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 in place, is the embodiment of the idea of a kitchen-living room. The design of a kitchen combined with a living room can be developed using the tips and looking at a few photos.
Benefits of joining 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 given:
- Getting as a result of a single functional area, which is better illuminated, and evenvisually looks more spacious.
- The opportunity for the hostess not to leave during the celebrations to check if the dishes are ready for serving, 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 so that you can watch your favorite shows from another room.
- The opportunity to dine daily with the whole family 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 will be able to move freely without feeling crowded, 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 create a luxurious interior. This layout is the best fit for cottages, where the first floor is usually intended for “public” premises, receiving guests and holding holidays.
- By the way, it is the owners of small-sized apartments who often think about how to think over the design of the kitchen combined with the living room and make their wildest dreams come true during the next renovation.
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 embodythe design of the kitchen-studio, combined with the living room, then in the room you will hear how someone washes the dishes in the kitchen or the mixer is working. Thirdly, the requirements for cleaning the premises are significantly increased. Such a kitchen should always be in perfect order so that no little things like one dirty plate or a greasy stove spoil the overall impression of the apartment. If these minor redevelopment flaws do not scare you, you can safely think about the modern design of the kitchen combined with the living room.
Interior features when combining kitchen and living room
A living room combined with a kitchen in the design of a private house or apartment simply cannot be familiar, such an unusual and stylish arrangement of rooms must be distinguished by interesting interior solutions. 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 turn the idea into reality. The rooms can be united 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 color scheme, textiles, individual elements of wall decoration that attract attention, and so on. In addition, it is desirable to hide the hob and sink, as well as appliances (the kitchen is essentially a technical room). For this, the appliances built into the cabinets can be used. The hob and sink can still be placed in a place thatnot visible from the living room.
Basic ways 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 on the border of the kitchen and living room. It can be of standard height and used for its intended purpose (then you can place a bottle cabinet and glass holders next to or build into the rack), or it can replace a dining table. In the latter case, it makes sense to make the stand a little lower than in the standard version, and wider.
Very functional solution - to separate the kitchen and living room with a partition. Such a partition-rack can look easy and will not weigh down the interior at all. In addition, it is possible to build a TV, music center, bio-fireplace, several shelves for small things into it. From the side of the kitchen in the partition, there can also be open shelves for spices in beautiful jars, tea sets and other little things that you don’t want to hide in the closet.
Zoning in the design of a kitchen combined with a living room can be done using furniture. It is very comfortable, 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 rooms. You can put a sofa with a back to it, and the partition itself will be used as a coffee table or shelf.
The most popular way of zoning in the modern design of a kitchen combined with a living room (photointeriors 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 choose laminate or linoleum for the living room. Floor tile for the kitchen is very practical - it is convenient to wash it, it will not swell if a pan accidentally turns over on the floor or water pours out, you can not be afraid to leave scratches on it. Another common option is ceilings of different levels in rooms. On the step-junction of levels, you can place LED lighting, which will additionally divide the space with different lighting.
Biofireplace on the border of zones: cozy and modern
Let's take a closer look at some zoning options in the design of a kitchen combined with a living room. The island biofireplace, which heats the room with real fire, and not just imitates it, is the best fit for the interior of a private house or loft-style apartment, minimalism and cotemporary. It goes well with many other styles. Modern fireplaces do not require a chimney, are very comfortable and safe to use, create comfort and look very stylish. In the case of planning a studio apartment, a bio-fireplace will not only reveal its special charm and aesthetics, but will also become 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 counterpart.
Low partition for separation
Partition can be not only planning, but alsofunctional, as well as decorative and aesthetic. The options for this interior detail are varied, it can be made as a piece of furniture and include additional cabinets, shelving, lighting points. Also, the kitchen partition should be pleasing to the eye, beautifully executed and optimally integrated into the environment. This design detail should not only match the overall style, but also support it. A low partition will create the effect of dividing the space while maintaining 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 homely environment. However, the partition will not hold back noises and smells, and it is also an additional surface that needs care and constant cleaning.
Bar counter separating kitchen and living room
The standard version of the design of the kitchen combined with the living room (photos will help you make a choice) involves the presence of a bar counter. This option has many advantages over other zoning methods. The bar counter will not only provide an excellent appearance, perform a separating function, but will also be very convenient. It can be organically fit into almost any interior style.
The counter can be made as a breakfast table, then it will be a place for eating that does not require additional space. It can also be a continuation of the kitchen set, thereby increasing the working area or being the basis forplacement of the hob or other equipment. In addition, on the one hand, the bar counter can look like a fake wall, and from the kitchen side, it will be a continuation of the storage system.
Another option - the bar is not only functional, but also as an interesting decorative element. You can build an aquarium, shelves, pots with plants or the same bio-fireplace into it. In addition, to give the room lightness, you can make the countertop glass, 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 counter, 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 (see 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 rooms must be harmonious in size. The element itself can be made of plasterboard in the form of an arch, a circle, a column, a simple straight-shaped partition, as an imitation of a wall or a through rack.
Zoning with furniture
Separating the kitchen and living room with furniture will allow you 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 allow you to create a very organic andmodern design. A sofa located with its back to the kitchen area, or a large dining table at the border of the zones will help to visually divide the space.
Separate kitchenette in living room
The design of a kitchen combined with a living room is often chosen by owners of small apartments in order to save usable space. The idea acquires a sound in the style of minimalism. As a rule, straight lines, a bar counter and chairs are used for clear zoning. Often the kitchen is compactly placed in the corner, and the remaining space is occupied by the living area.
Lighting for studio layouts
When designing a living room combined with a kitchen in a house or apartment, special attention should be paid to lighting. Light plays an extremely 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 a spotlight above the hob and sink, dining table or bar counter and work surface, and in the center of the room it is better to place a chandelier of a suitable design. In the living room, it is important to consider additional lighting for the workplace. In general, it is better to place it near the window in order to use natural light to the maximum during the daytime. For evening time, you need to consider additional light sources.
Often used such a technique as multi-level ceilings and dividing rooms with LED lighting. It is not only beautiful, but alsofunctionally. Only one ceiling, of course, will not work correctly to divide the zones. In addition, it is desirable to use other techniques, then the design will be organic.
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 are poor sound insulation and the spread of smells from cooking food throughout the room. The latter can be eliminated if you install a high-quality hood and ensure that the ventilation is working properly. In this case, it 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 running mixer, dishwasher or even a refrigerator will make watching TV or reading in the living room not very comfortable. In addition, it is desirable that the technique be built-in. This is very convenient, but still aesthetically pleasing for the design of a studio apartment.
Ready interior design project
Not everyone is ready to independently think through a repair plan from and to. This business is interesting, but rather difficult for someone who is faced with the development of a design project for the first time, does not understand new trends, styles, useful solutions, is poorly oriented in all the variety of finishing materials. In this case, you can seek help from professionals. Experienced designers will develop a design project for the room and select materials for about 1,500 rubles per square meter.
So, the living room combined with the kitchen is prettyunusual, original and bold decision. This interior design option is perfect for both 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 for both a bachelor or a single girl, and a large family.
