Hey there! I’m so excited you’re here. And welcome to my blog and here we are going to discuss the best apartment small open plan kitchen living room ideas.
Some days ago my auntie and I were talking, where she brought up the topic of how she has been facing trouble with her apartment’s small space, and there I put my blogging skills to work and suggested her some amazing ideas that could help her with it.
And after lots of trial and error, Pinterest fails, and unexpected wins, I’ve learned a ton about maximizing small open plan spaces. Today I want to share everything I’ve discovered with you!
Apartment Small Open Plan Kitchen Living Room Ideas
About 78% of small-space dwellers say multi-functional furniture was the most impactful change they made to the living spaces, according to a survey I read last year. And I totally get why!
When shopping for furniture, always ask yourself “What else can this do?” If the answer is “nothing,” maybe keep looking.
A small open plan kitchen-living room in an apartment boosts functionality and visual spaceOpen layouts can increase perceived room size by up to 30%. Use light colors, multifunctional furniture, and smart storage to enhance openness.
Add Multi-Functional Furniture
This is probably the number one thing that saved her sanity in that small apartment. Every piece of furniture needs to work double duty.
Her coffee table has storage inside for blankets and board games. The dining chairs stack when needed floor space for yoga. The sofa has a pull-out bed for guests.
Add Integrated Breakfast Nook
Okay, hear me out on this one. You might think you don’t have room for a breakfast nook, but it might actually save you space!
replaced the bulky dining table with a compact corner banquette that fits perfectly against the wall. Now she has seating for four in about half the floor space.
Plus, the bench seats lift up for even more storage. That’s where she keeps all the baking supplies that are like used twice a year but can’t bear to part with.
Use Sliding Glass Doors for the Division
If you want some separation between your kitchen and living area without losing the open feel or light flow, sliding glass doors are amazing.
One of my neighbors installed these, and wow what a difference it made! When she’s cooking something super fragrant, she can close them to keep cooking smells contained. But most of the time, she leaves them open and enjoys the connected space.
The glass means light still flows through, which keeps both spaces feeling bright and airy. Way better than a solid wall or even a curtain.
Refine Storage with Wall-Mounted Units
Floor space is precious real estate in a small apartment. That’s why I’m obsessed with getting stuff up on the walls.
Wall-mounted shelving, cabinets, and even fold-down desks free up your floor space while still giving you places to put your stuff.
In the kitchen, we removed the lower cabinets on one wall and replaced them with open shelving above. It made the kitchen feel twice as big, and honestly, everything is easier now too.
Use Rugs to Define Zones
One of the trickiest things about open plan living is making it clear where one area ends and another begins. Rugs are your best friend here.
Got a washable area rug under the living room furniture that visually separates it from the kitchen area. The rug basically says “hey, you’re in the living room now” without any walls needed.
Just make sure your kitchen rug is either super easy to clean or far enough from the cooking area that it won’t catch all your spills. Ask me how I know this.
Use Consistent Flooring to Create Illusion of More Space
While rugs help define zones, having the same flooring throughout your open plan creates flow and makes the whole space feel bigger.
The kitchen had vinyl and the living area had carpet. Replacing both with the same laminate flooring throughout made our apartment feel about 30% larger instantly.
The uninterrupted flooring guides your eye across the whole space rather than stopping at a boundary between different materials.
Skip the Island for More Space
I know, I know. Everyone wants a kitchen island. But honestly, in a truly small space, an island can be more trouble than it’s worth.
Instead, we got a slim rolling cart that can be pulled out when in need of extra prep space and tucked away when not in need. It’s about a third the size of a standard island but just as useful in needs.
Sometimes what you leave out of a space is as important as what you put in.
Minimalist Design with Vintage Accents
Going minimalist doesn’t mean your space has to feel cold or boring. Adding a few carefully chosen vintage pieces brings character and warmth.
In her apartment, most furniture is simple and modern, but we have this amazing vintage bar cart and a few mid-century accessories that make the space feel unique and lived-in.
