Many Russians are forced to live in smallapartments with tiny kitchens. Sometimes their area is no more than 5-6 m2. Naturally, it is inconvenient to even cook in such a room. A fairly large family does not have the opportunity to gather at one table. A kitchen-living room, combined from two rooms, can be a way out of the situation. And if you apply your imagination, you can end up with not only a spacious, but also a unique apartment in its design.
If the apartment has a small kitchen, it can be expanded by combining it with the living room.
Reshaping the premises in Khrushchev
As a rule, (this is what apartments are called,located in houses built in the 60-70s of the last century) is not located in a separate room. This function is performed by one of the living rooms. But this is not the only drawback of such housing. When planning a redevelopment, it is necessary to take into account the other disadvantages of the premises. These include:
In addition, the peculiarity of such apartmentsis that all walls in a Khrushchev-era building are considered load-bearing. Accordingly, you cannot demolish them on your own (either completely or partially). To remodel an apartment, you will need a technical redevelopment project, which must be approved by the relevant supervisory authorities.
Figure 1.Common room layout options in Khrushchev-era buildings. And when carrying out subsequent repairs, it is necessary to take into account that you cannot deviate from the approved project even one step. Load-bearing structures must be erected in strict accordance with the plan. And the materials must be used that are specified in the documentation. But as a result, you will get a spacious kitchen combined with a living room. And when planning the remodeling, you can take into account not only the individual design of the room, but also your personal needs and requirements. Return to contents</a>
Merits and demerits of the association of the living room and kitchen
Most often, when redeveloping a Khrushchev-era buildingThere are 2 options. They combine the kitchen space with one of the rooms (living room). Or they add parts of the combined bathroom to the room. But no matter which method you choose, you need to start from the initial layout of the apartment. It is easiest to think through the upcoming remodeling when you have a plan-scheme of the living quarters. You can draw it yourself or get it from the BTI. The most common options for the arrangement of rooms in such apartments are shown in Fig. 1. The kitchen and living room, combined in one room, have a number of advantages. These include:
Figure 2. Redevelopment of a Khrushchevka. But the kitchen-living room in a Khrushchevka also has its disadvantages:
- the obsessive smells of cooking;
- high humidity and indoor temperature;
- the need for daily cleaning.
Grease and dirt will inevitably settle on furniture andtextile decoration of the living room. And the sounds of working household appliances can interfere with a feast or family dinner. But all these problems can be dealt with. Return to contents</a>
Variants of apartment redevelopment
Most people think that a Khrushchev-era buildingso small that it is simply impossible to carry out a global remodeling in it. But it is enough to show a little imagination, and your apartment can turn into a cozy loft or a stylish studio apartment. There are 4 main types. The first includes the demolition of the wall between two rooms. In this case, the exit from the kitchen to the corridor is blocked. Thus, it becomes possible to design a single space divided into zones. An example of such a redevelopment is shown in Fig. 2. This method allows you to place in one room a work area equipped with a sink, gas stove and basic household appliances, a dining area with a dining group and a living room. It can accommodate another table or a bar counter, upholstered furniture, a TV and bookcases. If desired, the living room area can be replaced with a study with a computer or desk.
Figure 3.In a one-room apartment, you can remove partitions or replace them with screens and transparent partitions. A young couple or a single person will feel good in a studio apartment. In such rooms, internal partitions are not provided, and the supporting functions are taken on by columns, which can set the basic design of the kitchen-living room. Most often, this option does not imply the presence of a large area allocated for cooking. With this layout, the main space is occupied by a living room combined with an office or bedroom. A one-room Khrushchevka is best suited for this type of remodeling. And if a person lives in the apartment alone, then you can even demolish the walls between the bathroom, kitchen and hallway. They will be replaced by low or narrow partitions, translucent panels, screens. Such a design will significantly expand the usable area, but will retain the necessary functional load on the zones. The design of such a room is shown in Fig. 3. These are far from all the options with which you can combine the space of the kitchen and living room in a Khrushchevka. You may have your own ideas for remodeling. But when thinking about the appearance of your future living room, do not forget about the comfort and convenience of the people living in the house. Return to contents</a>Design options Combinedthe premises in a Khrushchevka must be divided into functional zones. It is necessary to think over the design of the kitchen and living room separately. Moreover, the increased space will allow you to implement even the most daring ideas.
