Increasingly, modern double-bed apartments are appearing on the housing market, replacing standard two-room apartments. They are distinguished by their low cost, which sometimes scares uninformed buyers; is it a pig in a poke? The main contingent of owners of such apartments are young families and bachelors. Let's talk in more detail about the features of such housing and how to competently plan the design of a Euro-room apartment.
Some useful tips
Our publication today highlights the interior design of a Euro-room apartment.
Photos of options are provided as a visual illustration. How can you enliven a space that includes both a dining area and a relaxation area? A great idea would be to place a narrow aquarium. In this case, it is appropriate to paint the walls in the recreation area turquoise or blue. Well, for contrast, the walls in the kitchen can be painted soft green. As we have already noted, the layouts of euro-bedroom apartments often imply the absence of a window in the living room-kitchen area. If there is still a window with a balcony or loggia, it would be appropriate to completely drape the entire wall with a curtain. This technique will help visually increase the space. You can use a trick by using drapery in the same color as the walls even if there is no window opening. An improvised fireplace in the center of one of the walls will improve the atmosphere of a friendly tea party.
Furniture arrangement
In the kitchen, you should pay attention to the L-shaped arrangement of furniture. In this case, two areas of the working triangle are on the same line, and the third covers the adjacent wall. It is better to refuse the popular and beautiful island layout, since it is implemented over large areas, and this is not our case. The dining area here is located between the kitchen and living room. By the way, a table and chairs can also act as zoning of space.
Audio and video equipment is placed on the accent wall facing the kitchen area. The sofa is unfolded in front of her. His back will “look” at the kitchen, which is also considered a zoning option. If the back of the furniture doesn’t look “very good”, it is complemented by a cabinet of the same height.
By the way, it is better to use a corner sofa, which will partially go into the wall with the only window in the room. In front of him is a low table. The TV wall can be equipped with a shelf. In some cases, when the area of the apartment allows (about 40 square meters), the wardrobe is placed in the corner. This option is relevant if the bedroom is too small and there is nowhere to store things.
Features of small apartments of 45 sq. m.
Small apartments always keep up with the times and the first luxury design projects were built on apartments with an area of 30-45 square meters. This is because in such rooms you can think through every detail and make the room, kitchen, and bathroom as convenient as possible for use.
Among the main features of small apartments are the following:
- warm room;
- cozy room;
- convenient apartment layout options;
- low cost of utilities;
- ideal for two people.
Today it is becoming less and less common to see such residential premises in new buildings, but this does not mean that they do not exist at all. The only thing is that buying such an apartment is much more difficult, since many owners still prefer to keep the cozy premises for themselves.
Small apartments are incredibly warm and heat up very quickly. If there are always people in the room, it takes much longer to cool down. In the cold season, they most often make do with simple electronic equipment to quickly heat the room, and this is a huge plus; you don’t have to wait long for it to get warmer.
A small space creates additional convenience, because it is much easier to get to the kitchen or toilet, which are located almost two steps away from the bed.
As for the layout options, small apartments have much more options than large ones. As a rule, the role of the load-bearing wall is played by the wall that borders the neighboring apartment. This allows you to completely demolish all the walls and create the layout you want! More than once you can come across such options where there is an ordinary weightless partition between the kitchen and the room.
Since the room and kitchen are small, you will have to pay much less for utilities, as mentioned earlier regarding heating. Two people usually live in such rooms, which is also reflected in low water consumption. At the same time, you don’t have to turn on the lights in corridors or other rooms, all energy costs are rational, nothing unnecessary is used.
It is rare to find several people living in such an apartment. As a rule, this is a young couple who have not yet had children. Such a room is also considered the best option for one person who works from home - like an office, everything is always nearby, at hand. But there are also some disadvantages, which we will discuss further.
Although a small apartment has a number of advantages, it also has some disadvantages. For example, in small rooms there is a problem with excessive dryness or, conversely, air humidity. You have to constantly adjust the ventilation to prevent either one or the other. Also, all the garbage is always underfoot, you need to clean it daily. But this can also be a plus, since general cleaning is not carried out in small apartments.
