Modern renovation in an apartment or house involves various non-standard solutions. With the help of design tricks, a tiny apartment can be turned into a stylish apartment. Combining the kitchen with the living room is a rather bold decision. It is necessary to weigh in advance all the advantages and disadvantages of such a redevelopment.

In order for the room to be functional, practical, comfortable and cozy, meet the requirements of the present, look stylish and attractive, it is necessary to carefully consider how to properly combine the working area of ​​the kitchen and the recreation area in the living room. What type of lighting should you choose? Do you need a dining table? Or can it be replaced with a bar counter or an island table? How to select each zone correctly so that they do not merge into one whole, but complement each other? In what style to beat such planning?

You can deal with all these issues on your own by studying the recommendations of professional interior designers for residential buildings and apartments, who can offer different ideas regarding the design of any type of premises.

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Features and benefits of combining rooms

Combining the kitchen and living room is in high demand today. Such redevelopment allows you to visually significantly expand the space. A small and uncomfortable kitchen is transformed into an original and stylish space. A well-thought-out and correctly executed layout, as well as a well-chosen design style, will make such a room useful and functional, and will emphasize the decorative design of the interior.

The main advantages of combining a kitchen with a living room:

• visual expansion of the dwelling, the footage is visually larger;
• increase in light space;
• a large selection of original design solutions for interior decoration;
• the possibility of saving on household devices (for example, TV in the living room can also be watched from the kitchen);
• convenience in organizing and holding holidays at home (the hostess has the opportunity to be with the guests, and not be torn between the kitchen and the festive table);
• practicality and comfort if there are small children in the family (the mother has the opportunity to cook food and look after the baby / kids at the same time);
• if necessary, local repairs can be carried out.

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disadvantages

The kitchen-living room is an interesting solution in terms of interior design and functionality. Despite the many positive aspects, such a combination of two rooms has a number of disadvantages that should be considered before starting to redevelop.

The living room is a room where household members can relax, spend time together, and receive guests. The kitchen has a completely different purpose. Various culinary delights and meals are prepared here. To correctly combine such two different rooms, you need the help of specialists. And not only a construction and repair team, but also a stylist for interior decoration of a house or apartment.

It is also important to take into account the fact that after redevelopment, these two rooms become a single whole, such premises are also called a kitchen studio. If the family has a small child, then it is important to think over the moment whether the baby will be comfortable and convenient in the place where there is the noise of household appliances.

When choosing colors for furniture and textiles, you will have to abandon light shades. Since they will get dirty faster under the influence of temperature changes and fumes emitted from food during the preparation of any dishes. Of course, you should not completely abandon the light color, you just need to take into account that it will take more time to clean the kitchen-living room, made in this color version.

To prevent odors, grease, soot and fumes from spreading to the rest room, you will have to purchase a good and high-quality hood. A practical and functional hood should be powerful and high-speed, without making too much noise. Household appliances of this kind cannot be called a cheap pleasure.

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If earlier an apartment or house was an inconspicuous room with the same type of wallpaper and the same tiles, today everyone can afford to design their home, taking into account their own tastes and preferences. Various design styles are used in the interiors, among which the most popular are traditional or classic, European, Scandinavian, oriental, nautical, country, modern, hi-tech, minimalism, neoclassic, play of contrasts and others.

Neoclassical style

Neoclassicism is often referred to as a modern classic. Fans of this trend prefer furniture of the correct shape. In the design of the premises, everything should be thought out and performed strictly according to plan. The main characteristic feature of neoclassicism is calm light colors. Furniture, wall decoration, lamps, curtains, curtains, decorative elements - in everything, you should adhere to the calmness of the color palette.

Scandinavian style

The Scandinavian trend in interior design is gaining more and more popularity. What is characteristic of this style? Naturalness, naturalness, naturalness. These features are present in everything: lighting, decoration of walls and windows, materials from which furniture is made, etc.

Sea style

This stylistic direction is more suitable for the southern regions, where there is a lot of sun, light and warmth. The proximity of the sea symbolically affects the decorative design of the living quarters. All shades of turquoise, blue and light blue, imitation of water space, flooring in the color of a sandy beach, lots of natural light, rattan furniture, marine decor - all this is inherent in fans of this style.

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Black and white contrast

The combination of contrasting colors always looks advantageous in the interior. The most successful option, designers call a combination of black and white. Thanks to the play of contrasts, all zones in space can be clearly defined. For a black and white combination, minimalism is inherent, since the main emphasis is on the play of contrasting shades.

Symphony color style

Symphony of color implies arrangement and decoration of a room in a single color scheme, but different shades are acceptable. According to fashion trends, the lilac-violet range is gaining popularity. This trend is characterized by three main features: minimalism, maximum open space and functionality.

Space zoning rules

The combined kitchen and living room do not lose their purpose, therefore, when planning and design, it is necessary to pay enough attention to the issue of zoning.

