When people are busy at the moment, it is important to save precious minutes and first of all you need to start with own home. An excellent solution for this is a living room combined with a kitchen. The design of a kitchen-living room can be as varied as you want, because the functional component of such a solution is very extensive.
Features and specifics
This type of design can be suitable for both large and small areas. Visual increase space, even if before that the living room and kitchen were of modest size. The room will be much brighter, as the number of windows will increase.
Ease of organizing the preparation and serving of food, home gatherings and holidays. There will no longer be a need to carry food from one room to another. The ability to do several things at the same time, for example, prepare food while talking with guests, without the need to huddle together in the kitchen. You can install a TV to watch it from the kitchen, thereby saving the cost of additional equipment.
When creating an interior, it is necessary to purchase a strong hood or ventilation system, since the smells coming from the kitchen area will also be present in the guest room.
What to consider in design
The most important detail is the selection of colors and shades for the walls, floor, and ceiling, because the visual change of the space depends on this. The most advantageous colors for this are cold ones, neutral shades.
Ideal options are white, beige, coffee or light green. White color carries an energy charge, beige and coffee give the room a feeling of comfort, light green calms the nervous system and helps to relax after a hard day. Be careful with shades of dark brown, gray and black, they visually narrow the space.
Bar counter
The bar counter has both practical and often decorative meaning. If you had to demolish a wall to create a kitchen-living room, you can, without demolishing it completely, use it as a bar counter by decorating decorative stone or plaster, as well as creating at the same time original design, take the wall itself as a basis, for example, making a stand of an unusual shape, inserting multi-colored glass or painting it with paints. It creates an additional work surface for the kitchen. A special niche or shed for storing glasses will provide obvious differentiation. 
Kitchen Area
The kitchen corner will clearly define the boundaries of the working areas; with this delimitation of space, one should take into account soft covering corner, which should be located at a decent distance from kitchen appliances.
Materials and lighting
The walls in the kitchen can be covered plastic panels, tiles, or decorative stone, while in the living room, use wallpaper, whitewash, decorative plaster or drywall. The floor in the kitchen can be tiled, while the living room has linoleum or carpet. If the materials are in the same color palette, this will create a noticeable contrast in volume, which, when light is reflected, will indicate how the zones are optically separated from each other. 
False walls
Decorative panels or screens are perfect. It is important that decorative panels do not require special installation or preparation of the wall surface, leaving space for bold design solutions, as they can be made to match tiles, stone, sand, and so on. Screens are great for when you want to separate a specific area for a period of time, for example, if someone is working in the seating area while you cook or when entertaining, to make some part of the kitchen inaccessible.
Lighting
In the kitchen you can use built-in lights and lamps placed in the center of the dining area, and in the living room you can use spotlights, along with sconces, located as needed. You can install a light dimmer, which will help separate the surrounding space. Integrate lighting into the bar counter, which will provide both illumination of the work area and the light separation necessary for zoning. 
Contrasts of colors and their shades
It is better to choose colors in the same color palette, the contrast of which will not irritate the eye, tangibly separating parts of the room from each other. Often, for example, white, cream, Ivory, as well as magnolia.
Ceiling finishing
This solution is more suitable for rooms with high ceilings. In this case, you can use decorative pendant structures or built-in ceiling lights for suspended ceilings from plasterboard. 
Multi-level structures
In this case, shelving is perfect. They can be demonstrative from the floor to the ceiling, or they can be made of only half of the wall, or they can be quite low with inserts, made of any material such as wood, plastic or glass. You can use the rack to store things, for decoration, photographs or to place plants. 
Raised floor in one of the zones
This creates the visual impression of a podium, but it is worth considering that this solution requires high ceilings. 
Arches
This zoning option can be used in conjunction with others, for example, with a bar counter or dining table. This will increase the visual sense of separation between rooms.
Kitchen area
Furniture in the kitchen should be in dark shades, as opposed to walls, floors and ceilings, because furniture in light colors makes the room much smaller visually, which goes against the original purpose of the design of the project. When choosing colors, you should take into account the design of the furniture itself and the location lighting fixtures. Use natural wood and stone as finishing materials.
It is necessary to provide lighting for important work areas: sink, stove and countertop.
Tiles would be a better flooring for the kitchen, as they are more functional for highlighting the kitchen area and are practical for cleaning.
The equipment should be compact and also as functional as possible. The option of built-in equipment is perfect for this, since it very clearly meets all these requirements, allowing you to save a lot of space. It is also important to note that equipment should be as silent as possible so as not to cause discomfort to people in the living room. 
Living area
When placing furniture, you must leave an empty space sufficient to allow movement or changes in the location of the furniture, as appropriate to the situation. It is best to choose furniture based on the corner or island type, which provides an optically larger free room space.
To decorate a room, you can use carpets or rugs, upholstered furniture, pillows, decorative elements, in contrast to the kitchen, which should be extremely practical, since this area must meet all comfort standards and look good, being the main room in the house.
Lighting should not be bright, dim. It is better to make lamps in different parts of the room, just without using a chandelier, as this meets two important conditions: firstly, it helps zoning the room, and secondly, this way you can create lighting that is comfortable for relaxing, working and eating , which cannot be used depending on the need. For example, if you want to read on the sofa with a cup of coffee, you don't need to turn on all the lights, you can use the lamp in a specific area. An excellent option would be fine-point lighting for a multi-level ceiling. In this case, you can turn on or off the number of lamps you need, creating a romantic or work atmosphere. 
In the hall, the flooring can be either carpet or parquet, which looks much more laconic compared to tiles in the kitchen, which helps to highlight the recreation area.
Proper distribution of zones in the living room itself certainly requires special attention. The work area should be located next to a window so that in addition to electric light, there is natural light. Make a seating area in the opposite corner, as far away from the kitchen as possible, so that nothing subsequently interferes with your comfort. The dining area should be closer to the kitchen to increase functionality while saving your time.
When thinking about the design of a kitchen combined with a living room, there are a great many options for finishing and arranging furniture, and the biggest advantage of this layout is that there are no strict rules or prohibitions when creating this interior. Guided by this article, you can create the interior of the living room-kitchen of your dreams.
