If you wisely approach the planning of space and the choice of a design project, then even a typical Khrushchev can look like a luxury apartment. One of the modern ways to give the room a stylish look, visually expand the space and make a single functional room, where everything would be located to the place, is the embodiment of the idea of a kitchen-living room. The design of the kitchen, combined with the living room, can be developed using the tips and looking at a few photos.
Benefits of Combining Rooms
When planning the interior, you need to consider that any redevelopment has both positive and negative features. In favor of developing a design project for a kitchen-studio combined with a living room, the following can be cited:
- Obtaining as a result of a single functional area, which is better illuminated, and even visually looks more spacious.
- Opportunity for the hostess not to leave during the celebrations in order to check whether the dishes are ready to be served or to set the table.
- No need to purchase a second TV for the kitchen, one large plasma in the living room will be enough to watch your favorite shows from another room.
- The opportunity to have dinner with the whole family daily at a large table, which, as a rule, cannot be accommodated in an ordinary small kitchen.
- The ability to organize parties with a large number of guests, while guests can easily move around without experiencing crowding, which is especially true for a small apartment.
- The design of the living room combined with the kitchen in the house (photos of the interiors are presented in the article) will allow you to create a luxurious interior. Such a layout is suitable for cottages, where the ground floor is usually intended for premises of "public" purpose, for receiving guests and holding holidays.
- By the way, it is the owners of small apartments that are more likely to think about how to think about the design of the kitchen combined with the living room, and realize bold dreams during the next repair.
However, the combination of two rooms so different in their purpose entails a number of inconveniences. Firstly, the smell of cooking dishes will inevitably spread throughout the living room. To partially solve this problem, you need to install a high-quality hood and divide the space, for example, with a functional partition. Secondly, when combining rooms there is no sound insulation. If you embody the design of the kitchen-studio, combined with the living room, then in the room you will hear how someone is washing the dishes in the kitchen or the mixer is working. Thirdly, cleaning requirements are significantly increased. Such a kitchen should always be in perfect order so that no little things like one dirty plate or oily stove spoil the overall impression of the apartment. If these minor flaws in redevelopment do not scare you, you can safely think about the modern design of the kitchen, combined with the living room.
Interior features when combining the kitchen and living room
The living room, combined with the kitchen, in the design of a private house or apartment simply can not be familiar, such an unusual and stylish arrangement of rooms must be distinguished by interesting solutions in terms of interior design. One of the main requirements is the adaptation of these different rooms to each other. The united space should look and function as a whole. There are several design techniques that will help translate the idea into reality. The rooms can be joined by a bar counter, which is made in the same style or from the same materials as the furniture in the living room, the same colors, textiles, individual elements of wall decoration, and so on, that attract attention. In addition, it is advisable to hide the hob and sink, as well as the appliances (the kitchen is essentially a technical room). A technique built into the cabinets can be used for this. The hob and sink can still be placed in a place that is not accessible for viewing from the living room.
The main methods of zoning rooms
To implement a kitchen design project combined with a living room and a dining room, it is necessary to use zoning elements. The standard reception is a bar counter at the border of the kitchen and the living room. It can be of standard height and used for its intended purpose (then it can be placed next to or built into a rack rack for bottles and holders for glasses), and can replace the dining table. In the latter case, it makes sense to make the stand slightly lower than in the standard version, and wider.
A very functional solution is to separate the kitchen and living room with a partition. Such a partition-rack can look easy and will not make the interior any heavier. In addition, a TV, a music center, a biofireplace, several shelves for small things can be built into it. From the side of the kitchen, the partition may also have open shelves for spices in beautiful jars, tea sets and other little things that you do not want to hide in a cupboard.
Zoning in the design of the kitchen combined with the living room can be done with furniture. It is very convenient, simple and stylish. When choosing this option, there is no need to plan additional partitions. Often, designers offer another option - a low partition at the border of the rooms. You can put a sofa on it with the back back, and the partition itself will be used as a coffee table or shelf.
The most popular method of zoning in the modern design of the kitchen, combined with the living room (photo of the interiors are given in the article), is a different floor covering, wall decoration in different colors or materials. In the kitchen, for example, you can lay tiles, and for the living room choose a laminate or linoleum. Floor tiles for the kitchen are very practical - it’s convenient to wash, they won’t swell, if the pan accidentally flips on the floor or water spills, you can not be afraid to leave scratches on it. Another common option is ceilings of different levels in the rooms. On the step-junction of the levels, you can place the LED backlight, which will additionally divide the space with different lighting.
Bio fireplace at the border of the zones: comfortable and modern
Let us consider in more detail some zoning options in the design of the kitchen combined with the living room. The island biofireplace, which heats the room with real fire, and not just simulates it, is the best suited for the interior of a private house or apartment in the loft style, minimalism and camping. Suitable for many other styles. Modern fireplaces do not require the installation of a chimney, are very convenient and safe to use, create coziness and look very stylish. In the case of planning a studio apartment, a biofireplace not only reveals its special charm and aesthetics, but also becomes a functional design solution. It is also a great idea for the interior of a country house. As for the cost, today the price of a biofireplace is quite comparable with the cost of an electric analogue.
