Open-plan kitchen and living room design in Conegliano, Italy

Open-plan living in Conegliano, Italy: complete kitchen and living room design for a newly built apartment

In this interior design project in Conegliano, a town in northern Italy near Treviso, we transformed an open-plan space of around 35 sqm, originally anonymous and lacking character, into an elegant, welcoming and highly personalised living area. The goal was to radically improve the feel of the space without replacing the existing floor, optimising the budget and enhancing the room through materials, lighting, volumes and bespoke details.

The starting point: a new space, but with no identity

The apartment is located on the second floor of a newly built building in Conegliano. The day area, arranged as an open-plan kitchen and living room, already had a functional layout, but aesthetically it conveyed very little. The space featured a generic kitchen, standard finishes and a floor the client did not really connect with.

The problem was not the square footage, nor strictly the original layout. The real limitation was the lack of personality. The room did not express a clear style, had no strong focal point and failed to deliver that sense of comfort and belonging that a living area should communicate as soon as you walk into the home.

In many cases, when faced with a situation like this, the first reaction is to think of invasive works: demolition, replacing wall finishes, redoing the floor. In this project, instead, part of our work was to make a more considered and more cost-effective assessment: understanding where it was really worth intervening and where it was possible to achieve a better result without unnecessary expense.

Initial issues

• Kitchen already in place but visually anonymous
• No clear aesthetic identity
• Flooring not appreciated by the client
• Living area not warm enough and not very engaging
• No strong focal point
• Lighting that did not enhance the space

The project goal: turning the open-plan space into a true comfort zone

The client wanted a living area that was more enjoyable to live in every day, one that would genuinely make him feel at home. He was not simply looking for a room that felt “more furnished”, but for a space with character, atmosphere and a stronger visual presence.

The reference style was warm, refined luxury, with hints of a rich and enveloping aesthetic, also inspired by Arabic influences, yet reinterpreted in a modern, contemporary way.

Concrete objectives

• Make the open-plan area more elegant and more personal
• Improve the overall perception of the space
• Create a strong sense of comfort
• Integrate the existing floor without replacing it
• Give the living area a clear identity
• Coordinate materials, lighting and furniture coherently

Layout study and space planning

In an open-plan kitchen and living room, the layout is one of the most important aspects. When there are no physical divisions between functions, the design itself has to create order, hierarchy and flow. That is why we started by analysing movement patterns, sightlines and the relationship between the main volumes.

The objective was to achieve visual continuity between the kitchen and living room, but without blurring the areas. Each zone had to retain a clearly readable function while still feeling part of one coherent design story. In this sense, the project did not stop at choosing furniture or finishes: it defined how the space would actually be lived in every day.

Careful space planning is essential to furnish a modern open-plan living space properly. It is not enough to place beautiful pieces in the room: you need to understand where they should go, how they interact with one another and how they influence the overall feel of the space.

Before and after: the transformation of the space

One of the strongest aspects of this project is the perceptual transformation achieved without overturning the existing structure. The starting space was correct but impersonal; the final result is a sophisticated, warm, dramatic open-plan interior that is deeply aligned with the client’s taste.

BEFORE

AFTER

Why we did not replace the floor

This was one of the most important choices in the entire project. The client did not like the floor and, in many cases, replacing it would have seemed the obvious move. However, changing the flooring in a new apartment would have meant higher costs, longer timescales and a more invasive intervention overall.

Our strategy was different: not to fight the floor with an even stronger finish, but to rebalance the entire space so that it became less central in the overall visual perception. We decided to shift the attention towards vertical surfaces, volumes, textures, material details and lighting.

This approach made it possible to optimise the budget and invest where the project could really make a difference. It is also a very important principle from a design perspective: the best solution is not always to redo everything. Very often, the real value lies in understanding how to integrate what already exists into a stronger, smarter concept.

The design solution: materials, colour and atmosphere

To furnish this modern open-plan space, we developed a project based on a precise balance between visual intensity, comfort and identity. The walls and ceiling were painted anthracite, a choice that immediately changed the way the room was perceived. When used correctly, a dark colour does not make the space feel smaller: on the contrary, it makes it more enveloping, more sophisticated and more dramatic.

