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Have you ever wondered about kitchen family room ideas? Nowadays, more homes are free-flowing with fewer closed-off spaces. You can say that multi-functional spaces are the hallmark of the modern contemporary home as it promotes openness. Every single space in a home has a purpose, whether it be eating, reading, or simply a space to gather.
Even these larger spaces are going to have a purpose, in fact, they’re going to have multifunctional purposes! But decorating these spaces, particularly for a family, sounds too challenging, right? Don't worry; we’re here to help you create a dreamy open-plan space perfect for your family’s lifestyle. From the familykitchen dining room design to living room combos, here is everything you need to know about sparking inspiration for kitchen family room ideas!
How Do You Combine Kitchen and Family Rooms?
Is an open-plan kitchen living room a good idea? Absolutely! It’s actually very easy to combine the family room and the kitchen. One of the first things you’ll need to do, though, is focus on combining the living area with the kitchen area, but don’t forget the dining space, either. It’s going to be the furnishings that are the staple when it comes to kitchen and family room designs.
You’re going to want to first start off with evaluating the space; how is the natural lighting? What are some of the architectural features in the space? Are there any awkward corners or alcoves? Are there any leveling differences for the floor? A larger space will allow more freedom for furnishings and accessories, but it’s all about the layout too.
Create a Chill Zone
What are some strategies for making the kitchen and family room feel distinct yet connected? Well, one of the best ways is going to be how you layout everything. Every home needs a chill zone, and if you have an open plan where the living room and kitchen are connected, then you certainly need this zone. This can include something like a TV and a corner couch for the whole family to gather.
You may even want to add a coffee table and a relaxing armchair and maybe even spruce it up with some decor such as a luxurious curtain, artwork on the walls, floating shelves, and a touch of nature with plants. In the end, the chill zone, aka the living room, should illuminate relaxation for the whole family.
Clever Kitchen Storage to Clear Family Clutter
Clutter is inevitable, especially when it comes to a family home. While it’s known for being quite the eyesore, clutter can actually increase your cortisol levels. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to solve this problem! From the L-shaped kitchen family room to wide open spaces without the divide, why not go for storage solutions for your kitchen and family room? It’s really all about playing around with your furnishings and layout.
For instance, if your space appears cluttered due to your dining table being at the center, why not move it into the corner where the windows are? This way, there’s more movement between the kitchen and family room, plus it’s going to feel more relaxing when dining, thanks to the natural lighting. But this isn’t the only way to clear clutter; going with open shelving or utilising hutches can do wonders for clearing the clutter too.
Consider the Working Triangle
If there is one thing you should not neglect when creating this multifunctional space, it will be the working triangle. The kitchen work triangle is what determines the balance between aesthetics and functionality. If you’ve ever been busy with cooking, then you know that nothing should stand in your way. This triangle takes place between the stove top/ oven, the sink, and the fridge. While you don’t necessarily need a working triangle to be efficient in the kitchen, it will simplify it a lot more, especially in small spaces.
Make Family Cooking Relaxing
What makes cooking stressful for you? Is it tight spaces? Would it be clutter on the counter? Does it have a small kitchen in general? When it comes to open-plan kitchen ideas, let alone any style and kitchen layout, you need to ensure that it’s a space where you can feel relaxed with cooking. You shouldn’t have to make this feel like a challenge each and every time. This could include changing where your kitchen utensils go. Maybe you can place the more unique utensils on a small sideboard. But another fantastic example that’s also aesthetically pleasing would be hanging up pots and pans above your kitchen island.
Family Seating and Comfort
Comfort is everything when it comes to the home, and this hands-down includes the seating area and the rest of the room. One of the beauties of these open floor plans would be the fact that the space is spacious enough to where everyone is connected while at the same time still maintaining personal space. Spacing is a major factor in comfort, and this includes the family seating area.
You may want to try to look into a corner sofa, such as an L-shaped one. These are excellent for open-plan spaces. Plus, this is fantastic for making the space feel intimate too. Setting a textured rug underneath with a coffee table, some pendant lights, and a fireplace is going to be the ultimate cosiness space in the whole house!
Enjoy Quiet Time - Consider Where Kitchen Appliances Live(tucked away)
A small downside to having an open kitchen plan would be the amount of “noise” that the space is filled with. One way that a kitchen is filled with a lot of “noise” would have items that are constantly out in the open. It’s not always ideal for a kitchen design. So instead, why not consider tucking away kitchen appliances that aren’t in use? You can put these in kitchen cabinets such as a corner cupboard or even consider something like an oak hutch to place them in.
