Double Duty Decor: How to Style Combined Living and Dining Rooms

Open-plan living is all about flow, flexibility, and bringing people together in one welcoming space. Whether you’re working with a large area or challenged by a small footprint, styling a combined living and dining room can feel a bit like solving a beautiful puzzle. The good news? With the right furniture and a few smart styling tricks, you can create a space that feels cohesive, functional and – most importantly – totally you.

 

Define Each Zone (Without Building a Wall)

In an open-plan space, it’s important to visually separate your living and dining areas, even though they share the same footprint.

Use rugs: A soft, textural rug under your living room seating creates a cosy lounge vibe, while an easy-to-clean cotton rug under your dining table sets the tone for meals and gatherings.

Lighting helps too: Pendant lights above the dining table and a floor lamp near your sofa will subtly guide the eye and define each zone without any heavy lifting.

Create Harmony with Colour and Texture

Keep your colour palette consistent throughout the space so everything feels intentional. That doesn’t mean it has to be totally neutral – just cohesive.

Mimic finishes: If your dining chairs feature light wood (hello, Mateo Dining Chairs), echo that tone in your TV unit or coffee table (like the Maeve Entertainment Unit).

Mix in layers of texture: Create warm, comfortable moments with soft throws, small storage accents, and plush cushions from Mocka’s decor range.

Choose Furniture That Does More

In shared spaces, furniture needs to be beautiful and practical.

Keep it clean: Opt for dining tables with clean lines and slim profiles – like the Kyoto Round Table– that don’t dominate the space.

Storage is your best friend: The Cove Buffet not only looks great next to your dining table, it also doubles as a spot to stash dinnerware, board games, or extra blankets for the couch.

Go with the Flow (Literally)

Furniture layout can make or break an open-plan space. The goal? Make it easy to move around while keeping things feeling connected.

Placement counts: Arrange your sofa so it faces away from the dining area. This creates a subtle “back” to the living zone, without putting up walls.

Consider everyday movement: Leave a natural pathway between the two areas – especially if your kitchen is nearby. Think of it like lanes on a road: everyone should be able to move around comfortably without bumping into chairs or coffee tables.

Add Personality with Finishing Touches

This is where the space becomes yours.

Add accents: Layer in art, plants, and accessories that reflect your personality. A framed print above the sofa, a mirror above a buffet, and a statement vase on the dining table can tie everything together.

Keep a consistent tone: If your style is coastal, Scandi, or minimalist, let that shine across both zones.

Ready to Refresh Your Space?

Whether you’re starting fresh or looking to reimagine your open-plan space, Mocka’s range has everything you need – from occasional chairs to space-saving dining furniture and storage that blends right in. Explore the full collection and turn your living-dining combo into a space that works for you.