In many modern apartments you can find rectangular rooms, but if the living room was narrow, then this is even better, because it is more convenient to divide such a room into functional zones. You can combine a place for gatherings with friends and gala dinners in a large living room, add a work area or provide your child with personal space. Even a small room can be used to the maximum benefit, if you correctly distinguish between zones and think through the functions that a living room should provide.
The main rule is space ergonomics
In the design of a rectangular living room, it is especially important to follow all the rules of ergonomics, especially if the room area is small. At the planning stage of the interior, it is necessary to leave enough free space so that the situation does not create a crushing atmosphere, and there is enough space for movement.
At the stage of developing a design project, it is worth considering a storage system. It’s great if there is a pantry, a separate dressing room or free space on the balcony, which can be turned into a neat closet for everything you need, but often in one-room apartments there is no such choice of storage space.
It is advisable to install open racks perpendicular to the long wall of a rectangular living room. The design will be more holistic and harmonious, and even this arrangement will provide access to shelves from two sides, and also visually divide the room into two zones. Between the windows shelves for books and various trifles may well be placed. Built-in shelves look good and do not visually clutter up the space.
To store clothes you need to provide a closed cabinet. In a small room, coupe with frosted glass or mirrored ones will look best. If the living room is very elongated, you can put a spacious sliding wardrobe on the short wall, which will balance the space and provide enough space for storing things.
The choice of furniture for the living room
A design of a rectangular living room (photo of rooms can be seen in the article) of sufficient size gives freedom in the choice of furniture. In a large room, it is only important how the interior items are arranged. But if the room is narrow and elongated or there is not enough space (for example, when developing the design of a rectangular living room of 15 sq. M), then it is better to stop on furniture in the style of minimalism. Decor is also worth choosing moderate.
It harmonizes the space well and makes it possible to highlight more than one functional area of the corner sofa. The protruding part is better located across the long wall, indicating the boundary of the zone intended for relaxation. Nearby you can put a chair and a low coffee table for tea and storage of trifles, which should always be at hand. It is important only not to forget that as a result there should be enough free space for passage.
The design of a rectangular-shaped living room (photo of various options below) should be approached especially carefully if the room is small. In this case, it is better to choose transforming furniture, light poufs instead of massive armchairs, glass tables instead of bulky wooden ones.
It is more logical to place large furniture in a rectangular living room along the walls, but tight symmetry will only emphasize the design flaws. Sofas and storage cabinets should be located so that there is free space in the middle of the room. Light chairs and tables need to be arranged depending on the location of the windows (if they are panoramic) and doorways, as well as the need, because each item should be where it is convenient to use. Small furniture can be easily pushed back if necessary.
Room functionality
The design of a rectangular living room in itself involves zoning the room into several functional zones, which is facilitated by the elongated shape of the room. This will make the room more comfortable and disguise not the most successful layout. To develop a project, you need to determine the functionality of the room.
Often, in a large living room, a dining room or a kitchen is additionally equipped. This is a very popular option recently, especially for small apartments, where the kitchen is very small, and in the main room it is not possible to separate, for example, a bedroom or a children's corner. It’s a good idea to highlight a study, library, bedroom or nursery if the room is very long. This will save space and make the design of a rectangular living room (18 sq. M available or more - it does not matter if the room is narrow) more comfortable.
Zoning space can be done by various methods. Most often, floor coverings are used for this (tiles in the kitchen and dining area, parquet or carpet in the recreation area, parquet in the living room and carpet in the children's corner). You can install through racks, drywall partitions, upholstered furniture elements. You can provide a fireplace surrounded by armchairs and a coffee table, a dining table or a workplace.
It is better to place a working corner or a children's zone at a window. But the cabinet can occupy a very small space, so you just need an additional light source. The kitchen can be located in any part of the room, but preferably where there is enough natural light. So the housewife will be more comfortable talking food. When combined with the dining room, it is important that the design project of a rectangular living room (photos help to understand the nuances of successful combinations) provide enough space for these two separate zones.
A combination with a children's room is rare, but this is also possible if there is really little space in the apartment. It is important to provide a full-fledged partition so that the child can fully relax while adults watch TV or work.
Zoning techniques
You can choose from the most common zoning options:
- Partitions and mobile walls. Convenient to separate a nursery or bedroom. You can order special folding structures that will form walls only when necessary. This also includes zoning using a small island wall (usually 1.5-2 meters long), on one side of which you can put a cabinet under a TV or other furniture.
- Furniture. The most affordable and easiest way to combine the functions of several rooms in the design of a rectangular living room. A comfortable corner sofa can be used as a bed at night and for guests in the afternoon. If there is a coffee table nearby surrounded by armchairs, then it is additionally better to purchase screens or mobile partitions so that one of the family members can relax, while others continue to communicate.
- Openwork partitions. It is rather a decorative element, although such partitions still give a sense of the boundaries of space.
- Cabinets and niches. In the design of a rectangular living room (18 m 2 ) in a one-room apartment, it is necessary to provide a storage system, it can also perform the function of dividing a room into zones. In combination with the kitchen, the best separator would be a bar counter.
- Floor level. This option is only suitable for rooms with high ceilings. A bed is usually installed on the podium, and drawers for bedding and non-seasonal clothing are arranged inside. The idea is well implemented mainly in spacious apartments.