Arrange Furniture Strategically
Chances are, you may be thinking, “How can I create a comfortable and functional seating area in my family room that complements my kitchen design?” well, it’s all about the arrangement of your furniture! Your living room is meant to be lived in, just as your kitchen is meant to be cooked in. These are both spaces that families enjoy, and these are the main two spaces where the entire family comes together at the end of the day to enjoy each other's company.
You’re going to want the space to feel comfortable, so it’s all going to be about how it’s arranged. Maybe invest in a comfortable dining area that includes a modern table, complementing chairs, and a luxurious sideboard for an extra kick. Hanging a mirror above this is going to help make the space appear larger too.
Choose Co-Ordinating Colours
While your open plan must have separate “rooms,” every space needs to work together. One of the best ways to do this is by colour coordinating. One of the more simplistic ways would be allowing the outdoors to come in. Having a natural palette is the best way to go! Natural elements such as plants and natural materials have a way of blending in with all themes and colours for a space.
Just think about having granite countertops, stone-coloured walls, a dash of vibrant colours with a bouquet, wicker baskets for storage, and nicely placed plants. Speaking of plants, you can even pair up the greenery beautifully with this white storage unit, the included basket helps with bringing in that additional touch of nature. A green kitchen is a happy kitchen, don’t forget it!
Incorporate Smart Lighting
You’ll need to be smart with your lighting, and this could very well include smart lighting features that smart homes offer nowadays. But first and foremost, you have to take a look at where the natural lighting is in your open-plan layout. You have to accommodate this lighting, and you’ll need to keep in mind that you’ll still need other sources of lighting too. These other sources may need to come in a variety of pendant lights, floor lamps, spotlight fixtures, and up-lights. Just keep in mind that the lighting needs to work with the space and the areas that are going to get the most use.
Family Island for Homework
For many kitchens, the kitchen island is the center. It’s one of those pleasant furnishings that provide so many different purposes, from a fine storage solution to a unique dining table. Plus, the kitchen island has been known for being one of the separating elements that replace the wall between the living room and kitchen. This is perfect for having a breakfast bar that’s accompanied by our Brooklyn Bar Stools, or could even be used for a quick snack.
Make it Functional and Family-Friendly
The whole point of a family room would be for it to be family-friendly but don’t forget about functionality either, as this space needs to accommodate everyone. If you’re trying to keep your open plan on a budget, why not choose furniture that can double up? You’re not only getting multiple uses out of multifunctional furniture, but you’re able to save on space (and money too). For instance, your sideboard could double up as a TV stand.
Simple Colour Palette
Are closed kitchens making a comeback? Is an open or closed kitchen better? These are a couple of questions that tend to get asked a lot, and it’s pretty easy to see why. It’s important for everyone at home to keep a timeless approach that still remains stylish, and the layout alone can have an impact. However, it’s going to be the colour palette that will have the biggest impact. So why not look into having a neutral colour scheme. This can include white kitchens, but this is also going to allow you to add pops of colour without making the space appear overwhelming.
Use Paint to Differentiate Zone
What are some creative ways to divide the kitchen and family room areas if I want to create some visual separation? Well, one of the best ways to create visual separation while still keeping the open plan layout united would be through colours. You’re going to want to use high-quality paint, such as Benjamin Moore, to create zones in the rooms.
As mentioned above, it’s strongly recommended to go with a more simplistic colour palette as it’s still going to allow the space to feel separated, yet united at the same time. You don’t even need a paint color for the walls either if you don’t want to. You can instead focus on different colours for furnishings and decorations. An easy and budget-friendly way that many homeowners opt to would be rugs for each space in the layout.
Incorporate Family Bar Sets and Tables
If you want to skip out on the traditional dining area, then a bar set may be the best option to go for! Bar sets can come in a variety of sizes and colours, and can even accommodate the smallest of families. For instance, our Athens Bar Set is perfect for that subtle approach if you want your dining space to be tucked in the corner of your kitchen.
However, if you’re after something that’s timeless yet adds some flare to your nontraditional dining area, then the Grafton Backless bar set may be just what you’re looking for. These are perfect for all meals, and you can also count on having that casual atmosphere.
Homeline Furniture is Here for Your Needs!
If you're considering an open kitchen plan for your family home, Homeline Furniture's range of kitchen and bar furniture can help you create the perfect space. We offer a variety of styles and designs to choose from; you can find the perfect pieces to complement your family's unique needs and tastes. Don't wait any longer to create the perfect open kitchen plan for your family. Create the warm and inviting space your family deserves today!