Santiago's Remodeling & Handyman Services, Inc
Santiago's Remodeling & Handyman Services, Inc
The open-concept kitchen and living room design has been a popular trend for many years now. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of an open-concept kitchen living room, as well as some design ideas to make the most out of this layout.
An open-concept kitchen living room is a layout that eliminates barriers and walls between the kitchen, dining, and living room areas, creating a seamless and spacious living space often collectively called “the great room.” In contrast, the traditional home layout separates each room distinctly with walls and barriers.
As long as you carefully plan the design, an open-concept kitchen living room can add a lot more value to your home. So, we’ll talk about the advantages of having no barriers between your kitchen and living room.
Have you read or heard that “the kitchen is the new living room”?
Basically, today’s kitchens are for much more than cooking. They now offer a living space where your friends and family can relax, chat, be entertained, and of course, eat😊!
Kitchens are now larger, open to other living spaces, and equipped with cutting-edge appliances.
And one of the benefits of an open-concept kitchen living room is that it allows you to cook and socialize with the family or dinner guests at the same time.
By removing walls and barriers, you will encourage movement and endless chats with your loved ones while enjoying/preparing delicious food.
This lack of barriers will make it easier to entertain guests and family members, as everyone can gather in one central location. As a result, the kitchen-living room will nourish your family, and it will definitely strengthen your family ties.
Another advantage of the open-concept kitchen living room layout is that it allows for natural light to flow throughout the space.
Without walls to block the light, both the kitchen and living room will feel brighter and more inviting. Natural light is also known to positively affect mood and productivity.
Thus, an open-concept kitchen living room can contribute to a healthier and happier home environment.
By merging the kitchen and living room and removing the walls (barriers), you’ll maximize your space. Walls take up space for sure. For instance, typical interior walls are framed with 2x4s. This makes walls about 4½ inches thick (3½ inches of wood covered on both sides by ½-inch-thick drywall).
Also, by not having barriers, the open-concept kitchen living room is an efficient & modern layout–one where you won’t feel cramped and limited.
The absence of walls creates a sense of continuity between the different areas of the house, making it feel more spacious and open. This can be especially beneficial for smaller homes or apartments that need to maximize space. As a result, this design can make the home feel larger than it actually is.
I have this layout in my house. It’s a small house with a small living room and a kitchen. But by not having barriers, the kitchen-living space feels spacious. I definitely love it and recommend it.
Now let’s see the dark side of an open-concept kitchen living room.
While there are many benefits to an open-concept kitchen living room, there are also some drawbacks to consider.
The open kitchen layout not only helps you to flaunt fancy appliances and other kitchen utensils but also exposes the unwanted mess caused by cooking.
Without walls, it can be challenging to keep the living room and kitchen looking tidy and hide clutter or mess. This can be especially hard for homeowners with children or pets, who may be prone to making messes.
So, I would say this is a disadvantage for some people. If you choose an open kitchen room, you need to keep the place always clutter-free. In that way, you’ll not affect the appearance of your house.
Imagine your wife is watching TV (her favorite K-drama), and you are chopping vegetables with your blender. Would she be able to hear? Definitely not. She will need to pause the K-drama, and wait for you to finish using the blender to peacefully continue enjoying her show.
So, one of the main concerns of an open-concept kitchen living room is that there may be less privacy in a shared space. This can be a concern for some homeowners, especially if they have guests or family members who are sensitive to noise.
If you’re considering an open-concept kitchen living room, there are many design ideas that can help you make the most of this layout.
Here are some ideas to consider:
If you are trying to merge the kitchen and living room, you have to create a cohesive ambiance in the living space. You can use a consistent color palette throughout the room. This can help tie the kitchen and living areas together and make them feel like a single room.
In an open-concept kitchen living room, you can use natural materials such as wood, stone, and metal. Consider using these materials in your furniture, decor, and finishes to create a cozy and inviting living space.