An open day area is an extremely popular solution. See how interior designers combine the kitchen and living room. The joint interior of a studio apartment is a very fashionable solution. It is very popular both in single-family houses and in apartments in high-rise buildings. It's a pleasant and friendly space that gives much more interior design options than enclosed spaces, while looking much nicer at the same time.
Kitchen-living room - interior design in practical solutions: important rules
A day area, devoid of artificially created barriers, allows you not only to visually increase the space of the entire room, adding at least a few square meters to it, but also to use the room functionally. Without unnecessary partitions and additional walls, the interior can look really impressive.
However, when arranging a living room with a kitchen, you must follow some basic rules. First of all, kitchen furniture cannot dominate the entire interior. Quite the opposite - the headsets must fit perfectly. Therefore, it should be remembered that the kitchen furniture matches the decor of the entire living area. You should also take care to have a consistent design concept across all service areas. The choice of color and finishing materials is important. You should remember the proportions between the individual zones - the dining room should not be larger than the living room or kitchen.
Interior of a living room combined with a kitchen: pros and cons
Until recently, closed kitchens dominated domestic apartments. Now the situation has changed radically. In new apartments, kitchens are built almost exclusively, connected to the living room. How to arrange such a space? In a small apartment, the combination of a kitchen and a living room allows you to visually increase the space. A peninsula can serve as a dividing element. The living room in combination with the kitchen is the dominant solution in modern interior design. This type of repair has its advantages, but also disadvantages.
One open space makes the interior look larger, especially when the apartment is not very spacious. In addition, household members can be in constant contact with each other, which is especially praised by parents of young children. This arrangement also feels modern. As for the disadvantages, it should be noted that the living room combined with the kitchen loses its relaxing and friendly character. In addition, smells and sounds spread throughout the apartment, which can be unpleasant, especially when receiving guests.
Designing a living room with kitchen
In each of the possible design examples, it is worth using the services of a specialist in this field. You can do this permanently in a design office. Online interior design is another way to get help from an architect. A kitchen open to the living room is becoming an increasingly popular solution. This type of space design is a very common architectural procedure that optically enlarges a small interior. In addition, the living room, combined with the kitchen, and sometimes with the dining room, allows the whole family to unite.
How to arrange a living room combined with a kitchen?
The living room combined with the kitchen saves a lot of space. Luckily, today there are effective solutions to address the shortcomings that detractors point out, such as advanced kitchen hoods that are silent and absorb all odors while looking really good. When organizing a combined space, it is worth considering the stylistic consistency of both parts and their functionality.
A living room with a kitchen is a solution that modern people are increasingly choosing. If you have the opportunity to abandon closed kitchens, then you should choose open spaces. Both the arrangement of the living room and the kitchen separately are extremely important. The rooms should interact stylistically. Be sure to solve two problems for yourself:
- Firstly, you should decide what style you want to decorate these rooms in, be it classic, modern, Scandinavian or perhaps glamorous.
- Secondly, evaluate your personal financial capabilities, needs and expectations regarding the appearance of the overall interior design and furniture.
Skillful zoning
The most common solutions in this type of arrangement are zoning the kitchen and living room. This can be done by arranging the furniture correctly. The border can be a sofa, kitchen island, bar or table. Glass and folding walls, such as accordion walls, are also increasingly common. Another option to set a boundary is to change up the flooring, combining wood in the living room with tile in the kitchen.
A modern living room with kitchen should not be completely open. Typically, the boundary is set by a kitchen island, a bar counter, cabinets, a table with chairs, and often a sofa. If you want the boundary between the kitchen and the living area to be clearer, you can introduce sliding doors that can replace a wall, separating the kitchen and living room. Translucent glass doors will adequately illuminate the shared room.
Living room with kitchen: what should it contain?
The most recurring fear of connecting the living room to the kitchen is the smell. When cooking food from a pan, extremely intense aromas are sometimes released, and these are not always pleasant to the rest of the family. To avoid this, simply mount a good hood on the stove. The stores have truly decorative models that beautifully highlight the stylish interior.