The most common options for dividing the territory into zones:

• Application of the multilevel flooring method. For example, the floor in the kitchen has a flooring several centimeters higher than in the recreation area. Also, designers often recommend using a different floor covering. For the kitchen, the best option would be tiled, ceramic or marble tiles, while for the living room laminate, parquet, linoleum or soft flooring are suitable.
• Using different light. All food preparation processes take place in the work area, so the kitchen should have good lighting, but softer light can be installed for the living room, which will make the atmosphere as comfortable and calm as possible.
• Zoning using functional interior objects: columns, beams, arches, transparent sliding doors, etc.
• The use of versatile wall decoration. For the working area, you should choose more practical and wear-resistant materials.
• Separating the living room from the kitchen with a dining table, bar counter or table in the form of an island.

All the secrets of the planning and design of the kitchen-living room from the designer and 70 photos of real kitchen interiors are in this article.

Which kitchen set to choose for a living room with a kitchen

In modern kitchens and living rooms, the set can play the role of an accent or, on the contrary, dissolve in space.

Kitchen blends into the background

If the budget is limited and the apartment is small, order an inexpensive kitchen with smooth, even facades to match the walls. A good choice is solid cabinets without handles (doors open when pressed), a non-contrasting countertop and a neutral apron to match the facades.

Kitchen set as a living room decoration

Another option is to make the kitchen unit an accent. Let the furniture be eye-catching. Bright glossy facades, decorative milling, beautiful fittings, a spectacular apron, a beautiful table top. Such a kitchen looks beautiful, but requires a careful study of the design project. The kitchen and living room must be in balance and have a common style, otherwise the interior of the studio will not be harmonious.

Living room kitchen layout - where to put the kitchen set

The kitchen area in the living room can be arranged in different ways, but usually there are few options. The set is installed where the layout of the apartment and "wet zones" allow. The sink and dishwasher must not be taken out into the living room.

Corner kitchen along two adjacent walls

In a square kitchen-living room, the headset is usually installed in the corner. A good option if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, cook often and have a lot of supplies. One wall can be left without upper cabinets - a small kitchen-living room will seem more spacious.

Kitchen set in a niche

When combining a kitchen with a living room in typical apartments like Khrushchev, a comfortable niche is obtained. It is convenient: the headset and household details are not conspicuous. If your kitchen has an electric stove, additional zoning techniques are not needed. If there is a gas stove and / or a water heater, when agreeing on a redevelopment project between the living room and the kitchen, you will definitely be required to provide a sliding partition.

Peninsula or island kitchen

The kitchen island is convenient, but there is only room for it in a living room with an area of ​​at least 20 square meters. In a small studio apartment, it is better to make a peninsula. It has three advantages at once - it zones the room, provides an additional countertop and a lot of storage space.

Straight line headset

This option is often used in new studio buildings with a spacious living room, but the ergonomics of such a kitchen leaves much to be desired. The distance between the stove, sink and refrigerator is large, so you will make a lot of unnecessary movements. But in a small studio apartment, a small straight kitchen set is a great solution.

15 best zoning methods

What techniques do designers most often use when they create a design project for a living room combined with a kitchen?

Doors and partitions

Sliding doors and partitions... Sliding doors or accordion doors are convenient if you want to completely separate the kitchen from the recreation area from time to time. They protect against odors, but do not disturb the unity of space. Glass can be transparent, frosted, sandblasted, stained glass or colored (lacobel). Inexpensive sliding doors are made using the same technology as sliding wardrobes.

Plasterboard partition... With it, the space of the kitchen-living room with a studio layout will retain its volume. The upper part of the partition can be made in the form of a false window.

Finishing

Two types of flooring... Tile or porcelain stoneware in the kitchen area, parquet, laminate or cork in the rest of the room. In the interior of a small kitchen-living room, use one covering. For example, class 33-34 moisture resistant laminate.

Different ceiling levels... In the kitchen, which turns into the living room, two-level ceilings are often installed - a suspended structure made of plasterboard and a stretch ceiling. Ceiling lighting further zoned the living room and kitchen.

Different floor levels... Sometimes a podium with a height of 10-15 centimeters is made in the kitchen area. It hides communications, for example, when transferring a sink. LED or halogen spotlights can be built into the side of the podium. But keep in mind: if you use the kitchen often, this step is inconvenient.

Companion wallpaper. Use wallpaper from the same collection for wall decoration in the kitchen and in the living room. Plain colors for the background, with a pattern for accents. This way you can keep the space uniform.

Accent wall. Highlight the living / dining area with photo wallpaper or wallpaper with a bright print to match the facades of the headset or apron in the kitchen.