All photos In the photo: Kitchen-living room in the art deco style in the Wellton Park residential complex Stylish U-shaped kitchen set with a peninsula – suitable solution for a kitchen-living room with an area of 17-25 sq. m. With it, the cooking area will look separate, and the interior will maintain its integrity.
5. Design of a kitchen-living room with a decorative partition
All photos In the photo: Loft-style apartment in the residential complex "Capital City" Finished wood panels The capital partition in the kitchen-living room design in the photo is a multifunctional element. In the living room it is used as a TV area, and in the kitchen it is used to place a refrigerator, sink, drying cabinet and dishwasher.
6. Design of a kitchen-living room with spectacular zoning: photos of sliding doors
All photos In the photo: Art Deco style apartment on Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Sliding doors made of tinted glass are a suitable choice for creating a transformable space. In the interior of the kitchen-living room, they look like a decorative element, but if necessary, they can literally turn an open public area into two separate rooms in just a couple of seconds.
7. Interior of a modern living room with a partition-shelf
All photos In the photo: Apartment in a modern style in the residential complex "North Park" A partition rack with space for TV, niches for accessories and shelves for books is perfect for zoning a kitchen-living room in a minimalist or high-tech style. And so that this large-scale element does not look bulky, it can be illuminated with LED strip.
8. Photo of the kitchen-living room with a marble bar counter
All photos In the photo: Apartment in the Art Deco style in the Millennium Park community complex To zone a bright kitchen-living room in the art deco style, a narrow marble bar counter in rich chocolate or black color is perfect. And the role of companions for such a luxurious piece of furniture is best handled by elegant Visionnaire chairs and crystal pendants on chrome chains.
9. Classic columns as a zoning element in the interior of a white kitchen-living room
All photos In the photo: Apartment in a classic style Kitchen furniture in the interior of a kitchen-living room in a classic style should not be conspicuous. So the ideal solution would be to choose a headset that matches the color of the wall decoration. And to zone the space, you can use statues or round columns with richly decorated capitals.
10. Modern ideas 2018-2019 in the design of the kitchen-living room: zoning using ceiling structures
All photos In the photo: Apartment in the Korona residential complex Another interesting option for zoning the kitchen-living room is hanging ceiling structures. Most often, these are two symmetrically located round or rectangular niches of the same size, emphasizing the division of the room into a kitchen and living area. But if the ceiling is used to zone an ultra-modern interior, designer Anzhelika Prudnikova advises giving preference to multi-level structures of complex shapes.
11. Kitchen-living room with a classic portal
All photos In the photo: Kitchen-living room in style modern classic in Zelenograd A classic portal, decorated with white moldings and pilasters, plays the role of a connecting element between the kitchen and living area. And the mirror panels made of beveled tiles, framing it on both sides, break the geometry of the space and visually enlarge the room.
12. Luminous panel in the design of a kitchen-living room in the art deco style
All photos In the photo: Kitchen-living room in art deco style in the residential complex "Garden Quarters" A panel with LEDs actively supports the art deco style in the interior of the kitchen-living room in the Garden Quarters residential complex, where it plays the role of a space divider, an art object and an original lamp. And symmetrically located chandeliers and crystal screen curtains turn it into a central element of the interior.
Popular color solutions in kitchen-living room design: photos of interiors
The choice of color scheme for the kitchen-living room largely depends on the style of the interior. For neoclassicism, light colors are preferred; for modern styles, natural shades, restrained gray tones or bright colors. A universal solution The color scheme is still beige and sand with the addition of gold and silver.
13. Natural shades in the design of a kitchen-living room in a modern style
All photos In the photo: Apartment in the Emirald residential complex Natural shades combined with black and blue accents look very relevant in the design of a modern kitchen-living room. And to make the interior “play,” designer Anzhelika Prudnikova advises using as many different textures as possible.
14. Design of a kitchen-living room in gray tones: photo 2018-2019
All photos In the photo: Kitchen-living room in art deco style Gray color, which has a lot of shades and nuances, is perfect for high-tech interiors and for the design of a kitchen-living room in the art deco style. In the first case, you can add elements of glass and metal to the design of the room, and in the second, luxurious crystal accessories and black accent details.
15. Orange mood in the interior of a modern kitchen-living room
All photos In the photo: Design of a modern kitchen-living room Juicy orange color is a source of vitality and Have a good mood. It makes the interior of the kitchen-living room bright and dynamic, and looks most advantageous in combination with gray gloss.
16. Kitchen-living room in light colors with Visionnaire furniture
All photos In the photo: Kitchen-living room in an apartment in Malta The light and elegant cream color scheme with the addition of golden shades makes the design of this kitchen-living room truly luxurious. Main role plays in this project cushioned furniture brand Visionnaire, and light finishes and designer textiles create a suitable ambience for it.
17. Gray and burgundy in the design of a fashionable kitchen-living room
All photos In the photo: House in the Chistye Prudy village The color duet of gray and burgundy looks restrained, noble and is ideal for a modern interior with art deco elements. And adding milky or creamy shades to this color scheme will make the kitchen-living room space more cozy.
18. Sand shades and gold: photo of a kitchen-living room in a modern style
All photos In the photo: Kitchen-living room in a modern style in Solntsevo For a kitchen-living room in a modern style with marble finishing and 3D panels the best solution There will be a sand color scheme with a wide range of gray-beige shades. And as a spectacular addition, you can use accessories in the color of old gold and yellow LED lighting.
19. Royal lilac in the design of a fashionable kitchen-living room
All photos In the photo: Design of a bright kitchen-living room in art deco style In the current interior palette there is no last place occupied and luxurious lilac color, which harmonizes perfectly with crystal, light marble and mirrors. And chairs upholstered in purple velvet and a bright chandelier are ideal for a kitchen-living room in the art deco style.
20. Interior of a kitchen-living room with classic furniture: terracotta accents
All photos In the photo: Apartment in the Dubrovka residential complex In the interior of the kitchen-living room with classic white furniture, terracotta accents in the form of decorative pillows, consoles, marble backsplash and countertops create a cozy country-house atmosphere. And you can enrich the color scheme with the help of silver and gold-plated accessories.
Lighting in the design of the kitchen-living room 2018-2019: modern ideas
The kitchen-living room is a multifunctional room where, in addition to the kitchen block, there is a sofa area and a dining room. Therefore, when designing lighting, you need to take into account the location of all segments, as well as evaluate the need to use light to zone the space and highlight accent details.
