No one likes to huddle in tiny rooms. But what if the housing is not happy with its size? The best option is to combine the premises. So the owners will receive one spacious room, conditionally divided into several zones. This layout is not new in modern studio apartments. The kitchen-living room allows a person to feel freer and more comfortable. However, it is possible to make such a union in an old type house. But here you need to consider some rules.
Advantages and disadvantages of combining premises
In modern studio apartments, kitchen-living rooms are usually provided immediately. But in old-fashioned housing, you can often find separate tiny rooms. Owners often decide to upgrade such a room by demolishing an adjacent wall.
Such a move has its advantages:
- spacious room instead of two small rooms;
- visual expansion of space;
- stylish decor;
- more natural light.
Yes, such a decision may seem the best way out of the situation. But still it is worth considering some disadvantages:
- smells and sounds from cooking will prevent household members from spending time in the living room;
- textiles in the living room will need to be washed more often due to absorbent odors and greasy stains;
- it will be problematic to use the living room as a sleeping place;
- the kitchen will have to be kept in perfect cleanliness - the option with a mountain of dirty dishes and a working mess will not work.
Since combining rooms will entail a number of inconveniences, it is necessary for the whole family to make such a responsible decision. It is necessary to make a redevelopment so that all households are comfortable. In this case, it is important to devote time to another issue - the legal dismantling of the wall.
Side of law
The bearing wall can not be demolished, as this will entail unpleasant consequences for the whole house. Before starting work, it is necessary to study the data sheet with a specialist.
But even if the wall is not bearing, this does not mean that it can just be demolished at will. Any redevelopment must be agreed with government agencies. Otherwise, the violator will face fines.
If the project has been approved, then you can safely proceed to dismantle. It will be good if, even in the early stages of repair, a person has a ready-made plan of how the design will look. This will save some effort. For example, you can leave the bottom of the wall to use as a basis for a bar counter. And the side part will become a good conditional separator between the zones.
Layout of the kitchen-living room
The first thing to decide is the location of the pieces of furniture. There are several options for planning the kitchen-living room :
- U-shaped. The kitchen is convenient to cook, because all the necessary items are located close to each other. But on the other hand, such a layout does not leave much free space.
- L-shaped. From the point of view of practicality, this option is less preferable, since the distance between the vertices of the working triangle becomes too large. However, this layout facilitates the space and makes it more functional.
- Peninsular. Layout implies the presence of a "peninsula" that abuts against a wall or headsets. It can be a bar counter or an additional work surface. The peninsula also serves as the boundary between functional areas.
A single-line layout is considered an unsuccessful option in terms of the practicality of cooking. But in this case, space is noticeably saved. So focus on your needs. If you don’t cook very often, you can sacrifice the practicality of the kitchen for the sake of facilitating the interior and freeing up space. If the hostess spends a lot of time cooking, then her workplace should be made as comfortable as possible.
General rules
In the combined premises of this type there are three parts: a kitchen, a dining room and a living room. The first two are often located in one zone. Kitchen-living room in 20 square meters. m can accommodate all the necessary pieces of furniture to organize the space. It is necessary to be guided by the following rule: areas are allocated for the kitchen, and the rest is left for the living room. The designer must create two as functional as possible and not cluttered with furniture zones. Built-in furniture and hanging cabinets are a great solution.
It is not enough just to remove the wall between the rooms. Before dismantling in separate rooms, the interior decoration could be different. But the design of the kitchen-living room should be uniform. It is important to prevent the complete merger of the two zones: they still need to be visually separated. There are different zoning options.
Bar counter
This is a stylish option for separating the living room and kitchen from the dining room, which unobtrusively but effectively draws the border between the separate zones. It can go through the entire length of the kitchen or be shortened. The first option is appropriate if the family plans to use it for its intended purpose. In the second case, the stand will fulfill, rather, a decorative function.
Where is it appropriate to place such a piece of furniture? It mainly depends on the taste preferences of homeowners. But you can take good advice into account. After the demolition of the wall, a spacious kitchen-living room with two windows is obtained. The bar counter can be installed between them.
Partitions
The kitchen, dining room and living room should not merge. Decorative dividers are made of different materials - drywall, wood, plexiglass, etc. The main thing is to take into account the general design of the room. In particular, drywall is suitable for more modern interiors, and wood - for country or rural style. The height of the partition can also be chosen at your discretion: from floor to ceiling, to the middle of the wall or at the level of the backs of upholstered furniture.
An interesting solution will be the arch in the interior of the kitchen-living room. The rounded edges will make the room more spacious and the design “softer”. You can try another way: add shelves and niches to the partition. They will nicely fit vases, figurines and souvenirs.
Different levels
To visually divide the zones in the kitchen, combined with the living room, the designers came up with an unusual, but effective way. It is necessary to use multilevel ceilings and floors. In this case, you can beat the room in different ways. For example, the ceiling above the living room should be made higher than over the kitchen.
Also, the kitchen is “raised” to a small podium, which sometimes even leads to several degrees. It is advisable to use different materials. So, for the kitchen they use tiles, and for the recreation area - parquet or laminate.
Color separation
Correct color selection plays an important role in the design of a kitchen-living room of 20 square meters. m. The main thing is not to overdo it so that the interior looks harmonious. Pastel colors are best suited for background decoration. And so that the result is not boring, add bright spots: curtains, accessories, pillows, etc.