Choosing a design style for an apartment of other sizes
A “one-room apartment” with an area of 43-49 square meters is designed in approximately the same way as a 40-meter room. The only difference is that a dressing room, a small bedroom, a work corner are built on an additional few meters, and the hallway or kitchen is expanded.
49 sq. m.
In the space of a new building or “Stalin” building with high ceilings, it is easy to arrange a loft-style interior. The kitchen joins the room, and the symbolic separation is made by the bar counter; the furniture is antique, slightly shabby. Communications are practically not hidden, and one wall is decorated with brick.
The use of perfectly flat surfaces, soft furniture items, modular multifunctional structures and a large amount of lighting is appropriate here.
Lighting
For modern premises, a multi-level lighting system is used:
- The upper level is represented by chandeliers, track lamps and spots;
- The middle one is created using sconces, floor lamps, table lamps;
- The interior is provided with lighting for furniture and work areas.
LED lamps look unusual. They can be used to accent ceilings, furniture tops and bottoms, mirrors and windows.
Advantages and disadvantages of Euro two-room apartments
There are always a lot of doubts when it comes to buying real estate. In this section we will look at the main pros and cons of purchasing Euro-kopeck units.
pros
Without a doubt, Euro-kopeck apartments have three significant advantages:
- Price. Full-fledged two-room apartments are much more expensive - about 10-30%. The specific price depends on the class of real estate. The smaller the area, the less you have to pay. But if the area of the apartment is well organized, the downsides of the purchase will be minimal.
- Modern design. Euro-bedroom apartments provide great development of design ideas. The interior can be thought out to the smallest detail. There are plenty of options.
- Less cleaning. Small apartment spaces are easier to clean - everyone knows this. If the residents of a small apartment are very busy, then a small living space is very convenient for living and does not require much help from the owner.
Minuses
There is no ideal world, and there are no ideal apartments either. When buying a two-room apartment, you need to be prepared for the following disadvantages:
- Presence of food odors. The aromas from cooked food will spread throughout the entire area of the apartment. They will be absorbed into textiles and upholstered furniture. The further away the kitchen area is located, the better in terms of smells. Most likely, you will need artificial lighting, which will tire your eyesight. You can protect yourself from odors by installing plasterboard.
- More noise. The life of modern people cannot be imagined without the presence of advanced household appliances. Unfortunately, it produces noise that can be heard throughout the entire apartment. You will need to get used to the noise of a running washing machine, blender and other household appliances.
- Problems with finding a unified style. To organize all the functional zones in a Euro two-room apartment, you will need a psychological unity of souls. For a single person there will be no problems. If there are two or three residents, you will need to agree on the organization of the living space.
Stylistic direction
To make the apartment look harmonious, you need to design the interior of all rooms in the same style (high-tech, minimalism, loft style, Scandinavian style, baroque, country, etc.). It is permissible to combine some style directions, but this should be done only after consulting a designer. To make the interior look majestic and dignified, you can choose white as the main color and dilute it with various colored spots. Rich shades will make the design complete. Wall decoration should be simple and concise. Extra patterns and stucco only get in the way in small rooms. For small one-room or two-room apartments, the Scandinavian style is ideal. Interiors made in this style look quite simple, but extremely cozy. In small rooms, the following color combinations look best:
- pale pink, purple, blue;
- cream, yellow, orange;
- pearl grey, white, dark blue;
- cream, orange, chocolate.
Style | Colors |
Country | beige; lactic; black (furniture tone); |
Art Deco | lactic; Ivory; dark brown; |
Classic | white; gold; terracotta; |
Baroque | gold; marble; emerald; |
Modern | azure; white; light brown. |
Wall decoration
Wallpaper still remains on the list of popular materials for wall decoration:
- Paper sheets are used in the living room;
- Non-woven options can decorate the walls of any room (except the bathroom);
- Liquid wallpaper is intended for finishing all rooms (except the bathroom);
- Fiberglass wallpaper has absolutely no restrictions on use.
Paint and plaster are coming back into fashion.
For the bathroom, tiles or paint are left as a finishing coating.
But the kitchen apron will look elegant with mirrored or glass skins.
