Designing an open plan kitchen space is one of the most exciting, and sometimes challenging, parts of modern home design. Done well, it becomes the heart of the home, blending style and function across cooking, relaxing, dining, and even working.
So you have this big empty space and you need to fill it with something that really works for you and your family, but where do you start? Well it’s not easy, but if you’re wondering how to create the best layout for an open plan kitchen with living/dining area, these seven key considerations will guide you toward a space that feels cohesive, inviting, and effortlessly practical.
1. Zoning: Subtle Separation Without Walls
In an open plan room, each area needs to feel distinct yet part of a whole. Use zoning techniques to give purpose to each space. There are many ways you can do this, but first of all, you need to ask yourself, what do I want to achieve in this part of the room and how will I use it?
- Rugs – ones that sprawls from under the sofa and coffee table or pouf will clearly set the living area. Something squishy underfoot with the textile of the sofa will create that corner of the room that invites you to come and relax. Or how about a rug that sits under a dining table? Ensure that it is practical, easy to clean, and is large enough to sit under chairs when they are pulled back. This can be a real statement.
- A kitchen island or breakfast bar can act as a gentle barrier between the kitchen space and the next zone if you have the space for one. If you feel you don’t have enough space for an island as well as a dining table and sofa/living area, then before you bin the idea completely, consider if you could ditch the dining table instead and incorporate the dining area as part of the island perhaps? I have seen some great islands that incorporate dining beautifully, you don’t necessarily have to be all sitting in a line! Another idea could be to use the back of the island for an upholstered bench, which would sit to one side of the dining table, saving you vital inches!
- Furniture and fixtures placement – the back of a sofa facing the dining zone, creates invisible boundaries. Don’t listen to those people that say you cannot have the back of a sofa facing the entrance to a room, as long as the sofa doesn’t have a really high back to it, it will be fine. Perhaps consider some kind of room divider, if the space allows. Room dividers in an open plan space can work really well. Go for more the open shelving dividers where you can see through them to keep that feeling of space and light.
- Different flooring materials can help to zone (tiles in the kitchen, wood or LVT in the living area) and can create natural transitions, however, consider this carefully, as the same flooring throughout can help unify one space to another. This will all depend on what you are wanting to achieve and why.
2. Lighting: Layered for Function and Mood
Lighting is often overlooked but, in my experience is one of the most important elements in great interior design and can make or break an open plan layout. The right placement and combination of different levels not only enhances functionality but also adds mood and ambience which is so important for a space that demands a lot of functions. Consider:
- Pendant lights over a kitchen island provide task lighting. However, a pendant hung fairly low over a dining table creates intimacy.
- Downlights are useful for creating general ambient light across a room, but I always recommend making all lighting dimmable so you can tailor the brightness to the time of day or mood. However, one important consideration is to favour indirect lighting wherever possible – there’s nothing that kills atmosphere faster than a grid of harsh downlights dominating the ceiling. Indirect lighting means the light source itself isn’t directly visible. For instance, an LED strip under wall cabinets casts a soft glow onto the worktop, but the source remains hidden unless you’re intentionally looking for it. Another great technique is installing a concealed LED halo feature that washes light up onto the ceiling. This approach keeps the room well lit but replaces glare with a more diffused, calming effect.
- Use lamps and wall lights in the living area to make it feel cosy and separate from the kitchen. If your sofa ends up in the middle of the room, consider where your reading lighting will be, you may need to install floor sockets in the exact spot you will need a lamp.
- Always build in flexibility with your lighting – have a range of options and combinations. In most of the open plan kitchens I’ve worked on, I’ve used up to eight separate switches to control different zones independently. Having that level of choice is key to adapting the space for cooking, relaxing, dining or entertaining. Smart lighting systems can take it even further, allowing you to programme preset scenes with specific light levels across the room. But that’s a whole topic in itself for another day!
Also, take into account your home’s orientation. North-facing rooms may need extra ambient lighting to counter low natural light, while south-facing spaces can make the most of large windows and skylights. See further points on orientation below.
3. Flow: Make Movement Effortless
Think about how you move through the space daily – between cooking, dining, relaxing, and more. A successful layout allows for smooth flow without obstruction:
- In the kitchen, although the work triangle: hob, sink, and fridge, is a bit of a myth nowadays, functionality and practicality is key. It is common sense that your tea and coffee area should be at the other end of the kitchen to your fridge. You need to place your cutlery, glasses and plates not too far from the dishwasher. Think about when you take something out of the oven, how far do you have to travel before you can place it down? Pull-out bins need prep areas, pots and pans near the oven and hob.
