Studio and open-plan apartments are a fairly popular housing solution in modern architecture and design. The absence of walls makes the space easy and open, fills the room with air and light. However, such openness requires harmonization. Ergonomics is achieved using various methods of zoning: decoration, floor and ceiling level difference, lighting, partitions. We will talk about the latter in today's article.
The essence of zoning
Free planning is very convenient, as it allows you to organize space based on the personal needs of residents. There are more options for arranging apartments than with walls and the strict purpose of the rooms. However, in order not to turn the apartment into a furniture warehouse, functional zones should be distinguished. They will help harmonize the space and make it cozy.
Usually there are zones of the living room, kitchen, bedroom, work and hallway. If the area is limited, the zones are combined, however, the living room and kitchen are allocated under any circumstances. Functional areas are emphasized by lighting, decoration, explicit or conditional partitions.
The partition in the living room can perform a planning function, be an additional surface for storage or carry a decorative load. The ideal option is achieved by combining three aspects.
A partition between the kitchen and the living room (photo below) is being erected to protect the reception area from aromas during cooking. Even pleasant smells will not bring pleasure if they firmly settle in the upholstery of the sofa or on the curtains. The partition in the bedroom-living room will help to maintain privacy. Some people are not comfortable sleeping in open space, and a partition can create the illusion of security. Equally important is the separation of the sleeping area if people with different rhythms of life live in the house. The partner will not be awakened by morning training if the bedroom is separated from the main space by a partition.
One of the basic requirements for installing a splitter is to match the overall interior design. In classical styles, arches, columns, false walls decorated with bas-reliefs and stucco molding will be appropriate. For modern styles, glass, plastic, open shelves are suitable.
Benefits of No Walls
Housing without walls has its advantages and disadvantages, which you should be aware of before starting repairs. The pluses include:
- Spacious space. Even an apartment with a small footage will look spacious if deaf walls will not press on all sides.
- A large amount of natural light and air. In open space there are at least two windows. Therefore, in the daytime all corners of the room will be filled with it, even if the windows face north.
- Increase in area. Due to the space under the walls and the joining of corridors, the living area will increase significantly.
- Big kitchen. A kitchen not limited by walls always seems bigger, because the boundary between the rooms is erased.
- Lack of narrow dark corridors. Moving around the apartment becomes easier and faster.
- More opportunities for interior design and furniture placement options. This allows you to achieve better ergonomics of the room and increase the functionality of the zones.
- Convenient to receive guests. All invitees will have enough space, and they will not feel constrained in a tiny room.
The disadvantages of the lack of walls
The disadvantages of open space also have:
- Smells. All flavors of food prepared in the kitchen will be distributed throughout the living space. Even the most powerful range hood will not save you from this. It’s not easy to get rid of odors that are stuck in the upholstery and curtains. Therefore, such an organization of housing is suitable only for those people who do not often cook at home.
- There is no way to retire. Such a layout would be appropriate if no more than two people live in the apartment and there are no children.
- Open bedroom. Human security instincts may disapprove of the lack of protection, which will prevent you from sleeping peacefully in the open.
- Drafts. Two or more windows in one room can be a problem for people who are sensitive to drafts.
- Noise. Like smells, sound waves travel unhindered throughout the room.
Thus, the absence of walls has its advantages and disadvantages. To minimize the latter, and to fully enjoy the advantages of open space, you can install partitions between the living room and other areas.
Stationary partition
There are a large number of types of partitions, so we will consider only the most popular options. And start with a stationary partition.
The stationary partition in the living room is constantly in one place, it cannot be moved, and dismantling will leave visible traces, the masking of which will require repair. This zoning method can cover the entire wall, and leave a doorway or arch for passage. Such a partition prevents the spread of odors, sounds and protects against drafts, that is, it is a complete curtain wall. The false wall is constructed of drywall, brick, glass blocks, wood and other suitable materials. The partition in the living room can cover only part of the aisle, to the ceiling or lower. The low separator can be used as an additional surface for an aquarium, florarium, shelf for small items or a table. A partition wall made of wood or transparent glass will help to conditionally divide the space while maintaining lightness and openness.
Transforming partition
The transforming partition in the living room can be moved if necessary, fully or partially opening the opening. The most popular folding and sliding options. Such a partition in the kitchen-living room will protect the room from smells and steam, and during the reception of guests it can be completely folded, increasing the space.
Sliding models work according to the coupe principle. Sections move along two or more rails installed on the ceiling and in the floor. Sections are made of plastic, glass, plexiglass, MDF, and textile. Plastic is used in color and patterned. It is lightweight and easy to care for. Glass looks attractive, can be transparent, frosted, tinted or mirror-coated. The mirror partition from the side of the living room and transparent from the kitchen looks original and stylish. Mirror surface throughout the wall visually doubles the living room space. The design of the living room with a partition from the Japanese curtains is concise and stylish. They are lightweight, compact, look great and do not require the installation of rails on the floor.
Folding models fold accordion, in this form they take up even less space than sliding. The most popular models are plastic, textile, stretched on a frame, and MDF. The partition in the kitchen-living room made in the style of a French window looks incredibly stylish. Glass inserts can be transparent, opaque, patterned or mirror. The latter look especially impressive.