A combination of several types of finishes will look unusual:
- Paint and wood;
- Plaster and brick;
- Wallpaper and tiles.
Zoning
As a rule, owners think about zoning in a combined room. The other two rooms are isolated, and therefore the question disappears by itself. But not making chaos out of the kitchen and living room, maintaining the theme of each space, but also organically unifying it is not an easy task.
How to zone a combined room.
Dining table (dining area). The most obvious option and the most affordable. The dining table stands at the intersection of the zones where the kitchen ends and the living room begins. On the one hand, this is a clear division. On the other hand, this is not a division at all, but a boundary line that unites two parts of the room. She gives a smooth transition and tries to “make friends” between the two zones. How big the table will be is up to the owners to decide. If the footage allows, and the family is not small, it is really better to make it large.
Interior styles
Before renovation, you need to clearly understand what style will live in this apartment. For small rooms, the choice exists among popular and rare trends.
Let's look at the popular ones:
- scandi - an ode to space, light and democratic design;
- kinfolk - glorifies “favorite old things”, making the apartment very warm, atmospheric, lyrical;
- boho - a story about comfort, natural colors and a picture that is comfortable for the eye;
- Provence - ennobles the room and obliges you to subtly feel its mood;
- Japandi - a combination of Scandinavian and Japanese is suitable for those who would like to make Scandi more concise and a little more mysterious.
Eclecticism, retro, modern, oriental style and pop art, as well as loft and hi-tech can also appear in “Euro-bedrooms”, but still require more design resourcefulness.
Style selection
Many people's eyes will start to run wild from the stylistic diversity: Italian, Japanese, Baroque, Art Nouveau, classic, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Provence, loft, eclecticism, ethnicity, fusion, retro, minimalism, high-tech, futurism, constructivism. This list can be continued for a very long time. What style is suitable for compact housing? Options from the line of modern trends are considered optimal. High-tech will organically fit into the cramped two-room apartment, placing the technical component at the “head of the table.” Its primary colors (gray, white, black) will maximize rooms, visually expanding the spatial framework
If your soul requires “warm” country comfort, then you should pay attention to Provence. Light, airy style that chooses wood as the main material and white color as the basis of the composition
It is ideal for small spaces and will transform them with cute decorative details. Minimalism is considered the optimal solution for owners who value practicality and laconicism. It is also suitable for budget repairs. To furnish the apartment you will only need a minimum of furniture and decor.
You should not choose classic directions that are “on the knife” with cramped spaces. To embody heavy luxury, a spacious area is needed.
Mazfati
This variety of dates is considered the most popular in Iran and is exported throughout the world. Mazfati is divided into more than 20 varieties. Dates range in color from light brown to almost black. The taste contains pleasant caramel notes, and the flesh is juicy and moderately sweet, with a meaty consistency. The size of the fruit can reach almost 5 cm. In the CIS countries, this variety of dates is better known as “paradise”. The fruit is rich in the following vitamins:
- A1;
- WITH;
- B1, 2, 3, 5;
- potassium;
- iron.
If the product is stored at a temperature of about +5 degrees, then it can retain its beneficial properties for one year.
Design options for different rooms
In a standard “one-room apartment” or “two-room apartment”, if possible, the following zones are distinguished:
- living room;
- bedroom;
- children's;
- kitchen;
- bathroom;
- corridor;
- hallway.
Sometimes, if there is a little free space left, a dressing room is additionally equipped.
Living room
The hall is usually the largest room in which several logical zones are equipped. To beautifully zone the space, the place to relax or receive guests is placed on a podium, on the side of which it is convenient to place sections for storing things. The study will be located on the loggia, an insulated balcony combined with the living room.
The living room can be a separate full-fledged room with a sofa, TV, audio system, armchairs, poufs and more.Kitchen
The kitchen room is partially or completely combined with the hall, separated from it by a bar counter, sliding glass doors, and a difference in ceiling heights. Zoning with different floor and wall finishes is also acceptable - the dining area is highlighted with photo wallpaper on a natural theme.
