What is an open-plan layout and why you should consider it for your home
Open-plan layout is the most representative evolution of modern living: fluid, interconnected spaces capable of accommodating any occasion and fully open to support the rhythm of everyday life. It’s where both cooking and social moments take place, naturally enclosing daily routines within a single area.
In this article, you'll learn what it means to combine kitchen and living room into a breathable space that adapts to host every occasion. Every detail—from layout and lighting to finishes and storage solutions—helps create a truly personal and authentic living experience.
Table of contents
What is open-plan layout
Open-plan layout is a design approach that removes internal partitions to encourage uninterrupted flow between environments. In the living area, kitchen and lounge merge into one space, maintaining their respective functions while sharing light, perspectives, and social dynamics.
The philosophy behind open-plan layout can be summarized in a few simple yet essential principles: concentrate living areas into a single space, maximize natural light by removing interruptions, and create visual pathways that enhance the perception of size. This solution enables a more dynamic and cohesive living area, where food preparation becomes a shared moment and the living room is enriched throughout the day.
Designing open-plan layout: freedom to build and remove boundaries
A brand-new project allows the freedom to shape space without preexisting constraints. It’s a starting point for developing a harmonious and consistent design, where each element finds its natural place. For example, deciding early on whether to prepare the space for a peninsula or a linear kitchen, or whether to configure an island with a cooking and/or washing area. The design begins with a comprehensive vision that considers:
- Orientation and amount of natural light
- Balanced proportions between the kitchen and living area
- Work area layout to ensure maximum creative flexibility
Working on an existing building requires a different, yet equally ingenious, approach. Tearing down dividing walls is not just an aesthetic decision — it's a structural choice that requires careful evaluation in order to unleash creativity:
- Assessing whether walls are load-bearing or not
- Studying alternative solutions in case of structural constraints
- Redesigning functional areas to adapt to the new layout
- Reimagining existing elements
Stylistic choices for the entire living area
Visual continuity in an open-plan layout is built through coordinated stylistic choices. Creating harmony between kitchen and living room doesn’t mean uniform aesthetics, but rather a balance between complementary elements.
The modern kitchen takes center stage in the open-plan layout with clean lines and surfaces that blend functionality with sophistication. Finishes, materials, and color accents establish visual connections with the rest of the environment, making the kitchen a true design feature that enhances the entire living area.
The living area responds with furnishings that reflect and reinterpret the kitchen’s characteristics. Tables, chairs, and sofas align in a shared design language, while textures and colors echo a common theme.
This aesthetic coherence is not just a matter of style—it’s what unifies a space composed of multiple zones, where every choice contributes to the overall harmony without sacrificing its unique identity.
Lighting across spaces
In modern architecture, and especially in open-plan home design, light plays a strategic role. It illuminates the room, creates depth, and defines functional areas as if it were a tangible design element.
Depth is achieved through layered lighting that adds visual dimension. In open-plan layout settings, lighting can come from unexpected angles—such as linear pendants above the island or table, floor or table lamps for reading, or LED strips placed behind a bookcase.
Light temperature also characterizes spaces based on their intended activity. Neutral tones are best for task lighting in the kitchen, while warmer lights create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere in the living area.
Storage solutions
In open-plan layout, storage becomes essential. The challenge is to find solutions that combine functionality and aesthetics in spaces where internal walls would traditionally host storage furniture.
The environment is thus divided by interactive elements like full-height bookcases, as well as the kitchen’s island or peninsula. These structures serve as transitional elements, offering both storage and useful work surfaces. Their role is to create a smooth flow from kitchen to living area while maintaining a consistent visual language. At the same time, these in-between solutions define the personality of the space and reflect the lifestyle of its inhabitants.
Storage systems are not just practical solutions—they become informal gathering points. Thanks to their ability to integrate appliances, shelves, and open compartments into a single defined zone, they adapt to the various functions of both kitchen and living areas.
A new way of living
Open-plan layout answers the needs of those looking for a place to feel freely themselves—where design knows no limits and can turn the living area into a space of conscious well-being.
Creating an open-plan living room means building a dialogue between functionality and conviviality, where boundaries dissolve to make room for new living possibilities. The modern kitchen thus becomes the heart of an environment where design and practicality meet in balance to enhance quality of life.
If you'd like to design an open-plan living area with us, book an appointment at a Berloni Atelier, where our designers will help you create a living space tailored to you.
Explore the Berloni Catalogue and find out how to create your kitchen.
