Open-plan living is an increasingly popular and visually striking design trend, but it must be carefully planned! In this short guide, we'll give you some tips on how to furnish an open-plan space, organizing spaces effectively and avoiding clutter in your home.
First of all, what does open-plan living mean? We could say it's essentially a shared living area, with the kitchen and living room combined. An "open" living area, bright and with plenty of space to organize. But be careful! Having an open-plan kitchen and living room means better defining the functional spaces of a home with unique spaces without creating an overly chaotic fusion.
How to furnish a kitchen and living room together? When it comes to designing an open-plan space, organization is key: always define each individual space, separating the conversation area from the dining area and the cooking area. How best to do it?
If you're looking for ideas for functionally dividing spaces and furnishing an open-plan living area, come and discover our solutions for a trendy apartment!
1. Kitchen/living room dividers to best furnish an open-plan space
How to separate the kitchen and living room? A divider is perhaps the most classic method of dividing the kitchen and living room in an open-plan living area. Choose a low wall if you also want to use it as a convenient storage surface, and make a smart choice: have it built with internal shelves. This way, you not only divide the spaces, but you also save space!
An even more dramatic solution is a sliding wall, a wooden or plasterboard partition that you can move as you like to delimit the open-plan spaces of your home. Kitchen/living room dividers are not only quick solutions to implement, but with a small investment, they will bring you immense satisfaction.
2. An idea for organizing a small open-plan space? Use a bookcase!
If your open-plan apartment is small (perhaps a studio) and you want to furnish the living area by optimally organizing the space, a bookcase is a perfect solution for separating the rooms and their functions.
What type of shelving unit should you choose? In our store, you'll find many bookcase models that you can also use for furnishing your open-plan living area. Just be careful: don't overcrowd the shelves and create balanced arrangements. This way, the bookcase will be even more beautiful to look at and will integrate perfectly with your apartment's decor!
3. How to furnish an open-plan living room and kitchen: three ideas
Furnishing an open-plan space also means having an eye for style! It's not just about creating a harmonious space with functional features, but also requires a certain coherence in the choice of furniture and decorations. If you're looking for ideas to best furnish your open-plan space, here are three ideas for furnishing small open-plan spaces with a kitchen and living room together in an airy and coherent way!
Furnishing a modern open space: Separate spaces with a sofa
Furnishing a modern open space means working with furniture with a minimalist or bold design, but you can also choose to give the furniture and decorations a more Scandinavian twist. As for color, you have many options: from black and white (a timeless classic) to neutral tones paired with natural wood (if you prefer a more Nordic feel).
As you can see in this photo, you can use one or two corner sofas to divide the living room and open kitchen, or a peninsula sofa. The important thing is that the sofas have their backs to the kitchen: this will create a natural division for the apartment, and you can further define the conversation area with a beautiful rug. A modern open space with a very trendy living area!
How to furnish a rustic open space: all the charm of wood!
In a rustic open space, wood is the star of the show! From natural tones to darker shades, brown is the essential starting point for a space that evokes the welcoming atmosphere of country homes. Choose vintage or country-chic furniture, while decorating the kitchen with wrought iron or ceramic objects.
How best to separate the conversation area from the kitchen in a rustic open space? The most striking and stylish choice is definitely a beautiful rough brick wall! If you prefer a more economical alternative, choose some furniture like a sideboard or chest, and your home will be perfectly and coherently furnished.
Furnishing an industrial open space: a harmonious contrast
An industrial-style open space is a masterpiece of perfectly blended styles, a well-balanced harmony of contrasts between old and new. Imagine wanting to furnish an open-plan apartment as if it were a loft: how? Colors, first and foremost: from black to white, through gray. Even better, if they're in lived-in shades to accentuate the "reclaimed" look of the room.
One of the key features of the industrial style is the perfect balance of materials: wood and metal should share the spotlight, but a beautiful brick wall will really make a statement. To best divide the living area, you have at least two options: you can use a sofa, or you can decide to have a brick island built to serve both as a dining table (perhaps with high stools) and as a feature to better organize the living area of your industrial open space.
Have you also decided to transform your apartment into an open space? Follow these simple tips to transform your home's living area into a bright and perfectly organized room! And if you have any questions or concerns, leave a comment below!
