Nobody likes to huddle in tiny rooms. But what if the housing does not please with its size? The best option is to combine rooms. 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, such an association can also be made in an old-style house. But there are some rules to keep in mind here.
Advantages and disadvantages of combining premises
In modern studio apartments, kitchen-living rooms are usually provided immediately. But in housing of the old layout, you can often find separate tiny rooms. It is not uncommon for owners to decide to modernize such a space by tearing down the adjacent wall.
This move has its advantages:
- large room instead of two small rooms;
- visual expansion of space;
- stylish setting;
- more natural light.
Yes, such a decision may seem like the best way out of the situation. But stillIt is worth considering some disadvantages:
- smells and sounds from cooking will interfere with the household to spend time in the living room;
- textiles in the living room will need to be washed more often due to absorbent odors and greasy stains;
- the living room will be problematic to use as a bed;
- the kitchen will have to be kept perfectly clean - the option with a mountain of dirty dishes and a working mess will not work.
Since the combination of 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 redevelopment so that it is comfortable for all households. At the same time, it is important to devote time to another issue - the legal dismantling of the wall.
Side of the law
The load-bearing wall must not be demolished, as this will entail unpleasant consequences for the entire house. Before starting work, it is necessary to study the registration certificate together with a specialist.
But even if the wall is not load-bearing, this does not mean that it can be simply demolished at will. Any redevelopment must be coordinated with government agencies. Otherwise, the violator faces fines.
If the project has been approved, then you can safely proceed with the dismantling. 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 like. This will help save effort. For example, you can leave the bottom of the wall to use as a base for a bar counter. And the side part will become a good conditional separator between the zones.
Kitchen-living room layout
First thing withdecide - this is the location of the furniture. There are several options for planning the kitchen-living room:
- U-shaped. It is convenient to cook in the kitchen, because all the necessary items are located close to each other. But on the other hand, this 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 makes the space lighter and more functional.
- Peninsular. The layout implies the presence of a "peninsula", which rests against a wall or headset. It can be a bar counter or an additional work surface. The peninsula also functions as a boundary between functional areas.
Single-line layout is considered an unfortunate option in terms of the practicality of cooking. But in this case, space is noticeably saved. So focus on your needs. If you do not cook very often, you can sacrifice the practicality of the kitchen for the sake of lightening 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 this type of combined premises, there are three parts: a kitchen, a dining room and a living room. The first two are often placed in the same zone. Kitchen-living room in 20 sq. m can accommodate all the necessary pieces of furniture to organize the space. The following rule must be followed:kitchens allocate space, and leave the rest for the living room. The designer must create two zones that are as functional as possible and at the same time not cluttered with furniture. Built-in furniture and hanging cabinets are a great solution.
It's not enough just to remove the wall between rooms. Before dismantling, the interior design could have been different in individual rooms. But the design of the kitchen-living room should be the same. At the same time, it is important to prevent the complete merging 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 line between separate areas. It can run 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 perform, 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 there is good advice to be taken 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
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 overall design of the room. In particular, drywall is suitable for more moderninteriors, 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 would be an arch in the interior of the kitchen-living room. Rounded edges will make the room feel more spacious and the design will be "softer". You can try another way: add shelves and niches to the partition. They will beautifully accommodate vases, figurines and souvenirs.
Different levels
To visually separate 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 multi-level 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 above the kitchen.
Also, the kitchen is “lifted” to a small podium, to which sometimes even several degrees lead. It is advisable to use different materials. So, tiles are used for the kitchen, and parquet or laminate for the recreation area.
Color separation
The right choice of color plays an important role in the design of the 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 to make the result not boring, add bright spots: curtains, accessories, pillows, etc.
Color design 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 separate the rooms, one shoulduse more than one color, and in the second - another. 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 delineation of space. This option is considered a classic: the sofa stands with its back to the kitchen area, and opposite it is a TV. In this case, not only vacationers, but also those who are busy cooking will be able to watch their favorite programs. It is appropriate to place a coffee table next to the sofa. Do not order massive wardrobes and sofas, refuse furniture with high legs. Make the room light, glass objects (shelves, doors, etc.) will help with this. Give preference to simple lines, without carvings and complex decor. Glossy surfaces look good.
Also approach the choice of a kitchen set responsibly. In order to be comfortable in the kitchen-living room, the room must be spacious. For this reason, it is important not to clutter up the room. Of course, the housewives want to purchase all the necessary appliances and make the work 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 backdrop of a bright living room, but on the other hand, it should not overshadow it. Light sources shouldbe compatible with each other, but not necessarily repeat each other. After all, this is one room, which 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 two large chandeliers can be dispensed with. There is never a lot of light in the kitchen, so it is important to consider a variety of light sources.
Leave the upper ambient light for the dining area. It will create a romantic atmosphere and will have a conversation. Just choose such lamps in which the lamps "look" up, not down. Firstly, such light does not emotionally put pressure on a person. Secondly, it is better in terms of security.
But the work area needs to be properly illuminated. 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 fixing fixtures is the underside of the hinged drawers. If there are none above the countertop, then a ceiling lamp will be an alternative. But make sure that the light covers the entire work surface. You can also use wall lights, preferably with adjustable shades.
Spotlights illuminate well 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, the hostess may undercook or overcook the meat, burn the buns, miss the bone in the fish, mix up the spices.
If in the living roomthe ceiling is high, you can install luxurious large chandeliers, combined with the overall design of the room. But if the ceiling is low, opt for spotlights, just like in the kitchen.
Decorative lighting
If desired, in the design of the kitchen-living room 20 sq. m, you can add decorative lighting. For example, LED strips will advantageously beat cabinet doors. Illuminated glass surfaces look especially stylish. Special fixtures can be installed in 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. First of all, pay attention to functional lighting. With proper planning, it can also perform a decorative function. Another important backlight function is zoning.
Zoning with lighting
If there is a dining table or a bar counter 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, be sure to use built-in lights. They favorably emphasize that the room consists of different zones.
The thermal spectrum plays an important role. Soft yellow light is suitable for the living and dining areas. And for the work area, choose bright fluorescent lamps. The kitchen in any case should be brighter - but not too much so that the living room does not turn out to be "in the dark."
When planning lightingalso consider interior design. If the living room is decorated in warm colors, then the cold spectrum of color will not work in any way: it will make the room less comfortable. And the warm spectrum of color will be lost in a kitchen aged in cold shades.
Minimal style
Since the kitchen-studio should not be cluttered, a minimalist style would 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 good solution for the kitchen-living room. Colors should be subdued, but contrast is acceptable (e.g. black and white). The furniture is simple and strict, without pretentious details. The interior contains modern materials, in particular glass and metal surfaces. The emphasis is on electronics and the latest technology, so the owners have a great opportunity to show off their modern kitchen-living room to their friends.
Loft style
Loft style will emphasize the "industrial" kitchen-living room. Here everything is done the other way around: what we used to hide from prying eyes is put on display. Pipes, hoods, grates - all this should be in sight.
The walls are decorated with 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
Lovers of quiet village life can indulge in Provence style. Although styles that emphasize the modernity of the interior are a more acceptable option, if you wish, you can opt for Provence.
Use natural materials, especially wood. Plastic and chromed metal are out of place here. An interesting solution would 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 items must be new and of high quality. Provence loves colors as close to nature as possible - brown, turquoise, lavender, green, peach, white, etc.
Conclusion
Kitchen-living room in an old-style 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.