Low partition for separation
The partition can be not only planning, but also functional, as well as decorative and aesthetic. The options for this interior detail are diverse, it can be made as an element of furniture and include additional cabinets, shelving, lighting points. Still the kitchen partition should be pleasant to the eye, beautifully executed and optimally fit into the surroundings. This design detail should not only conform to the overall style, but also support it. A low partition will create the effect of dividing the space while preserving the lightness of the interior and transmitting light, provide additional functionality, fit into almost any design, will not visually overload the room and create a warm, truly home-like atmosphere. However, the partition will not hold up noises and smells, it is also an additional surface that needs care and constant cleaning.
Bar counter separating the kitchen and the living room
The standard version of the design of the kitchen, combined with the living room (photos will help you make the choice) suggests the presence of a bar. This option has many advantages over other zoning methods. The bar counter will not only provide an excellent appearance, perform a dividing function, but will also be very convenient. It can be organically fit into almost any interior style.
The rack can be made as a breakfast table, then it will be a place of eating, which does not require additional space. It can also be a continuation of the kitchen set, thereby increasing the working area or being the basis for placing the hob or other equipment. In addition, on the one hand, the bar counter may look like a fake wall, and on the kitchen side it will be a continuation of the storage system.
Another option - the bar counter is not only functional, but also as an interesting decorative element. In it you can build an aquarium, shelves, pots with plants or the same biofireplace. In addition, to give the room lightness, you can make the glass top, fix it on the base pipe. It will not take up much space and clutter up the room. So, the design of the living room, combined with the kitchen bar, can be made different, there are options for every taste.
Functional partition at the border of zones
In the design of the kitchen, combined with the living room (photo above), partitions perform practical functions. Such zoning will prevent the spread of odors, divide the space into parts, and act as additional shelves. When placing a partition, it must be borne in mind that the premises must be harmonious in size. The element itself can be made of drywall in the form of an arch, a circle, a column, a simple partition of a direct shape, like an imitation of a wall or a through shelf.
Furniture zoning
Separation of the kitchen and the living room with the help of furniture will allow not to resort to the construction of additional partitions. This option is one of the simplest and most common, and the layout, thought out by a competent designer, will create a very organic and modern design. Visually divide the space will help the sofa, located back to the kitchen area, or a large dining table at the border of the zones.
Separate kitchenette in the living room
The design of the kitchen, combined with the living room, is often chosen by the owners of small apartments in order to save useful space. The idea takes on a minimalist sound. As a rule, straight lines, a bar counter and chairs for clear zoning are used. Often the kitchen is compactly located in the corner, and the remaining area is occupied by the living area.
Studio Lighting
When designing a living room combined with a kitchen in a house or apartment, special attention should be paid to lighting. Light plays an unusually important role in dividing a room into zones. In addition, it is very important that there is enough light and suitable light sources above all work surfaces. It is advisable to use the spot one above the hob and sink, dining table or bar counter and work surface, and it is better to place a chandelier suitable in design in the center of the room. In the living room, it is important to consider the additional lighting of the workplace. In general, it is better to place it near the window in order to use natural light to the maximum in the daytime. For evening time, you need to think about additional light sources.
Often used such a technique as multi-level ceilings and separation of rooms with LED backlight. It is not only beautiful, but also functional. With the ceiling alone, of course, it is not possible to correctly divide the zones. In addition, it is desirable to use other techniques, then the design will be organic.
The choice of furniture and appliances for the kitchen-living room
The modern interior design of the living room, combined with the kitchen, has several drawbacks, among which there is poor sound insulation and the spread of smells from cooking food throughout the room. The latter can be eliminated if you install a quality hood and ensure that the ventilation is in good condition. In this case, this is a necessity, so if the ventilation system is faulty, it should be updated.
Another important requirement for all elements of kitchen appliances is noiselessness. In an open space, a working mixer, dishwasher, or even a refrigerator will make it not very comfortable watching TV or reading in the living room. In addition, it is desirable that the technique is integrated. It is very convenient, but for the design of a studio apartment is still aesthetically pleasing.
Ready interior design project
Not everyone is ready to independently consider a repair plan from and to. This business is interesting, but rather complicated for someone who first encounters the development of a design project, does not understand new trends, styles, useful solutions, is poorly oriented in the whole variety of finishing materials. In this case, you can turn to professionals for help. Experienced designers will develop a design project for the premises and select materials for about 1,500 rubles per square meter.
So, the living room combined with the kitchen is a rather unusual, original and bold decision. This option of interior design is perfect for small apartments where you need to increase usable space, and for country houses where there is no problem with square meters. It will be very convenient to live in a studio apartment as a single or a single girl, or a large family.