Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Today I’m sharing some images of our living room, as it’s directly across from our kitchen. I for one love an open-concept floor plan. Like all things, there are pros and cons to any option. But for me, this is the way to go. I love that I can be in the kitchen prepping dinner, while my family plays in the living room.
Open Concept Living Room
The most challenging thing about designing this room was the space planning. While we were building my husband and I used cardboard boxes to visualize the sizes of the furniture we were ordering for this room. It also meant ordering two rug sizes to see what worked best once we did finally move in! In this space, the 10′ x 14′ was the winner.
Our fireplace is gas, and although my husband was hoping for wood burning, I do love the ease of clicking a button and having a nice cozy fire during the cold Chicago winter! We surrounded the fireplace with a whitewashed brick tile and flanked it with matching built-ins full of pretty decor finds.
To let you in on a little secret our beams are actually faux! They were framed and then wrapped in wood and stained to match our flooring. It was WAY more economical than reclaimed beams (as gorgeous as they are) but add some interesting detail to the ceiling in this space! All sources are tagged below! For more design inspiration check out my blog about our beautiful bedrooms here!
Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
Trim Color: Benjamin Moore Simply White
What is an Open Floor Plan?
An open floor plan is essentially a large open area in a house that functions as multiple rooms. A common example is a great room that combines the kitchen, dining room, and living room in one shared space. This can be preferable to many people because it creates a lovely flow throughout the home and is especially welcomed by people who like to entertain!
Is an Open Floor Plan Still Popular?
Open floor plans have been an extremely popular trend in homes for many years, and they still are to this day! Modern homes often still use open floor plans because they are spacious, communal, and fairly simple to style. Some people would say that they are a “timeless” style, and I would have to agree! I love the fact that you can be cooking dinner in the kitchen while keeping an eye on the kids in the living room. An open concept allows for maximum visibility, you just need to know the ins and outs of how to decorate them properly.
How To Break Up An Open Floor Plan
- Create different zones using your furniture. You can arrange your furniture to section off areas, like placing a couch between your living room and kitchen. Plus, you can separate areas by turning your couches and chairs so that the backs are facing away from the focal point, like the TV or fireplace.
- Use area rugs to separate spaces. They’re a great tool for room separation because they come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors. So you’ll be able to find one that fits your space perfectly.
- Use curtains to differentiate between rooms. This is a great option because they can easily be drawn back if you’d prefer the space to open once again. I would suggest using curtains that aren’t totally opaque. This way light can still pass through, and you still retain that sense of openness.
- Divide areas by using closed storage or shelving. This is a practical option because it not only creates a division between spaces, but you can also use the shelves to display items or use them for storage.
How To Decorate an Open-Concept Living Room
Use a Monochromatic Color Scheme
Using a monochromatic color scheme is your best bet to keep the space feeling cohesive and organized. I would suggest that you pick a color that you love, and then use different shades of that color throughout your house. You can always pair this color with white or black as a basic complementary shade, but you should also try to add an accent color to create some depth.
Use the Architecture as Your Guide
Find the architectural details in your home, like panels or molding, and use them to define the separate areas of your home. In our case, between the wooden beams above our living room and kitchen is a large white beam. This creates the desired look of a “divider” between the two spaces without actually creating a division. If you don’t have an architectural detail in your home, you can always add your own. Something like wainscotting is a great option!
Use One Paint Color for the Trim
Painting the trim all one color is the best way to keep the “flow” of your open space. Even if all of your walls are painted different colors, the trim will keep the space connected and cohesive. Keep in mind that it would also be best to keep your doors, ceilings and moldings the same color as the trim as well.
Area Rugs are Your Best Friend
Like I suggested above, an area rug is the best way to define your spaces. You can place one in your living space and another under your dining table, and it will create a natural division between the two spaces. Simple and easy. Plus, they’re a great way to add some complimentary colors to your open concept area.
Best Furniture for Open Concept Living Room
Couches
Couches are one of the main pieces of furniture that are used to separate an open concept space. I love this couch from World Market! We use this one in our home between our living room and kitchen and it creates the perfect look for our space.
Area Rugs
Another great option for creating a division between your spaces is an area rug. Like I mentioned above, this is one of the most popular options in open concept houses. We love this one from Target. It comes in two different sizes and the cool blue tones match perfectly with our paint colors and trim.
Sideboards
Sideboards are an extremely versatile furniture option. They can be placed in multiple different areas of the home to create a soft division between spaces. Plus, they’re practical! Use them for storage or to display your favorite decor. This one from Lulu and Georgia is one of my favorites! I love the neutral look of the whitewashed wood and the clean lines go perfectly with the design of our home.
