Kitchen

Kitchen combined with living room

Kitchen-living room

Comfort in the house is an important aspect on which the comfort of both an individual and all family members depends. In an effort to equip housing, people begin to look for interesting ideas, put into practice the most daring ideas. One of these solutions, actively used by designers, is the arrangement of the kitchen-living room. The layout, which combines several different functional rooms, is used in the construction of new houses, but many manage to organize it in the apartments of the old housing stock.

Remodeling can lead to serious problems, and then returning everything to its original state is difficult. Before choosing this option, it is worth considering a number of points, primarily related to the violation of architecture. The living room is a living room, a resting place, and the kitchen is a service room for cooking. Combining them into a single space is undesirable, but in some cases such a combination is necessary, it allows you to solve significant problems.

Advantages and disadvantages

The absence of a blank wall between the kitchen and the living room implies a completely different system of organizing space, in comparison with the arrangement of separate rooms. This layout is not suitable for everyone, but it is a good option in the following cases:

  • the apartment has a small area, and it is impossible to place everything you need in the kitchen room;
  • a large family lives in a private house, and whatever their parents do, their children should be constantly supervised;
  • the cuisine is rarely, or not used at all for its intended purpose;
  • Housing is intended exclusively for parties;
  • a person likes to cook, wants to boast of his skill, perform all actions in full view of other household members and guests;
  • the house is large, each resident has his own personal corner.

This is only part of the options. There are many other situations in which such a layout is appropriate. For example, the hostess spends a lot of time in the kitchen, while she wants to communicate with the rest of the family who are resting nearby. However, before opting for such a scheme, it is worth considering all the advantages and disadvantages of a single space. Among the main advantages combined into one room of a residential and service area, we can distinguish:

  • Rational use of living space.Here you can place three zones: a place for cooking, for eating, for organizing leisure and recreation.
  • In the kitchen you can arrange all the necessary kitchen items, furniture, appliances, it becomes possible to expand the work surface.
  • Convenience in organizing meals. Dishes after cooking immediately fall on the table.
  • The increase in the number of windows, and consequently the penetration of natural light.
  • Savings on household appliances. In a single large room, you can install one TV that everyone can watch.
  • A family can spend more time together.
  • All things are in sight, which makes the atmosphere pleasant enough.

Saving space is one of the advantages of the kitchen-living room

Each medal has its opposite side. The kitchen-living room is no exception. The main disadvantages of this neighborhood are as follows:

  • Additional costs for redevelopment and repair activities. You will have to change the finish of the floor, walls, ceiling to materials that are resistant to high humidity.
  • Additional time and effort to obtain permission for redevelopment in the BTI.
  • Lack of sound insulation. All those present will hear noises coming from the sink, extractor hood, dishwasher, and other equipment.
  • Smells of food will penetrate the living room, and soak into the walls, furniture, and surrounding objects. A powerful hood will help partially solve the problem, but it will also require funds to purchase it.
  • Maintaining the work area in constant cleanliness.
  • You will need a competent design for an open space, which not everyone can do on their own.
  • Cooking takes place on public display, which is not suitable for every housewife.

Floor lamp by the sofa Lamps above the bar Yellow furniture in the kitchen Workbenches with lighting in the work area White carpet on the dark floor

Design Features

The main advantages of any home are its originality, exclusivity. This statement applies even to apartments with a standard layout, but to create a unique interior, one fantasy is not enough, design skills are needed. If you are guided by the correct principles when designing a kitchen-living room, then the housing will become as comfortable as possible, residents will feel comfortable.

Layout of the kitchen-living room

When creating a project for a new cottage or a private house, you can equip the living room and kitchen in a single space without any problems. However, for typical apartments it is much more difficult to implement such a task. In order for the project to turn out to be of high quality, meet all accepted standards, take into account the wishes of the residents, the following actions will be required:

  • Metering. The area of ​​both rooms is measured.
  • Preliminary sketch. Based on the measurements, an approximate floor plan is created. All windows, doors, the location of ventilation ducts, and other structural elements are indicated here.
  • Layout. Initially, the kitchen zone stands out, it contains the necessary appliances and equipment, because all the elements are dependent on utilities. Then the place for the dining room and living room is determined.
  • Zoning. You can use many options: lighting, decoration materials, screens and partitions, etc.
  • Situation. For each functional area, the corresponding furniture and interior items are selected.
  • Lighting. In the hall you can hang a central chandelier, while in the kitchen you need to illuminate the work area.
  • Style. The common space should correspond to a single direction.
  • Decoration Materials. It is worth considering the fact of increased humidity, temperature changes.

