Design of a kitchen-living room with zoning of 20 sq. m
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Design development of a combined kitchen and living room of 20 sq. m with zoning should be based on ready-made projects and photos, as well as recommendations from specialists. Arranging such a large space is an exciting, but at the same time not an easy task. After all, a spacious room should be divided into several functional areas, and yet it should be designed in the same style.
Modern design of the kitchen-living room.
Pros and cons of a combined kitchen and hall
Advantages of combined zones:
- The emergence of more space for the implementation of bold and original design solutions that cannot be realized in a limited space.
- The possibility of communication between those who are in the living room and the cooking area.
- The appearance of more light by increasing the number of windows.
- Possibility to accommodate more guests.
On the other hand, this solution has obvious negative aspects:
- The smell of cooking. Cooking some dishes (especially fish and meat in a pan) cannot be removed even with a powerful hood, because it will spread to the entire room. Textiles (curtains, sofa upholstery) quickly absorb odors, which are then very difficult to remove.
- Sounds from the kitchen. The operation of the refrigerator, microwave, range hood, coffee machine, and dishwasher can be quite annoying and distracting.
- The need for frequent cleaning. Firstly, so that the dirt does not spread beyond the cooking area into the living room, and secondly, so that the whole space looks aesthetically pleasing. If in a separate kitchen a mountain of unwashed dishes can be left until the next morning, then in a combined space a mess will immediately catch your eye.
If the living room plays the role of not only a room for receiving friends, but also a sleeping place (for example, in “odnushki”), then combining with the kitchen can become a serious problem for sleeping one of the household members.
Functional areas of the studio kitchen
A space of 20 squares is quite large, so you need to zone it according to certain rules. According to the recommendations of experts, a space of 20 square meters should be divided as follows: ¼ should be left directly to the cooking area, the rest of the space should be reserved for eating and communicating with guests.
The room is divided into the following functional areas:
- cooking area. It involves the placement of countertops, gas stove, refrigerator, sink. Near the cooking zone, you need to leave at least 1 m of free space for easy movement;
- dinner Zone. It has a table and chairs;
- guest area (directly hall). There should be a sofa, a coffee table, armchairs, a sideboard or a bookcase. But there should also be some free space for active entertainment, such as dancing or children's games.
This is a generally accepted, standard separation scheme, but exceptions to the rules are possible. For example, an island-table, located on the border of the kitchen and dining room, can be used for two purposes: to serve as a work surface for cooking and a dining table.
Zoning methods
It is possible to distinguish between three functional zones using a variety of methods, the main ones are:
- Installation .
- Installing a false plasterboard partition.
- Wooden slats and beams.
- Installation of a sliding partition.
- Raising the level of the floor.
- The use of textiles, for example, curtain threads.
- Installation of various lighting.
- Separation using different colors.
- The use of different finishes in different areas.
- Delimitation using upholstered furniture or shelving, cabinet.
It is necessary to select a method of differentiation based on the layout of the kitchen, the location of “non-portable” elements (sinks and stoves), the location of windows, the presence of a balcony (combined or not).
Sometimes space can not be divided at all. The advantage is that the kitchen-living room will look more spacious, but it is important that the functional areas do not overlap one another.
Let us consider in more detail the most common and effective ways of dividing space.
bar counter
It is this element that is most often used as a delimiter of spaces. Depending on the dimensions of the bar counter, it can be used as a full-fledged dining table (especially if the family consists of two people), or as a decorative element in the interior of the kitchen.
The bar counter is part of the kitchen set and is used as a dining table.
Since the height of the bar counter varies from 1 to 1.2 m, you will need to purchase chairs that are suitable in height for it. As a space delimiter, you can choose designs with a width of 30-40 cm, but to use the rack as a countertop and dining table, you will need a larger width.
Bar counter as part of the wall for zoning the kitchen and living room.
Bar counters can be of various sizes and materials, so it will not be difficult to choose a design for any kitchen design. Racks can be made of wood, metal, plastic, with a matte, glossy or brick-like surface.
Arch
It also serves as an expressive element for dividing space. can be made of different heights and shapes: for the entire height of the walls, not reaching the floor or ceiling, it is possible to equip through niches in it and fill them with books, decor, flower vases.
An elegant and neat arch effectively separates the working area from the guest area.
The shape of the arch can also be different: wavy, straight, semicircular. For the manufacture of most often used two materials: wood and drywall. Drywall is very malleable in processing, so giving the structure the desired shape is not difficult. It is more suitable for modern interior style. Wooden arches will fit into the kitchen-living room in Provence or country style.
Sliding partition
A sliding partition between the kitchen and the living room is a very good solution in the design of the room. Installing a partition allows you to solve the following problems:
- Arrange a more comfortable and intimate atmosphere in the guest area.
- Protect your living room from cooking odors and kitchen appliance sounds.
- It is more pronounced to separate the recreation area from the working cooking area.
A sliding partition made of metal and glass does not visually reduce the space even in the closed position.
Due to the variety of manufacturing materials, the partitions can be used in kitchen-living rooms of any style: from classic to ultra-modern trends. Material for creating partitions can serve:
- glass;
- bamboo;
- wood;
- plastic;
- metal.
When using glass, it is very important to choose tempered, impact-resistant glass or triplex (laminated glass glued with a polymer film). Acrylic glass (plastic) can be an alternative. Even in case of damage, the fragments will be completely safe.
Fully transparent glass sliding partition for zoning.
