The open spaces of a private home allow you to think through the interior and layout down to the smallest detail, arranging the living room and kitchen to your own taste. Each owner has his own starting point in this matter - a house with an old design, premises in the condition of the developer, or his own once current design.
Modern trends in room planning indicate that combining a kitchen and living room is a beneficial move from an aesthetic and practical point of view.
In this article we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of such a planning solution, zoning rules, interior design options for living room-kitchens and much more.
Advantages and disadvantages of a combined kitchen
One way to expand the space is to create a combined kitchen-living room. But if in small apartments it is not always possible to realize your plans, then in your own home you can easily design any layout.
But any project has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the significant drawbacks is the smell of food. Even if you have a fairly good hood, odors will still penetrate the living room.
For the first time, living rooms and kitchens began to be combined in the United States. But in the USA it is not usually customary to cook at home, therefore, for them, smells are not an obstacle to such a layout.
Another disadvantage of combined spaces is that a lot of garbage from the kitchen area will enter the living area. Therefore, cleaning will need to be done as often as possible.
But of course, in combined premises, the pros outweigh the cons.
- Combined rooms visually expand the space, especially suitable for small rooms.
- Thanks to the increased space, massive furniture and various kitchen appliances can be placed in the combined area.
- The combined area is perfect for receiving guests. Housewives can simultaneously prepare food and communicate with family and friends.
- The dining area makes it possible to place a large table.
- A combined kitchen-living room will look modern and stylish.
Advantages of combination
Making a decision about combining rooms is always difficult, because it often requires big changes in the layout and design of the room. The main advantage of a kitchen combined with a living room is that it creates coziness and convenience: you can cook and talk with friends at the same time or keep an eye on your children playing, but they wouldn’t fit all together in a small kitchen.
In such a kitchen it is much more pleasant, for example, to have lunch and work on a laptop, or watch TV. After all, country houses rarely have a TV in the kitchen. Such a combination expands the possible diversity of the interior. For example, you can buy a large cozy chair that previously had nowhere to put it, or an additional freezer for country supplies.
Ways to delimit space
Space zoning can be done using various methods:
- You can install a bar counter as a separator.
- Arches or beams are often used.
- One of the easiest ways is to install a screen.
- Sliding glass panels are suitable for a modern style kitchen.
- Sometimes different finishes on the floor, walls and ceiling are used as a separator.
Bar counter
This type of divider is considered one of the most common and is suitable for small spaces. In small rooms, a bar counter can be used instead of a table.
The rack can be used to store kitchen utensils, which is important for a small kitchen. The counter will become an integral part of the space if it is made of the same material as other kitchen furniture.
Arches
Various arches or beams are well suited for dividing space into zones. They will visually divide the room if the combined zone is located in a niche.
Screen
In addition to its main function, a screen can also perform a storage function. The screen can accommodate all kinds of drawers and shelves. And if you place an electric fireplace in it, this will add comfort to the room.
Arranging furniture
The choice of kitchen facades and furniture material is influenced by the walls of the house. For buildings made of timber, logs and other types of wood, classic furniture options are suitable. The arrangement is carried out so that there is maximum free space left. Corner sets and sofas are used.
Arrangement of furniture in a log house
If the main focus is on the kitchen, a U-shaped set, a design with a peninsula or an island, is used. Designers recommend using simple shapes, minimal furniture sets, and only the essentials in small kitchen-living rooms. For example, direct kitchen units, small bar counters as a dining area for 2-3 people.
If the main place in the house is allocated to the living room, the center becomes a spacious sofa. There may be several of them, complemented by armchairs. Furniture of different colors looks stylish. Corner sofa structures are used near the wall and window, straight ones are used in the center of the living room and for zoning.
Large sofa for living room
Finishing walls, floors and ceilings
A multi-level ceiling can be a good separator. This also includes finishing with light sources and other lighting.
- You can divide the kitchen-living room using different floor coverings. Tiles are suitable for the kitchen area, and parquet is appropriate for the living area.
- In addition to serving as a separator, this finish will look quite practical. A good solution would be to separate the living room with a carpet.
- You can use a podium to divide the space. In addition to its main function, drawers for storing things can be placed inside the podium.
If the separation of two zones is done using wall decoration, then it is advisable to choose wallpaper that goes well with each other, or choose materials of the same shades, but different in texture.
Dining room design style in a country cottage
Since the room has several functional areas, it makes sense to choose a style for decoration that does not necessarily contain large-sized parts.
Loft
The loft style can be easily recognized by bare brick walls, exposed pipes, and pieces of furniture made from untreated wood. All this gives the room a memorable look.