The disadvantage of some folding and sliding models are floor-mounted guides for moving structural elements. Dust and dirt entering them is very difficult to clean. Also, they are not able to protect the space from noise from another zone.
Mobile partition
Mobile partitions include various kinds of screens. They are light and compact, can be installed anywhere in the room and are just as easy to clean. Screens are made of textile, paper and plastic stretched over the frame. Screens are installed on legs or wheels.
Manufacturers offer single-screen, casement and flexible models. The first are a simple non-folding thin partition. Casement are considered a classic option and fold accordion. Flexible screens are able to bend in any direction, and in the absence of need for them are folded into a compact roll.
The disadvantage of mobile partitions is their instability and fragility. A screen may fall from a strong gust of wind and be damaged.
Furniture as a partition
Using furniture as a partition in the living room is a fairly popular solution. With the help of the bar, you can separate the cooking area, and a cabinet or shelving will create a sense of privacy in the sleeping area. Through racks are a good way to zone space without weighing it down. Light and air will freely penetrate between the zones, and shelves can be used to store small things and books that are dear to the heart.
When used as a cabinet partition, preference should be given to models painted in tone walls, with a glossy or mirror finish. Such a technique will help the bulky object of the situation "dissolve" in space without weighing it down.
Materials
For the construction of partitions, various materials are used: brick, drywall, glass, plastic, wood, textiles. They have various properties, advantages and disadvantages. For example, a full-fledged wall can be built from brick, which will protect against noise, smells and drafts. Such a partition is strong enough to withstand the installation of hinged shelves or a plasma TV. However, with all the positive qualities, a full-fledged wall is rather heavy, so the strength of the floors should be taken into account so that the newly built partition does not collapse with the floor to the neighbors from below. The same applies to false glass block. Although these partitions look very impressive, they have a very large weight.
Below we will consider partitions made of materials light enough so that their construction does not encounter significant difficulties.
Drywall
Drywall, perhaps, is the most popular material for the construction of curtain walls and partitions. It consists of two layers of thick paper, between which there is gypsum. It is a light and safe material that does not emit harmful substances. In the construction of the partition using a guide profile and sheets of drywall. Sheet material lends itself well to bending, so it allows you to erect structures of any shape. If the wall is supposed to load or install the door frame, the false wall is reinforced with additional ribs of aluminum profile.
A drywall partition is erected quickly and simply, however, it requires roughing and decorative finishing: puttying, painting or wallpapering.
Glass
The glass partition in the kitchen-living room can be stationary or transforming. Glass is an environmentally friendly material that is completely safe for humans. The material can be of varying degrees of transparency, matte, patterned, color. Partitions are made of tempered glass, which is several times stronger than usual and, when broken, crumbles into unsharp fragments. Glass provides ample opportunities for decoration, does not weigh down, does not darken the room, occupies a minimum of area. Such a partition will be appropriate for any interior solution. Photos of the partitions in the living room made of glass are presented below.
With all the positive qualities, glass is a fragile material, and requires careful handling and regular maintenance. It is possible to increase the strength of the partition by using triplex glass or by gluing the surface with a stained-glass film. In case of damage, the fragments will not crumble, but I will be kept from displacement by polymers. The frame and accessories of the glass partition must be especially strong, since the glass has a sufficiently large weight.
An alternative to silicate glass can be plexiglass. It is lighter and 5-6 times stronger.
Plastic
Modern sliding partitions in the living room are made of plastic from safe materials that are not harmful to health. Plastic has a wide color gamut and can imitate various textures. It is lightweight and durable, and plastic partitions are erected as soon as possible. It is better than glass, it blocks sound waves and also well prevents the spread of odors. It is easy to look after him. It is enough to wipe with a damp cloth from dust, and if it is very dirty, you can use a mild detergent. The material is not afraid of water, so wet cleaning is not afraid of him.
The advantages of plastic partitions are undeniable, but the material has its drawbacks. Non-laminated plastic is prone to scratches, deformation, or breakage. PVC constructions, ceteris paribus, are more expensive than drywall.
Wood
Wooden partitions are cheap and easy to build. This is an environmentally friendly material that has a beautiful color and texture from nature. Stylish and unusual look rack walls made of wooden beams. They do not burden the space, partially block the light, but do not inhibit the flow of air.
Unfortunately, the tree does not tolerate humidity. It expands and deforms, and special impregnations are not able to completely rid it of this drawback. Also, the material is susceptible to the appearance of fungus and the attack of insects and rodents. Although such factors are usually absent in a dwelling, the fact remains.
Textile
Textiles as a partition can be used on its own, in the form of curtains and curtains, or as a filler in the leaves of sliding, folding and mobile partitions. Curtains are mounted on ceiling or wall cornices. They are easy to remove and wash if necessary. They do not burden the interior and can be completely cleaned if necessary. However, they can only scatter and trap light.
Using textiles as a filler in transforming or mobile partitions is not the best solution. In case of pollution or impregnation with smells it is impossible to clean them qualitatively.
As partitions, you can use specially processed textiles that repel dust and most contaminants. An interesting way to divide the space are Japanese curtains and vertical blinds.
The partition in the living room is used as a method of zoning space, an additional surface and a decorative element. Partitions are stationary, transforming, mobile. They are made of brick, drywall, glass, plastic, wood and textiles.