On this foundation, we developed the most distinctive feature of the project: the Canaletto walnut wall and ceiling cladding, created with a geometric 3D design developed specifically for this apartment. It is not a simple decorative element, but an architectural skin capable of giving rhythm, movement and uniqueness to the interior.

The three-dimensional geometry changes depending on the light and the viewing angle. This is precisely one of the most interesting aspects of the project: the surface is never static, never tiring, and it continues to deliver depth and warmth over time. The final effect evokes a relaxing, immersive atmosphere, almost like a luxury spa, while still maintaining a modern and contemporary language.

Key concept elements

• Anthracite walls and ceiling
• Wood cladding with a geometric 3D pattern
• Glossy inserts to increase depth
• TV wall in green porcelain stoneware
• Material consistency between living and dining areas
• Atmospheric and decorative lighting

Final result gallery

See the full technical sheet and all the photos of this project in our Portfolio: Project: luxury open-plan space - Conegliano (TV)

The TV wall as the focal point of the living room

Every modern living room project needs a focal point capable of visually organising the space. In this case, we chose to focus attention on the TV wall, turning it into a striking material feature with a strong visual presence.

The focal point of the living room is the large TV wall, conceived as a piece of material art. The cladding was created by composing 4 large-format slabs of Verde Alpi porcelain stoneware (100x270h cm). The most complex technical challenge was the installation: we worked with extreme precision so that the veining would appear continuous in a bookmatched pattern across the entire surface. The glossy Verde Alpi finish interacts perfectly with the warmth of Canaletto walnut and the dark tones of the project, adding magnetic depth and timeless elegance to the whole open-plan space.

The same material was also used on the top of the table, creating a coherent link between the dining area and the living area. This material echo is important because it reinforces the continuity of the design and helps keep different functions connected within the same open-plan layout.

A freestanding central sofa to enjoy the open-plan space from every angle

One of the most strategic choices in the whole project concerns the living area. We introduced a double-sided sofa in the centre of the room, featuring an open seat and no rigid backrests, so that it could be used from every side. This configuration is not only a contemporary aesthetic choice, but also a functional solution that encourages a dynamic relationship between the kitchen, TV area and dining area. It is the ideal choice for anyone looking into how to choose the right sofa to enhance large open spaces, ensuring visual lightness and 360-degree liveability.

The sofa can be used facing the TV, the kitchen, the bar area and even the outside view. In this way, the living room does not close itself off in a single direction, but remains open, fluid and dynamic. It is a solution that strongly enhances the concept of open-plan living and improves the everyday usability of the space.

From a layout perspective, this choice also helps define the living room without the need for partitions. It is the furniture itself that creates the organisation of the space, while preserving lightness and visual continuity.

The role of lighting: technical performance, atmosphere and depth

Lighting was fundamental to the final result. In a well-developed interior design project, light is not there simply to help you see: it shapes the space, enhances the materials, creates atmosphere and gives hierarchy to the elements.

In this open-plan interior, we worked on several levels, combining decorative lighting, ambient lighting and task lighting. This allowed us to avoid the flat, uniform effect that is typical of many new interiors with little character.

Above the table: A dramatic designer pendant light to give character to the dining area.

Above the sofa: A second light feature to enhance the centre of the living room.

Integrated LEDs: Recessed lighting and ambient lighting around the TV to increase depth, visual comfort and dramatic impact.

Project management and coordination of the trades

A crucial aspect of this intervention was operational coordination. Beyond the creative phase, we directed a true technical orchestration involving painters, electricians, fitters and tilers. In a bespoke project where every element has to work in dialogue with the others, site coordination is not optional, but a guarantee of the final result.

The main challenges concerned the handling of premium materials:

• The bookmatched TV wall: this was not a single surface, but a composition of 4 Verde Alpi stoneware slabs (100x270h cm). In addition to the logistics of transport to the second floor, installation had to be millimetre-perfect: the veining needed to align flawlessly to achieve the bookmatched effect, avoiding visual interruptions in the natural marble-like pattern.
• The wall and ceiling boiserie: while wall installation was relatively straightforward, the real challenge was installing the Canaletto walnut panels on the ceiling. Respecting the designed 3D patterns, especially overhead, required extreme precision: we worked to minimise gaps between modules, ensuring complete continuity of the grain without visible interruptions at the joints.