21. Paired chandeliers in the interior of the kitchen-living room
Paired multi-arm chandeliers, which create a festive mood in the interior, are often found in kitchens and living rooms in the art deco and neoclassical styles. Usually they are placed symmetrically (one above the dining table, and the second above the living room), emphasizing the division of the room into functional zones.
22. Design of a minimalist kitchen-living room with functional lighting
All photos In the photo: Apartment in a modern style in the Andreevsky residential complex The most ergonomic option for the kitchen-living room is functional lighting, when each zone has independent lighting. In this case, lighting fixtures are selected depending on the purpose of each zone and, of course, in the style of the interior.
23. LED lighting in the design of the kitchen-living room
All photos In the photo: Kitchen-living room in a two-level apartment Using wisely LED backlight, you can create a unique interior. Thus, blue LED strips on the ceiling will emphasize the complex geometry of the space, and yellow LEDs will transform kitchen apron and a TV panel, finished with natural stone veneer, into art objects.
24. Design of a kitchen-living room with imitation of second light
All photos In the photo: Art Deco style apartment in a country house A stained glass ceiling “window” imitating second light in the sofa area of the kitchen-living room creates a palace atmosphere in the room. A spectacular chandelier and a cream-colored suspended ceiling with single LEDs add light oriental notes to the luxurious European interior.
Art objects and stylish decorative elements in the design of the kitchen-living room
Integration of original furniture elements or decorative details reminiscent of art objects into the interior of the kitchen-living room is one of the most relevant modern ideas of 2018-2019. This technique always “works” and is suitable for both classic and modern interiors, studio apartment design and country houses.
25. Luxurious bar counter in the interior of a loft kitchen-living room
All photos In the photo: Loft-style apartment on Kutuzovsky A luxurious designer bar counter made of black marble will easily become the main decoration of the interior of a loft-style kitchen-living room with spectacular dark furniture. And the best way to highlight this exclusive detail is with the help of an original futuristic pendant.
26. Designer shelving in the dining area of the kitchen-living room in art deco style
All photos In the photo: Kitchen-living room in the art deco style in the Litsa residential complex Elegant white bookcase with chrome stands and mirror inserts - what you need for a dining area in the art deco style. It goes well with a laconic kitchen set and an exclusive dining set.
27. Modern ideas 2018-2019 in the design of the kitchen-living room: mirror panel on the ceiling
All photos In the photo: Kitchen-living room in a modern style A round mirror panel can very well act as an art object if its diameter is more than two meters, and it is located on the ceiling, as in the photo of a kitchen-living room in a modern style from the portfolio of Angelika Prudnikova Studio. And such a non-standard element can be supplemented with LED lighting.
28. Screen curtains made of crystal threads
All photos In the photo: Design of a luxurious kitchen-living room in a classic style The sparkling threads of crystal screen curtains fit perfectly into the design of a kitchen-living room in a classic style. They effectively zone the space and contrast favorably with dark wood kitchen furniture.
29. Tabletop fireplace in the design of a kitchen-living room in a penthouse
All photos In the photo: Kitchen-living room in a penthouse Modern interior with oriental flavor – the best place for desktop biofireplace. Thanks to the open plan kitchen-living room, you can admire the play of flames not only while sitting in an armchair or lying on the sofa, but also while tasting cocktails at the bar.
30. Patinated stucco decor in the design of a classic kitchen-living room
All photos In the photo: Kitchen-living room with stucco decoration The patinated crown molding in this living room looks like a work of art. It decorates not only the ceiling and walls, but also the facade of the hood, turning a utilitarian item into an interior exclusive.
31. Photo of a partition with an aquarium in the design of a kitchen-living room
All photos In the photo: Design of a kitchen-living room in a studio apartment Save Apply Cancel The central element in the design of the kitchen-living room in the photo is a modular partition with a built-in aquarium. It not only decorates the interior, but also unobtrusively zones the space. And to focus attention on this detail, interior designer Anzhelika Prudnikova used a multi-level ceiling with blue LED lighting.
32. Decorative panel made of slabs in the design of a stylish kitchen-living room
All photos In the photo: Art Deco style apartment in the Emerald residential complex Art object from natural materials with original lighting, such as a panel made of slabs, - best decoration for the kitchen-living room in the interior of an apartment in a modern style. It can be used both to decorate the wall behind the sofa and to decorate the partition.
So, let's summarize. Working on the design of a kitchen-living room is a creative and incredibly exciting process. But for it to be successful, you need to think through the interior in detail, or better yet, order a design project from professionals.
A typical apartment has a small kitchen, suitable for a couple of people. Placing a large family or guests here for a celebration is quite problematic. Many people combine the kitchen with an adjacent room, most often the living room. The wall between them is removed, creating a common space that provides more opportunities for rational use.
There are many options for decorating the interior of a kitchen living room in a modern style, design photos:
Advantages
Creating a kitchen studio is primarily used in small apartments. The layout looks quite stylish and modern. You should choose the “kitchen plus living room” option for the following reasons:
- Increased space. It becomes possible to use the space occupied by the wall. The room becomes more free.
- Daylight.
- Arrangement of the dining area. The dimensions of a standard kitchen do not allow for a large dining table. Serving it in the living room requires a lot of walking to and from the kitchen. It is easier to organize a celebration in a common space, because everything you need is nearby.
- The opportunity to spend more time together. Women often do the cooking and spend a lot of time away from the family. A kitchen studio allows you to freely communicate with loved ones without being distracted from necessary tasks.
This idea is also relevant for families with small children, when the mother needs to have time to prepare food and at the same time keep an eye on the baby who is playing in another room.
Peculiarities
Creating an interior with remodeling takes longer than regular renovation. There are often problems with neighbors due to noise. It is important to coordinate the combination of rooms with the controls, since the load-bearing wall cannot be removed. This can lead to disruption of the overall structure of the house. Difficulties in obtaining permission arise if gas is supplied to the apartment. Its presence requires a partition between the kitchen and living room.
Important! Redevelopment in the apartment must be agreed upon with the company servicing the house.
Please note that the sounds and smells of cooking may disturb other family members. It is better to choose silent models and built-in appliances so that they attract less attention.