The lamp over the paintings Brown curtains on the windows Tiles on the kitchen floor Large clock in the living room Newspaper wallpaper on the wall

How to legalize redevelopment

Before proceeding with the reconstruction of the apartment, the owner is obliged to find out what changes are permissible and what is strictly prohibited. The living room can only be combined with a kitchen in which an electric stove is installed. At the same time, the partition cannot be completely demolished. In the supporting wall it is only possible to make a narrow doorway with reinforcement, and in the partition - wide with sliding, swing doors, or an arch.

It is unacceptable to carry out the reconstruction in houses recognized as emergency, to demolish the bearing walls, to connect the hall and the kitchen room with a gas stove.No one will approve such a redevelopment, and if it has already been completed, then you will have to pay a fine, return everything to its place.

Redevelopment of the kitchen-living room

If the above norms are met, the owner plans to change the layout, then at the initial stage it must be legalized. This process takes place in several stages:

  1. Project preparation. To do this, you should contact the BTI or a design bureau that has an SRO approval and order a sketch or design project from them.
  2. Filing an application. Having collected all the necessary documents (redevelopment project, registration certificate, documents on the right of ownership, etc.), the corresponding application is submitted to the district administration.
  3. Repair work. Having received permission from the housing inspection, you can proceed with the repair measures.
  4. New data sheet. Upon completion of the repair, an appeal is submitted to the housing inspectorate, after which an interagency commission to change the planning should come, which will draw up the relevant act. With the received certificate, passport, extract from the unified state register, the owner of the apartment should contact BTI, which, after paying for the service, will provide a new technical passport.

Kitchen furniture with wooden countertops Laminate in the living area Modular picture on the wall Shelves on the sides of the TV Photo frames on the wall

We take into account the shape and dimensions of the room

You can combine the kitchen with the living room in several ways: partially with a narrow opening, partially with a wide opening, completely. The first option is used only when there is a supporting wall between the rooms, and, relying on regulatory documents, there is no way to organize a free passage. The second and third methods provide more ideas for organizing a single space.

Rectangular kitchen-living room Wooden slats on the wall Brick tile apron in the kitchen Tulle on the windows Living room with a balcony

The kitchen-living room can have a wide variety of dimensions and shapes. The most common are square and rectangular rooms, but there are also non-standard options that have one, two, more atypical angles. The arrangement of each of the listed types must be approached individually:

  • RectangularFurniture is best placed along one wall, which makes it possible to increase the free area. Also, experts recommend using g- or p-shaped layouts that allow you to maximize the use of corners.
  • Square. The island type of layout will look great here. Having the furniture in small groups, you can clearly plan the space. It is also appropriate to use the L-shaped arrangement method.
  • Non-standard. In round, oval, trapezoidal rooms you can create a unique interior. Using special furniture, a system of niches, shelves, it is possible to make right angles in the room.

Corner sofa in the interior

An important factor in the organization of the kitchen-living room is the number of windows, their location. General symmetry, division into functional zones, and arrangement of objects depends on this. The dimensions are also worth considering. Almost any style is suitable for large rooms. In small ones, one should use techniques of visual increase in living space.

Shelves on the wall by the door Aquarium in the partition Painting in the dining area LED strip on the ceiling Partition Orchid

Options for finishing and zoning space

It is impossible to design a kitchen-living room without the use of zoning techniques. After all, the room combines a kitchen, dining room, living area. To divide the space into several functional areas, and at the same time streamline the interior, made in the same style, you will need to take into account many nuances, carefully think through all the details. You can organize conditional demarcation of a room in different ways. Consider some of the options:

  • Bar counter. Helps create a cozy atmosphere. It is indispensable in small rooms, it helps to save space. It can be used both for its intended purpose and as a dining table, work area. There are two ways to position it: attach to the kitchen set, use as a stand-alone bar element.The design should not be installed if small children, elderly people live in the house.
  • Two-level floor. If the ceiling height allows, then the podium can be a good tool for dividing the room into zones. It is very important to take into account the proportions of the room and the podium in order to harmoniously fit the design into the overall interior. This element will also help hide various kitchen utilities, it can organize a storage system.
  • Island layout. The island allows you to make the most functional room. The main thing in the organization: central location, openness. The easiest way to build such a structure is to bring to the center the standard modules of the kitchen set, dining and sofa group.
  • Partitions. These structures allow you to solve any problems associated with the division of the premises into separate sections. The easiest way to organize zoning is to build a wall from drywall. But for these purposes, a variety of elements can be used: furniture, shelving, screens, shutters, etc.
  • Arches. This architectural element will partially block the opening in the wall, divide the room. In fact, this is a kind of partition that can be made of various materials, whether it is wood, metal or glass.
  • Sliding doors. This option will be indispensable for a partially combined kitchen and living room. Glass doors through which the whole space is visible look especially good.
  • Aquarium. This item can act as an independent partition, or be built into part of the wall, mounted on a pedestal.