Architectural details

Ceiling beam... In some apartments (for example, panel, Khrushchev and stalinka apartments), the supporting beam between the rooms is provided for by the project. It cannot be removed during redevelopment or wall demolition. But sometimes it is specially mounted in order to visually separate the living room and the kitchen from each other.

False wall or low partition on the site of the former wall. You can make decorative niches in it, build in an electric or biofireplace, put an aquarium on it. If the partition is high enough, you can hang a large TV from the living room side.

Furniture

Dinner table . In a small studio, this is the best way to zone the space. The main thing is to position it correctly. The best option is on the border between the kitchen and living areas. The best choice for a small apartment is a convertible sliding table. The material can be any, the main thing is that the table is combined with a kitchen set and cabinet furniture for the living room.

Bar counter. A popular way to mark the border between living room and kitchen. For a small kitchen in the studio, choose a light modern bar counter made of artificial stone, MDF or tempered glass.

Kitchen "island" or "peninsula"... Spacious base cabinets are available from the kitchen side of the island. From the living room side, there are open shelves, a bar counter or a tabletop that can be used as a dining table.

A big sofa . Its back faces the kitchen and serves as a visual border between the two spaces. Behind the sofa, you can put a bar counter, a narrow console table, a low partition or a kitchen island. If the living area allows, buy a corner modular sofa. In a small apartment, you will have to limit yourself to a compact convertible folding model.

Double-sided shelving... It can be accessed from both the kitchen and the living room. A big plus is that it lets in light. Such "through" racks are, for example, at IKEA.

Lighting and decor

Its own light in every zone... Each group of luminaires must be switched on independently of each other. Be sure to include an overhead light above the headset and a worktop lighting. Hang a small chandelier or hangers with adjustable cords over your dining table. For a living room combined with a kitchen, buy chandeliers and pendants from the same collection - in the same style, but with a different number of lamps.

The furniture layout is the first thing the interior starts with. We are figuring out how to organize a comfortable space in the kitchen-living room.

• Layout your room on paper or using an online planner. Specify the dimensions and locations of windows, doors, radiators, ledges, niches, and beams on the ceiling. The most convenient scale is 1:20. When moving furniture, take into account not only its dimensions, but also the place for free passage (at least 60 cm), pulling out drawers, unfolding the sofa, etc.
• Think about your routes of movement around the room. Draw them with arrows on the plan. Furniture should not interfere with your movement between the kitchen, dining room and living room.
• Determine the focal point - the main object in the room around which you will build the space. This could be a TV, shelving, fireplace, or a wall with photographs or paintings.
• Find a good spot for your TV. Ideally, the screen should be clearly visible from both the living room and the kitchen. The TV should not be in front of or near the window, otherwise it will be difficult to watch due to glare. If there are no other options, buy blinds or roller blinds that diffuse sunlight.
• Make the elongated rectangular living room more square. Place a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe along a short wall with doors to match the wall decoration. Another way is to highlight the short wall with accent wallpaper or bright / dark paint, and decorate the long ones with a neutral light background.
• Do not place all furniture along the walls. This will only highlight the drawbacks of an elongated kitchen-living room. A lot of furniture in one part of the room and little in the other will also upset the balance in the interior.
• Place your dining table close to the window, but not opposite the doorway. Sitting with your back to the entrance is not very comfortable.

Photos of kitchens combined with the living room

Combining a kitchen with a living room is not a novelty these days. The idea of ​​such a combination for the owner of a spacious three-room apartment or a country house is a desire to embody taste preferences, making the space even more free and convenient to move. For small apartments of the old fund, where the kitchen area is about 6 square meters, the combination of the kitchen and a large adjoining room is the only way to get a spacious kitchen with modern functionality.

Combining two rooms into one has a number of the following advantages:

• the result is one large, spacious, bright room, giving great freedom of movement;
• there is more space for traditional family celebrations and receiving guests;
• the processes of table setting and collection of dirty dishes are simplified, but there is a need to constantly maintain perfect order and cleanliness in the kitchen area;
• it becomes much more convenient to prepare food and at the same time look after babies and elderly family members;
• the novelty and comfort of living conditions in a stylish functional room bring a lot of positive emotions.

A competent layout easily minimizes and eliminates the disadvantages arising from the combination of kitchen and living spaces. To exclude the spread of kitchen odors and the noise of household appliances that interfere with the rest of other family members, a powerful silent exhaust system must be installed above the cooking area, and the most silent household appliances must be used for storing and cooking food.

After combining with the kitchen, the living room should remain the central room in the house, intended for family holidays and receiving guests. The variety of interior options for arranging a kitchen-living room in a modern style is determined by the decoration of the walls. At the same time, it is very important that the wall materials are environmentally friendly, do not absorb extraneous odors and do not collect dust.

Processing the walls of the living room with Venetian plaster, artistic painting, gluing designer wallpaper imitating the fabric structure, bamboo, reed and other natural materials, allows you to add exclusivity to the interior.