Loft
Provence
Kitchen - dining room - living room, decorated in Provence style, is distinguished by exquisite taste. There must be a large table covered with a tablecloth with a floral pattern. The same pattern should be on the upholstery of upholstered furniture.
In the work area of the house, elements of a “rustic” style are required - a fireplace, a hood in the shape of a whitewashed pipe, wooden ceiling beams.
Provence
Minimalism
In a room decorated in a minimalist style, every little detail is thought out and has its purpose. There are only smooth surfaces, calm tones and lines. In such a room you will not find unnecessary decor and all kinds of trinkets and therefore the room is easy to clean.
Minimalism
Classic
To decorate the kitchen - dining room - living room in a classic style, expensive materials are used:
- furniture covered in leather;
- plaster stucco;
- tree;
- the finest porcelain;
- a natural stone.
The room is finished in brown, white and cream tones. A prerequisite for this style are high ceilings and large windows.
The room should have a lot of natural light.
Classic style
High tech
The kitchen - dining room - living room in this style is crammed with objects made of concrete, metal, glass and plastic. There are plenty of appliances and built-in storage.
High tech
Eco-style chalet
A room decorated in this style resembles a small house in the mountains where shepherds hid. Only natural materials are used for finishing:
- stone;
- cast iron;
- leather;
- wood, etc.
Brown, white, black and gray tones are chosen for decoration, but bright accents are allowed - blue, green, red.
A chalet-style room resembles a mountain house
Scandinavian style
This style features a white background interspersed with blue and gray details. To soften this “cold” interior, sofa cushions and woven ethnic rugs are laid out everywhere.
Scandinavian style
Unifying space
In addition to dividing the space, the kitchen-living room should be combined with each other.
- A dining table will help harmoniously combine two rooms.
- Materials that are similar in color but different in texture can both separate and connect rooms.
- Several color accents in both zones will help unify the space.
- Spotlights will help unite the two rooms.
The main thing in the design of a kitchen-living room is that the space, although divided into zones, must be made in the same style, otherwise it will not be in harmony with each other.
Tips for decorating your living room
Country houses are characterized by the presence of stairs. Often the space under it is used for a built-in kitchen unit. In this case, there is more free space left for decorating the living room space, where you can put a large sofa and widescreen TV.
Placing the kitchen under the stairs
A stove or fireplace is used as an interesting thematic solution for private homes. With its help, the interior acquires a cozy homely atmosphere. The area around it is designed according to the theme of the surrounding environment.
Design option with fireplace
Wallpaper with a 3D pattern helps to visually expand the space and looks fresh, especially in modern conceptual styles such as high-tech and minimalism.
Volumetric bas-relief on the wall
Layout ideas
The layout will depend on how the rooms are laid out. But you need to remember that the rooms being connected must perform the same tasks as before the connection. It is advisable to make a plan before redevelopment, in which it is necessary to indicate all the distinctive features and specifics of the premises.
In particular:
- The area and type of rooms being combined.
- Where do the windows go and how much light do these rooms have?
- Number of residents.
- Financial question.
First of all, the future space depends on the area of the combined rooms. Although even in a small space of 15-20 m2 you can fit a kitchen set, living room furniture and decor. Naturally, you won’t be able to place a lot of furniture here, only the necessary items.
There should be a minimum of cabinets in the kitchen; covers can be provided for the hob surfaces so that they can be used as cutting tables.
Such small rooms are rare; usually the area of the combined spaces is about 30 m2. As a rule, these rooms include several windows and are quite bright.
In such a space you can easily place a kitchen set, which can be anything, either straight or corner, and living room furniture. In addition, you can additionally place a dining area.
- If the area exceeds 30 m2, and sometimes there are quite huge rooms, then any furniture and any decor can be placed in such spaces.
- The best option is if such a combined kitchen-living room has access to the terrace.
- Then the room will not need additional light sources.
- It is advisable to make the terrace doors glass, and on the terrace itself you can make a dining area.
Where to start arranging the dining area?
It is better to start implementing a combination project after discussion and detailed analysis of all the nuances by designers and planners. By removing and moving the walls in the cottage as you please, you risk demolishing the supporting structure and reducing the strength of the entire building.
To achieve the necessary visual effect of a combined space, it is not enough to choose a couple of colors and textures. A fun and unique interior can be achieved through a thoughtful combination of details.
You can estimate the number of furniture and zones based on the total area after connecting the kitchen and living room. When choosing furniture, you should take into account the shape and dimensions of the resulting room. For example, the absence of a large number of sharp corners obliges the owner to choose furniture with smooth, rounded shapes.