It is necessary to provide powerful hoods so that grease and steam do not spoil the surfaces of the common room. To make the interior look stylish, in the kitchen area you need to follow perfect order and provide more storage space kitchen utensils so as not to clutter the tables with them.
Zoning
The design of the living room kitchen depends on the design idea and involves different styles. It is important to maintain the integrity of the space. To prevent the room from turning into one large kitchen, it is necessary to use zoning. First of all, this is helped by an island grouping of furniture: a soft corner and a TV for relaxation, a large dining table and chairs, household appliances, cabinets and a table in the kitchen area. There are other ways to divide space.
Arch
For decoration, you can use the rest of the wall, highlighting the opening using finishing materials, repeated in the interior. You can also make an arch of complex shape from plasterboard or replace it with a beam structure.
It should be remembered that the arch steals quite a lot of space, so in small apartments with low ceilings it is better to abandon it or make a thin ceiling with glass inserts. In spacious rooms, voluminous arches in combination with original columns are appropriate.
You can build it yourself or use part of the remaining wall. The element performs a decorative function, making the room very stylish and fashionable. At the same time, the bar counter allows you to save space by replacing big table. It marks the boundaries of the living room and kitchen, while simultaneously uniting them with each other. The material used depends on the overall decoration and style of the room.
The bar counter is convenient to use for preparing and eating food, and for working with a laptop if necessary. If you choose a model with built-in drawers and shelves, you will have additional space for storing dishes or food. You can also place a minibar inside. High chairs are a must.
Partition
The wall can be partially removed: leave half for the convenience of arranging the kitchen. If necessary, it will be replaced by a partition that occupies less space than the wall, and increases working space. There are several options:
- Plasterboard wall.
- Sliding systems. They can be folded like an accordion. For better penetration models made of translucent plastic or frosted glass are suitable for light. The design allows them to be moved to combine space.
- Curtains. You can use thick curtains, which will be more practical for separating the room if necessary. But light fabrics are also suitable as a zoning technique. Curtains with eyelets look impressive and modern. In addition, they are quite functional and easy to use. Their features allow the use of fairly heavy materials.
An aquarium with a narrow and oblong shape or a partition with living plants looks original.
Two-level finishing
In a room with high ceilings, a raised floor will help separate the kitchen area. It helps hide the pipes running through the kitchen. Quite an impressive technique, but increasing the floor height of a larger living room space leads to the fact that the kitchen is lost against the general background. It seems like she fell through the floor.
Advice! It is more practical to use different materials for finishing the floor: laminate, parquet boards in the living room and ceramic tiles for the kitchen area. The tiles are less difficult to use and maintain and will last longer.
Ceilings of different levels are suitable for highlighting one zone or both. It should be taken into account that the design above the seating area when furniture is placed on an island will make it difficult to rearrange it in the future. If the protruding ceiling does not match the decor, the harmony of the design will be disrupted. This zoning looks better in the interior of spacious country houses. It is possible to combine a two-level floor and ceiling.
Use of color
It is necessary to avoid monotony in a modern interior and choose several shades that combine with each other. Possible color solutions when dividing the living room kitchen into zones:
- Using different shades of the same color. In the kitchen it is advisable to use a more saturated one, since it takes up less space and will act as a bright accent, without being visually irritating. For the relaxation area, a calm, pastel tone is suitable, promoting relaxation.
- You can choose different light shades for the zones, but use the same bright accents.
- Walls done in one light color, and choose the main decorative elements and pieces of furniture in rich tones. In this case, all three colors should be harmoniously combined. For example, a beige background: brown predominates in one zone, and dark gray in another.
The possibilities of color must be used without overloading the space. Otherwise the studio will appear smaller.
Lighting
Modern systems make it possible to effectively use additional light sources. It is necessary to combine bright and softer, smooth transitions. Spotlights can be placed above the bar counter or to highlight the arch. Built-in systems on the ceiling, arranged in a circle or rectangle, allow you to visually divide the space. Soft lighting of work surfaces in the kitchen looks beautiful and is very convenient for cooking.
LED lighting helps to visually delimit zones along the perimeter, replacing an arch or partition. You can create contrast by placing pendant lamps in the kitchen, and table lamps or floor lamps in combination with spotlights in the sitting area. If there is a place to work, it is better to place it near a window, adding a lamp for the evening. It is important that the light sources for each zone are independent. Zoning options can be seen in the photo of the design of the kitchen plus living room.
Modern styles
The main difference between modern styles: practicality, free space and a minimum of decorative elements. It is necessary to carefully consider all the details of the interior, choose one direction and comply with its basic requirements. This will create harmonious design kitchen living room.
Advice! You should be careful when combining different styles, as the wrong combination can make the space tasteless. It is better to follow the general style.
You need to pay attention to household appliances - they must fully correspond to the chosen direction and be made in the same style. With an abundance of disparate objects, it is difficult to create general interior in the same style. There is a large selection of kitchens with built-in appliances, which are made to order and allow you to choose the right option both in size and color.
High tech
The style requires a large space and a minimum of decorative elements. It is better to choose monochromatic finishing materials. There are many glass, metal and glossy surfaces. White, black, all shades of gray and soft brown predominate. A combination of a kitchen set and a soft corner of the same color will be successful.
Clear, straight lines predominate in furniture and decoration. Very few accessories. A long-pile carpet and isolated bright accents in the form of pendant lamps in the kitchen, combined with sofa cushions. It is better to use blinds on windows. Divide the space with a lattice or partition made of frosted glass.
Minimalism
To create a style, you need to provide good lighting and free up space as much as possible. More suitable: gray, black, white, all shades of brown. You can use wood texture. It is important to avoid “flashy” decorative elements.
The living room must contain a sofa. The number of shelves is limited to free up the walls. All appliances in the kitchen area should be built-in, hidden in cabinets. Small objects must be removed, leaving surfaces free.
Modern classic
It is necessary to select the same coating for finishing the walls and ceiling of the entire space. Colors should be light: warm beige, sand, olive, white. The interior is dominated by straight and smooth lines. Curtains and furniture upholstery are made from natural, soft materials. This could be expensive textiles or their imitation.