If you're forgoing a large table in your living room, you should opt for a kitchen island. Remember that the area where you will eat is necessary. The assumption that you will consume all your dinner meals on the sofa is in practice inconvenient, as it interferes with entertaining and has a very negative impact on personal health.
It is good if in the living room part there is a pleasant addition that matches the culinary climate. A glass chest of drawers with dishes next to the sofa will give the interior a sense of integrity. Also in the kitchen segment it is worth making space for books or flowers.
Lighting by zones
Thanks to the lamps, you can mark the boundary between two functional areas and achieve convenient switching on and off of different segments.
If the interior does not provide for the installation of elements in the form of partitions and other things, lighting will help to divide the kitchen-living room into zones.
In the living room you can install a central chandelier, and complement the soft area with a sofa and armchairs with a floor lamp with directional light.
Spotlights are suitable for the kitchen. The ceiling plane above the bar counter will be perfectly decorated with pendant lamps, which will allow you to achieve delicate zoning of the space. Above the dining group it is appropriate to place a single classic chandelier or several multiple lamps hanging from the ceiling. If the table occupies the intermediate area of the kitchen-living room, the chandelier is installed in the center of the room.
The photo shows zone lighting of the kitchen-living room with a beautiful black and gold chandelier installed on the ceiling above the dining table.
For the working surface, choose local lamps that provide daylight, which will not irritate the eyes during cooking. For maximum comfort, spot lighting is built into the upper hanging cabinets.
In the photo, a multi-level suspended ceiling with spotlights and lamps zones the space of the combined kitchen-living room.
Due to the different brightness of the glow, you can also zone the kitchen-living room. The kitchen segment should have richer and better lighting, and the living room should have dim and boudoir lighting.
To visually delimit space, it is appropriate to use a thermal spectrum. For example, the dining area is equipped with white fluorescent lamps, and the seating area is complemented with lamps with soft yellow light.
Kitchen-living room interior: matching colors
The living room should interact with the kitchen. This should be reflected in the interior color and consistent style. If the living room looks like Provence, don't put modern cabinets in it. Try to stick to one aesthetic. Consistency also applies to colors. Furniture for the kitchen and living room should be in the same color scheme. Variations on the theme are possible, for example, the predominance of black in the living room and white in the kitchen in a monochrome interior.
If you have big doubts during renovation, it may be worth choosing universal solutions. Of course, they include white kitchens that fit seamlessly into every combined space.
Interior color scheme
The color scheme of a classic interior is determined by several basic rules:
- The main color is white and all its shades.
- Pastel colors of all colors are used.
- Classic beige.
- Universal gray color of all shades.
- Dense colors that are considered noble at the same time: burgundy, brown, salmon, olive.
It is best to use light colors when decorating surfaces, but dark, deep colors and shades are suitable for highlighting details.
Example of color scheme
Modern interior of kitchen-living room
A modern living room with a kitchenette is a good idea for small interiors. The combination of the living room and kitchen optically expands the interior. Such a room can be organized in different ways.
A kitchen and a modern living room are a successful combination that can be successfully used both in a small apartment in a multi-storey building and in a larger area. A living room with a kitchenette makes the interior larger and more spacious. This does not mean, however, that the kitchen should be completely visible. Many solutions can be used to visually separate the kitchen from the living room. One of them is a kitchen island or bar counter with a raised side.
Fashionable interior of a kitchen-living room in an apartment
A modern living room with kitchen can be achieved by removing the wall between the rooms. If you have a dark and cramped kitchen in your apartment, this will be the best solution. To give adjacent rooms a cohesive interior design, it is worth using the same flooring and maintaining consistent colors. Modern kitchen furniture has elegant fronts that can complement or contrast with the chosen furniture for the room. Uniform kitchen furniture is less noticeable, so it will not dominate the living room. Kitchen design doesn't have to be flashy. It is worth focusing on functionality and modern kitchen design. In the gym, on the other hand, you can allow yourself a lot of freedom. It's worth investing in a sofa that will serve as a relaxation area. The furniture recommended for modern living rooms is a corner sofa.
When choosing a living room with a kitchenette, it is good to plan both areas and choose furniture that will harmonize with each other. Don't forget to also remember about different lighting. One ceiling lamp is clearly not enough.
