An open-plan layout is typical in tiny homes. Architects implement this design to make the home feel more spacious. The lack of walls opens up the space, allowing natural sunlight to disperse through the area. The space can be easily separated into zones with a few tips and tricks. This post explains everything you need about small house open concept kitchen and living room. Once you go through it, you will know how to create a pleasant living space.
Benefits of a small house open concept kitchen and living room
The concept of open-plan space revolves around functionality. In addition, it tends to create an ample area for home entertainment. The space provides various functionalities, such as eating, relaxing, and watching TV.
Why should you go for an open concept? A kitchen and living room together create ample space for gathering your family. Instead of having two smaller rooms, you have ample space that can be used for various purposes. The size of the room also provides more freedom with design features.
A small house with an open-concept kitchen and living room gathers the family. Your kids can relax on the couch while you are preparing dinner. Adults can hang out and sip a drink on the kitchen island while children watch cartoons.
The drawbacks
A small house with an open-concept kitchen and living room has a few drawbacks. Some prefer to avoid the fact that your kitchen is always visible. When you don’t have enough time to clean your kitchen, it might be an eyesore in the space. However, this does not have to deter you from implementing the design you like. An open-plan kitchen can be easily concealed with shelving or a partition.
Another drawback that bothers many is the smell. A kitchen is where you cook, so you usually expect to have odors. But the problem is when the smells go to your main living area. The upholstered furniture can absorb the odors, so many people don’t like the idea of having a small house with an open-concept kitchen and living room. The pens that love this design can still find a solution that works. A good quality kitchen hood will absorb the odors and prevent them from spreading through the space.
Another concern homeowners have regarding a small house, open concept kitchen, and living room is the noise. The kitchen appliances produce noise, so some might not like to hear their fridge buzzing while relaxing. However, this isn’t a primary concern anymore. Modern devices have low noise levels, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Working around your layout
Coming up with an ideal layout that works for your space and needs is crucial. Consider your room and its limitations when coming up with the proper design. You want to think about where each area will be situated. The placement of the TV and seating area needs to be thoughtfully planned. Also, it would be best to consider where your kitchen cabinets and appliances will be placed.
To save space, homeowners will position the furniture and cabinets against the walls. While this works in most cases, there might be other solutions for awkward layouts. You need to be more creative to work around odd arrangements.
Open kitchen concept with a kitchen island
A compact kitchen island is an excellent option for your open-plan concept. Many take advantage of these functional and aesthetic features, making them the central focal point. A kitchen island provides a seamless transition from the kitchen to the living room. In some cases, the island can replace a dining table. On the other hand, it provides an extra working surface for small kitchens. For added style, use bar stools with a unique design. Anchor the kitchen island with a gorgeous light fixture to create a stylish area for having a drink with friends or enjoying a quick meal.
Divide the space using furniture
Designers like to provide some kind of barrier between the kitchen and living room to make them feel like individual spaces while still keeping them connected. The furniture placement can help separate the space into different zones.
The sofa doesn’t have to be positioned in front of a wall. When seated, you will look at the kitchen. Instead, place your seating area in the middle of the room, facing a TV. The kitchen can come behind the sofa, which creates that visual separation.
Use different colors
Using different colors in the kitchen and living room area is an excellent way to distinguish them. However, this does not have to mean your place will look out of balance. You can still find ways to implement a similar color scheme for a cohesive look. One of the great ways to visually separate the tiny house’s open-concept kitchen and living room is by using different tones of the same color. For example, your living room can be dark gray, followed by a light gray kitchen. The difference in tones helps you separate these spaces.
Use shelving as a divider
Despite looking great, you will have extra storage space in your small house. In some cases, providing a physical barrier between the kitchen and living room is a great solution. A shelving unit is an excellent choice to set a clear border between the dining and living areas.
The placement of your room divider depends on your intention. You can conceal the kitchen and not worry about your guests seeing the mess. Or, you can add privacy to the seating area.
Make the space feel visually larger
A small house can be tricky to design since only one mistake can make it appear visually heavy. Therefore, adopting standard practices for making the space look visually more prominent is beneficial. The most important solution is to use light colors. The soft colors disperse the natural light, making your open-plan area appear visually larger. White walls and beige furniture help you achieve the sense of a spacious home.
Providing as much natural light as possible is another great option. Scandinavian homes use natural light to make the space feel bright and airy. No matter how small your house is, you can always make it feel roomier than it is. Therefore, remove any furniture that would obstruct the sunlight from lighting the room. Opt for sheer curtains that won’t block the sun’s rays.
From a design point of view, stick with minimalist furniture. Go with pieces that serve various purposes, so you don’t have to fill the space with furnishings. An ottoman that doubles as storage are a great way to conceal the clutter while providing additional seating for a guest.
Add a pop of color
Feel free to introduce color to personalize your space and add freshness. Implementing vivid colors can be done through accents or furniture pieces. Accent furniture in fun colors helps you achieve a brighter look without overwhelming the space. Bar stools in a bold color will add a touch of style to the room. Implement throw pillows or other accents in the same color to make the space cohesive.
Add sliding doors
If you think your kitchen needs to be more private, add sliding doors. Glass sliding doors are transparent enough to release the light while keeping the odors from entering the living room. You can have the kitchen on display whenever you want, but close the sliding doors when you wish to keep it concealed.
Determine what suits your needs
Every family has unique needs, and the house design should cater to them. A small house with an open-concept kitchen and living room is often beneficial. But you would want to consider your needs before removing the wall between the kitchen and living room. An open-plan space might not work for your lifestyle, so plan according to your family’s needs.
Homeowners want a small house with an open-concept kitchen and living room to show off their space. A stylish kitchen is the main focal point in an open-plan area. If your kitchen design is dated or doesn’t fit the rest of the house, revealing it would disrupt the design. Therefore you would want to consider kitchen remodeling together with your renovation.
Another aspect is the dining area placement. Will you have enough space to fit a dining table comfortably? The dining table can be the central point and placed in front of the kitchen. This position is perfect if you host guests in your home and want enough space around the table to move around. If you don’t need a dining table or don’t have enough room for one, there are a few alternatives. A small dining table tucked in the corner is perfect for having a meal.