A rather restrained interior can be enlivened with the help of exquisite decorative elements, antiques, and collectible books. The main thing is that they are combined with the overall style. Zoning is best done with the help of lighting, a multi-level ceiling and the correct arrangement of furniture. For direction it is important to maintain symmetry.
Scandinavian style
It is distinguished by a large number of light elements and natural materials: stone, wood, ceramics. The general background is often white, which contrasts with dark black or brown and the texture of natural wood. Paintings, several large family photographs, indoor plants, and a carpet in the form of a skin are used as decoration. A great addition would be a fireplace and imitation wooden beams on the ceiling.
Kitchen furniture with metal fittings is acceptable, but all parts must be combined with household appliances and a sink. Most often it is dark gray shade, which can be repeated in living room furniture or window decoration. Color natural wood present on countertops, open shelves, TV stand.
Kitsch
When decorating the interior, a lot of gilding and bright “screaming” colors are used: red, yellow, purple, blue. They can be distributed randomly over surfaces. Kitsch allows you to choose furniture of unusual shapes. In order not to overload the space, you can use a light background or paint one of the living room walls in a bright color.
For a studio kitchen in a kitsch style, the use of orange is acceptable. It is believed to increase appetite. You can combine it with light green, choosing not only bright textiles, but also furniture. A kitchen-living room decorated in red will be bold. It should be remembered that in such a room it will be difficult to rest and relax after hard work, because the color has an aggressive effect on the psyche.
Country
Very cozy home style, suggests naturalness and simplicity combined with the functionality of the interior. You should avoid metal, plastic and synthetics. Natural natural colors and natural materials are used. For the background, brown shades, milky, and beige are preferred. Dim floral wallpaper fits well into the interior. Elements of burgundy, black, dark green or yellow become accents.
Furniture can be used with an aged effect. The interior will be complemented by wicker objects and elements made of natural wood: picture frames, watches, dishes. In addition to color schemes, the kitchen and living room can be combined with the help of painted porcelain dishes placed on the shelves.
Redevelopment allows you to get a large space and increases the possibilities of style filling. From modern trends easy to choose interesting and practical option. You can verify this by looking at a selection of photos of interiors and living room kitchen designs in a modern style.
Today it has become very fashionable to combine the kitchen with the living room. But we’ll look at how to do this correctly so that you end up with a cozy atmosphere in our article.
Advantages and disadvantages
Undoubtedly, this layout has more advantages than disadvantages.
That is why we will first determine the advantages of combining the kitchen with the living room:
- The space increases significantly. With this layout, you can easily seat a large group of guests at one dining table.
- The hostess is given a unique opportunity at the same time prepare food in the kitchen and at the same time continue to communicate with your guests.
- Possibility of selecting three zones, each of which will clearly perform its functions, but at the same time there will be contact between all people: the kitchen is the place where food is prepared, the dining room is where everyone gathers at the table and the living room is where the recreation and leisure area is located.
- Saving on the number of TVs. If the kitchen and living room were separate an ordinary wall, then there is a need to install a TV in every room. When combining these rooms, it will be enough to install one large TV in the living room.
Of course, in front of everyone obvious advantages With such a layout, one cannot fail to note the significant disadvantages:
- Odors from the cooking process will diverge throughout the entire space.
- Also good Even minor noises from operating equipment will be heard. This may cause discomfort to guests.
Separating the kitchen from the living room
Most often, such a layout is resorted to for two reasons:
1. If the apartment is from Soviet times, then very often the kitchen there is no more than five to six square meters. To expand the space and make it more convenient, apartment owners combine tiny kitchen with an adjoining room. The result is a stylish kitchen-living room.
2. Studio apartments are increasingly appearing in new buildings. Quite a budget option for those who want to purchase and live in their own square meters.
Then the kitchen and the room itself are separated from each other or sliding doors, or a bar counter. Or the room can be zoned using different ceiling heights, different floor coverings, or the presence of a podium.
Let's look at the most popular methods of zoning the kitchen and living room.
Bar counter
Probably the most successful and therefore such a popular way to separate two adjacent rooms is to have a bar counter in the place where there could be a wall.
This division does not “cumber down” the space. This method is also relevant in a situation where the apartment owner wants to combine the kitchen and living room, but it is not possible to completely remove the wall for various reasons.
All you need to do is just leave the lower part of the wall and convert it into a bar counter. This technique, in addition to its originality, is also quite functional.
For example, a bar counter can be equipped as an additional work area. Or use it as a dining table or a place where you can have a quick snack.
The bar counter can be made of various materials. As a rule, the countertop is made of the same material as the kitchen work surface: natural stone, chipboard, marble or stone.
The base of the bar counter can also be varied: brick, stone, metal pipes, wood. If the kitchen itself is small, then under the bar counter you can make a niche for storing dishes or other kitchen utensils.
Partition
Another popular way to separate the kitchen from the living room is a partition. Conventionally, it can perform the following functions: planning or decorative.
In the first case, the partition serves as a method of successful zoning of the room. In the second case, the partition carries more aesthetic aspects, most often as decor.
Furniture, shelving, a sofa, sliding partitions, screens, glass blocks can serve as partitions. At the same time, shelving can also serve as a storage function, and not just be a way to separate the kitchen and living room.
Screens are distinguished by their lightweight design and the ability to move them aside if necessary. Glass block structures amaze with their beauty, especially in daylight.
They can also serve as additional sound insulation. But due to their massiveness, they may be inappropriate in a small one-room apartment with a small kitchen.
Multi-level ceilings
An original solution could be to use a multi-level ceiling. At the same time, it is very important to decide on the shape and design before installing it.
You can play with contrasts and make, for example, a simple ceiling in soothing colors in the kitchen, while in the living room it is colored. Or, on the contrary, install a bright suspended ceiling in the kitchen.
This will create a small island that will stand out in an original way. Two-level stretch ceilings or plasterboard are also used.
Flooring as a method of zoning
If you don’t want to mess with the ceiling, then use different floor coverings. It is best to lay tiles in the kitchen. It is very convenient in the sense that it is easy to clean. At the same time, modern design allows you to beautifully beat the floor.
It is better to lay laminate, carpet or parquet in the living room. The floor in this part of the room does not require frequent wet cleaning, so these flooring materials will last you a long time. Here a lot depends on the financial capabilities of the apartment owner.
