How much of your time at home is spent in the kitchen? If you're like most people, your answer is somewhere along the lines of " a lot." Kitchens tend to turn into a sort of hub, especially for families. At any time, someone might be sitting at the island, filling out paperwork or finishing up homework. Someone else might be playing with the pets in the corner while another family member is making coffee and checking the weather.

There's a lot of living done in the kitchen, so why not transform yours into a living kitchen? This trend focuses on making kitchens more livable, comfortable, and functional—and we're here for it! Here are some cozy living kitchen features we've seen in St. Louis homes for sale.

• Choose a "Warm" Color Scheme
  If you're remodeling your kitchen, look for a color that is warm and rich. While you probably don't want to paint your kitchen brown, a shade of green or blue with brown undertones can make for a cozy, home-like vibe. 
  
  Pair your warm paint color with wood accents and perhaps brass fixtures and hardware. Add some yellow-toned light, and your kitchen will instantly feel more like a living area.
  
  
• Create a Corner Writing Nook
  If your family members often do homework and paperwork in the kitchen, why not design for it? Choose a corner to outfit with a small desk, a chair, and a few plants. Keep a mug of pens and pencils on the desk.
  
  Family members can sit in the writing nook without getting in the way of anyone cooking. Yet, they are still close enough to be part of the conversation in the kitchen.
  
  
• Add Some Area Rugs
  Area rugs make a space feel more cozy and livable. Why not add one under your kitchen table? It will set the space apart, and if someone spills on the rug, you can easily remove it for cleaning.
  
  If your kitchen room connects to the dining or living room, you could also place an area rug in the transition space. This can help tie the two rooms together visually and functionally.
  
  
• Carry Decorations Through to the Living Room
  If you want your kitchen and living room to merge as gathering spaces, you could also include some common decorations in the spaces. Use the same matching plant pots in both rooms. Or, use a series of wall hangings that extend from the kitchen into the living room.
  
  By using decorations that visibly make the spaces feel more like one, you send people a message saying, "Use this as one area." When you have a larger group of people over, this will encourage them to extend their gathering from the kitchen into the living room.
  
  
• Use Soft Seating in the Kitchen
  It has been traditional to use hard seating in the kitchen, but there's no need to follow this rule if it doesn't suit you. Soft, upholstered dining chairs make the kitchen feel more comfortable and cozy.
  
  If your kitchen allows it, you could even put a recliner or an armchair in one corner. This way, there is a place for one person to sit, relax, and chat while someone is cooking or eating. With this one simple change, you may encourage more "togetherness" in your family.

With these ideas, you can make your kitchen feel more like the living space it has always been. We hope you enjoy updating your home. Get in touch if you're looking for a new place to call your own.