Zoning of the kitchen-living roomStone tile on the wall Decorative palm tree in the corner Bookshelves along the wall Accent chairs in the living room Large mirror in the hallway

Kitchen area

When organizing a place for cooking, first of all, you need to focus on its size. Initially, you need to correctly place the kitchen "triangle", consisting of a stove, sink, refrigerator. Determine the dimensions and location of the work surface.Usually it is located between the stove and the sink, but in a large room you can provide an island option.

Particular attention must be paid to the ventilation system. Experts recommend that you install a powerful exhaust hood so that during the preparation of food products odors do not spread throughout the room, are not absorbed by furniture and other items. The equipment is selected silently so that in the process it does not interfere with everyone present.

Kitchen area

When choosing furniture, the style of the whole room is taken into account. In color, shape, it should correspond to the general interior. It also has to be functional and comfortable. When organizing lighting, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the central chandelier will be in the hall, so the main thing here is to illuminate the work area. The decoration of the floor, walls, ceiling should be sustained in the same style with the rest of the space.

Windows in the ceiling Brick wall in the living room TV in the corner Bar stools at the counter Flower pot on the floor

Living area

There are several ways to separate one area from another. The easiest method to perform zoning is using furniture. For these purposes, corner and standard sofas, a variety of racks, including step ones, cabinets, bar counters, are suitable. You can also use a color scheme, different textured coatings of walls and floors. With the help of lighting for each zone, you can make your own light accent.

Living areaBright picture in a white interior Partition lamps Lamps over the sofa Pendant chandeliers over the dining table Illuminated kitchen furniture

Dinner Zone

The most important factor in determining the place for a dining room is the area that it will occupy. This parameter primarily depends on the number of household members, personal preferences of the owners of the house, and the dimensions of the room. If the family consists of two people, then a small table is enough, but you can get by with one bar counter.

For a comfortable location a large family will need an impressive table. It is rational to place the dining area in the center in the form of an "island", but this arrangement is only suitable for spacious rooms.If the room has an elongated rectangular shape, then a place is chosen along one of the walls.

Dinner Zone

You can highlight a dining place with the help of flooring and its combination. For example, in the whole room to lay linoleum, and in the dining room - laminate. The table mounted on the podium looks great. Do not neglect the furniture. Using the sofa on one side, the dining area can be separated from the living room, and a partition from the kitchen.

Floor vase by the window Door bookcase Columns in the interior Wooden apron in the kitchen Mirror over the fireplace

Style and color scheme

To select the perfect design and color in the kitchen-living room, professional interior creators are guided by some rules. It should be remembered that a small finish pattern, intersecting strips visually increase the space, and a large one, on the contrary, narrows it. The illusion of movement in the hall, combined with the kitchen, will help create diagonal stripes. The design of a modern kitchen-living room can take place according to a variety of stylistic experimental projects.

Kitchen-living room in whiteDesk armchair Chandelier with candles in the dining area Dark curtains in a bright interior Accent wall in the kitchen Aquarium behind the sofa

Loft

To realize such a project is real only in a room of a large area. The room should be as spacious as possible, without partitions and arches. Combining the kitchen with the living room in the loft style should take into account the following features:

  • Rough finish of walls, ceiling. Textured plaster, bare concrete, brick will do. Pipes and massive wooden beams are installed on the ceiling, and communications are left open.
  • No arches and partitions. Separation is carried out using a bar, an island, a different floor height, various interior items, such as a sofa, chest of drawers.
  • Only warm artificial lighting. Home atmosphere and comfort are created with the help of original pendant lamps, spotlights, rotary spots and bare bulbs on the same wires.
  • The simplicity of the materials. For decoration use stone, wood, metal or their artificial substitutes. Some elements are specially aged in various techniques.
  • Large open windows.They should let in a lot of daylight and match the origin of the style.