The color scheme should show that both zones are a single whole, so it is recommended to use no more than 2-3 tones. And in order to visually divide the rooms, you should use more than one color in one of them, and the other in the second. However, they must intersect, for example, in accessories. This is necessary for the unity of style.
Furniture
In the interior of the kitchen-living room in the apartment, due attention should be paid to furniture. It also contributes to the visual delimitation of space. Such an option is considered a classic: the sofa stands with its back to the kitchen area, and in front of it there is a TV. In this case, not only vacationers, but also those who are busy cooking can watch their favorite programs. Next to the sofa is appropriate to place a coffee table. Do not order massive cabinets and sofas, refuse furniture on high legs. Make the room light, glass objects (shelves, doors, etc.) will help. Give preference to simple lines, without carving and sophisticated decor. Glossy surfaces look good.
To the choice of a kitchen set also approach responsibly. In order to be comfortable in the kitchen-living room, the room should be spacious. For this reason, it is important not to clutter up the room. Of course, the housewives want to purchase all the necessary devices and make the working area as functional as possible. But it is better to stay on the built-in furniture. The headset itself, choose a straight or L-shaped to free up space.
Functional lighting
Unsuccessful lighting will negate all efforts to make the interior cozy. On the one hand, the kitchen should not be a dark spot against the background of a bright living room, but on the other hand, do not overshadow it. Light sources must be combined with each other, but not necessarily repeat each other. After all, this is one room that is only visually divided into separate zones.
Each part of the kitchen-living room should have its own lighting, but this does not mean that you can get by with two large chandeliers. There isn’t much light in the kitchen, so it’s important to think through a variety of light sources.
Leave the upper diffused light for the dining area. He will create a romantic atmosphere and will be conducive to conversation. Just choose such lamps in which the lamps "look" up, not down. Firstly, such a light does not emotionally put pressure on a person. Secondly, it is better from a security point of view.
But the working area needs to be properly lit. An excellent solution to the problem will be spotlights. The stream of light is bright enough, but at the same time moderately diffused so as not to irritate the eyes. The optimal place for mounting fixtures is the underside of the hinged drawers. If there are none above the tabletop, then the ceiling lamp will become an alternative. But make sure that the light covers the entire working surface. You can also use wall lights, preferably with adjustable shades.
Spotlights well illuminate not only the countertop, but also the sink. Also do not forget about the cooking area, where the stove and oven are located. If there is not enough light in this place of light, the hostess can undercook or overcook the meat, burn the buns, not notice the bone in the fish, mix up the spices.
If the ceiling is high in the living room, you can install luxurious large chandeliers, combined with the overall design of the room. But if the ceiling is low, opt for spotlights, like in the kitchen.
Decorative lighting
If desired, in the design of the kitchen-living room 20 square meters. m you can add decorative lighting. For example, LED strips will advantageously beat the doors from the cabinets. Illuminated glass surfaces look especially stylish. You can install special fixtures in the furniture, if it is made to order. Spot lighting around the perimeter of the room also serves as a decor.
The main thing is not to overdo it. Pay attention to functional lighting first. With proper planning, it can also perform a decorative function. Another important backlight feature is zoning.
Lighting Zoning
If there is a dining table or bar between the living room and the kitchen, then install a massive chandelier here. It will become a conditional separator of two zones. As an alternative - spot lighting.
If the ceilings are multi-level, then be sure to use the built-in lights. They emphasize favorably that the room consists of different zones.
The thermal spectrum plays an important role. A soft yellow light is suitable for the living room and dining area. And for the working area, choose bright fluorescent lamps. In any case, the kitchen should be brighter - but not too much so that the living room does not appear "in the dark."
When planning lighting, also consider interior design. If the living room is decorated in warm colors, then the cold range of colors does not fit: it will make the room less comfortable. And the warm spectrum of color will be lost in the kitchen, seasoned in cold shades.
Minimalism style
Since the kitchen studio should not be cluttered, minimalism will be an excellent choice. It is characterized by simplicity and severity of lines, restraint of decor. Often used built-in or corner furniture. The space is used as functionally as possible.
Hi-tech style
This is another successful solution for the kitchen-living room. Colors should be restrained, but contrast is acceptable (for example, black and white). The furniture is simple and austere, without elaborate details. The interior contains modern materials, in particular glass and metal surfaces. The emphasis is on electronics and new products, so the owners have a great opportunity to brag to their friends a modern kitchen-living room.
Loft style
Loft style will emphasize the "industrial" kitchen-living room. Here everything is done the other way round: what we used to hide from unnecessary looks is on display. Pipes, hoods, grilles - all this should be in sight.
The decoration for the walls is red brick or plaster. Popular materials are metal, glass, plastic, wood, stone. If you want to decorate the room, then use retro accessories. A room decorated in this style may look abandoned. But this is the highlight of interior design.
Provence style
Fans of quiet rural life can please themselves with the Provence style. Although styles that emphasize the modernity of the interior are a more acceptable option, you can opt for Provence if you wish.
Use natural materials, in particular wood. Plastic and chromed metal are inappropriate here. An interesting solution will be small cracks and scuffs on the furniture. Just keep in mind that old furniture will not look beautiful, this will only spoil the interior design. It is necessary to create the effect of antiquity, but the objects must be new and high-quality. Provence loves colors as close to nature as possible - brown, turquoise, lavender, green, peach, white, etc.
Conclusion
The kitchen-living room in the old type house will be the best solution to the problem. If the law allows you to combine rooms, then you can use your imagination and create a comfortable design for yourself.