you invest in a circular coffee table, then avoid a similarly shaped dining room table, as this may upset the balance.

 Stick to Furniture With slim Designs

You already have a lot of furniture pieces in one large room. It's therefore advisable to stick to furniture pieces that do not clutter the room. Furniture legs are especially significant. Cabriole and trumpet legs, for instance, have slimmer designs that leave a lot of space in between the furniture pieces. It's easier to move around when the furniture's legs do not occupy much space. Slimmer designs also create an illusion of space and minimalism.  

Warm up the Room with a Fireplace and Decor Pieces

Finally, an open floor living room is quite large and even with the right types of furniture, the space may feel cold especially during winter seasons. Remember, any heat generated inside the room is spread thinly across the living and dining room areas. You can create a warmer environment by adding a fireplace in the living room area. Fortunately, with modern fire pits, you don't have to use logs. There are safer and healthier indoor options. You may also cozy up the room using decor accessories such as throw pillows made of fur and couch blankets or poufs. Such accessories add a touch of warmth effortlessly.  

Tie It All together

In summary, furnishing and accessorizing a living room that is connected to a dining room is not easy but it's definitely fun. You need to pay close attention to detail and ensure every piece of furniture adds to the room's cohesion. Also, ensure there is uniformity and subtle contrast between the two spaces. Once you're done furnishing, add spice and a bit of oomph through decor pieces.