Loft-style kitchen-living room

Scandinavian style

A traditional color palette is used. Such kitchen-living rooms make white, cream, gray. Against such a universal background, bright decor is possible. More often accent colors are as close to natural shades as possible (blue, green, brown). To add depth and expressiveness, black elements are used.

The furniture for the Scandinavian room is chosen small and concise. The room should not be overloaded with decor and useless things. Shelves and drawers should be closed to ensure comfort and hide all unnecessary. Open shelving usually serves to accommodate decor and indoor plants.

The dining group includes large wooden tables, uneven design chairs from different eras with noticeable scuffs. In spacious apartments with niches, the relaxation area is furnished with comfortable bright armchairs.

Scandinavian-style kitchen-living room

Minimalism

A strict design is primarily accompanied by a sense of proportion and freedom, only straight lines and maximum illumination. The decoration of the walls, floor and ceiling is completely lacking decor. Minimalist dining room can be of any layout - square, L-shaped. Household appliances are best to choose built-in and maximally functional. The design of the modern dining room involves the presence of smooth facades of metal, glass, plastic, plain textiles.

The color scheme is usually used in contrast. A combination of white and black, gray and beige will look good. The following basic features of furniture meet the general design concept:

  • Simple surfaces - no decor, carving or moldings;
  • Strict form of furniture and other interior items;
  • Only smooth facades;
  • Solid upholstery and textiles.

Minimalism kitchen-living room

High tech

The basic principles of this style are modernity, dynamism, and high technology.Mandatory components are the evenness of angles and shapes, the severity and clarity of the lines. Such a kitchen-living room is chosen by adherents of the avant-garde, keeping up with the times.

If the walls of the room are made of brick or concrete, they are not painted, use only plain plaster. Arches, partitions make the tone of the wall decoration. Lighting use built-in, mount the lamp in the ceiling, walls and floor. Chromed kitchen furniture often has their own lighting.

High-tech kitchen-living room

Provence

Elegant French style will make the kitchen-living room romantic and rustic. The decoration uses a pastel palette. More often it is muted pink, blue, lavender colors. The color theme is diluted not with catchy accents, but with lace and patterns. Synthetic textiles and plastic are not used for decoration.

In the Provence-style dining room, all modern appliances should be hidden in old furniture. To get an airy and friendly composition, it is necessary to carry out competent zoning. To do this, they often use imitation columns, a bay window and small rectangular ceilings under the ceiling.

Provence kitchen-living room

Classic style

The traditional classical style is expressed in quality and perfection. It is characterized by high ceilings, solid robust furniture, and a rich color palette. The main feature of such interiors is the predominance of products made from natural wood or as close as possible to it.

Finishing and furniture is chosen only from natural materials. High-quality curtain fabric, stone countertops, glass facades, wooden tables can be used. The decor in the classic kitchen-living room is a lot. Stucco molding, ceramic vases, various forged details will be appropriate.

Classic-style kitchen-living room

Country

Despite the classicism of this trend, country style is very popular among modern designers. The atmosphere of the family hearth and comfort is created by multiple elements of decor. They must be correctly combined.In such a room, carpets, paintings, woolen bedspreads, a fireplace at the entrance would be appropriate.

The kitchen-studio in the country style should have a single design. Each zone should be well lit, so a large number of fixtures are welcome. Furniture is arranged taking into account convenience for all households, symmetry is not a priority.

Country-style kitchen-living room

Art Deco

Fashionable interior design consists of several styles. The main feature that makes it recognizable is the presence of contrasting decor. More often dominated by black and white gamma. As additional colors use olive, sand, emerald.

For decoration, combined with the dining room, use high-quality expensive materials (lacquered wood, marble, ceramics). Visually, the room is divided using flooring, wall cladding. The working area is designated with the help of monochrome mosaic, cullet with gold, silver sequins.

Art Deco Kitchen-Living Room

Modern

To match the modern style, the kitchen-living room should be as simple as possible. The color scheme can be anything from a standard monochrome to bright with an extraordinary pattern or ornament. Such a dining room should create a dynamic image, but not be overloaded with unnecessary details. Furniture must be chosen stylish, compact and functional. Tables and chairs of a strict form are placed in straight lines, forming islands and peninsulas. To break the room into zones, several methods are used:

  • Bar counter;
  • Different gender levels
  • Dropped ceilings;
  • Lighting;
  • Wall decoration;
  • Items of furniture;
  • Combined flooring;
  • Columns, arches, functional niches.

