Modern life sets its own housing standardsstandards. Until recently, it was considered normal to have at least a kitchen, bedroom and living room in a spacious apartment. Now this set is not an axiom for many. Let's consider what canons are used to create the interior of a living room combined with a kitchen.
With the help of proper planning, you can transform the kitchen and living room into one ergonomic space.
Change of layout
An example of a combined kitchen and living room layout.When it is provided by the apartment plan, the owners are only required to select a suitable interior design. But more often it happens that the kitchen is planned as a separate room. When considering whether it is worth undertaking such a redevelopment, you need to weigh the pros and cons (or the pros and cons of such a step). Usually, a person visits the kitchen no more than twice a day. A woman who cooks for all family members spends 4 hours in the kitchen, that is, a significant period of personal time. It would be surprising if a woman wanted to spend this period of life in a cramped space without furniture and equipment, which is a modern kitchen interior. Therefore, you should not neglect all sorts of means that would transform the kitchen into an ergonomic zone, and even psychologically comfortable. These include adding a balcony with its subsequent insulation, and moving the refrigerator to the hallway, and. Let's figure out in what situations the interior of a kitchen combined with a living room justifies itself fully:
Types of kitchen layouts.
In any situation, you should not ignore thatthe point that redevelopment is always agreed upon with the BTI. In this case, it is necessary not only to protect the load-bearing parts of the apartment from collapse, but also to ensure that the kitchen equipment remains in its place, that is, where it was planned to be located. Return to the table of contents</a>
Highlights of zoning
Combine the kitchen with the living room -this is half the success, the main thing is to highlight functional zones in the combined territory. Let's consider what methods are used for this. Arches and piers. By removing the partition, you can partially leave the small pier untouched, which will serve as a screen for the cooking area. It can also be designed as a wide arch, which will create a clear boundary between the kitchen and living areas.
In order to divide the kitchen space andliving room, use a bar counter. Stylized bar counter. On the border of two zones (usually the kitchen and dining room) place a classic version of the bar counter, which is often purchased together with the kitchen set. Sometimes it is made from a piece of wall to which the countertop is mounted. Sometimes a half partition is made of stone, glass, wood, bricks. Lighting fixtures play the role of an additional light curtain, visually delimiting the rooms. Being the border of the zones, the counter is convenient for use both in the family circle and during the reception of guests. It can also act as an additional work surface. The bar counter, participating in the zoning of the kitchen-living room space, is the most popular option due to the simplicity of the arrangement, versatility and aesthetics. Dining area. The dining room acts as a natural divider of the kitchen with the living room, since a cozy group for family meals from a massive table, chairs and a sideboard is well adjacent to the kitchen area and the recreation area. Lighting fixtures or a unique lampshade over the border will not only provide an appetite-boosting light, but also act as a curtain of light between the kitchen and living room.
If space allows, transform yourskitchen in the "island" - this will allow all family members to cook dinner together. Kitchen island. The idea of arranging an island in the kitchen does not take root well in Russian kitchens. The arrangement of the stove, sink and work surface not along one wall, but on a separate table makes it possible to freely sit in the kitchen, where even two people can hardly turn around. The issue here is not only the lack of space, but also the limited access to working devices and surfaces. The device of the kitchen island allows all family members to sit in the kitchen to work together around the house. It is clear that its installation requires a little more space than in a standard-sized kitchen. But in a spacious area, it will not only become a symbol of the unification of household members, but will also naturally separate different zones. Then, towards the living room, it can look like a bar counter. Soft corner. Placing a sofa at the junction of zones with its back to the kitchen area - an option that is distinguished by its accessibility and unpretentiousness. For the person sitting on the soft seat, the kitchen space becomes invisible, since it does not fall into the field of vision. A not too bulky rack or an elongated cabinet behind the sofa will completely highlight the recreation area. Racks. A modern rack on the border of two zones will appear as a functional and expressive element. Small items, magazines, vases, sets of dishes, lamps placed on its shelves will decorate the kitchen and living room at the same time and separate them. Here, the main attention should be paid to the fastening of such decoration. Floor covering. The use of different types of floor coverings in the design of the living room and kitchen can act as a very clear delimiter of zones. For the kitchen, the best option would be a moisture-resistant floor covering. Good quality linoleum and, of course, ceramic tiles can serve as such. The latter largely meets the requirements of practicality and decorativeness. In the hall, there is usually laminate, carpet (not so often), porcelain stoneware (but with a different texture and pattern than in the kitchen). Modern floor tiles make it possible to decorate the combined space quite stylishly. Multi-level floor surface. Even more than the types of floor covering, a floor system with several levels separates the areas. To isolate the kitchen area, the floor surface is raised by 10 or 15 cm. Such a floor system has an additional advantage - it is easy to disguise the plumbing and drains under it, which becomes especially important when arranging an island. Sliding screens and partitions. Accordion screens are usually used as a temporary means of dividing rooms. For example, they are ideal in case of sudden guest appearance, when the kitchen is in disarray. Return to contents</a>
Light as a separator
You can also divide the space using ceilinglamps. When lighting a combined kitchen, ceiling lamps can be spotlights with a directed beam of light on the stove area (usually they are built into the hood) and the work table. A bright stream of lighting above the dining area or bar counter effectively separates the kitchen and the hall. In addition to the general lighting in the hall, there should also be subdued lighting for a soft corner in the form of a floor lamp, a low ceiling lighting fixture or a lamp. It will create an atmosphere of privacy and peace in the recreation area. Return to contents</a>
The idea of color separation
The color scheme of the combined rooms shouldto emphasize the unity of the stylistic direction in the entire space. At the same time, they achieve the separation of zones as independent objects in the interior by means of different shades of colors and textures.
Color compatibility table.It is important to follow the rules that help achieve a balance between rich and neutral shades, one color and contrasting, warm and cold. If the kitchen space has enough bright sunlight, then they will be complemented by warm shades - yellow, orange, peach, reddish. They create a soft atmosphere of hospitality. When oriented window openings to the north side or insufficient penetration of direct natural light, emphasis is placed on artificially created lighting. It looks especially impressive against the background of gloomy walls decorated in cold colors. Calm colors in the room (gray and brown shades), supported by balanced even light, provide comfort and relaxation. Elements of bright colors will dilute the color scheme with notes of joy and life. The tips above will help home craftsmen avoid making mistakes who want to combine two rooms of different purposes, while creating zones with a successful combination of decors.