The risk at this stage was extremely high: all the pieces, both the stoneware and the wood, were taken from a single batch (the same trunk in the case of the walnut) to guarantee consistency of tone and grain. A single cutting or installation error would have meant replacing a piece, with the consequent loss of the bookmatched effect and the chromatic coherence of the whole interior.

This level of detail tells the true story of the value of a complete project: what matters is not only the idea, but the ability to bring it onto site and protect its integrity down to the last fixing. This is where the practical experience of those coordinating the trades makes the difference between a standard job and an outstanding result.

The detail that makes this apartment unique

Every outstanding project has one element that makes it instantly recognisable. In this case, the distinctive feature is the geometric design of the timber panelling, conceived and developed specifically for this open-plan space.

This was not a simple aesthetic choice, but the result of complex micro-design work. We carefully studied the depth of the 3D effect and the width of the grooves, balancing a pattern that alternates straight and angled lines. Every line was positioned at precise focal points on the ceiling and walls to guide the eye and create a visual dynamism that never feels predictable.

To turn this vision into reality, we worked closely with our craftsman. Together, we analysed the whole production process, testing how the geometries would behave on the panels to ensure that the final result matched exactly what had been designed in the project.

This approach — combining bold design and production expertise — is what turns a refurbishment into a signature interior. It is our “visual signature”, a method we bring to every project, designing modern interiors not only in Conegliano, but across the province of Treviso and the wider Veneto region.

What really changes in an open-plan space when the project is properly designed

More comfort

The space becomes more welcoming, more relaxing and better suited to everyday life.

More identity

The interior stops being generic and starts to truly reflect the people who live in it.

Higher perceived value

Materials, lighting and composition improve the perceived quality of the whole home.

In this project, we did not simply “furnish” a living room. We rethought the living area as an experience. This is a very important step: when it comes to furnishing a modern open-plan space, the final result does not depend only on the individual elements, but on the way everything works together.

Colours, textures, materials, lighting, proportions and layout all have to move in the same direction. Only then does a space stop being correct but anonymous and become truly memorable.

Mistakes to avoid when furnishing an open-plan kitchen and living room

Failing to create a focal point. Without a guiding feature, the room feels dispersed and difficult to read.

Thinking only about furniture. In an open-plan space, surfaces, lighting, finishes and overall perception matter just as much.

Using only one central light. Uniform lighting flattens the space and does not enhance the materials.

Poorly separating functions. The kitchen and living room should remain connected, but not confused.

Redoing everything without a strategy. Demolishing or replacing is not always the best choice. A clear design vision must come first.

Ignoring comfort. A beautiful space that is not pleasant to live in will not really work over time.

Frequently asked questions

How do you furnish an open-plan space elegantly?

You need a project that works simultaneously on layout, materials, lighting, colours and proportions. The difference is not made by a single piece of furniture, but by the overall coherence of the interior.

In an open-plan space, do you always need to separate the kitchen and living room?

No. In many cases, it is more effective to create a visual division through furniture, lighting, materials and focal points, without adding physical partitions.

If you do not like the floor, do you always need to replace it?

Not necessarily. In many cases, a good design project can integrate the existing floor and shift the attention towards stronger, more distinctive elements.

How important is lighting in a living area?

Extremely important. Light is crucial in giving atmosphere, depth and perceived quality to the space, especially in a modern open-plan interior.

Useful guides for furnishing the living room

If you are planning or refurbishing your day area, you can also explore our guides dedicated to the living room and open-plan living.

• How to furnish the living room: the complete guide
• Proportions and distances between living room furniture
• How to choose the right sofa
• How to choose a fitted wall unit
• How to choose a TV unit

Would you like to transform your open-plan space too?

If you want to make your living area more elegant, more functional and more personal, we can help you design a bespoke space shaped around your style, your budget and the way you actually live at home. If you are looking for a partner for your interior design project in Treviso and the surrounding area, we are ready to guide you through every stage.