The old housing stock is known to everyone as a smallfree space, tiny kitchens and identical layouts. A kitchen that is combined with a living room is one of the ways to diversify a home and make it more harmonious. In Khrushchev-era buildings, this is the only option that will allow you to increase the space. After all, a family of 5-6 people will hardly fit in a small room. The interior, not limited by doors and walls, looks very stylish and unusual.
Photo 1.A two-level floor can be made by pouring an additional screed. This technique has found its application not only in small apartments, but also in more spacious ones, as well as in cottages and studios. In this case, the combined hall with the kitchen is created not to increase the space, but for convenience and beauty.
Pros and cons of combining
The combination of the kitchen and the hall has its basisthe only desire to expand the boundaries of the premises. When starting to redevelop an apartment, one point should be taken into account: the kitchen should be a place for cooking, and the living room should serve as a place for relaxation. When diving headlong into the interior design of such a room, it is advisable not to mix anything up. In a kitchen combined with a hall, precise zoning and distribution of functionality is necessary. Redevelopment of premises has its positive aspects:
Photo 2. The multi-level ceiling structure is made of plasterboard.
It is worth remembering that the decision to combine the kitchen with the living room may encounter some problems:
Return to Contents</a>
Design of the kitchen combined with the hall
Photo 3. Scheme of a doorway in the form of an arch.Interior design in case of demolishing the partition between rooms should separate them both visually and functionally. There are a great many options for separating work areas. The most popular design solutions are:
- two-level floor (photo 1);
- multi-level ceiling (photo 2);
- arch (photo 3);
- bar counter (photo 4).
The multi-level floor looks very original.The steps can be decorated using different colors or textures. An interior with a multi-level floor is achieved by pouring a screed of one step higher than the other. But this option has its drawbacks. The steps can be dangerous for small children or the elderly. Another design option is to use a ceiling with different levels. This design is created from plasterboard. The technology used is the same as for the construction of suspended ceilings. This method does not limit functionality, does not create obstacles and looks very beautiful. Separating the recreation and kitchen areas with an arch is more economical and easy to implement. Plasterboard can also be used for its construction.
Photo 4. Bar counter diagram.The bar counter is the most popular solution. Interior design with its use is suitable for young families who like to throw noisy parties. In this version, the bar counter is the border between two rooms. It does not limit the functionality of either the living room or the kitchen. Its design is used as an additional work surface, a table for tea or a cabinet where you can place cutlery. If you have a bar counter, you can buy a large folding table and put it only when there is an influx of guests. Return to contents</a>
Stylistic Solutions
The interior of the hall with the kitchen can be done inthe style that you like best. You can choose a design with strict high-tech without unnecessary details and with an abundance of technology or opt for light country. There are many styles for decorating a room. Each of them is attractive in its own way. The interior design of the kitchen with the hall allows you to combine different styles, but this should be done very carefully. If you have settled on a vintage stylistic solution, then you need to buy suitable furniture. It should be quite rough with scuffs. If it looks like it has passed through more than one generation, then you are on the right track. Vintage style is characterized by the use of all shades of milky, beige, soft orange. Dark brown will create a contrast. The interior design in this solution will make the hall with the kitchen airy and beautiful. For lovers of light and cleanliness, the Scandinavian style is suitable. It is rich in light colors and laconic furniture. Try to give preference to natural materials. If clear forms are not for you, then you can stop at the design in the Provencal style. It also has soft pastel shades that go well with carved furniture. Wallpaper with a contrasting pattern will look very interesting on the walls. Return to contents</a>
Zoning Space
Photo 5.Kitchen zoning can be done using flooring made of different materials. Do not forget that your kitchen and living room are one room. The kitchen interior should not be something that exists separately and is not tied to the living room. Zonal division can be achieved using effects. Mixing elements of different stylistic solutions is allowed, but one of them should dominate. If you decorate the living room interior in the Provencal style, and the kitchen is in hi-tech, this will not make the most pleasant impression. Everything should be harmonious with each other. Variations in floor design are very often used for zoning a kitchen that is combined with a living room. If you do not want to clutter up the space with various partitions, then this option is optimal. Floor division implies different color schemes, laying the floor with materials of different structures. Thus, in the kitchen area you can lay ceramic tiles, and in the living room use parquet or laminate (photo 5). The breakdown with the help of textures and patterns looks interesting. The different design of the ceiling and walls of the kitchen-living room looks impressive. This solution can serve as an addition to the floor zoning. The kitchen interior design can be done in cold tones, and the hall can be filled with warm shades. A contrasting color scheme will look interesting. Furniture is also an excellent option for zoning the space. A large sofa with a high back will perfectly cope with this task. The main thing is that it looks harmonious next to the kitchen furniture. If its back side leaves much to be desired, then you can use a side table or a cabinet for this function. Return to the table of contents</a>
We distribute the light
All works related to refurbishmentlighting, it is advisable to do it during the renovation. This will help save time and money. The lighting of the kitchen combined with the hall should be autonomous. It is advisable to equip the work area with fluorescent lamps. Bright light will then come in handy when cooking. Wall sconces will also look good. A chandelier, built-in spotlights and a floor lamp near upholstered furniture will find their place in the guest room. It should be taken into account that all lighting in the room must be done in the same style. If the work surface requires bright lighting, then subdued lighting will be appropriate in the hall. Heavy curtains in the guest area can be a good addition.</ ul>