About 65% of designers recommend keeping the big pieces neutral and simple when space is tight, then adding personality with smaller items you can easily change out.
Natural Elements Integration
Bringing nature indoors makes any space feel more relaxing and alive. Even the smallest apartment has room for some plants!
If you kill plants regularly like I used to, try a ZZ plant or snake plant. They thrive on neglect, which worked perfectly with my “forget to water for weeks” gardening style.
Make the Use of Natural Light
Light is everything in a small space. The more natural light you can let in, the bigger and more open your space will feel.
Studies show that natural light can make a room feel up to 25% larger than the exact same space with artificial lighting. Plus, sunshine is free, which is great for the power bill!
Vertical Design Elements
When floor space is limited, look up! Vertical space is often underused in apartments. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, tall plants, and high curtains all draw the eye upward, making your ceilings feel higher and your space feel larger.
Make the Use of Mirrors
Get a large mirror on the wall between the kitchen and living area, and it visually doubles the space. It reflects both natural light and carefully placed lighting to eliminate dark corners.
Just be mindful of what the mirror will reflect. You probably don’t want to see your dirty dishes pile when you’re trying to relax on the couch!
L-shaped Kitchen Layout
If you have any choice in your kitchen layout, an L-shape is usually the most efficient for small open plan spaces.
The L-shaped kitchen keeps all the work areas compact while still giving us enough counter space. The open end of the L faces the living area, which creates a natural flow between spaces.
This layout also left us room for a slim breakfast bar on the outer edge, which serves as both extra kitchen workspace and a visual boundary for the living area.
Floating Furniture Arrangement
This was a game changer for us. Instead of pushing all our furniture against the walls, we “floated” the sofa to create a distinct living area that feels intentional rather than squeezed in.
About 80% of interior designers recommend floating at least some furniture in open plan spaces rather than lining the walls, even in small apartments.
Open Shelving with Curated Decor
When everything is on display, you need to be thoughtful about what you put out. I keep my mismatched mugs hidden in a cabinet, but my matching glasses and white serving pieces are displayed on open shelves.
This not only looks better but also creates a more visually calm space, which is extra important when your kitchen is visible from your living area.
Statement Decorative Tiles
A small space is actually perfect for splurging on statement tiles because you need so few of them!
We installed a gorgeous patterned tile backsplash in our kitchen that you can see from the living area. It adds personality to the whole space and actually helps draw the eye away from how small the kitchen really is.
Choose Coordinated Decor
When your whole living space is visible at once, having a coordinated color palette and style becomes super important.
This doesn’t mean everything has to match exactly. The apartment has a palette of blues, whites, and natural wood tones that flow throughout both the kitchen and living areas.
The coordinated colors make the space feel cohesive rather than chopped up, which in turn makes it feel larger and more intentional.
Tips to Design the Small Space Open Kitchen Apartment
Now that we’ve covered specific ideas, here are some general tips for approaching your small open plan space:
First, take measurements of everything before you buy. I learned this the hard way when I fell in love with a sofa that was literally two inches too wide for our space. Measure twice, buy once!
Second, think about traffic flow. You need to be able to move easily between areas without obstacles. In a small space, pathways should be at least 30 inches wide.
Third, don’t be afraid to break some rules. Those design magazines showing huge open concept kitchens don’t know your specific needs. Maybe you do need that bookshelf dividing your space, or maybe your dining table works better in the corner than centered.
Finally, live in your space before making major changes. I realized which ones were actually useful and which ones were just in the way.
Conclusion
Living in an Apartment Small Open Plan Kitchen Living Room has taught me so much about intentional design. Every square inch matters, but with some creativity, even the tiniest space can feel open, functional, and totally you.
Remember that your home should work for how you actually live, not for how some influencer on Instagram tells you to live. If you cook a lot, prioritize kitchen functionality. If you’re all about Netflix marathons, make that couch area super comfy.
