It’s not just us…Americans everywhere say that the way they think about and use their kitchen is changing. It’s gone from the room they cook and eat in to the room they live in—and never want to leave. That’s why Electrolux is renaming the kitchen, dubbing it the “live-in room,” to better reflect how we use this heart of home space.

Peek inside the live-in room and you’ll find all the comforts of home in one room. Comfortable seating like club chairs or a couch. Televisions and stereos that can be in or out of sight with a push of a button. Computers or laptops with wireless access. Maybe a piano. A fireplace. Thoughtfully designed appliances and cabinetry that are as functional as they are beautiful. Various work stations/prep zones to accommodate the needs of different family members. Beautiful yet practical floor coverings—or not. Shelves or display areas that boast one-of-a-kind collections. Lots of living things—like fresh flowers, plants and pots of delicate herbs and forced bulbs…even the family goldfish.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the walls are tumbling down. The kitchen is taking center stage as other rooms—living, dining and family rooms—lose their identity and are incorporated into one central space. We’re sold. 

Want to transform your kitchen into a live-in room?  Here’s how…

• Make comfortable seating a priority. Straight-back chairs lose their allure while everything from cozy club chairs to chaises made for lounging vie for valuable floor space. Even a sunken cushioned fireplace hearth beckons. 
  
  
• Warm up, but don’t overwhelm, the space with color. Imbue the live-in-room with hues infused with light, helping to bring a feeling of optimism into the space. Brighter and fresher shades—of coral, rose, greens and whitened yellows—add a glow, while imparting a sense of peace and calm. And don’t discount the power of a burnished, antiqued look for faucets and hardware.
  
  
• Light up the live-in room with plenty of ambient light, overhead lighting and task lighting. Consider what happens here—cooking, reading, bill paying, web surfing, homework and more—then plan your lighting to meet your needs.
  
  
• Tap technology to help maximize the space. Get wired—laptops are more moveable than a PC. Keep technology out of sight with HDTVs that fold up under cabinets and built in speakers you’ll hear but never see. Look for the latest gadgets like video and voice-activated telephones and motion sensitive lighting to keep your room up to the minute.
  
  
• Don’t relegate appliances to the traditional “work triangle.” Instead, relocate them to the parts of the room that make the most sense. Who says a dishwasher or winecooler can’t be conveniently located? In the live-in room, great appliances, large and small, are never out of reach.
  
  
• Don’t settle for sub-par surfaces. Choose the right table—one that can do double duty for meals, homework, arts and crafts, bill paying, etc. Round or oval tables encourage conversation. Create countertop spaces that adjust to various tasks.
  
  
• Rethink the traditional work triangle in favor of live/work zones. Even the smallest kitchen can accommodate different zones for eating, entertaining and everyday living. For example, set up an easel in one corner for arts & crafts projects or put a chaise lounge by the window to relax  and read in. Homework stations are a must for parents who want to monitor the Internet surfing of their youngsters.
  
• Choose appliances you know you can live with, that blend seamlessly. Sleek and stylish stainless steel appliances are a must because they complement a variety of design styles from contemporary to traditional. Another bonus—premium stainless steel appliances stand the test of time by never going out of style.
  
  
• Put your personality on display. Set aside areas purely for display just as you would in any other room of your house. Use built-ins, free-standing cabinets or shelving to display your collections, books, artwork, photography and more. Experiment with lighting to add drama and call attention to your display.