No Central Island or Classic Open Kitchen: A Living Room-Style Kitchen Layout
The kitchen is no longer simply the place where meals are prepared. Over the years it has become a true living space, where family gathers, where friends are welcomed, and where conversations sometimes linger long after dinner. Naturally, the way to arrange the kitchen is evolving as well! While the central island has long been considered a must, another trend is starting to stand out. According to ELLE Decor, this new trend is to make the kitchen a fully-fledged room, with the warm and sociable ambiance of a living room. And good news, you don’t need to overhaul everything to embrace this trend!
Configuring the kitchen without a central island: the table becomes the centerpiece
This is arguably the most interesting shift in this new decorating inspiration. Rather than automatically installing a central island, why not invest in a beautiful dining table? This piece of furniture can serve many more purposes than simply meals. For example, you can sit there to chat with loved ones while someone cooks, work, or even help the kids with their homework. Unlike the island, the table invites more sociability.
It also adds a warmer touch to the space and gives it the feel of a dining room. Another advantage? The table helps keep an area more open and facilitates movement, especially in small kitchens. Depending on the space you have, you can opt for a round, oval, or rectangular table to find the shape that fits your room best. And for a harmonious look, also consider the chairs! Mismatched, colorful, or uniquely shaped seating can bring a little original decorative flair. All in all, this is how you create a kitchen where you actually enjoy settling in!
Furniture and materials that give the space character
To give your kitchen a living-room vibe, the furniture itself also plays an important role. Rather than choosing cabinets that blend into the background, opt for real decorative elements. ELLE Decor highlights, for example, designer Laura Gonzalez, who likes playing with colors and materials to create original pairings. She emphasizes facades in bold tones, such as sage green, deep blue, or terracotta, as well as ribbed wood finishes and textured effects that add depth to the furniture.
The backsplash also deserves a bit of attention. It’s the opportunity to step away from too-classic choices and give the room a little pep. Patterned tiles, small colorful checks, or combinations of different hues can wake up the space without overloading the decor. You can also play with cabinet handles or the faucet to add a few original details. It’s often these little touches that make all the difference!
Lighting and details worthy of a living room to design your kitchen
The mood is also shaped by the choice of lighting. Forget the classic pendants above the work surface and instead turn to more original fixtures. ELLE Decor suggests, in particular, “more sculptural, more spectacular pieces that contrast with the functional look of the kitchen”. For example, you can cite chandeliers such as the Liaison model from Visual Comfort, which stands out for its multiple arms and elegant appearance, as well as the Otterbourne model from Vaughan Designs or even the Maharadja chandelier from St Louis.
With their crafted shapes and boldly defined styles, these lighting fixtures become true focal pieces and give the kitchen a much warmer vibe. Ultimately, this new way of conceiving the space rests on a simple idea: prioritize comfort and sociability without sacrificing practicality. And what if the secret to a successful kitchen was simply giving it as much attention as the living room?
