Decorating Open Floor Plan Living Rooms and Kitchens? We Have Ideas

An open floor plan combines multiple rooms like a living room, dining room, and kitchen into one continuous space without walls dividing them. While open floor plans create a feeling of openness and flow, they can also feel cavernous and overwhelmingly plain. Fortunately, with careful decorating decisions, you can craft an open floor plan that feels both unified yet defined.

Read on for tips to decorate an open floor plan living room and kitchen with style.

Define Spaces While Maintaining Flow

The key to decorating open floor plans is finding ways to delineate separate living room, dining, and kitchen zones while still allowing an open flow between spaces. Strategic furniture arrangement, thoughtful use of color and flooring, and well-placed focal points are all important design tools.

Start by placing furniture to guide the eye and break up the expanse into separate areas with clear purposes. Use area rugs in bold patterns or color to designate functional spaces on the floor. Create focal points with substantial pieces like floor plants or sculpture to add definition. Employ room dividers like screens or bookcases to subtly divide the space. Consider level changes using a few steps up to the dining area or sunken living room.

Select Consistent Finishes

Using cohesive finishes is key to maintaining an open flow in a floor plan. Paint all the walls in the space the same neutral, light color. Repeat paint colors in accent walls to define spaces. Use the same flooring material, whether tile, hardwood, or carpet, to tie everything together.

Match cabinetry finishes in the kitchen to wood tones present in living room built-ins or dining room furnishings. Choose similar finishes for metal accents like kitchen hardware and living room light fixtures. The continuity of colors and textures ensures no abrupt visual breaks as you move through the space.

Add Stylish Focal Points

Without the separation of walls, it's important to add eye-catching focal points that distinguish individual areas of an open floor plan. This could be a vivid gallery wall or large piece of statement art in the living room. Or install a gleaming, sculptural light fixture to define the dining zone.

Floating shelves artfully styled with decor and books make a smart focal point in any room. House plants like palm trees immediately draw the eye. The natural divider of a planter box or indoor shrubbery can also help delineate functional areas. Use focal points to lead the eye through the space in a logical way.

Living Room Decor Ideas

Arranging furniture is key to creating separate zones within an open floor plan living room. Angle the sofa toward a focal point like a fireplace or TV. Float it away from the walls to allow flow around and behind. Complement with armchairs and ottomans that can move easily to create flexible sitting areas for conversation.

Anchor the living room with a large area rug. Use lamps of different heights layered with overhead lighting to illuminate and define this multipurpose family space. Add everyday storage solutions like sofa tables or floor shelves so clutter can be tucked away in this main living area.

Kitchen Design Tips

Use an island or peninsula to delineate a kitchen area from the adjoining living room. Keep sightlines open between rooms by limiting upper cabinetry. For a built-in look, install shelves supported by brackets in place of bulky cabinetry. Floating shelves are great for displaying cookbooks, plants and decor.

Make the kitchen zone feel unique by using cabinetry finishes like painted shaker or glass fronts that contrast from the living room built-ins. Define the kitchen further with industrial pendant lights or track lighting over the island. Use an area rug to anchor the kitchen if flooring flows continuously from the living room.

Dining Room Decor Ideas

Anchor the dining area with a substantial table that draws the eye. Complement it with a dramatic lighting fixture overhead. Use an area rug underneath to further distinguish this zone. Employ a console table behind the sofa to delineate the dining area from the living room.

Add architectural interest with wainscoting,board and batten, or a chair rail around the dining room perimeter. Install pendant lights or sconces to provide ideal lighting for evening dinners and entertaining. A bold paint color like navy blue on the dining room wall also helps set this space apart.

Entryway Tips

Use furniture to create a welcoming entry area in your open floor plan. A console table topped with decor behind the sofa prevents the entry from intruding into the living room. Set an entryway bench or pair of chairs perpendicular to the front door to identify the arrival zone.

Anchor the entry with a colorful area rug. Hang a substantial mirror nearby to visually expand the small space while allowing guests to check their appearance before entering. Include furniture with storage like a bench with cubbies to stow bags, shoes, hats and other belongings coming through the front door.

Fill out your open floor plan with greenery and soft lighting. Potted palms, succulents and snake plants add natural dividers. Fresh cut flowers introduce pops of color and fragrance. Ambient lighting like floor and table lamps prevent a cold, cavernous look.

Add artwork for visual interest and mirrors to bounce light around. Accessorize with throws, pillows and ceramic pieces that add color and texture. Install stylish window treatments to frame views and filter sunlight. Layering in decor makes an open floor plan warm, inviting and full of personality.

With planning and strategic decor decisions, it's possible to craft an open concept living room and kitchen that's both cohesive and functional. Maintaining an open flow while defining separate spaces is achievable through careful furniture placement, repeated finishes and fabrics, eye-catching focal points and varied lighting. Get creative with your layout and decor to enjoy the beauty of a wide open floor plan.