Open floor plans have their pros and cons. On one hand, they can look expansive and bright, making it easier for light to reflect throughout a space. And on the other hand, they can be surprisingly tricky to style — when you don’t have walls to rely on, how do you create distinctive “rooms” within one open space?
The good news is, that challenge is fairly easy to solve with a few smart design tricks. That might mean honing in on a unifying color palette, choosing the right furniture, or even something as simple as bringing in a few subtle pieces of decor to tie your living room dining room combo together.
The right way to style this kind of space depends on the layout and features of your home — but there are plenty of styling tips that can help you pull it off. Need some inspo to get started? Allow Havenly lead designer Kelsey Fischer to walk you through her 13 tips for designing a living room dining room combo space.
Living room dining room combo: Play to architectural strengths
No walls, no problem — look for natural “dividing points” to help compartmentalize an open floor plan. In this interior, a cozy breakfast nook makes a great focal zone for the kitchen and dining space, and leaves plenty of space for a cozy living room in front.
Create cohesion
By using the same materials in both your dining room and living room, you can make sure the two spaces feel aesthetically aligned. Here, gray area rugs and brown leather seating options bring a sense of sophistication to each room — without the interiors looking too similar.
Living room dining room combo: Find balance
When you need one open space to play a double function, it can be easy to accidentally overload your interior. The solution: Balance out “loud” decorative moments with more pared-back vignettes, as in this space. A jewel-toned sofa piled high with throw pillows complements a classic wooden dining set-up.
Living room dining room combo: Pick your pops of color
A good accent hue can do wonders in a space — and in a living room dining room combo, it can tie two separate arrangements together. See how pops of teal bring a sense of harmony to this interior?
Living room dining room combo: Emphasize natural light
One way you can amp up the brightness of an open floor plan: Pick your wall colors strategically. A single blue wall in the dining room makes it feel distinct from the living room sitting area, but white walls between the two spaces help keep it feeling airy.
Living room dining room combo: Try a touch of pattern
High ceilings, white walls, light woods, and understated, modern silhouettes bring a sense of tranquility to this living room dining room combo — while a couple of cheetah-print dining chairs make it a little more lively.
Living room dining room combo: Install built-ins
The transitional spaces between a living room dining room combo offer plenty of opportunity to make a statement. In this interior, built-in bookshelves create a lovely entry to the dining area and bring plenty of color to the living space.
Living room dining room combo: Stick to simplicity
The restrained yet sophisticated style of this apartment is proof that sometimes, simple is best. Clean, modern lines and a neutral color palette help the living room dining room combo look sophisticated and calm.
Living room dining room combo: Use lighting to your advantage
When you don’t have walls to divide up your space, one solution is to look up! Overhead lighting is a great way to make your living room feel distinct from your dining room when the two exist in the same space. A pendant light or chandelier can do a lot!
Living room dining room combo: Add subtle tie-ins
An open floor plan with both a dining room and living room doesn’t have to look “matchy-matchy” to work — in fact, all you need are a few small touches to pull both spaces together. Here, the colors of the dining room table runner correspond with the sofa’s throw pillows, and a structured armchair in the living room echos the dining room set-up.
Living room dining room combo: Stick to one style
To make a living room dining room combo look cohesive, it can be helpful to think of the two “rooms” as one; natural textures and a warm neutral color palette — two signatures of organic modern style — make both of these distinct spaces look welcoming and breezy.
Living room dining room combo: Work with the room you have
This interior may be on the narrow side of the spectrum, but a few clever design decisions make it work. Two chaise lounges — instead of one sofa — create comfortable seating options without requiring ample horizontal space, and a window bench, paired with a small bistro table, makes a charming dining area.
Living room dining room combo: Make an entrance
Here’s a renovation idea that can make the different rooms within an open floor plan look and feel more contained: Install French double pocket doors! The window panes of the doors keep the spaces bright, but the build makes the dining room and living room feel more distinct from one another.
Want expert advice on your own space, straight from an interior designer? Get started today with our style quiz.