Furniture Features
In addition to the obvious decor - stucco molding, portals, imitations or real columns, arched openings with similar details, classic interior design always uses characteristic furniture. If in most modern rooms it can merge with the decoration, then here sets occupy an important place.
Classic furniture is recognizable as well as the character of the interior:
- It is always made from natural wood. Of course, today you can find an adequate alternative in the form of MDF to make the design project more budget-friendly.
- Despite all the rigor and correctness of the geometry, the solemn classical style “prefers” rather soft lines: oval tables, curved legs, semicircular backs of chairs, elegant moldings on the facades of the work set.
- The upper facades of furniture, as well as sideboards and cabinets in the dining room or living room are equipped with glass inserts. Stained glass windows look especially elegant, which can be either multi-colored or elegantly monochromatic - mother-of-pearl, with a bronze or gold tint, translucent.
An elegant kitchen design largely depends on the type of furniture: the simpler the furniture, the cheaper the interior will look. That is why every classic design project, whether combined rooms are planned or not, is developed together with details such as decoration, zoning methods and, of course, furniture. The harmonious implementation of any idea in a similar style is possible only through a combination of small details and nuances.
Kitchen-living room interior 20 sq.m.
The design of a living room with a kitchen should be well thought out, and the space should be ergonomically planned. Why? Because this area, in addition to stylistic decoration, must be functional and easy to use. The living room is a very important room in every home. It is a place of rest and relaxation for family and social events. Therefore, it is worth having an area with enough space for a table, sofa or corner with a coffee table, so that not only the owners, but also the guests feel comfortable. The kitchen, in turn, is the heart of every apartment. This is where food is prepared and eaten often. The room should be well laid out, with ample space for storage and planning. It is worth choosing furniture according to size, which will be made by a carpenter, usually to the exact parameters of an individual interior.
The interior of a kitchen living room of 20 sq.m can distinguish between these two rooms, dividing them, for example, with a table with chairs, a kitchen island or a bar counter. You can also highlight the area using different shelving or a multi-level ceiling with lighting. It is worth organizing neutral colors as a base. Strong color accents are used as a complement. A simple and inexpensive way to easily change the layout of the living room with kitchen without replacing furniture or painting the entire room. All you need to do is change the accessories, repaint one wall to give the interior a new look.
An interesting solution for those who do not spend too much time in the kitchen and do not need a lot of space for it, and also want to get an additional place for relaxation, for example, for a bedroom in a small apartment, is the design of a living room with a kitchenette. In this case, you move the kitchen into the living room, and decorate the bedroom from scratch. It could also be a children's room or an office - it all depends on personal needs.
Location of lamps in the kitchen area
There are several basic rules for the location of lighting fixtures in the working area of the kitchen - living room:
- Built-in ceiling spots are placed at a distance of at least 30-40 cm from each other, at least 20 cm is left from the corner of the wall. It is recommended to install 1 lamp with a power of 20 W per 1 sq. m. ceiling. To make it easier, you can schematically depict in advance the location of the light sources and their distance to the walls.
- Spot lights installed at the top of wall cabinets or mounted in the bottom panel are needed for comfortable work. If open shelves are used instead of upper cabinets, then you can choose pendant lamps. The optimal distance between the lower edge of the lampshade and the tabletop is 70-90 cm.
- Pendant lamps with long cords should not be placed too low. The optimal distance to the dining table is 75-90 cm, and the diameter of the chandelier is approximately half the width of the tabletop. When installing several lamps, they are placed at the same distance from each other, 15 cm away from the edge of the furniture.
- To illuminate the kitchen island, use a group of lamps, placing them 30-40 cm from each other. The distance from the bottom of the lampshade to the tabletop is 75-90 cm.
Interior of kitchen-living room 30 sq. m: minimalism in a large room
A kitchen open to the living room is often a necessary solution for apartments adapted in industrial buildings. In attic interiors, the boundaries between rooms are usually arbitrary and marked by subtle changes in materials - wooden parquet goes into a concrete floor, brick connects to a smooth wall.
