Layout Ideas for an Open-plan Kitchen and Living Space
Find inspiration on whether to place the dining, kitchen or living zone next to the patio doors of your open-plan room
Amanda Pollard
10 July 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Once you’ve opened up a space in your home, it can be tricky to decide where to position all the elements in the room. Do you want to look out to the garden from the kitchen, or sit in the living zone with a view of greenery? Some people prefer to locate their seating area in a cosy spot inside the home, with the dining area next to glazed doors.
If you’re finding it difficult to choose your layout, take a look at these open-plan spaces to find inspiration for your own home.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
If you’re finding it difficult to choose your layout, take a look at these open-plan spaces to find inspiration for your own home.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Dine with a view
A dining table positioned next to the patio doors is great for entertaining, as guests can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the garden. By opening up the patio doors, you’ll create the feeling of eating outside, but with a little extra shelter.
A living area located in an internal part of the room will be a cosy spot away from the more open feel of the rest of the space.
Martins Camisuli Architects
A dining table positioned next to the patio doors is great for entertaining, as guests can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the garden. By opening up the patio doors, you’ll create the feeling of eating outside, but with a little extra shelter.
A living area located in an internal part of the room will be a cosy spot away from the more open feel of the rest of the space.
Martins Camisuli Architects
Relax near the garden
If you like the idea of lounging on a sofa with a view of the outdoors, try placing the living zone next to the patio glazing. If you’re including a TV, though, be careful where you put it, as a large amount of light might cause glare on the screen.
Honka UK
If you like the idea of lounging on a sofa with a view of the outdoors, try placing the living zone next to the patio glazing. If you’re including a TV, though, be careful where you put it, as a large amount of light might cause glare on the screen.
Honka UK
Sit pretty
Can’t decide which seating zone to place near the garden? Embrace the best of both worlds by positioning them adjacent to each other, right next to the patio doors. This layout is a sociable option, as it keeps the lounging and dining areas in close proximity and allows people to move from one perch to the other.
In Ex Design
Can’t decide which seating zone to place near the garden? Embrace the best of both worlds by positioning them adjacent to each other, right next to the patio doors. This layout is a sociable option, as it keeps the lounging and dining areas in close proximity and allows people to move from one perch to the other.
In Ex Design
Cook in the sunshine
If you’re a keen cook who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, the best layout for you might be with the cooking area near the glazed entrance.
A popular choice is to put the dining table alongside the kitchen, but slightly to the side of the doors. This allows both areas to benefit from the light, with the kitchen getting the best view.
Lomax & Chi
If you’re a keen cook who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, the best layout for you might be with the cooking area near the glazed entrance.
A popular choice is to put the dining table alongside the kitchen, but slightly to the side of the doors. This allows both areas to benefit from the light, with the kitchen getting the best view.
Lomax & Chi
Burbeck Project Management
Tell us…
Which of these layouts would work best for your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
Which of these layouts would work best for your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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@deborah ease
For eating, I agree with you. My son seemingly doesn't - he goes straight to a bar stool for eating his breakfast.
However stools at an island are wonderfully sociable - my wife's delight is that she can prepare food with others around and be part of a social gathering. Also a stool lets you sit down while working in the kitchen - you don't need to stand all the time
M&C Paterson. My small kitchen doesn't have space for an island - so there is no bar for stools!
Hello Deborah. The point I was making was thta, if you've got space, bar stools and a counter can provide a sociable contribution (and an ergonomic contribution) in a kitchen even if there is a seat at a nearby table. It doesn't need to be on an island.