The idea of zoning space is relevant todaythan ever. This is due to the spread of studio apartments and housing with open planning. But this does not mean that owners of apartments in old buildings will not find such ideas useful.
Classic technique of space zoning- separation of the kitchen and living room with a bar counter. The most common question is how to separate the kitchen from the living room in one room. However, in old apartments, they are first combined - demolishing the load-bearing wall, since in most cases these rooms are located next to each other.
Pros and cons of the combined space
Zoning of space can be done withwith the help of light, translucent partitions. There are pros and cons here. Of the negative aspects of combining, there are mainly three: penetration of kitchen smells into the living room area (think about how intensively you use the kitchen), registration of permits (when demolishing the wall between the rooms) and an increasing scope of cleaning work (after all, the kitchen has to be cleaned more often than the living room). Pros: an increase in the room, rational use of living space. If you are not an avid cook, and the sound of a knife does not distract your family from watching TV, then it is quite possible. But after creating a single space, the question of visual separation of different functional zones, the kitchen and the living room, will still arise. There are several solutions to the issue of separating the kitchen from the living room. Return to the table of contents</a>
Popular ways to zonate space
You will need:
- partition;
- furniture;
- podium;
- flooring;
- screens, curtains;
- sliding doors.
A partition involves constructing a wall betweenrooms. It can be made of brick, plastic, glass blocks. If you do not need soundproofing, the height of the partition can be 1-1.5 m, and not up to the ceiling. With this solution, it is easy to combine various functions: the partition separates the living room from the kitchen, but it has niches, shelves, glass boxes that can be used to arrange various small items (souvenirs, decorative elements, lamps, etc.). A variety of design techniques are possible here: a partially transparent wall or glass blocks with backlighting, stepped execution of the partition, the use of several materials.
The podium performs not only a zoning function.Flexible piping and other communications can be hidden underneath. Using furniture is a great option for separating an apartment with a small kitchen. Place the sofa perpendicular to the side wall of the kitchen - this will visually divide the room into parts. A bar counter, which can serve as a cutting table, will fit perfectly behind the sofa. Podium. Different floor levels will indicate a visual boundary between the kitchen and the living room. The kitchen is often located on a raised platform. This option is possible in an apartment/house with high ceilings. Floor covering. There are many options: different materials and colors; one color scheme, but different textures. You can experiment by highlighting zones with smooth lines or at an angle. Zoning can also be added here using multi-level ceilings (keep in mind that the border on the ceiling should coincide with the border on the floor). Wall decoration - this method is similar to zoning using flooring. As a rule, materials of different textures and colors are chosen for wall decoration. This method will effectively separate your living room from the kitchen. Lighting. Using lighting fixtures of varying power and direction of action, you can separate the kitchen from the living room, but it is recommended to do this in darkened rooms that are not on the sunny side. With other options, this method will only work at night. Screens, curtains, and sliding doors can be considered a fairly easy way. The costs in this case are minimal. You need a partition - pull it out (install it, close it), no longer need it - push it back (remove it, open it). Pros - getting rid of the smells of cooking food, hiding kitchen mess from the eyes of guests (especially unexpected ones). It is important to note that all of the listed methods can be used in various combinations or separately. Light and color play a big role in zoning a room. Consider both artificial and natural light sources. It is not advisable to choose too contrasting colours, as despite the demarcation, the room should look unified. It is important to remember that separating the living room from the kitchen with the help of interior solutions imposes certain restrictions on the choice of furniture. Its covering should be resistant to moisture and odours, which will inevitably leak from the kitchen area. For the kitchen work area, it is recommended to use furniture with built-in appliances, as it looks neat and fits harmoniously into the overall interior. Now you have become familiar with the basic methods of separating the kitchen from the living room. Now your kitchen will be a separate room where you can cook at any time.
