Studios and open-plan apartments are a fairly popular solution for organizing housing in modern architecture and design. The absence of walls makes the space light and open, filling the room with air and light. However, this openness requires harmonization. Ergonomics is achieved with the help of various zoning techniques: finishing, level difference between the floor and ceiling, lighting, partitions. We will talk about the latter in today's article.
The essence of zoning
Free layout is very convenient, as it allows you to organize the space based on the personal needs of the residents. There are more options for arranging apartments than with walls and a strict purpose of the rooms. However, in order not to turn the apartment into a furniture warehouse, functional zones should be allocated. They will helpharmonize the space and make it cozy.
Usually allocate areas of the living room, kitchen, bedroom, work and hallway. If the area is limited, the zones are combined, but 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.
The partition between the kitchen and the living room (photo below) is erected to protect the reception area from aromas during cooking. Even pleasant smells will not give pleasure if they firmly settle in the upholstery of a sofa or on curtains. A partition in the bedroom-living room will help maintain privacy. Some people are not comfortable sleeping in an open space, and a partition can create the illusion of security. Of no small importance is the separation of the sleeping area if people with different rhythms of life live in the house. A partner will not be awakened by morning preparations if the bedroom is separated from the main space by a partition.
One of the main requirements when installing a separator is to match the overall interior design. In classical styles, arches, columns, false walls decorated with bas-reliefs and stucco will be appropriate. Glass, plastic, open shelving are suitable for modern styles.
Benefits of no walls
Housing without walls has its advantages and disadvantages, ohwhich you should know before starting the repair. Pros include:
- Spacious space. Even an apartment with a small footage will look spacious if blank walls do not press on all sides.
- Plenty of natural light and air. The open space has at least two windows. Therefore, in the daytime, all corners of the room will be filled with it, even if the windows face north.
- Increasing area. Due to the space under the walls and the addition of corridors, the living area will increase significantly.
- Big kitchen. A kitchen that is not limited by walls always seems larger, because the boundary between rooms is blurred.
- No narrow dark corridors. Moving around the apartment becomes easier and faster.
- More possibilities for interior design and furniture arrangement. This allows you to achieve better room ergonomics and increase the functionality of the zones.
- Convenient to receive guests. All invitees will have enough space and will not feel cramped in a tiny room.
Disadvantages of not having walls
Open space also has disadvantages:
- Smells. All the aromas of food being prepared in the kitchen will spread throughout the living space. Even the most powerful hood will not save you from this. It is not easy to get rid of odors that have eaten into the upholstery and curtains. Therefore, such an organization of housing is suitable only for those people who do not often cook at home.
- No privacy. Such a layout would be appropriate if the apartment is inhabited by no more thantwo people and no children.
- Open bedroom. Human safety instincts may not approve of the lack of protection, which makes it difficult to sleep peacefully in open spaces.
- Drafts. Two or more windows in the same room can be a problem for people who are sensitive to drafts.
- Noise. Just like smells, sound waves travel freely throughout the room.
Thus, the absence of walls has its advantages and disadvantages. To minimize the latter, and fully enjoy the advantages of open space, you can install partitions between the living room and other areas.
Fixed partition
There are a large number of types of partitions, so we will consider only the most popular options. And let's 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 disguise of which will require repair. This zoning method can cover the entire wall, and leave a doorway or arch for the passage. Such a partition prevents the spread of smells, sounds and protects against drafts, that is, it is a full-fledged non-load-bearing wall. The false wall is erected from drywall, brick, glass blocks, wood and other suitable materials. The partition in the living room can cover only part of the passage, be up to the ceiling or lower. The low divider can be used as an additional surface for an aquarium, florarium, shelf for small items or a table. Conditionallyto divide the space while maintaining lightness and openness, a slatted partition made of wood or transparent glass will help.
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 odors and steam, and during the reception of guests it can be completely folded, increasing the space.
Sliding models work on the principle of a compartment. Sections move along two or more guides installed on the ceiling and in the floor. Sections are made of plastic, glass, plexiglass, MDF, textiles. Plastic is used colored and patterned. It is lightweight and easy to care for. Glass looks attractive, it can be transparent, matte, tinted or mirror coated. The mirror partition from the living room and the transparent one from the kitchen look original and stylish. The full-wall mirror surface visually doubles the living room space. The design of the living room with a partition made of Japanese curtains turns out to be concise and stylish. They are light, compact, look great and don't require floor rails.