You can also use the same flooring in the kitchen and living room, but in different colors.
Don't get too carried away with contrasts. It is best to give preference to similar colors and motifs. You can also highlight the kitchen area with a podium.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper as a zoning subject is also very popular. In addition, it is easier to replace them with something newer and more modern. Indeed, in the case of a floor or ceiling, replacement may take a long time, plus it will require significant financial costs.
Since on modern kitchen wallpaper can only be found near the entrance, window, or along the opposite wall where the dining table is located, then if combined with the living room, the costs of purchasing them are reduced even more.
After all, there is no wall that would separate the room from the kitchen. Therefore, you can choose calmer wallpaper colors for the kitchen than the dining room. You should choose wallpaper of the same color, but only in different shades.
When combining the living room with the kitchen, wallpaper can be used to highlight a dining area or a place to relax in front of the TV.
Zoning by color
Zoning with color would be a great idea. The room is immediately visually divided into a place for cooking and a place for lunch and relaxation. With this method you can play with contrasts. For example, red kitchen, white living room. Or combine two similar shades of color.
Sofa
A good solution would be to separate the kitchen with a sofa. It is located back towards the kitchen. In this way, a line is visually drawn between two rooms. If you have a bar counter, then place the sofa immediately behind it.
Kitchen living room in a private house
Living in your own home, of course, has its advantages and features. One of the important aspects is the ability, even when building a house, to create a plan in which the kitchen and living room will immediately represent one large space. At the same time, if allowed square meters, you can also allocate space for a dining room.
The house uses the same methods of separating the kitchen from the living room as in the apartment. As for color, it’s worth starting from what the house is made of. If it is a brick, then the color scheme is varied. Such a house requires finishing, which can use different materials.
But for wooden house best to choose warm colors in Provence or country style. A cozy home environment is guaranteed to you.
Design options for a small kitchen living room
If you have small space allocated for a kitchen-living room, then there are not so many layout options. At the same time, it is very important to maintain the functionality and comfort of the room.
An excellent option for zoning would be small dining table in the place where the kitchen area conventionally ends.
You can put an arch on the border between the kitchen and the living room. This element will not weigh down the room, thereby maintaining the very concept of increasing space by combining the kitchen with the living room.
As you can see, there are many ways to combine a kitchen with a living room. At the same time, a certain goal is achieved - to increase the entire space and make it cozy and comfortable both for preparing food and for receiving guests or relaxing. To completely complete the picture, look at the photo real interiors where the kitchens and living rooms are already decorated in all their glory.
Very many modern projects multi-storey buildings do not involve dividing the total area of the apartments into separate rooms - this is left to the future owners. And some potential owners purposefully select just such options - because of the opportunity to independently determine the areas of the kitchen, living room and recreation rooms, with subsequent planning of their design. And, naturally, they are interested in possible options and examples of already implemented projects.
And in older houses, with traditionally cramped spaces, owners are increasingly going through a difficult process in order to optimize the available space as much as possible. Thus, in recent years the trend has become increasingly popular open kitchen, that is, combined with the living room. This option, of course, is not without its drawbacks, but it is still often seen as optimal. The design of a living room kitchen requires careful consideration, as there are some nuances that should be taken into account when choosing such a layout.
Advantages and disadvantages of combining kitchen and living room
First, you should understand a little about all the positive and negative aspects of combining the living room and kitchen. If this is not done, some of the nuances may well turn out to be an unpleasant “surprise” already during the operation of the apartment.
This layout is most often chosen by owners who can be classified as sociable extroverts. People of this type cannot be without contact with others even for a short time; they feel discomfort in small rooms, surrounded on four sides by walls.
Combined rooms in the studio format look more spacious, bright, and filled with air. With this arrangement of rooms, everything is in full view of the hostess when she is preparing food. That is, it is possible to keep the child under control, continue communication with the family, and not interrupt watching television programs.
But if the psychological make-up of family members is such that it requires a calm environment to perform any responsible actions, someone gets irritated extraneous sounds and smells, preventing you from concentrating, then it is better to refuse to combine rooms. It naturally follows from this that much depends on the nature of the individuals who will live in the apartment. And taking these circumstances into account should come first, certainly outweighing fashion trends or the momentary “whims” of the owners.
The second aspect that cannot be ignored is the operational features kitchen area. No matter how powerful the kitchen is, it is always a source of odors and fumes. Some of them are capable of being absorbed into the textiles of furniture, curtains, and other interior details, which becomes completely unacceptable for some homeowners.
The noise from water being turned on, kitchen appliances running, or dishes being prepared on the stove can also become a serious irritant. Such an environment is often not conducive to normal rest for the people in the living room.
You can get rid of some unpleasant problems by using modern technologies climate control. But other aspects, one way or another, will have to be put up with throughout the entire time you live in the apartment.
And only if this layout is approved by all family members, is it worth moving on. Of course, listening to the advice of professionals - both on the choice of finishing materials and on zoning and design of premises.
Drawing up a project for combining premises
To simplify further actions related to the distribution of zones, planning the arrangement of furniture and the selection of finishing materials, it is recommended to draw up a project that reflects all of these listed points.
The project can be drawn up in the form of a drawing or a sketch, but it is better to carry out both one and the other option. This way it will be possible to visually assess the rationality of space distribution.
In design art, there are several ways to identify specific zones according to their functionality:
- Using furniture as a continuous partition - this can be a dining table, a bar counter, a wardrobe, a sofa turned towards the living room and other objects.
- Installation of transparent or opaque, solid, island, partial or sliding partitions of various configurations.
- Isolating zones using colors or finishing materials.
- Designating one of the zones as a podium.
- Thoughtful placement of lighting fixtures of various types.
An original combination of several similar approaches is also quite acceptable.
Dividing the room with pieces of furniture
The easiest way to divide the room where the kitchen and living room are located, without resorting to large-scale construction work, is to arrange the furniture in a certain way.
For example, an interesting option is the design of a partition cabinet. By the way, he is capable of becoming not only decorative element interior, but also functional - serving as a bar counter, work surface, containers for storing kitchen utensils.
Such a wall will clearly demarcate the areas of the kitchen and living room. But at the same time, it will visually preserve the integrity of the space due to the common floor covering and a single color scheme. At the same time, despite the fact that the structure is a dividing element, it brings lightness to the interior and adds light, due to the white color and decorating its upper part with glass panels.