Figure 4. Light-colored walls and furniture will visually expand the kitchen-living room. The kitchen-living room can be divided into areas using different methods. But the following techniques are most often used:
- architectural zoning;
- visual separation;
- logical division into zones.
The first type includes techniques thatneed to build additional architectural structures and elements. These include partitions, piers, static screens and panels. They are mounted from different materials, but the most popular is plasterboard, as it is easy to use and inexpensive. But this zoning technique has a significant drawback. Any static structure clutters up an already small room. The problem can be solved with low partitions, bar counters, islands, etc. Carved and glass screens are coming back into fashion, which visually expand the room without stealing space. If you have enough money, you can use more exotic methods in a Khrushchev-era building. Fashionable designers advise fencing off part of the room with a large aquarium or a water wall. Ethnic-style solutions look no less stylish. For example, forged openwork partitions are currently at the peak of popularity, which set an oriental style for the entire room.
Zoning of the kitchen-living room can be done withwith the help of different floor coverings. Visual zoning includes those techniques that help to divide the room only visually. For example, you can use different materials for finishing the floor and ceiling in the work and guest areas. Separate one object from another with a color scheme (the kitchen is decorated in one color, and the living room in another). Multi-level lighting looks no less impressive. With logical zoning, large-sized furniture is used as boundaries or a partition is assembled, for example, from bookcases. This is the simplest and most accessible way of zoning space, which does not require additional investment of funds. Return to contents</a>Rules for decorating a room Whatever the designkitchen living room you choose, it is worth following the general rules that have been developed by experienced specialists. They are not at all complicated, but will help you to decorate your room beautifully and competently. The design of the kitchen and living room should be harmoniously combined in color scheme.
The last rule is the least observed.Usually, the kitchen area is filled with large and often dark furniture. At the same time, the living room looks overwhelmed by this massiveness. To avoid making such a mistake when planning the appearance of your room, listen to the following advice:
You can separate the living room and kitchen using a low partition designed as a bar counter.
- choose kitchen furniture with light (but not glossy) facades;
- opposite the kitchen module, make sure to place large furniture in the living room area;
- visually divide the room with a low partition, bar counter or island.
- Use the light coming from the floor to illuminate the work area.
These are the techniques used in the interior,shown in Fig. 4. Remember that the zoned room should look like a space united by a stylistic solution. It is quite difficult for an inexperienced person to select colors that match each other. Therefore, it is much easier to use different shades of the same color. Return to the table of contents</a>Unified design of the kitchen-living room Modernthe kitchen design allows for furniture with bright facades. If you prefer this option, then use finishing materials in subdued colors: gray, sand, pale blue. This rule applies to both the work area and the living room. Remember the level of lighting in the room. In Khrushchev-era buildings, standard windows are quite narrow. And when combining two rooms, there is not enough sunlight through the window openings to illuminate the kitchen-living room. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of additional sources. The most reasonable way is to use multi-level lighting. It will not only provide sufficient comfort for people, but will also help make the design even more interesting. Do not try to provide one light source for the entire combined space. Large chandeliers in a Khrushchev-era building look bulky. In addition, they are ineffective. It is wiser to think over a separate lighting scheme for the work area and the living room. In the kitchen, a central lamp is most often not needed. But light is needed above the countertops, sink and stove. Additional point sources of light will make the hostess's work much more convenient. In the living room, it is necessary to provide overhead lighting above the dining area. Such a chandelier or group of lamps will be indispensable on special occasions and crowded feasts. Additional sconces and floor lamps will be needed in the recreation area. It is best to place them next to upholstered furniture. And additional furniture lighting will add color to the interior. Textile decor will help to visually unite the kitchen and living room. Out of habit, many housewives hang different curtains in the kitchen and living room. But the design of the curtains can be made in the same style. And the pattern on the fabric can be repeated in the design of bedspreads, blankets and kitchen trifles like potholders and towels. Use similar decorative elements. For example, buy flower vases, fruit plates, glasses and jugs from the same model range. And you can complement them with the same beautiful napkins. Such trifles will help not only to be stylish, but also cozy.