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Decorating the walls with wallpaper with a small pattern of pale shades, the use of mirrors and transforming furniture will help to visually expand the boundaries of walls and ceilings, expand the space of a small apartment.

Short parquet or long wood planks are ideal floor coverings. Such a floor has a beautiful appearance, retains heat and does not require special maintenance. As a budget option, an easy-to-install laminate floor can be used.

When arranging a kitchen-living room in a modern one, you should not overload the resulting space with furniture. It is better if at least five square meters are allocated for the dining group, and it will be located opposite the entrance to the room. For comfortable movement between large pieces of furniture, a distance of at least 80 cm is required.

To give the living room stylistic uniformity, experts recommend using a variety of home textiles: carpets made of natural threads, furniture covers, blankets and pillows. Graceful figurines, paintings, interesting candlesticks also contribute to creating an atmosphere of home comfort.

The space of the kitchen-living room, correctly divided into functional zones, will help to preserve the initial purpose of each room.

Zoning

The most popular way of dividing the kitchen, combined with the living room, into zones is the use of finishing materials of different textures for the ceiling, floor and walls. The diverse designs of beautiful and sustainable multi-level ceilings allow for many options for delimiting space. By varying the height of the ceiling, color scheme with illuminated zones and furniture, you can create a unique design for a studio apartment.

Focusing on the food preparation area, a lower ceiling can be placed above the kitchen with a row of brighter lights suspended. The seating area can be illuminated with ceiling lights or floor and wall lights with a calm light. The exclusivity of the interior of a room with a high ceiling can be given by suspended structures with unusual geometry and built-in lights.

The center of the ceiling of the living area, in order to obtain the visual effect of free air space, can be made mirrored or decorated with a pattern that imitates the sky.

Zoning with various types of flooring is considered one of the most common methods. For example, a kitchen floor can be made from food-resistant ceramic tiles or porcelain stoneware. The floor in the living area should be made of parquet, laminate or carpet. For a zoning effect, a large, long-pile natural fiber rug works well.

A split-level floor can be used as a divider for zones with different functionality in a room with a high ceiling. Placement on the podium plane, for example, cooking and eating areas and placement in the lower plane of the recreation area, is acceptable. The ability to hide water pipes and sewers adds additional practicality to the kitchen podium.

The delimitation of functional areas can be done using walls. In the kitchen, the walls are recommended to be finished with traditional tiles or plastic panels suitable for daily cleaning. The surface of the walls in the living room can be wallpapered, whitewashed, plastered or other suitable finishes.

Moreover, in order to preserve the breadth of the combined space, the designers recommend using finishing materials for the walls of the kitchen and living room in a similar color scheme or ideally matching in color.

If, nevertheless, there is a desire to visually sharply outline the boundaries of the zones, you can apply contrasting wall decoration and arrange furniture of different colors, styles and materials. Contrast, for example, the warm velvetiness of natural wood and living room fabrics with the cold shine of steel and plastic kitchen surfaces.

Interesting solutions are obtained as a result of using arranged pieces of furniture for zoning. In place of the removed wall, it would be logical to place the island in the form of a large sliding dining table, with the formation of a comfortable dining area.

For the visual delimitation of space, a large-sized soft sofa, elongated or angular, is the best fit. The ideal choice would be a sofa upholstered in a practical, easy-to-clean, non-marking material to minimize the absorption of kitchen odors and greasy splashes.

A bar counter complete with a glass holder, a suspension for wine glasses and additional lighting in the upper part will look spectacular as a conditional border. In a small stylish kitchen, the bar counter can be used instead of the dining table. The lower part of the bar can be designed as part of the kitchen wall using decorative stone panels or ceramic tiles.

To hide the clutter in the kitchen area from prying eyes, placed shelves, folding screens, movable partitions made of natural materials and decorative fabrics contribute. In spacious rooms, muslin curtains of different weaving and thread thickness look romantic, separating the dining area from the recreation area.

Various architectural elements will also help to divide the space into functional zones: the remaining parts of the demolished wall with built-in aquariums, columns, supports, curly doorways, arches.

Variety of modern styles

Despite the different functionality of the zones, the interior of the common space should be designed in a unified manner. For finishing the combined space, it is necessary to give preference to materials in the same color scheme. When choosing furniture, pay attention to the use of surfaces and upholstery with matching shades and textures.

The philosophy of the Art Nouveau style, dictating unity with nature, involves the use of plant and wood motifs in the design of the living room. Plants can be present as such and in the form of a pattern on fabric wallpaper, decorative panels. The Art Nouveau style is clearly emphasized by the curtains of asymmetric cut, decorated with floral ornaments. The ceiling is usually white, covered with plaster or painted. Possible floor options are herringbone laying of parquet boards or using slabs with a pattern in the form of a cut of natural stone.