- Avoid placing furniture where it breaks up walkways. Think about the flow from the rest of the house, right through to where you access the garden. Embrace negative space and don’t overfill the room or it will risk looking cluttered.
- Make sure cupboard and appliance doors open without blocking movement.
Good flow not only improves function but also makes the space feel more spacious and relaxed.
4. Orientation: Work With Natural Light
Orientation present their own challenges and influences where you place key areas:
- South-facing rooms benefit from all-day light. This is perfect for kitchen and dining, but consider if you will be watching tv during daylight and if the light will interfere with the screen. A south-facing room in the middle of summer can bring it’s own challenges. Consider shading with sheers or blinds to help control the sun’s glare and heat. Not normally an issue when we all crave more light, but mid-summer can bring too much to these rooms.
- North-facing areas might suit the kitchen, where natural light levels matter less, as all the task areas need their own lighting anyway.
- East-facing is where you get the morning sun and is a great aspect for breakfast spaces.
- West-facing works well for evening lounges or dinner parties. The glow from a setting sun can make these areas much warmer in the evening.
Think architecturally -large glazed doors opening onto a garden, skylights and lanterns can all enhance light, views and a sense of space.
5. Storage: Keep Clutter at Bay
One downside of open-plan living is that clutter has nowhere to hide. That’s why integrated, clever storage is essential. When planning your space consider what storage space you have now and actually calculate how much more space you will need to accommodate everything. Maximise your storage strategically by assessing exactly what needs to be stored and choosing furniture that accommodates it efficiently. While it may seem obvious, a thoughtful evaluation of your storage needs ensures you select the right solutions for each space. However, above all make sure, that what you are storing, needs to even be there. Are you sure it shouldn’t just go?? :
- Use floor-to-ceiling cabinets in the kitchen to keep things streamlined. Use pull-out drawers wherever possible.
- Add a media wall or built-in shelves in the living space.
- Incorporate window seats with storage underneath or hidden drawers in benches.
- Include zoned storage – a place for everything in each part of the room.
- Consider built-in furniture and shelving, a bespoke solutions to fit awkward areas to keep your space organised.
And not to forget – matching cabinetry finishes or colours across zones helps maintain a unified look.
6. Corner Usage: Make Every Inch Work
Corners are easily wasted in large open areas but can be turned into practical or cosy features:
- Use pull-out systems in kitchen corner units to maximise space.
- Tuck a reading nook, home office or play area into an underused corner.
- A corner sofa can help shape the living area and make it feel grounded.
- Decorative items like plants, floor lamps, or sculptures can bring joy and life to a scheme and can fill gaps without cluttering.
Corners are ideal for adding personality and function at the same time.
7. TV Placement & Lifestyle Needs
This is absolute key to great design. If you don’t get this right then, quite frankly, who are you designing for? Seamless integration of all the day-to-day practicalities within your design will really make the difference to the end experience, so consider all activities carefully.
- If you want one in your open-plan space, then avoid placing the TV opposite a bright window to reduce glare.
- Build a media unit with storage for a clean look. Or select a beautiful sideboard or credenza and angle the TV into a corner if this suits the living area better.
- If you have kids, consider a dedicated play area within view of the kitchen.
- For homeworking, carve out a study nook if you don’t have a dedicated study. There are many options for something that can fold away when the working day is done, or build something bespoke to your space. Home working deserves some thought as it is so important.
- Think about entertaining if this is something you go for: would a wine fridge or island seating enhance how you use the space?
Make sure your layout reflects how your household actually lives, not just how it looks in a showroom.
Final Thoughts
There’s no single blueprint for the best layout for an open plan kitchen/living/dining space – it all comes down to how you use your home. Whether you’re starting from scratch or adapting an existing room, these seven considerations will help you design a space that’s flexible, stylish and a joy to be in every day.
Want help uncovering your needs for such an important space, so that nothing is forgotten? Want help visualising your layout? I can create a custom floor plan sketch or visual inspiration board tailored to your room dimensions and goals -just ask! Book a free clarity call to discuss how we can help you get started.