Folding models fold like an accordion, in this form they take up even less space than sliding ones. The most popular models are made of plastic, textile stretched over the frame, and MDF. The partition in the kitchen-living room made in style looks incredibly stylish.french window. Glass inserts can be transparent, frosted, patterned or mirrored. The latter look especially impressive.
The disadvantage of some folding and sliding models are guides installed in the floor for moving structural elements. Dust and dirt getting into them is very problematic 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 from textiles, paper and plastic stretched over the frame. Screens are installed on legs or wheels.
Manufacturers offer single-screen, folding and flexible models. The first are a simple non-folding thin partition. Folding doors are considered a classic option and fold like an accordion. Flexible screens are able to bend in any direction, and when they are not needed, they are folded into a compact roll.
The disadvantage of mobile partitions is their instability and fragility. The 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 a bar counter, you can separate the cooking area, and a wardrobe or shelving will create a feeling of privacy in the sleeping area. Through shelving is a good way to zone a space without weighing it down. light andair will freely penetrate between the zones, and the shelves can be used to store little things and books dear to the heart.
When used as a cabinet partition, preference should be given to models painted to match the walls, with a glossy or mirror finish. Such a technique will help a bulky piece of furniture "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 different properties, advantages and disadvantages. For example, a full-fledged wall can be built from brick, which will protect against noise, odors and drafts. Such a partition is strong enough to withstand the installation of hanging shelves or a plasma TV. However, with all the positive qualities, a full-fledged wall is quite heavy, so the strength of the floors should be taken into account so that the newly erected partition does not collapse along with the floor to the neighbors from below. The same applies to false walls made of glass blocks. Although these partitions look very impressive, they are very heavy.
Below we will consider partitions made of materials that are light enough so that their construction does not encounter significant difficulties.
Drywall
Drywall is perhaps the most popular material for the construction of curtain walls and partitions. It consists of two layers of thick paper, between which is plaster. It is a lightweight and safe material that does not emit harmful substances. Atthe construction of the partition using a guide profile and drywall sheets. Sheet material lends itself well to bending, so it allows you to build structures of any shape. If loads are expected on the wall or the installation of a door frame, the false wall is reinforced with additional aluminum profile ribs.
A plasterboard partition is erected quickly and simply, but requires rough 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, colored. Partitions are erected from tempered glass, which is several times stronger than ordinary glass and, when broken, shatters into non-sharp fragments. Glass provides ample opportunities for decor, does not make the room heavier, does not darken the room, and occupies a minimum of space. Such a partition will be appropriate for any interior solution. Photos of the glass partition in the living room 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 pasting the surface with stained glass film. In case of damage, the fragments will not crumble, but will be kept from displacement by polymers. The frame and fittings of the glass partition must be especially strong, as the glass hasquite a lot of weight.
Plexiglas can be an alternative to silicate glass. It is lighter and 5-6 times stronger.
Plastic
Modern sliding partitions in the living room made of plastic are made from safe raw materials that are not harmful to he alth. Plastic has a wide range of colors and can imitate various textures. It is light and durable, and plastic partitions are erected in the shortest possible time. It is better than glass in blocking sound waves and is also good at preventing odors from spreading. It is easy to take care of him. It is enough to wipe with a damp cloth from dust, and in case of severe contamination, you can use a mild detergent. The material is not afraid of water, so it is not afraid of wet cleaning.
The advantages of plastic partitions are undeniable, but the material has its drawbacks. Non-laminated plastic is prone to scratches, deformation or breakage. PVC structures, ceteris paribus, are more expensive than drywall.
Tree
Wooden partitions are cheap and easy to build. This is an environmentally friendly material that has a naturally beautiful color and texture. Slatted partitions made of wooden beams look stylish and unusual. They do not weigh down the space, partially block the light, but do not trap air flows.
Unfortunately, wood does not tolerate moisture well. It expands and deforms, and special impregnations are not able to completely rid it of this shortcoming. Also, the material is susceptible to the appearance of fungus andattack by insects and rodents. Although such factors are usually absent in a residential area, the fact remains.
Textiles
Textile as a partition can be used by itself, in the form of curtains and curtains, or as a filler in the doors 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 weigh down the interior and can be completely removed if necessary. However, they can only scatter and hold light.
Using textiles as a filler in transforming or mobile partitions is not the best solution. If soiled or tainted with odors, they cannot be properly cleaned.
As partitions, you can use specially treated textiles that repel dust and most dirt. 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 space zoning, an additional surface and a decorative element. Partitions are stationary, transforming, mobile. They are made of brick, drywall, glass, plastic, wood and textiles.