The minimalist style implies more attention to interior decoration of walls and ceilings and less attention to a few pieces of furniture. Therefore, the finish should be nearly perfect. The décor of the walls and ceiling should form a single whole and combine no more than three light pastel colors. The floors are recommended self-leveling or cork. An affordable option allows for laminate flooring.

The minimum necessary and extremely functional set of furniture in the living room and kitchen appliances should be of strict forms, not focusing on handles and fittings.

The classic version of the kitchen-living room in a modern interpretation looks organically in a spacious room, this option is often chosen by the owners of mansions. The interior necessarily includes arches, columns, portals, fireplaces and uses shades of beige, light natural wood, a combination of white and gold. The ceiling is decorated with white stucco. The walls are finished with wallpaper on a fabric basis with large openwork motifs. The classic-style interior uses wood furniture with the obligatory glass inserts on the doors.

Examples of the best designs

The modern trend in the design of the kitchen-living room today has become a decorative loft. This style actively uses exposed brick and concrete in the decor of the walls of the kitchen and dining areas, combined with a large amount of plastic and glass of lighting fixtures. The floor can be wooden planks or polished concrete slabs.

Ceiling beams can also be left as they are. The loft style involves leaving various wires and pipes in sight. Furniture made of natural wood of a rough texture, decorative elements made of copper, brass and leather are well combined with this style.

Modern trends in interior design tend to increase the size of small spaces whenever possible. One of these trends is the design of the kitchen-living room. As a rule, the area of ​​the kitchen is expanded at the expense of the room next to it - the wall between the rooms can be demolished or moved if it is not load-bearing.

The advantages of a kitchen-living room

The kitchen-living room allows you to solve a number of problems arising from a classic layout. The first is a small kitchen area. In many houses, even with modern layouts, the cooking space is made small in order to increase the area of ​​living rooms in the apartment. This space is often not enough for comfortable cooking.

The second problem that is solved by combining two rooms is the ability to meet guests. The kitchen in a modern home is not only a place where food is prepared, the family often spends more time there than in the bedrooms. In addition, it is there that guests are often met. In such a situation, additional kitchen space becomes vital.

And the third advantage arising from the previous one. If a large family and guests often gather in the house, it becomes not very convenient to follow the preparation of food, and at the same time be in a common company. Combining the kitchen and living room solves the problem with the inconvenience of the hostess.

In addition, the kitchen and living room together allow the whole family to spend more time. The hostess can, without being distracted from household chores, watch TV, spend time with her husband and children, and other family members can go about their business in the large living room, without interrupting communication with his wife and mother.

Possible disadvantages

Thinking about the design of the kitchen-living room, one should take into account not only the advantages, but also the disadvantages that such a design creates. For example, creating a shared space can lead to the loss of the intimacy of the cooking process. For those who find it important to cook alone, without being distracted by extraneous matters, such a redevelopment will not work.

Another significant drawback is hygiene. The hood system in the kitchen is usually designed for a small room, it will not cope with the increased area. Therefore, the smells that inevitably arise during cooking, and not always pleasant, will spread throughout the apartment. To avoid this, additional ventilation must be provided. In addition, the living room requires upholstered furniture, and the kitchen needs frequent wet cleaning. Competent zoning of the premises helps to combine these conflicting concepts.

The design of the kitchen-living room is more complicated than the design of these rooms separately. It is required to delimit the room (there are various ways for this), provide additional ventilation (the hood above the stove may not be enough). Also you should think about the convenience of combining two rooms of different purpose.

Kitchen-living room design in detail

On the network you can find beautiful photos of the premises, which will be obtained during redevelopment. In doing so, it is important to consider several factors. The convenience of the resulting room, its safety, entirely depend on the skill shown during the work. Possibilities of planning are practically unlimited, therefore, artistic taste and a correct assessment of their capabilities are of particular importance.

Key Features

When planning the design of a new kitchen, you need to take into account certain rules for redevelopment and combination of premises. For example, combining a kitchen and a room next to it is unacceptable if the wall between them is load-bearing - this can lead to the gradual destruction of the whole house. If it is impossible to demolish another wall, redevelopment must be abandoned. An arch can be a substitute for demolishing a wall. This design is permitted in load-bearing walls, but requires approval from the ZhEK in order to exclude damages dangerous to the building.

The same rule applies to windows. Their size cannot be increased, all the more so - combine several window openings with each other. Redevelopment of the outer wall can only be carried out after a construction expertise. In most cases, it will show that tampering with a given wall is dangerous for the building.

Relatively easily and without problems, only the non-capital partition between rooms can be demolished. In this case, you only need the conclusion of the commission that the wall is not capital, the order of a new technical passport of the premises. No other documents are required.

