Kitchen Designs for Large Open Plan Living Space

Designing a kitchen in a large open plan space is a fun challenge. Open plan living combines function with style, a social space for modern living. It’s about creating a seamless flow between the kitchen, dining, and living spaces, ensuring each zone works harmoniously together while retaining its distinct purpose, creating a large multi-functional space.

Here’s some open plan kitchen design inspiration to help you create a space that’s practical and pretty.

Making the Most of Your Cooking and Dining Spaces

1. Create Separate Zones

Creating separate zones is key to an open plan layout. Use a kitchen island or a breakfast bar as a natural divide between the kitchen and dining area. Open shelving will help maintain the flow of the space while defining the boundaries subtly. A coffee table in the seating area or a dining table in the right place will further separate the dining and living areas without the need for walls.

If you prefer a more separate feel a broken plan layout is an on trend option. This uses partial walls, screens or sliding doors to create a physical divide while still keeping the essence of an open plan room.

2. Maximise Natural Light

Natural light is the foundation of open plan living. Install big windows or sliding doors to let the light in and make the space feel airy and warm. Reflective surfaces like granite worktops and white cabinets will bounce the light around, while blue cabinets or wood flooring will add depth and personality.

Practical lighting solutions like pendant lights and task lighting will ensure areas with limited natural light are well lit. Consider placing pendant lights above a kitchen island or dining table to create a focal point.

3. Functionality First

An open plan kitchen living space should be as functional as it’s beautiful. Choose kitchen cabinets with plenty of storage and integrated appliances to keep the look streamlined. A separate utility room is a practical way to keep the main area clutter free while maximising space in your cooking and dining areas.

For smaller areas within your open plan design consider a galley kitchen or one wall kitchen. These designs will give you more preparation space while leaving room for other activities.

4. Select Multi-Tasking Materials

The materials you choose will be the personality of your open plan kitchen. For a modern design choose hard flooring like wood flooring or tiles to create a cohesive look. Reclaimed materials like timber beams or stone will add character and warmth to your living areas.

Granite worktops with sleek kitchen units for a modern look or breakfast bars with industrial stools for an on trend option.

5. Social Space

The beauty of open plan living is that it brings people together. Place the dining table or breakfast bar so people can chat while cooking. A kitchen island with seating can be a dining area so the kitchen and dining room is the hub of the home.

Make the living area feel welcoming with comfortable furniture and a central coffee table. This way family or friends can relax whether they’re eating or watching TV.

6. Follow Interior Design Trends

Working with an interior designer will help you explore open plan kitchen ideas. Current trends are blue cabinets with white cabinets for a bold but balanced look or pendant lights over a focal point like a kitchen island. A breakfast bar or open shelving will add to the interior design.

For small spaces or tricky layouts, clever design ideas like a physical divide or integrated appliances will make a big difference and maximise space.

7. Style and Substance

Combine practical lighting with aesthetic elements like pendant lights. Balance style and function with cabinets that hide clutter and open shelving that showcases decor.

If your big space feels too big use rugs, plants or furniture placement to add warmth and structure to the open plan living.

Conclusion

Designing a kitchen and a dining space in a big open plan living space is a chance to merge style and function. By maximising natural light, creating zones and following modern interior design you can create a social space for cooking, dining and relaxing.