Another approach is to have a dining table set on a "dividing line" that is defined different color and made from various materials. If the total area of the room is not large enough, this option for distributing space will be especially relevant.
Often, to organize two zones of different functionality in one room, a bar counter is used. If it is wide enough, it can simultaneously be used as a dining table, only on the kitchen side or on both sides. In the demonstrated project, on the living room side, in addition to the bar counter, a sofa is installed, emphasizing the living room area.
Saving free space, you can use something like this complex furniture structure as a dividing element. The wall becomes a support for the dining table top and, at the same time, serves as a backrest for a sofa turned into the living room area. This option is especially good if you need to divide a small room.
The space can be demarcated simply by the back of a sofa installed in the middle part of the room. Moreover, it will be better if the sofa model provides the possibility of rearrangement. Then, if necessary, moving it to one side or the other, you can expand the desired area, for example, to accommodate a large number of guests.
Considering the size and configuration of the room, you can, using your imagination, come up with your own options for dividing it using pieces of furniture. To do this, use wardrobes, furniture walls or even ordinary screens.
Demarcation of zones with partitions
A good solution for defining zones in a large room would be to install. It can add a special decorative accent to the interior design, and also provide some kind of protection for the living room from smoke and odors.
To achieve a “protective” effect for the living room from negative factors kitchen, it makes sense to install a sliding partition, matching its design to the overall design of the rooms. If you need to maintain the effect of free space, then glass version a mobile partition, which, if necessary, can be completely moved to the side, and two zones combined into one. Today it is possible to order products from different materials, any configurations and design options. Therefore, if you have financial resources, problems with purchasing a separating structure should not arise.
Plasterboard partition in the form of an arch with an additional bar counter attached to it will become both a decorative and completely functional element of the interior. It will visually divide the common room into two zones, but will not be able to protect the living area from noise, smell and fumes. This option is acceptable in cases where it is planned to install an effective climate control system in the apartment.
Separating the kitchen-living room with a shelving-type partition is also quite acceptable and original version zoning the room when organizing a reliable ventilation system in the kitchen area. Moreover, the rack can be made in the form of a decorative partition with the inclusion of natural materials, such as bamboo or stone, with an arrangement of exotic indoor plants.
Another option is a functional design with numerous shelves. They can be used for open storage of holiday tableware, containers with spices, decorative jugs, cookbooks and other kitchen interior items.
Isolation of zones with a podium
Some apartment owners who do not accept the use of vertical partitions to divide the room can use a podium as “boundaries” for the kitchen and living room areas. The height of such a structure can vary from 100 to 500 mm, depending on how much the ceiling height of the room allows.
A low structure can have a smooth or curved shape along its contour. A patterned bend, by the way, can visually expand the space of a room, especially in cases where the surface of the podium is lined with a material that differs in texture and color from the living room area.
The convenience of a high podium also lies in the fact that part of it internal space It can be used as a mini-cellar, a pantry for storing various things or canned goods.
The podium will divide the room into two different levels in height, and this separation is very clearly visible visually. If desired, it can be supplemented with one of the types of partitions or a bar counter. True, the level difference somewhat reduces the degree of safety of moving around the kitchen-living room, which should not be forgotten.
Isolation of zones with finishing materials
Another option for a design solution for the visual distribution of areas of a room is to cover their surfaces with materials that differ in color and texture. However, in this case, when choosing color design it is necessary to maintain the harmony of their combination.
One more important factor What should be taken into account when choosing this option for delimiting the kitchen-living room space is the practicality of the material chosen for the flooring.
Tiles in the kitchen area and laminate or parquet in the living room. It is important that the transition be harmonious and appropriate overall design combined premises For example, the floor in the kitchen area is subject to cleaning more often, so the coating should be resistant to abrasion and easy to clean from dirt. In this regard, the ideal material for the kitchen floor would be ceramic. floor tiles with a safe relief surface. Moreover, under this material, for the comfort of staying in this zone, a “warm floor” system can be installed.
How to create a floor heating system in the kitchen?
Almost any heating systems can be installed under tiled cladding, with the possible exception of infrared film ones. Which one is better to choose - read in the special publication of our portal.
To decorate the floor in the living room area, a covering that is more comfortable for walking in house shoes is usually chosen - this can be linoleum, laminate, carpet, wooden flooring, etc. All these materials go well with ceramic tiles with the right selection.
Zone lighting
As a complement to all the above-mentioned techniques for highlighting areas of different functionality, broken lighting is used.
The kitchen area should be well lit, since if there is a lack of light, a housewife who spends a long time in the kitchen will have tired eyes. Therefore, in addition to ceiling lamps, it is recommended to equip the work surface with illumination - for example, above the countertop and stove. At the same time, any elaborate, complex designs, for example, multi-arm chandeliers, are not welcome in the kitchen area.
If a dining table or bar counter is a dividing element of the room, then a separate lamp should be provided for it - this can be a height-adjustable chandelier, sconce, spotlight or strip lighting.
This is a relaxation area, so a soft, muted, but at the same time, not dull color would be more appropriate. general light. Separate areas of the living room may have additional, local lighting fixtures. For example, you can install a floor lamp or table lamp next to a sofa or armchair, which will enhance the illumination while reading or doing handicrafts. Additional zone lighting will create a cozy and pleasant atmosphere in the living room, conducive to rest and relaxation.
In addition, if the kitchen area and the living room, located in the same room, are separated by a partition made in the form of an arch, it can also be equipped with lighting, for which an LED tube or strip is perfect.
Another area that can be used to separate or, conversely, combine different zones a ceiling with a common backlight, or one intended for each individual area, can become a single complex.
Several interior design options for the kitchen-living room
To decide on the choice of interior, as well as the method of highlighting zones, this section will present implemented projects developed by professional designers.
Design of a kitchen-living room in a standard apartment
If you decide to organize a kitchen-living room in one of the rooms of a standard apartment multi-storey building, and for this there are all communication possibilities, then it is worth considering two similar design options, made in a modern style.
As you can see from this project, it is quite acceptable to place two functional area, which complement each other perfectly. In the far area of the room, closer to the source natural light, a small cozy living room has been organized with all the necessary pieces of furniture and household appliances.