It is not worth moving kitchen equipment unnecessarily - this leads to a deterioration in the operation of ventilation. In addition, if you place a stove or sink over the living room of the neighbors below, some of the unpleasant odors, as well as the risk of being flooded with water, will get to them. And, of course, you need to think about a reinforced hood when designing a design.

Space zoning

If in an ordinary kitchen zoning is not always important, in a kitchen combined with a living room, this is a must. The main zones of the resulting room are the cooking area, the food storage area (sometimes these two zones are combined into one), the eating area, the working area (may be absent or combined with the dining area). Dividing these zones among themselves will make the space harmonious, allow you to use it with maximum benefit, and facilitate cleaning.

Food preparation and storage area ( economic zone) - the kitchen itself. Of the necessary equipment, it should include a stove, a sink, a cutting table, a refrigerator, cabinets for storing food and dishes. The main principle of building this zone is compactness and functionality. All of these items should be convenient for the hostess, in maximum accessibility. The economic zone should be separated from the dining area (the means of delimiting space will be discussed below).

Eating area(combined with or without a work or entertainment area) occupies about half or most of the kitchen combined with the living room. A large dining table, chairs and / or a soft sofa must be placed in this area. On request, the dining area is complemented by decorative elements, a TV, a bar counter, and other interior details. The main principle of space construction is aesthetic.

Various styles for the kitchen-dining room

In order for the room to look harmonious, it is important that all the elements of furniture and finishes that are in it are selected in the general style. The advice of a professional designer will help you choose a practical and beautiful architectural style. But you can independently familiarize yourself in advance with what may constitute the decoration of the room.

The classic style allows you to feel the delicate taste and material security of the owners of the house. Its main features are the use of expensive high-quality materials, strict geometry of forms, symmetrical outlines of furniture. Items should have graceful outlines, interior details should be as laconic as possible. Colors - light tones are preferable, especially beige, gray is often used, as a finish - brown "woody" shades. Black and white colors are rarely used, red is practically not used.

Arches, columns are used as zoning techniques, sometimes curtains can be used, but this is rarely convenient. Some areas of the room (for example, the hob) can be designed in the form of a portal - a structure that visually separates what is inside it from the rest of the room. The dining area is often decorated with flowers, curtains, paintings and other elements that give the interior a solemnity.

Provence style kitchen design requires large spaces. Large pieces of furniture will not look smaller than 20sqm. Therefore, the combination of the kitchen and living room in a design project is simply created for Provencal decoration. The main feature is the strict zoning of space using arches, semi-partitions, multi-level floors, ledges on the ceiling, furniture and other methods.

The color scheme is white and light shades of yellow, green, blue and purple. A floral pattern on furniture and decoration elements, vintage styling is welcome. Bright colors, shades of red, black, dark shades are not used. The geometric pattern is rarely used; it is desirable to use soft lines and color transitions in it.

Furniture for a Provencal living room is preferable to be large-sized, stylized as antique (sometimes an artificial aging procedure is used for this purpose). The dining area can be decorated with textile elements, fresh flowers, and a decorative fireplace. A plus will be large windows that give a lot of light. It is best to equip a Provence style kitchen-dining room in rooms facing south or southwest, then it will have bright natural light all day.

Minimalism, in contrast to the previous two styles, is intended to be laconic, functional and comfortable. The minimum in this style is everything - the area(it is suitable not only for large, but also for those rooms that even after the combination remained small), the color scheme (2-3 shades at the same time, the usual combinations of white and black), the simplicity of the lines.

In the decoration, preference is given to practical materials that are easy to put in order. From furniture - only the most necessary. Decorative elements are not completely excluded, but their number is reduced to a minimum, their task is not only to decorate the interior, but also to emphasize its minimalism favorably.

Partitions, bar counters

The use of partitions is one of the ways of zoning a kitchen-dining room. They allow you to separate the cooking area from the dining area, and this separation carries not only aesthetic, but also practical meaning - it is much easier to keep the dining and working area clean. Partitions can be erected in place of the demolished wall or moved to any other place, in accordance with the general concept. Partitions can reach the ceiling or be incomplete (Provencal style).

The bar counter can replace the partition in the design - it performs the same functions, but in addition to delimiting the space, it serves a more practical purpose - you can put food and drinks on it. If desired, the size of the bar can be made small so that it does not take up much space. It is this method of zoning that is preferable in the style of minimalism.

Furniture

The choice of furniture is determined by two main factors - convenience and style of decoration of the kitchen-living room. Whichever design style is chosen, it should be remembered that the main purpose of kitchen utensils is to cook and eat. The convenience of these processes should not be neglected - an inconvenient kitchen will not improve, but spoil the interior of the house.

However, the aesthetic side is also important. Furniture must match the style of decoration- austere and elegant for the classic style, vintage and pretentious for Provence, as simple and comfortable as possible for minimalism.