- Finishing materials. Using different materials for decorating walls and floors makes it clear how the room is divided into zones. It is better to use one thing: to zone the room either with the help of different wall designs, or with different floor coverings.
- Shine. Separation of light immediately emphasizes the boundaries of the zones. For example, above the compositional center of the room (usually a TV, a coffee table and a sofa), you can hang a large chandelier that will give a bright light, but so that the area of the bedroom is darkened. In the bedroom, spotlights are additionally installed, which can be turned on as needed.
Focus on the wide wall
In the photo of the designs of the rectangular living room (18 sq. M is the most common footage, so you should focus on it when planning your own interior), you can often see that the owners highlight a wide wall, which balances the room. If you purposefully draw attention to this wall, the room will visually become more proportional. You can stick the murals or place a large picture there, create shallow niches with additional lighting or paint them in a bright color, and leave the narrow wall in a neutral version.
Color combinations
The illusion of proportionality is achievable by other methods. For example, in the design of a rectangular living room it is better to use bright colors that visually expand the space. The room will not seem gray and uninteresting if you add a few bright details - rugs, curtains, pillows, paintings and other decorative elements that attract attention. If, at the same time, a narrow wall is decorated in darker colors, then it will visually come closer, and the room will appear to be correct in shape.
Transverse stripes in the decoration of the floor and ceiling help to expand the narrow room. Stripes can appear in the location of the floorboard, beams on the ceiling, decor of carpets, lamps and so on. Most often, it is carpets with stripes that seem to “stretch” a room along a wide wall.
Japanese-style living room
What style to choose for a rectangular room? The design of the living room in Japanese style or minimalism (this is almost the same thing) is suitable for both small and large rooms. The main rule is not to overload the space. This also applies to furniture and decor items. A large and comfortable corner sofa along one of the walls will be enough. In front of him you can put a coffee table, but instead hang a TV. A standard headset should be abandoned in favor of a hanging shelf or a low stand. Lamps are better to choose simple shapes, and hang Roman or Japanese curtains on the windows.
As for the color scheme, it is worth giving preference to neutral shades. Dark can make the floor and some furniture elements. Bright color may be present in living plants, decorative elements, pillows. Such an atmosphere is the best for a relaxing holiday with your family. There is nothing superfluous in the design of a rectangular living room (photos confirm this).
Living room with dining room
If the living room is adjacent to the kitchen, then you can separately distinguish the dining area. But this option should be taken only if the area allows you to place two separate zones in one room. The dining table in the design of the rectangular living room is better placed closer to the exit so that it does not interfere with movement. The relaxation area can be distinguished with a carpet. This will create a harmonious room with a dedicated place for lunch. By the way, such a design does not mean that in the kitchen you can remove additional places for everyday eating.
Thinking over this option of zoning, it is worth considering the habits and wishes of all family members. It is necessary to determine how many people usually come to visit in order to leave enough free space for comfortable accommodation at the dining table and moving. If the layout allows, you can place a chest of drawers with glass doors in the dining area to store beautiful dishes.
Most often combine the living room with the kitchen. The result is a typical studio. Typically, the zones in the design of a rectangular- shaped kitchen-living room (photo below) are separated using a bar counter, which at the same time can serve as a place for everyday eating. This allows you to increase the working space in the kitchen and successfully divide the zones. You can place a wall made of drywall between the kitchen and the living room or a small cabinet for wine bottles. Much of the design of a rectangular kitchen-living room (interior photos are really very diverse) depends on the personal preferences of the owners.
Combining with the bedroom
A folding sofa is not very suitable for a modern bedroom-living room, but it should not be replaced with a small sofa, because guests can stay overnight, so extra beds will be required. A place for a good rest is usually separated from the main room with a dense curtain in full width or with a shelving. The bed is often placed on the podium or just separate the zones with different wall designs. It is good if the berth is near the window in the far part of the room, so that no one bothers a quiet rest.
Features of combining with the office
The cabinet in the living room is usually a desk (computer) desk, a comfortable armchair on casters and several shelves for papers or documentation. This zone is usually located next to the window, otherwise you need to think carefully about the possibilities of additional artificial lighting. A table lamp alone is unlikely to be enough, wall lights are needed. A highlighted corner can be created using shelving made of wood or drywall. This is both a storage place and a good way of zoning the room, which will not reduce the living volume of the room.
A good design option for a rectangular living room of 18 square meters. m - photos of finished interiors confirm - the organization of the working area on the balcony. If the balcony is insulated and glazed, then you can combine it with the room. In place of the windowsill, you can place a shelf or shelf. Equipping a home mini office will also require a work chair and document shelves.
Living room with a children's corner
The children's corner can be separated by a wall or a wardrobe. Thin partitions or open shelving in this case are worse, because the baby (and especially the teenager) needs to provide personal space and a place for a good rest. It is better to provide a place in advance to meet the needs of the child. The baby will have enough of the playpen and changing table, but the preschooler will need a bed, a table for drawing and educational games, a wardrobe for storing toys. A teenager wants to express himself, so it’s better to paint the walls so that they do not suffer from posters with your favorite artists and photos.