How to design open spaces

What’s better, a separate kitchen or a corner kitchen facing the living room?

First of all, we have to decide whether to keep the two rooms separated or rather choose a solution that allows for a stylistic uniformity.

These solutions must harmonise the kitchen and the living room in a single, large open space.

Both options present advantages as well as limitations.

A kitchen separated from the living room gives intimacy, isolation from smells and more space management, even if it could become smaller and less bright, especially when the space is scarce.

An open space with a communicating kitchen and living room allows to create a modern and dynamic environment  with an eye on flexibility and personalisation.

Then again, this type of design implies on one hand more attention to the balance of the decorating items, so that aesthetics and functionality are perfectly balanced. On the other hand, the need to visually define the spaces through the diversification of the different areas of the open space.

How to decorate an open space

Let’s find out how to decorate an open space in a balanced and stylistically consistent way, combining the need for efficient and functional space management.

The sofa as a perfect open space divider

For many years now, a conceptual revolution has been consolidating in the living room design.

The old idea of a “representative” living room, considered as a room of its own to welcome guests has been replaced with a new conception of furnishing, deriving from the new needs of modern life.

As a result, a new must for interior design is space contamination, the personalisation of furniture and the need to rationalise the space at disposal with multifunctional open spaces to share the different moments of family life.

A typical example of this new concept is an open space with the living room integrated with the kitchen or kitchenette. Regardless of the size and configuration of the open space, the open plan implies a sober and simple style. Therefore, it could meet at the same time all the different needs of all the members of the family in a single environment.

Moreover, kitchen and dining room must coexist in harmony with a living room made of sofa, armchairs, tv but also with cupboards, shelving and bookshelves.

Indeed, the sofa is the item that most often is used as a stylistic conjunction between a working space such as the kitchen and a more convivial zone like the living room.

Placed behind the kitchen and the dining table, the sofa marks the passage between one zone and the other.

The sofa as a dividing element of the open space separates naturally and spontaneously, without using walls or cumbersome furniture which would take away light and perspective.

A big corner sofa, placed between the kitchen and the living room, separates the rooms in a functional way, and it creates a cosy atmosphere with a touch of personality.

The stylistic continuity is therefore given by the attention to details, the choice of akin materials and a skillful chromatic connection between the dominating colours of the kitchen and the ones of the living room.  

Small open spaces

How to combine the living room and a kitchenette in a small open space?

With a bit of wit and much fantasy, it is possible to create a modern and functional environment even with little space.

It’s just a matter of choosing smart and space saving furniture, to enhance every inch at disposal with flexible and multitasking solutions. 

For one thing, go for compact wall units, modular sofas, vanishing solutions, foldable tables and essential lines.

The choice of colours is also fundamental in a small space: it’s better to head towards bright and luminous colours to enlarge the visual space and give a lighter sensation.

Heading in the same direction is minimalist style furniture, with a compact and “hanging” design, without weighing down the overall view and hindering the little space available.

Open spaces with double-sided bookcase

A double-sided bookcase is particularly suitable for a dynamic and modern open space

It is ideal both to decorate with taste and personality, and to create a non-invasive separation between the different areas.

Within an open space, the double-sided bookcase offers many decorating solutions, with open compartments and symmetric lines.

Furthermore, it could be easily moved to create more intimate spaces within the same space. It is also perfect to divide the sofa zone from the dining area or a desktop corner.

Functional, versatile, and good looking, the double-sided bookcase is a light and flexible dividing element. Overall, it is a definite must have for a modern open space, capable of mutating and renovating together with the habits and the needs of the family.