How to furnish a small open-plan kitchen
Designing a small kitchen in an open-plan space requires attention and balance. It’s about creating an environment that, despite its limited size, combines elegance and functionality while reflecting the personal style of those who live there. A small open-plan kitchen is not just a design challenge—it’s also an opportunity to express your taste and make the most of every available centimeter with creativity.
Below, you’ll find key elements to consider when furnishing a compact cooking area that is both coordinated with and complementary to the open-plan living space.
Table of contents
How to design within an open-plan layout
Choosing an open-plan layout allows for a versatile and welcoming environment, where daily life flows naturally between moments of togetherness and relaxation. A kitchen, even in just a few square meters, can and should be the beating heart of the entire home—naturally connecting people and spaces.
The shape of the room
The shape of the room directly affects how furniture and space are organized. A rectangular space offers several possibilities, such as a linear arrangement along one wall or a central island to separate the kitchen from the living area. In contrast, a square room may be better suited to a more compact layout, like an L-shaped design or a peninsula, to fully optimize the available surface.
An irregular shape can become an advantage if approached creatively. Using niches, hidden corners, or recesses for shelves, built-in appliances, or custom pantries becomes both an aesthetic and practical solution. What matters is maintaining visual coherence, ensuring stylistic and chromatic continuity between the kitchen and the living area.
Doors and windows: position and quantity
Doors and windows significantly influence how furniture is distributed. A large window can become a focal point in the room, encouraging a layout where natural light highlights the kitchen’s aesthetic and functional qualities. For instance, placing the sink under a window makes daily tasks more pleasant while enhancing lighting.
Doors, on the other hand, require careful planning to avoid disrupting natural traffic flow. The goal is to create a fluid space free of visual obstacles, where both light and movement can circulate freely.
Kitchen layout
If the open-plan room lacks a defined geometry, a practical and elegant solution is to install a linear kitchen along one wall. Alternatively, a kitchen without upper cabinets can visually lighten the space, making the surrounding area feel more open and airy. In these cases, selecting appliances and furniture with care is crucial—opt for integrated or concealed modules that enhance organization and storage.
It’s often recommended to position the kitchen away from the entrance to preserve privacy and discretion in the living area. However, this isn't a rule: alternative designs may prove more effective depending on your daily routine.
Separating kitchen and living area
Once the boundaries of the kitchen are clearly defined, it becomes natural to dedicate the rest of the open-plan room to the dining area—with table and chairs—and to a welcoming, relaxing living area.
A contemporary and elegant solution is to incorporate an island or peninsula. These features enhance the room’s aesthetic appeal and provide additional surfaces for preparing and enjoying meals, becoming everyday gathering spots.
Other options include glass partitions, which separate areas without breaking visual continuity, maintaining a sense of openness and light. Open bookshelves, distinctive furnishings, or vertical wood slats create light, fluid transitions that gently suggest different functions without closing them off completely. Whatever you choose, it’s important to maintain a balance between separation and unity to enhance the harmony of the open-plan layout.
Choosing the right colors
Light colors are ideal for visually expanding small spaces, making them feel brighter and airier. Neutral and pastel tones help create a relaxing and sophisticated atmosphere, allowing natural light to bounce off surfaces and materials.
Strategic use of bold colors, however, can add personality and energy to the room. A touch of vivid color on items like stools, décor accessories, or even an entire surface can make the environment more interesting, adding character and uniqueness.
Lighting the open-plan room
Lighting plays a key role in highlighting the qualities of a small open-plan kitchen. By combining direct and indirect light sources, you can clearly define the various functional zones, increasing both comfort and the perception of spaciousness.
Spotlights and pendant lights above the kitchen, floor lamps or wall sconces in the living area, and targeted light over the dining space ensure an even light distribution that supports how the space is used and enhances the colors of both walls and furniture.
Conclusion
Furnishing a small kitchen in an open-plan setting means finding the right balance between aesthetics and practicality. With careful design choices, even limited spaces can be transformed into environments full of style, comfort, and personality.
Berloni offers kitchens that express a clear and distinctive identity, where design, functionality, and personal style merge to create authentic, truly lived-in spaces. Book an appointment at a Berloni Atelier to design your open-plan space.
Explore the Berloni Catalogue and find out how to create your kitchen.
