9 Steps to Build an Open Plan Living Room Kitchen
Designing an open plan living room kitchen can be an exciting prospect. But with the family tree expanding and spaces shrinking, it can be quite challenging to pull off a design that mandates intricate thinking especially when there are no actual zones and yet you need to plan some.
In this article, we shall explore the intricacies of designing an open plan kitchen living room and how you should go about executing the same.
In this article, we shall explore the intricacies of designing an open plan kitchen living room and how you should go about executing the same.
If you have decided to build an open plan kitchen living room, you may have probably arrived at the idea quite consciously. However, what you should be knowing is that you are on course of making a big change to a very important space which will completely change the way you live.
At the outset, an open plan kitchen living room may seem a straightforward approach, because all we do is imagine an expansive flow and layout where we blur the boundaries between our living space and the kitchen. There are numerous instances where people have hurried on to remove those internal walls without visualising how they are going to utilise the space. Often, such rushed decisions have resulted in regretful outcomes.
To avoid such instances, it is important to sit through and explore the possibilities & challenges of pulling off an intricate project such as this.
Without waiting further, let’s explore what you should be doing as part of some pre-requisites, that should be a must part of your 12 steps to build an open plan kitchen living room.
1. Prepare Questions
The first thing you need to do is assess your needs in relation with the space. Make a list of questions –
- How am I going to utilise the space?
- Should I create zones in an open plan kitchen?
- Will I need a dedicated space for rejuvenation?
- Should I zone a space to create a children’s play area?
- Do I expect frequent guest visits?
- Can I create a zone for my home office?
- Where shall I place the furniture?
- How can I make it more functional and aesthetically pleasing?
2. Know Your Budget
Although this is a general thought and applies to any big decision you may be taking, it can be quite handy especially when planning an undertaking as huge as an open plan kitchen living room.
- Undertaking an open plan kitchen living room involves making structural changes such knocking down internal walls which can result in significant cost additions. You may also consider investing in buying new materials such as furniture, lightings, materials for finishing works such as plumbing, electrical works. All these require a plan on how and where to position them which again is relative to the quantity of the elements.
- Imagine exploring hundreds of options for one element you want to decide upon, and each of those hundreds are priced differently! You will either end up overspending on those which ultimately did not fit your imagination, or you will end up being confused not knowing which one to purchase.
So, make sure you have an idea of the budget which is something that you are clear about spending comfortably. Being realistic with budget greatly helps.
3. Create a Map of Your Space
Drawing a sketch of your current space will allow for a comprehensive view. Include all the elements that are adjoining and are adjacent to the living space. This will give you your boundary within which you need to plan your design and hence makes it easier to proceed further and will help you prioritise and judge the placement of amenities with great clarity.
4. Define Your Zones
The easiest way to imagine an open plan kitchen living room is a big open space. Just try imagining it again. Wont it feel like a big narrow community hall that echoes at the drop of a sound? Not only does it take away the feeling of a home, but it also eliminates the emotional intensity & feeling of a family.
Compare the previous area with internal walls with the one now. The difference is the wall. The only important thing what you need to now is to place amenities between. Yes, you heard that right! An open plan space doesn’t essentially mean a single plan for the entire space. By defining zones in your open plan living room kitchen, you are in fact making the space larger.
5. Hire a Structural Engineer
An open plan living room kitchen requires significant structural work in the form of removal of internal walls which can only be done under the guidance and supervision of a structural engineer. Without the intervention of a structural engineer your open plan kitchen living room is bound to fail and will harm the structural integrity of the entire house.
6. Placement of Amenities
In continuation from the previous point, placing amenities in between your open plan kitchen living room will make the space look larger. Add a cushion and a table in front of it and push it a few inches from the wall that makes for a walking space. Place a rug and a furniture set elsewhere, probably, diagonally opposite to the cushion and at some distance. This will create a mid-passage for you and your family to walk, sit, and do some activities that feels like a home.
7. Think of Lightings
After creating zones within your open plan living room kitchen, which is the functional part, you can now focus on the aesthetics. Choosing lightings and placing them at different levels will create a nice ambience around the space. For example, you could use focused lights above the cushion and the table arrangement and hanging lights above the kitchen-diner.
If you have created a small play area for your children, then you can think of installing colourful lights or lights that resembles fun and excitement.
8. Selecting Appliances
Selecting the type of appliance can be crucial to your open plan kitchen living room. Imagine turning a grinder or an exhaust fan or a chimney in your open plan kitchen where you also have entertained guests in your living room. It can be frustrating to you and disturbing to them.
- Choose appliances that are powerful and lead to no or very minimal noise.
- Use materials that absorb sound, such as rugs, curtains, cut-pile carpets, etc.
- Dishwashers, ovens, and freezers with low decibel ratings and high energy efficiency ratings will help.
9. Make It Clutter Free
With an open plan kitchen living room you cannot stick to what you did between the four walls of your previous area. Now that it is open and exposed to the living room, it is important to keep it clutter free. Incorporating more storage areas to make the kitchen look neat and tidy will be key.
Conclusion
An open plan kitchen living room is one of the best decisions you would have made if you are looking to optimise a space or create a more functional area inside your house. They not only elevate your quality of life, but they also transform your lifestyle by creating a harmonious, yet expansive family space you may dream of.
At Extension Architecture, we love sharing innovative and distinct ideas that can help you change the way you perceive living spaces. If you are looking for similar ideas or have a plan and need expert advice, feel free to reach out to us.
