Design of a kitchen-dining room-living room: projects, design tips and original ideas
Designers and owners of urban housing are so pleased with the layout of modern studio apartments that now interiors with a free configuration of living space are created even from objects originally separated by walls. The original design of such premises makes it possible to add space even to small-sized housing. In addition, the design of the kitchen-dining room-living room looks very unusual, stylish and modern, comparing favorably with standard solutions.
Combined space - a great option for urban and suburban housing. But it has its own characteristics, without which it is quite difficult to make it convenient for living, relaxing, eating and cooking. In the article, we consider the nuances of the layout in an apartment and a private house, the features of interior design in white and other colors, and much more that should be considered before proceeding with the alteration.
Features
Creating the design of the kitchen-dining room-living room, one has to take into account the functional features of each of the zones of the common space. So that the shared premises do not worsen the living conditions, you will have to take care of careful planning of the territory, as well as install a reliable ventilation system. If the decision on free planning has been made before the purchase, it is worth looking for a studio apartment or a house where a similar configuration option has already been implemented.
Independent demolition of partitions requires complex and lengthy approvals, and does not always end successfully.
The open plan has its own characteristics and is suitable for extroverts who do not need so much privacy. Optimal for one and for one person - in a bachelor apartment, the absence of walls gives a feeling of spaciousness, even if there is only 18-20 m2 of space. But it is important to understand that the combination with the kitchen will lead to the penetration of specific odors and pollution into other rooms of the house. In such an apartment you will have to use climate control systems and powerful exhaust equipment.
Layout Options
How can you plan the combined space of the kitchen-dining room-living room? The choice of a solution is affected by the status of housing - in an apartment building or an individual, as well as projects on which construction was or is planned.
In home
In the country house, where there is a hall, the creation on the ground floor of the combined kitchen-dining room-living room looks like a pretty reasonable idea. Here you can highlight the utility room with a boiler and a refrigerator or harmoniously fit them into the interior. If a wood-burning stove is used for heating, it can also become a bright detail in the interior.
Basically, kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms in a private house are formed through the use of columns, instead of capital partitions, and involve part of the hallway or hall of the first floor. For example, if there is a staircase in the space under its spans, you can take out the dining room, equipping it with comfort and in relative seclusion. If the house does not plan to arrange dinner parties, you can get by with a corner or U-shaped headset with a bar countersimultaneously serving as a dining group.
If the area allows, you can create an island in the kitchen with the necessary household appliances and work surfaces, and the storage systems can simply be sent to the pantry.
In the apartment
In the apartment, the layout of the kitchen-dining room-living room most often affects neighboring rooms. So, the space of the loggia or the hall can enter the total area. If there is such an opportunity, a working area with a headset is taken out to the vacated place. At the same time, the kitchen turns out to be completely free for experiments, the organization of a dining area and a place for relaxation.
Among the layout options of the kitchen-dining room-living room in the apartment, several layout options are especially popular.
- L-shaped. They are also called angular for the arrangement of elements. Moreover, this format is suitable not only for a kitchen set. The dining area with a small L-shaped sofa is also a very popular design decision. The living room can also be decorated by placing upholstered furniture in the corner and arranging with it a cozy space for relaxation.
- Linear The simplest solution for any unified space. The working surface is located along one of the walls, the remaining zones can be placed in parallel in the same horizontal plane or carried along long walls. With linear planning, it is possible to implement projects that are quite complex in style and design.
- U-shaped. The complex configuration of the room looks most advantageous with this arrangement of the kitchen. Inside you can arrange an island, turn one of the parts into a countertop of the bar counter. At the same time, the space outside the kitchen area can easily be converted into a living room.
Zoning Methods
There are different ways of zoning the interior. But it is important to remember that the hall or living room is always separated from the kitchen-dining room. Although they are in the same room, they are clearly visible thanks to the use of zoning techniques. There are several relevant options for delimiting space in the kitchen, dining room, living room.
Arched structures
Especially interesting are the double arches that combine rooms that are not adjacent to each other. Single options are also good, especially with a significant opening size.As a rule, opposite the arch there is a kitchen and a dining room, and the living room is located on the side in a more spacious part of the room, with windows.
Columns
In classical, Greek, Roman design styles, the use of columns allows you to create free space on a large area. In a country house, it is better to plan them right away. In a city apartment, it can be an imitation that complements the bar counter and separates the kitchen space. Glass transparent inserts between the columns will facilitate the regulation of the microclimate.
Sliding partitions and screens
Zoning elements that allow you to easily change the configuration of the interior, creating a solid open space or isolated parts of the room. Screens look good in spacious interiors.