If the resulting site for the implementation of your ideas is still small (up to 20 sq. m.), then when arranging it, it is worth using smart furniture options that can be easily transformed and moved from place.
At the initial stage, follow a simple algorithm:
- Inspect the adjacent rooms, determine the purpose of the wall that separates them. If the wall is not load-bearing, repairmen can easily move it, remove it or transform it;
- If you don’t have your own ideas, it doesn’t matter, invite a designer who will evaluate the external data of the rooms and provide several redevelopment options taking into account your requirements;
- Identify the furniture you will keep and plan to get rid of. Conduct an audit. Assess the condition of internal communications in order to carry out their prevention or replacement during repairs;
- Choose a style and color scheme for the kitchen-dining room. After preparing the plan and layout from the designer, all you have to do is make your adjustments and contact a contractor to implement the project.
If your financial capabilities do not allow you to turn to specialists to solve problems related to arrangement and planning, at each of the stages described above, set intermediate tasks and complete them as soon as you are ready.
Types of kitchen area
If the room is rectangular, then the kitchen will most likely occupy one of the walls. It is better to separate the kitchen and living area with a bar counter.
- If the kitchen is located in the corner, then a corner set is suitable.
- Both zones can be separated from each other by an island in which storage boxes can be placed, or the two rooms can be separated by finishing the floor or walls.
If the space is huge, then in addition to the two zones, you can also place a dining area, in which case the kitchen can be placed between the two.
How to decorate a kitchen
There are several options for arranging kitchen units:
- standard straight single-row shape;
- double-row (parallel installation of furniture);
- L-shaped;
- U-shaped;
- composition with a peninsula;
- composition with an island.
The last 2 methods of arranging furniture are suitable for spacious kitchens. For small-sized ones and those that should look compact against the background of the living room, use a direct placement method or a U-shaped one, which expands functionality.
Design of a combined kitchen-living room
The space can be decorated in any style; the only important thing to remember is that it should be the same in both rooms.
- You can make the same accents in both zones. For example, a set in the kitchen and a bedspread in the living area are the same shade. Another solution is black and white.
- Country style is good for a country house. Furniture in this range is suitable for both the kitchen and living area. In addition to country, eco-style, which involves natural materials, is also suitable for a country house.
- For a combined kitchen, one wall can be made of brickwork, but it is better to use such a finish in a very large space. In small rooms it will only reduce the area.
- A kitchen-living room can be made even in a country house, where there will be a small table in the kitchen area and an armchair in the living area.
The design of a kitchen-living room can be completely different; unlike an apartment, in a private house the space can take completely different shapes.
It is this difference that allows you to create your own unique style, and the presence of all the conditions in a private house will have a positive effect on the combination of premises.
Disadvantages of combination
The main disadvantage of this planning solution is the spread of noise, odors and humidity. Even the strongest hood will not save the living room from the odors that come from the kitchen. And if there are no problems with a chocolate cake coming out of the oven, then when frying fish you may greatly regret your decision.
Not only does the smell spread, but it can be absorbed into the upholstery of the sofa, carpet or curtains. And successful or unsuccessful kitchen experiments will remind you of themselves for a long time. The same applies to fat - it can leave a residue on furniture, especially if the stove is gas. And most often, this is the option installed in country houses.
Photo of a kitchen-living room in a private house
Peculiarities
Before combining rooms, you need to think through the design. When decorating, it is important to take into account that cooking is accompanied by soot and the spread of odors; it is necessary to provide a ventilation system and install a powerful hood. Surfaces should be made of materials that can be easily cleaned. This way the renovation will last longer and the common space will not turn into one big kitchen.
Advice! Zoning - division using visual effects - will help make the room more stylish.
The advantage of country cottages is spacious rooms with high ceilings. This can be used to implement styles suitable for larger spaces.
Often they choose a chalet - something like a hunting lodge, a Scandinavian or English version. You don’t have to limit yourself to stereotypes: the industrial loft direction, modern minimalism, and antique styles look original.
Organization of space in a small country house
The technique of combining the kitchen and living room is universal and, oddly enough, also saves cramped spaces that need visual expansion and space. It may no longer be possible to install a large round table and you will have to limit yourself to a boron stand, but you will be able to achieve a feeling of spaciousness and freedom of movement.
If you only have a dacha instead of a two-story mansion, then don’t be upset - in the following examples you can see how a competent design of a living-dining room turns a small area into a multifunctional and comfortable room.