Arrangement of furniture is another way of zoning space. Therefore, the placement of furniture is no less important part of the design than other techniques. In the cooking area from furniture, only cupboards for dishes and products and a cutting table are needed. In modern kitchens, it is fashionable to make a common worktop, combining several small cabinets, providing a place for working with products, as well as hanging cabinets on the walls.

The furniture of the dining area provides a lot of room for imagination. Of the obligatory items in it, only a dining table, as well as chairs or sofas. The design of "seating" can be very different - laconic simple chairs, small armchairs, sofas, which can be seated in a large company. Decorative elements complement the style.

Multilevel floors

Different floor heights, a kind of step between two different parts of the room - an excellent way out for a narrow kitchen-living room. The step is created by a concrete screed used to level the floor.

It is important that the transition between one and another room is clearly visible, and the owners and guests of the house do not stumble over it.

Different floor levels can be emphasized with different materials - floor tiles in the kitchen area, laminate or carpet in the recreation area. In this case, the materials should be combined in color and style in order to preserve the overall appearance of the room. You can use the same material, for example linoleum.

Layout possibilities

Modern materials and furniture create an almost limitless scope for imagination. Combining the kitchen and living room allows you to turn a modest Khrushchev kitchen into a spacious room, sometimes it is possible to carve out up to 30 square meters of space for cooking, eating, relaxing and spending time together. A variety of materials allows you to create a luxurious looking interior even on a limited budget.

Modern technologies, and in particular, communications, are designed to bring people closer together, but, unfortunately, everything happens quite the opposite. Traditions to visit each other just like that, without warning, or to gather the whole family for breakfast, is less and less common in a modern family. And often it’s not a lack of time, but the lack of a place where a large family or company could gather.

This problem is especially relevant for the owners of apartments of the old fund, or, more simply, "Khrushchevs", of which there are still a lot in our country. The rooms in these apartments are not spacious and comfortable, especially the kitchens, in which, in general, it is difficult to turn around. That is why people are increasingly resorting to redevelopment, namely, to remove the partition between the kitchen and the living room.

As practice has shown, such a technique not only visually expands the space, but is also able to solve a lot of pressing problems that all housewives of small kitchens face.

Like many fashionable novelties, the idea of ​​combining the kitchen with the living room came to us from the west, where it is not customary to spend a lot of time standing at the stove. Therefore, when deciding to create a design project for a living room combined with a kitchen, it is necessary to take into account all the positive and negative aspects.

Disadvantages of combining living room and kitchen

• The kitchen is a place where a little creative clutter can sometimes be tolerated. When combined with a living room, this will have to be monitored especially carefully. A few unwashed plates or bread crumbs on the table can spoil the look of the entire room.
• Strong smells from cooking food will spread throughout the apartment, and even the most powerful hood will not be able to absorb them all.
• Now, the noise from household appliances won't be held back by the walls. And many kitchen appliances, such as a food processor or mixer, are very loud.

Benefits of combining living room and kitchen

• Additional collection space for large companies.
• Additional lighting due to the fact that the room will no longer have one kitchen window, but at least two.
• There is no need to carry ready meals from one room to another.
• The studio apartment looks very stylish and fashionable.
• Many housewives are annoyed that while their household members spend time together, they have to stand at the stove deprived of communication, now this problem will be solved by itself, you can communicate with loved ones without breaking away from everyday affairs.

Redevelopment

If all the pros and cons are taken into account, and the decision on a new design has been made, you should not immediately take up the hammer and tear down the wall.

Important ! Unauthorized interference with the structure of the house can lead to the collapse of the entire building.

First of all, it is imperative to consult with specialists and obtain permission from the relevant authorities. If there is not just a partition between the living room and the kitchen, but a load-bearing wall, then you can forget about redevelopment.

But do not despair, even in a load-bearing wall, sometimes it is permissible to expand the door opening due to the arch.

Also, there are standards for apartments equipped with a gas stove. If such is installed in the apartment, it will be much more difficult to obtain permission to combine the kitchen with the living room.

But, as you know, on the way to a dream, any obstacles are surmountable.

Zoning

Zoning is the most commonly used move by designers. It allows you to apply several interior styles in one room. For the design of a combined kitchen and living room of small sizes, this is especially true.

Despite the combination of the two spaces, the kitchen and living room remain diametrically opposed premises. A place for cooking and eating cannot be identical with a resting place. That is why zoning is essential.

There are several ways to divide the space into zones, and they choose the appropriate one based on the characteristics of the apartment and personal preferences.

Bar counter

Probably the most effective trick for small rooms. The bar counter performs several functions at once and allows you to remove some pieces of furniture, freeing up space:

• Serves as a place for eating.
• Creates an additional work surface.
• Delimits the space.

Podium

If the height of the ceilings allows, then the kitchen area can be slightly raised. The difference between the zones of only 5-10 cm is able to visually divide the space and use different interior styles without disturbing the overall harmony. Also, numerous communications are well hidden under the kitchen podium.