In a small apartment, light partitions made of light-transmitting materials look more interesting.
Bar counter
It is installed in the dining area or in the arched opening from the kitchen to the living room, without completely removing the partitions. If there is not enough space, a podium with chairs is built on the one hand, and sofas are installed on the other.
Dinner table
If there is a large window on the wall, you can place a dining table with chairs on each side and use it as an element of separating the kitchen from the living room. The best choice would be a dining set in a modern style with a glass top and transparent chairs.
Colors and textures of materials
The easiest way to zoning space. It is enough to choose your own color scheme for finishing floors, walls, furniture, diversify the textures used, and the result will surprise even a professional designer.
Add-ons and complex shapes
The combination of the complex geometry of the podium and a multi-level ceiling can be a good solution in an elongated room. With their help, you can create a lounge zone without cutting the overall area of the property too much.
How to choose a style?
The selection of style largely depends on the area of space. In a small studio, lush baroque or rococo will look too pathetic. But in the interior of a country house they are quite appropriate, especially if all the pieces of furniture from the headset to the dining group are made as part of a single design concept. A simpler solution is the classic style with its light palette, pastel soft colors, elegant finishes and natural materials.
In a country house, you can combine a fireplace with it, in a city apartment - leather furniture in a recreation area and a home theater.
Chalets and lofts are two free styles that are well suited for organizing a kitchen-dining room-living room. But you need to consider two important points: the first is suitable for suburban interiors, decorates a house with an attic, allowing you to highlight the ceiling beams as a full-fledged decoration element.
The loft is suitable for interior decoration in a city apartment, will help to maintain the authenticity of wall and ceiling beams, and will add dynamism to the industrial style.
High-tech is another good incarnation of an integrated group of a dining room, living room and kitchen. In this laconic and simple style, you can harmoniously design a city apartment using a bar, a game of textures and shapes as elements of zoning.
Looks no less interesting Japanese minimalism in interior design. With its help, you can ensure the creation of a warm atmosphere and home comfort, without giving up a clear ordering in the layout.
Often, in the Japanese interior, the principles of feng shui are taken.
Country and his direct relatives - English shabby chic and French Provence also quite harmoniously "get along" with the layout of the kitchen, dining room, living room. Such interiors look good in combination with large windows, low ceilings, suitable for a country house and city apartment.
How to choose a color scheme?
The choice of colors for the combined space is primarily determined by the stylistic decision.If the room is small, it is better to choose white, milky, light beige, delicate pistachio-colored walls. The ceiling usually remains in the classic range. Most often white, but in the podium area it can be bright - sky blue, pink or black.
If you want to bring all the elements of space together, it is better to finish the walls and floor in a single gamut.
A kitchen in bright or bright colors is a good solution if it is to be combined with other rooms. In the classic interior, it is better to do with simple white facades, complementing them with a bright apron or an active color of the walls. It is better to make the floor practical: dark gray, brown, in wet areas tiles can be used. The rest of the space is best decorated with a deck board of natural colors. Universal in the design of such an interior are considered black and gray tones.
If you want brightness, you can supplement the neutral background with bright splashes of green, blue, orange, yellow. In these colors, you can choose furniture or textiles.
Furnishing Tips
In the selection of furniture for the kitchen-dining room-living room listen to the advice of designers.
- Do not clutter up the space. A minimum of furniture, and an emphasis on details - this is a good recipe for interior design.
- Use unified stylistic solutions. The classic headset will argue with the high-tech decor in the living room.
- Apply interesting design finds. A hanging chair or wicker furniture, soft bean bags in the recreation area look interesting, take up a minimum of space. Instead of pedestals and “walls”, it is better to use shelves and equipment on the brackets.
- Choose practical materials. Smells, grease and dirt present a real danger to upholstery. In the dining area, it is better to give preference to stools with leather seats.
Interesting examples
Here are some design options for the kitchen-dining room-living room for inspiration.
- Stylish snow-white kitchen with an L-shaped layout and plenty of natural light. The interior includes a full dining table. The living area is indicated by low chairs and banquets around the glass table.
- Laconic minimalism in action. The living area is highlighted with a wood-paneled podium and neutral gray furniture. The bar counter serves as a dining table, made in two colors, headsets with a linear layout does not clutter up the space.
- Stylish solution for a small apartment. White walls and ceiling in all rooms help create a solid space. The dining area is indicated by a bar counter with high chairs, the transition to the living room is designed so as not to mix the smells of the kitchen with the living room.
About the design of the kitchen-dining room-living room, see the video below.