Following this example, you do not need to look for ways to separate the kitchen and living room of 30 square meters. m. In such large interiors, the main thing is to create an impression of consistency and comfort. The easiest way to achieve this effect is with a minimalist palette:
- grey;
- black;
- white.
In fairly large interiors of the kitchen, living room, 30 sq. m you can use dark and raw shades. For a kitchen equipped with white furniture with a smooth, shiny surface, an effective addition would be a coffee shade, that is, dark brown. This color can be applied locally, painting one of the largest walls. Contrary to popular belief, dark noble bronze combined with a black lacquered top, simple shaped steel accessories can look modern and fresh.
In contrast, you should focus on light and warm colors in the living room. The choice of white or light beige guarantees effective reflection of daylight and therefore improves the impression of an expanded interior. Don't be afraid of bold color combinations - bold color contrasts can be extremely effective and functional.
Furniture: selection and arrangement
Examples of arranging a kitchen combined with a living room.
Sofa
In the design of a kitchen-living room, the sofa mainly acts as a zoning item and is installed with its back towards the cooking area.
For a small room, a corner or straight model is suitable, which is installed near a perpendicular or parallel wall from the kitchen area.
The photo shows a modern kitchen-living room with a leather sofa and ottoman.
Kitchen set
The design, first of all, should be comfortable, and also have enough storage space in the form of drawers and shelves. It is better to choose a model with a closed facade that has a simple design. Beautiful sets can be placed on open shelves or purchased a stylish display case.
The set is installed near one wall; they prefer a U-shaped design or a product with the letter G. If there is enough space, an island with a work surface and lower cupboards for dishes is placed in the center. This module can also be supplemented with a dining table.
The photo shows a linear set with an island and a dining room in the interior of a large kitchen-living room.
Lunch group
When choosing, you should focus on the style of the two zones. It would be appropriate to equip a small kitchen-living room with compact furniture in light colors or a transparent design. A round dining table, which, thanks to its shape, looks lighter, will fit harmoniously into the interior.
In a spacious room, the table is placed near the wall or placed in the center. To do this, you should give preference to elongated rectangular models.
The photo shows a kitchen-living room with a table located behind a low partition.
Interior of a small kitchen-living room
For many, the first apartment is a studio, which is a room with a kitchen. Despite its small size and limited amount of daylight, this type of apartment can impress with its climate. A natural solution that will increase space would be a combination of kitchen and living room. In this case, unifying the interior is the main goal of the designers. Carefully select finishing materials, furniture and colors. Bright and cheerful shades of yellow, beige or white work best here. Using these colors, you can play with the gradation effect.
Decor
If you are decorating a room in a loft style, then there is metal or wooden decor in the form of a coffee table and figurines.
You can hang a wall panel. Bright textiles and carpet will add a cozy atmosphere. Scandinavian decor consists of planters, landscapes and paintings, as well as family photos on the walls.
These are examples of styles where the dining room and living room are located in the same room. Definitely, decorative elements can become necessary things to create a cozy and homely environment.
With the help of decor you can make changes to the interior. Once we decide what furniture and various modules will be, we use these things for a long time.
And with decorative items that are often changed and updated, you can change or update the interior.
Let's look at a photo where the kitchen and dining room are combined together in different styles.
Kitchen-living room interiors: photos in different styles
The kitchen and living room are two completely separate areas that can be combined into one attractive interior. The kitchen open to the living room is a layout not only in modern single-family houses, but also in small apartments in high-rise buildings. Open space promotes family life. And by reducing the number of partitions, even a small apartment gains space. A common boundary between the seating area and the kitchen is usually a table, high bar or kitchen island.
When choosing a kitchen open to the living room, you should carefully consider the arrangement of these two spaces in accordance with the style. A living room with a kitchen is a solution that is increasingly being used in new buildings. The organization of the kitchen should allow for the best use of all its elements. Try to stick to one style. Then the boundaries between the kitchen and living area will be naturally defined. An island in the kitchen is an additional workspace that can become a dividing line for both areas - kitchen and relaxation. Young people often choose apartments with a kitchen open to the living room. The kitchen, combined with the living room, becomes as representative as the living room. Opening the kitchen, especially in small apartments, is a guarantee of a feeling of spaciousness and comfort in everyday work.