Mobile partitions are easy to manufacture and install, they look very aesthetically pleasing, when using transparent materials they preserve the illumination of the room, provide almost unlimited possibilities for design and decor. However, it should be understood that such partitions have a low soundproofing ability, therefore they are more likely to be used for visual separation of space.
A very important advantage of sliding partitions is that their installation does not require permission from the relevant authorities, as this is not considered a redevelopment of space.
Tiered ceiling and floor
If the other methods of zoning are vertical, that is, one way or another, they involve the installation of a vertical curtain, similar to a wall, then this original method involves zoning using horizontal lines, that is, the installation of different levels of floor and ceiling.
For example, in the cooking area, the ceiling can be lowered using a plasterboard structure, additionally focusing on it with spotlights. The floor in the kitchen can be slightly raised with a small podium (20-25 cm) with a step. It can also be supplemented with lighting.
The working area of the kitchen is highlighted with a combined plasterboard and stretch film ceiling.
A good effect is the use of different materials in divided areas: tiles can be used on the podium in the kitchen, and laminate or linoleum (or tiles of a different size and color) in the dining and guest areas. The main thing is that the decoration resonates in style and the room does not look gaudy or tasteless.
In the next photo you can see the successful design of the combined kitchen-living room of 20 square meters. m with zoning when using a multi-level ceiling and a podium step:
The cooking area is separated not only by a podium and ceiling, but also by various finishes, colors and lighting.
Lighting
It is worth paying special attention to the lighting of a spacious kitchen-living room, because one ceiling chandelier, even a very bright one, will no longer be enough to illuminate such a spacious room. With the help of lighting fixtures of various designs, brightness and intensity, you can very effectively and beautifully divide the space of the kitchen-living room into three zones.
All three zones have different lighting: spotlights in the kitchen, ceiling chandeliers above the table and wall lamps in the recreation area.
For example, above the surface of the working triangle of the kitchen (sink, stove and refrigerator) hang built-in spotlights. They will look especially good on a stretch ceiling or plasterboard construction. The area above the dining table can be illuminated with bright kitchen chandeliers on a long suspension, and in the living room you can make softer, more intimate and cozy lighting with the help of floor lamps with lampshades.
Use of upholstered furniture
The largest functional and decorative load is assigned to the furniture, therefore special attention should be paid to its choice.
A kitchen set and a seating area in the living room can be made in different colors and from different materials, but in any area furnished with furniture should eventually harmonize and look like parts of one whole!
The soft corner, turned with its back to the kitchen area, serves as an effective space delimiter.
Style directions
The combination of kitchen and living room provides great opportunities for the implementation of original and beautiful design ideas. Such a studio room can be decorated in almost any interior style, from classic to modern. Consider examples with photographs of the main styles.
- Classical. The classic style is characterized by sophistication, elegance and sophistication. The use of columns and arches, marble and forged elements, a fireplace is welcome. Important components of the classic interior are thick, heavy curtains, a bookcase and paintings on the walls.
- Provence. This style is characterized by simplicity, comfort, rural flavor, romance. The opposite of this style is pomp and pretentiousness. To equip the kitchen-living room in Provence style, you need to choose the right textiles and furniture, as well as their colors.
Provence style room in mint shades.
Colors should be pastel, natural and discreet (beige, olive, milky, lavender), floral and floral patterns are welcome. The bar counter or dining table can be made of rough, untreated wood, and the walls can be finished with plaster. Aged elements of furniture and decor, an abundance of fresh flowers are welcome.
- Country. Similar to Provence. Also welcomes the use of aged textures, natural materials and natural shades. Wood, stone, brick and forging are ideal materials for decoration and furniture in a country interior.
- Loft. Modern, dynamic and very comfortable style for people in the big city. The large space of the kitchen-living room of 20 squares is ideal for the implementation of this direction. To design a loft-style room, it should resemble an industrial room as much as possible. That is, brick or concrete walls, exposed pipes of the exhaust system, metal, concise lamps on long suspensions. The advantage of style is its freedom: there is no clear division into zones and mandatory planning conditions.
- Minimalism. Another style for mobile residents of a big city. The kitchen-living room in a minimalist style involves the use of only functional items, a lot of modern technology, a minimum of textiles. Materials should be natural, colors should be restrained. Photo design in the style of minimalism can be seen below:
- Modern. Very well suited for rooms with a non-standard layout, like a combined kitchen-living room. Synonyms of Art Nouveau can be called naturalness, naturalness, softness and smoothness, lack of symmetry. All elements of the interior should be primarily functional, only then aesthetic. Therefore, you should not use a lot of decor. Give preference to furniture and a set made of wood, pastel "ashy" shades. Textiles should be used minimally and only for their intended purpose.
It is undesirable to use any modern materials and elements, such as a bar counter, plastic furniture, glass, blinds.
The kitchen-living room, decorated in a classic style: a soft color palette, an old chandelier, stucco molding, imitation columns complete the interior.
Design of the kitchen-living room in shades of blue.
An important element in country style is furniture - wooden, rough, embossed, as well as textiles - colorful curtains, tablecloths, napkins and potholders will be in perfect harmony with the natural shades of the interior.
Cozy, rustic country style.
The use of abundant decor, flowers and ruffles, heavy textiles is not allowed (it is better to do without it altogether).
Loft style room.
Simple and concise kitchen-living room in a minimalist style.
Modern, practical modern style.
Thus, the design of the kitchen-living room of 20 square meters. m with zoning can be the most diverse, as can be seen from the photo selection. Such a spacious area opens up great opportunities for creativity and the implementation of bold, non-trivial ideas!
Video: design ideas for a combined kitchen-living room.