Do you dream of having the perfect living kitchen? A space where you can spend late nights with family and friends, filled with laughter—and sometimes even tears? Then this blog is for you. We’ll explain what a living kitchen is, how to create one, and share plenty of tips and inspiration along the way.
Starting to dream a little already? Then let's get started soon, so you can realize that dream in the near future 💭
What is a living kitchen?
Have you heard the term living kitchen somewhere and become curious about what it means? Yes? Then we'll explain it to you.
The term living kitchen is not new. It is actually the same as a living kitchen, but then it has a different name. We as interior designers see these terms pass by us daily, but whatever you call the animal - in this case kitchenette - it is a kitchen where you gather with the people you love. And where people live.
Are living kitchens very large?
No, a living kitchen doesn't have to be big. But, of course, it can be. You can think of this type of kitchen as a space where your kitchen and living room - often in one piece - come together. The two separate living spaces are joined together in your interior design.
No one living or home kitchen is the same....
How you design a living kitchen depends on what you and your family value. Do you like to work at the dining table? Do you have breakfast in the morning with your kids and partner? Do you like to host family and friends? What really matters to you in your dream kitchen?
You can probably guess a little. A living kitchen is different for everyone. It's a broad term in which everyone indicates their own unique taste. And of course, as interior designers, we love that. We help people like you who would like to realize the kitchen of their dreams. Even if you don't yet know exactly what you want. Feel free to take a look at our custom kitchen page.
What are the benefits?
We have told you what a living kitchen is and briefly mentioned some of its advantages. Now we are going to list all the advantages of this type of kitchen so you can take a good look at the benefits.
- No enclosed kitchen, so you can still have conversations with your family and guests while cooking;
- open space, making your living room and kitchen look larger;
- The open kitchen also allows you to keep a close eye on your children and pets;
- linger late into the night in your kitchen with kitchen island or bar;
- enjoy modern appliances and your ideal kitchen design.
Tips for creating the living kitchen of your dreams
Tip #1: An open kitchen in a small home
Do you have a smaller home? Then a living or open kitchen is ideal. Combine it with light colors and you will see that the space looks much larger than before. Often people choose a kitchen with an island because they use the kitchen island as a bar and dining table as well. Ideal anyway! And remember: every millimeter counts.
Tip 2: Choose the right kitchen appliances
Kitchen appliances? Which one is best to choose? That depends on your needs, of course, but also on the size of your kitchen. A large kitchen can accommodate a wine cooler, two ovens, a dishwasher, induction hob and a full bar.
But in a small kitchen, you don't always have those options. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to still tick off the luxury options you crave by choosing a smaller refrigerator, stove and hood or induction hob. Then again, you'll keep room for other kitchen appliances 👌.
Tip 3: Lighting is more important than you think
Lighting is key—you don’t want to cook in the dark, right? But in the evening, you might want to set a romantic mood. So, what’s the best option? Sharing a glass of wine under a fluorescent tube with your partner or date just won’t do. That’s why we almost always recommend dimmable lights. They’re practical and create the perfect ambiance. 💡
Inspiration: Pinterest and home decorating magazines
Living kitchens come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Just take a look on Pinterest or in a home decorating magazine. You'll soon find out that there are a variety of kitchen styles. As interior designers, we don't really believe in kitchen styles, but they can inspire you.
We always say:
"You won’t find the kitchen of your dreams in an interior design magazine or a kitchen store—but you can have it custom-made."
Just take a look below. Which kitchens do you like? And as you can see, you can't always immediately associate a style with them 😉 You see, these are custom kitchens we've made for clients.
How do you create the living kitchen of your dreams?
You know you want a living kitchen, but what style should you choose? We understand the desire to give your kitchen a specific style, but is it really necessary? Choosing a trendy kitchen style might not always be the best decision in the long run...
Our advice: don't look for a kitchen style right away. We often advise the opposite. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, open Pinterest and enter the word "kitchen" in the search bar. You will then see different types of kitchens, to which you can't always associate a specific kitchen style. That way you avoid tunnel vision and get real inspiration for the kitchen of your dreams.
Don't be alarmed! For a quote, we need less information than you think.
If you are interested in a custom kitchen, please take a moment to fill out the form below. Based on your entered information, we will give you a price indication within 7 days.