Arch

The arch-shaped transition between the zones suits almost any design style. This technique allows you to combine the rooms without mixing them, and the design of the arch with built-in lamps will create an additional contrast.

Folding screens

A convenient way of zoning, allowing you to delimit spaces from time to time. An elegant, translucent screen will not be able to completely separate the kitchen from the living room, but it will become an interesting decor element.

Hedge

Braiding plants or aquariums with fish are able not only to decorate the room, but also to visually divide it into zones. In addition, living plants in an apartment are a combination of business with pleasure.

To more clearly understand how a kitchen combined with a living room looks like, you can watch the video

Elaboration of design

The interior design of the living room, combined with the kitchen, requires special detailed study. Even completely different styles should look harmonious and not contradict each other.

A baroque living room and a high-tech kitchen will look at least inappropriate, therefore, special attention should be paid to the selection of styles and the choice of furniture for both rooms.

Often, the main emphasis is on the living room as a more significant room, in this case the kitchen is designed in a minimalist style, where the main factor is functionality. But you can also focus on the kitchen area, in this case, playing on unobtrusive contrasts will help.

Using lighter colors in the kitchen than in the living room will make it stand out and catch the eye.

Important ! Do not make too intrusive contrasting transitions. Too bright colors will quickly tire people in the living room.

You can play on the contrasts between the kitchen and the living room, not only with the help of paints. Decorating materials and furniture are also capable of creating transitions. In the living room, more natural and warm materials like wood and textiles can be used, while the kitchen area will be teeming with glass and plastic.

Flooring

The ideal floor covering for a living room is carpet or just a carpet, they are soft and create additional comfort, but their use in the kitchen is at least not practical. For practical reasons, tiles are more commonly used in the kitchen. But making a smooth transition between a soft carpet in the living room and hard tiles is not easy. Especially if the floors are on the same level without using a podium.

When creating a holistic design of the living room and kitchen, you should pay attention to the laminate. This flooring is great for any space and comes in a huge variety of textures and colors.

Important ! Using laminate flooring in a combined room, it must be remembered that the kitchen, in contrast to the living room, requires a coating of a higher class of strength and durability.

Different laminate colors can be combined into a single coating that will not stand out at the joints.

Walls

When creating a kitchen design combined with a living room, you should refuse to decorate the walls with wallpaper with a pattern. It is better if it is painting, with which you can create a smooth transition from one zone to another. Wall decoration, it is more correct to keep it neutral, and the emphasis can be transferred, for example, to a kitchen apron.

There is also an option with wall paneling. In this case, you can create a single space between the kitchen and the living room, using imitation of natural materials such as stone or wood.

The main convenience of wall panels is that they are able to withstand the aggressive environment of the kitchen, and at the same time become part of the living room design.

Ceiling

For complex design solutions, and a living room combined with a kitchen is just that, a suspended ceiling would be an ideal option. The method of its manufacture allows you to create the most intricate designs, with the help of which you can both zone the space and give it integrity.

Also, with its help, you can repeat the floor differences if a podium was used.

Various geometric shapes created on the ceiling can set the desired visual perception of the entire room as a whole.

A significant disadvantage of a suspended ceiling is its scrupulousness to cleanliness. It cannot be washed and is capable of absorbing odors, so if a large family lives in the house, and they cook a lot in the kitchen, it is worth considering more practical options, for example, a vinyl stretch ceiling.

Such a design is resistant to dirt and does not absorb odors, in addition, any pattern can be applied to the vinyl canvas that can emphasize the peculiarity of a complex design.

There is an opinion that a stretch ceiling can only be flat, but this is a delusion. Modern technologies make it possible to create multi-level structures from vinyl canvas, which is also very important for a kitchen combined with a living room.

Lighting

Correct placement of lighting fixtures is another important aspect of complex living room / kitchen designs. With its help, you can completely change the visual perception.

It is better to refuse from central lighting in the form of chandeliers, and give preference to spotlights or hidden LEDs. Typically, the kitchen needs more light than the living room. Therefore, it is desirable that the lighting is combined. That is, if necessary, you can add light to the work area, and when the kitchen is not used for its intended purpose, leave only decorative lighting.

Combined lighting is also important because too bright light in the kitchen will constantly attract attention and interfere with a good rest in the living room. After all, sometimes you want to sit in the twilight and just watch TV.

Conclusion

The living room combined with the kitchen is not just a tribute to new fashion trends. Often this is just a necessary condition for comfort in an apartment. Unfortunately, the main goal of the architects of the last century was to create comfortable apartments with a small area.

The modern kitchen has become more functional and requires space, and it can only be obtained by connecting to the living room.

The creation of such a design project is not an easy task, but the result is able to exceed all expectations.