Art Nouveau kitchen-living room

Choice and competent arrangement of furniture

To arrange furniture in such a combined room is necessary according to a previously thought-out plan. Drawing up a drawing must take into account fire safety rules. First of all, they designate a place for a headset and technical devices.The choice of a specific method depends on the size and layout of the room.

Arrangement of furniture in the kitchen-living roomTV in the dining area Telescope by the window Books on the floor Wreath under the ceiling Armchairs at the hearth

Kitchen set

Furniture and shelves with smooth smooth facades in the color of the walls are suitable for a small room. A great option is closed cabinets without handles that open when pressed. If the area allows, the headset can be made an accent. A spectacular apron, beautiful fittings will attract the eye and create a mood.

Kitchen set

The kitchen area can be located in different ways, but should be near communications and not go into the living room. In the room in the form of a square, headsets are installed in the corner. If this is the kitchen of Khrushchev, then the table and hanging shelves are placed in a convenient niche. The direct location along one wall is suitable for spacious living rooms in new buildings or studio apartments.

Panel over the sofa Artificial moss in the interior Hide on the floor Shelving along the wall Wallpaper under the brick in the living room

Dining area furniture

For a large kitchen-living room choose a massive dining table, designed for a minimum of 8 people. It can be an integral design or a transformer. The miniature room is furnished with concise and compact products. The ideal location for all options would be the central part or area near the window.

The size and shape of the chairs depends on the style of the room. In large rooms, chairs and seats with armrests will be appropriate. For the little ones, it’s better to use folding, transparent stool options.

Furniture in the dining area of ​​the kitchen-living room

Living room furniture

For a living room, you should choose furniture that is functional and only necessary for use. Bulky chests of drawers, cabinets, shelving should not clutter up the space. In the living room you can put a low sofa, coffee table, several armchairs. The boundary of the zones is often indicated by a bar or dining group.

Furniture in the living area

Around the room are placed tall cabinets and other storage systems. Add warmth to the hearth. The apartments use electric and decorative fireplaces. You can place them under the TV panel or in the area under the decorative partition.

Chess carpet on the floor Pendant chandeliers in the dining area Ottomans by the window Living wall in the interior Shelf under the TV

Technical equipment space

When combining several functional areas, it is important to follow the rules of ergonomics. It should also be understood that two completely different rooms will remain in their places. Transferring communications to a more suitable place in apartments is strictly prohibited.

Technical equipment of the kitchen-living room

Fighting odors - range hood and ventilation system

In order to be comfortable in the combined room, it must be equipped with a good ventilation system. In typical apartments there is only a hood, and the flow is ensured by ventilation. Therefore, a powerful hood should be installed above the stove or hob to clean the air.

It’s best not to try to solve the bad smell from cooking by installing an air conditioner in the living room. This will not save the room from the aromas of food, but only lead to damage to equipment and frequent replacement of filters.

Extractor fan in the kitchen

We think over lighting and backlight

To illuminate any combined rooms using local sources. For the convenience of staying in each zone, sconces, floor lamps, ceiling chandeliers are installed. For the most commonly used areas make the most contrast lighting.

Kitchen / living room lighting

The working surface must be emphasized with a bright, but not annoying light. To do this, mini-lamps are mounted in the lower part of the hanging shelves of the headset so that the light passes over the entire surface. As an illumination of a sink, a cooking surface use an LED tape.

Round table by the sofa Clock over the fireplace Indoor tree by the window Cabinet over the refrigerator Large windows in the dining area

The choice of decor and textiles

With the help of fabric screens, it is possible to carry out successful zoning. This option is suitable for any type of premises, as soft textiles take up little space and are easy to clean. The material for the curtains is practical and non-creasing.

Decor in the interior of the kitchen-living room

Decorative elements are selected for a specific style and theme of the room. You can focus on the beautiful chandelier above the dining group, a shelving with living plants. If space permits, install floor vases, forged abstract designs with letters.

Granite apron in the working area White furniture in the kitchen Staircase in the interior Blue sofa in the living room patchwork tiles in the kitchen

Conclusion

Combine the kitchen with the living room in a country house or apartment of any size. The lightest and most spacious part should be reserved for this zone. You can place functional areas in different ways using any available means. Modern designers equip such a room in accordance with all the rules of ergonomics.



Graduated from St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technology and Design. More than 100 completed design projects.


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