For many, the kitchen and living room are the heart of the home, the most important room in which most of family life is concentrated, a symbol of home warmth. Many of us care about the beautiful and comfortable interior design of a kitchen combined with a living room. If you don’t know how to combine a room, then photos in different styles will help with this.
Scandinavian style
The design of the kitchen-living room in the Scandinavian style, like all rooms in this aesthetic, is characterized by the use of mainly light shades of white and gray. Such an interior should also be well lit, furnished in a simple, minimalist-oriented manner. Geometric shapes and additions made from natural materials predominate. A characteristic feature of this style is also the use of elements or furniture made of natural wood. In addition, especially in the kitchen, there should be lamps that replace sunlight on dark days and evenings.
Country style
The rustic kitchen-living room is associated with rural and grandma's interiors. This design will be ideal for people with a passion for rural life, village culture and nature. Rooms in this style are, first of all, beautiful, characteristic wooden furniture, complemented by elements of natural stone, tiles, and sometimes lace accessories or folklore motifs. This kitchen-living room provides a substitute for rustic and carefree relaxation. Therefore, using a rustic style is perfect for a country house. A country kitchen has a characteristic, unique and very expressive atmosphere, and at the same time is very functional thanks to its well-thought-out space.
Glamorous style
Glamorous style is often associated with lots of shiny surfaces and elements. However, with moderation, a kitchen-living room decorated in this direction can seem very elegant and stylish. To achieve this effect, glossy lacquered furniture sets, preferably black or white, should be used. White surfaces are important to prevent the room from becoming too overwhelming. The composition can be complemented with silver elements. When it comes to lighting, crystal lamps are the right choice.
Classic style
Arranging a kitchen in a classic style is suitable for lovers of tradition and home comfort. Bright colors are an integral element of it. A dark room decorated in this style will look quite heavy and overwhelming. Following the latest trends, you can, however, choose a warm, not too dark shade of gray if you don't like very light kitchen furniture. This will add a little modernity to the interior. Characteristic fronts and bright colors define another feature of classic cuisine - harmony. Therefore, when it comes to finishing, natural materials such as wood, stone and ceramics are the best options. For extras, choose china on display, crystal, fresh flowers in a vase, bright, sleek or classic gingham fabrics.
Minimalist style
The minimalist style is well suited for decorating large and small spaces. A minimalist kitchen-living room means light surfaces and colors, space and simplicity, and at the same time elegance and quality in furniture design. The walls are usually smooth, the floor tiles are glossy. As an alternative, stone or wood in a classic shade is used. Cabinet fronts can be matte or varnished, but, as a rule, they should be uniform, usually without handles. The most popular are white, but also shades of gray, graphite, and less often pastel. However, sometimes, as is typical in a minimalist style, stronger color accents are used to break up the even tone. It could be, for example, lush green or purple. Simple forms predominate in furniture. Textiles use natural materials such as linen, canvas and cotton.
Industrial style
Brick walls, metal, bent stools, stainless steel countertops, outdoor plumbing and gas fixtures or industrial light fixtures are the foundation of an industrial style kitchen. The interior is characterized by unusual functionality thanks to the durability of the materials used. Despite the severity with which they are associated, a loft kitchen-living room can be a warm and cozy room. The color palette used when arranging such an area should be limited mainly to shades of black, gray, brown and burgundy. However, to break the monotony of colors, you can choose accents in accessories, lamps or kitchenware. The only important thing is that they are stylistically consistent.
To sum it up: the benefits of the classic style
The classic style of the living room kitchen has a number of tangible advantages. This is one of the best ways to organize space and create the illusion of freedom, high ceilings through symmetry, light colors, columns and other design tools.
Despite the fact that classics are not cheap, this is exactly the case when repairs are made “for centuries.” If the work is done conscientiously and tastefully, nothing will have to be changed, and even after a few years the kitchen will look like new.
Of course, for this you need to think through literally every detail, since there are no trifles in this style. In order not to carry out risky experiments, it is better to trust specialists who can develop a design project exactly according to your wishes.
