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3 practical tips to integrate a small living room with an American kitchen

Learn how to incorporate practicality and style when integrating a small living room with an American kitchen.

By CASACOR Publisher

Submitted at Mar 6, 2025, 10:58 AM

08 min de leitura
Claudia Infante - Loft de Cris. Project of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2024.

Claudia Infante - Loft de Cris. Project of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2024. (MCA Estúdio)

The integration of projects is a growing solution for those looking to optimize spaces while maintaining style and functionality. The American kitchens, which are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary projects, allow for a harmonious union between the food preparation area and the living room, especially in projects with limited square meters. Many modern apartments or smaller houses adopt this strategy to make the most of every corner. Understand the why and how to integrate the American kitchen into a small living room in a sophisticated manner to bring aesthetic and practical benefits:

What is an American kitchen?


The American kitchen is a style characterized by the integration between the food preparation area and the living or dining room, creating an open kitchen concept. In this model, the spaces are connected in a functional and aesthetic way, allowing the person cooking to interact with others present in the social area of the home.

The idea is to create a more welcoming and dynamic atmosphere, facilitating coexistence and making the project feel broader and more airy.

This kitchen style is often designed with countertops or islands that act as dividers between the kitchen and the rest of the house, often incorporating modern appliances such as cooktops and hoods.

Additionally, the decor of the American kitchen seeks harmony with other projects, combining elements such as colors, finishes, and furniture to ensure that the space has a fluid and integrated appearance.

How to integrate an American kitchen with small living rooms


Cosmopolitan Flat - Victor Sarcinelli

(Divulgação/CASACOR)

By eliminating physical barriers, such as walls, it allows for efficient circulation of air and light between the kitchen and the living room. Additionally, the integration facilitates social interaction by allowing people to interact while performing activities in the kitchen and living room. It also stands out for the appreciation of the property, as projects with American kitchens tend to be more valued compared to traditional spaces, as they reflect a modern and practical lifestyle.

Delimit projects without losing fluidity


Green kitchen and colorful details personalize a 49 m² apartment. Project by Natalia Salla. In the photo, integrated living room with kitchen, green cabinetry, brick wall, and gray sofa.

(Studio 360/Divulgação/CASACOR)

One of the most effective ways to delimit spaces in an integrated project is with strategic furniture, such as central countertops or islands, which not only serve for activities but also act as a divider between the kitchen and the living room. Materials and textures help, such as different floors for the living room and kitchen, which create demarcation. Using rugs in the living area also provides charming visual separation.
Additionally, shelves or open shelves serve as lightweight dividers, allowing light to pass through and maintaining the idea of a “frontier” between spaces.

Choice of furniture and appliances to optimize space


White walls, wooden floor, and green cabinets define a 280 m² apartment. Project Beta Architecture. In the photo, American kitchen with green cabinets.

Project Beta Architecture. (Juliana Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

Prioritize options for multifunctional furniture, such as folding tables, sofas with compartments, and stackable chairs. Custom cabinets reaching the ceiling optimize storage without cluttering the space. For appliances, choose compact and built-in versions that offer the same functionalities as traditional models but save space. Examples include the stove with an oven or microwave with grill. Additionally, look for high chairs for the island. Besides optimizing space, it is also a way to achieve more connection among residents and also becomes a facilitator for quick meals.

Colors and lighting to enlarge the project


american kitchen with island casacor rio grande do norte 2015 kitchen decoration

CASA COR Rio Grande do Norte 2015. Varanda Gourmet - João Ricardo Machado e Claudiny Cavalcanti. (Divulgação/CASACOR)

Light and pastel tones reflect light and visually enlarge the space. Combine them with well-planned lighting, such as recessed and pendant lights that help illuminate effectively and highlight specific areas. Position mirrors strategically to reflect natural light and create an illusion of depth that enhances the project. Finally, keep windows unobstructed and choose light curtains to ensure that natural light fills the space. CASACOR Publisher is a creator of exclusive content, developed by the CASACOR Technology team from the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.