Closer to the exit from the room there is a space allocated for kitchen furniture, installed in the form of a wall into which household appliances are built. The worktop is connected to the dining table, which divides the living and kitchen areas. Due to the fact that the room area is very limited, it is necessary to use any available opportunity to place cabinets for storing kitchen utensils. Therefore, under the dining table, in continuation of the floor part of the furniture set, there is an additional, quite spacious cabinet-cabinet.
On small area It will be difficult to accommodate guests in the living area, but a dining table is perfect for this purpose.
In terms of color scheme, the kitchen comes to the fore thanks to orange color, helping to lift your mood and give a surge of vivacity. The recreation area, on the contrary, is decorated in restrained, calm colors, creating conditions for psychological and physical relaxation.
This design option can be called optimistic. It is dominated by light combinations of the so-called “summer” colors of textiles in the living area - white, sea green and pastel yellow. Thanks to a well-chosen color scheme, despite its remoteness, the living room comes to the fore.
The arrangement of furniture in this design solution is similar to the first option, so it can be used both for everyday use and for receiving a small number of guests.
IN small apartments In order to set aside a separate room for arranging a nursery, a food preparation area and a living room can be set up in the combined room, which sometimes even turns into the parents’ bedroom at night.
It should be immediately clarified that such free placement is possible only if electric stove. Redevelopment involving moving the gas main is strictly prohibited.
Interior in Provence style
The Provence style, which has remained popular for many decades, was born in the French province (which gave it its name), and does not lose its relevance in modern design. It is played out in different ways, decorating bedrooms and kitchens, living rooms and bathrooms.
“Provence” is dominated by light colors, floral designs, painted lining, glass furniture facades, decorated with exquisite thin frames. When decorating a living room, it wouldn’t hurt to have a fireplace or its imitation. I also liked this style because it does not limit one’s imagination, allowing one to incorporate modern appliances into traditional furniture accessories, which one cannot do without in the kitchen today.
In the presented version of the interior you can clearly see how well you can combine modern materials and traditional elements for this style. For example, in the kitchen area there is a plasterboard ceiling with modern lamps built into its surface, next to which three lamps with a configuration corresponding to the Provence style are installed above the dining table.
The dining table is a cross between a bar counter and a side table. But its decoration is painted white wooden clapboard determines belonging to the main direction of design. This piece of furniture in this interior can be called both dividing and uniting zones of the room, since it fits into them very harmoniously.
The kitchen floors are tiled with modern white ceramic tiles, which clearly define the line of this area. The flooring in the living room is made of laminate in warm shades, giving the room a cozy feel. The general mood of the design, conducive to relaxation, is also facilitated by the presence decorative fireplace, on the wall of which is mounted a modern TV, which also successfully fits into the style chosen by the designer.
Interior of a kitchen-living room with a sliding partition
The ideal design solution for organizing two spaces in one room is to install a sliding or folding partition. Thanks to this element of the interior, some kind of sound insulation of the living room from kitchen noise will be provided, as well as protection from the spread of smoke, steam and odors.
Installation of such a partition is possible both in a small room in an apartment and in a spacious room in a private house. It can be light, made of metal profiles or heavier, made of wood. It is important to provide for easy movement of the structure’s doors so that there are no problems when separating and combining two spaces.
The example shown shows a fairly large living room, which is also a dining room - it has a separate spacious place for a dining table. The kitchen, if necessary, can be completely closed from the main part of the hall. At the same time, both in one and in the second zone, the rules for preserving the style and color scheme are observed. In addition, the unifying elements are chandelier lampshades and floor lamps, used in certain areas of the room that require brighter lighting.
The living room and kitchen area are made in the same color scheme, in which they found a harmonious combination of colors - white and “coffee with milk”, but they are used in a special way. The living room is dominated by soft coffee shades, which creates good conditions for a good rest after a working day. In the kitchen department of the room, more white color is used, which goes well with greenery and the color of fruits and vegetables, which look more appetizing against its background.
But when choosing light shades for the kitchen, especially for the countertop, you need to make sure that it has an easy-to-clean coating that does not absorb moisture and dirt.
Interior in loft style
Interiors made in this style are designed specifically for spacious rooms. “Loft” appeared due to the fact that studio owners, who did not have the opportunity to put their surfaces in order, as well as divide large halls into separate rooms, tried to create comfort with the help of furniture, small simple carpets, paintings certain styles, as well as coarse textiles in soft shades.
“Loft” is one of the directions of “minimalism”, therefore it does not involve a large number of pieces of furniture and accessories that create traditional comfort. Its characteristic features are exposed brick walls, a large number of metal objects, including lighting fixtures that match the style, plain textiles or leather upholstery of upholstered furniture.
This design option is intended more for ascetics than for those who love coziness and comfort, since it should contain only the essentials for human life. Therefore, placing a living room and kitchen in a loft interior will not be difficult. However, do not forget that even for this option, a powerful exhaust system must be installed in the kitchen.
Cozy classic kitchen-living room interior
The design of this interior can be called a modern classic, since it combines elements and selected colors characteristic of several directions. But in textiles, the carpet in front of the fireplace, glass table, as well as the chandelier above the dining table, the designer’s commitment to the English style is most visible.
The project was designed for a spacious room, but with proper division of the area it can also be used for a small room.
To separate the kitchen from the living area in in this case a partition with a passage and a window made in the form of semi-arches was used. In the living area, a semi-arch of the same shape is formed above the fireplace complex.
The window opening of the structure in the lower part is completed with a wide window sill, which can serve as a bar counter.
The interior of both zones is decorated in calm color shades without bright accents and other expressive elements. But despite this, the design of the room does not seem boring. It is pleasant to be in such an interior, as it is conducive to relaxation. And the kitchen, although it is an open area, does not in any way disturb the harmony of the design solution.
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Having considered the proposed options and, possibly, choosing the project you like, it can be “tailored” to the specific area and configuration of the combined kitchen-living room space being designed. At the same time, it is quite acceptable to change or add some elements or colors, taking into account the preferences of the homeowners.
In addition, to choose the optimal design, we also suggest that you familiarize yourself with a very rich selection of interesting projects:
Video - Kitchen-living room 20 sq. meters: ideas