The kitchen space is a fairly important part of the living space and is distinguished by its own internal zoning
Bedroom
The sleeping area is located in a separate room or fenced off with a thick curtain flowing from the ceiling cornice. Placing one or more beds on a podium is also a great idea. There is also a corner for a wardrobe, dressing table or computer desk.
The bed is separated by thick curtains, thus achieving a beautiful, aesthetic design and practical design.
Children's
If you divide one of the rooms into two parts with a partition, you will get a small children's room. To save space, a loft bed is arranged here, with a sleeping place on top and a corner for games, lessons, handicrafts, and changing clothes below.
When designing a nursery, it is very important to consider the number of furniture items, their quality and safety.
Bathroom
In order to save space, the bathroom is shared. On an area of 5-6 meters there is a small bath or shower, toilet, and compact washbasin. It is better to place the washing machine under the sink, but if this is not possible, it should be taken to the kitchen.
The photo shows the interior of a small bathroom in gray and white tones in the design of an apartment of 40 sq.
Hallway
To save front space, a large mirror is mounted directly on the front door. Outerwear and shoes are placed in the built-in closet; a small ottoman and umbrella stand are allowed as a decorative item.
They prefer built-in wardrobes that occupy a minimum of space, ultra-narrow shelves and racks.
Corridor
The corridor space connects the hallway with the kitchen and rooms. To make full use of these 3-5 meters, the corridor is combined with the room, removing part of the wall or moving the exit from the room to another place.
The corridor has a very modern and impressive look and gives the atmosphere a cozy feel.
A few words for introduction
So, what is it, the European layout? In Europe, unlike Russia, such apartments are not uncommon. They are mainly intended for bachelors or single independent women who are not burdened with children. Our young parents quickly realized that in such a room it was possible to live with a child, or even two. The layout of a Euro-room apartment is radically different from generally accepted standards.
A small area (no more than 40 square meters) does not prevent the home from being quite functional. We can say that everything here is thought out to the smallest detail, and every square centimeter of space plays into the hands of the residents. That is why Russians fell in love with this type of layout. The kitchen usually serves as a living room. In addition, this area is skillfully combined with the hallway. This is how we move away from the usual stereotypes of welcoming guests in the bedroom, and wisely use the lion’s share of the non-residential space in the hallway.
What is European layout
The European layout includes a small room (up to 40 m2), a bedroom, a bathroom and a living room combined with a kitchen.
In the interior design project, a competent delineation of two areas is thought out - for cooking and for relaxation. Indeed, an apartment with the prefix “euro” is a more expanded version of a one-room apartment, which has a separate additional room. Of course, the standard option is a layout in which the room is divided into a bedroom and a living room with a kitchen. Only the owners decide what and where to place it.
A separate room can be equipped as a nursery or a hall, and in the combined area you can place a bed and, again, a kitchen.
Beautiful examples
Today, a “Euro apartment” can be planned and equipped in various ways, and it is important to take into account not only personal preferences, but also the area of the apartment. So, the following design options may be suitable for decorating small Euro-room apartments:
Kitchen combined with living room. The size of the kitchen will allow you to install a large leather sofa in its center. On the opposite side of it, it is appropriate to install a floor lamp and a small chair; this will allow you to enjoy a book in the evenings. In addition, to decorate the kitchen-living room you need to choose wooden cabinets and counters in light shades, narrow shelves filled with small decorative items. One of the walls can be decorated in a loft style - like brick, giving preference to gray shades. Stretch ceilings with LED lighting will look great in this design. Separately above the dining table you need to hang chandeliers on long cords.
Living room combined with bedroom
When planning, it is important to try to partially use the space, leaving some free space. Glass panels, mirrors and indoor flowers will look great in the living room area
It is best to avoid placing large and heavy structures. Additionally, you can also combine the kitchen with the dining room by placing an island counter in pastel colors. Installing a glossy ceiling will help visually expand the space. In the bedroom area you will have to place a mirror with a dressing table, a small wardrobe and a folding sofa bed.
In spacious Euro-bedrooms, an interior that combines several styles would be appropriate. The smallest room - the bathroom - needs to be decorated in a minimalist style, filling it with decorative items made of plastic and glass. Decorative finishing is best done in milky, beige or cream colors.
It is recommended to combine the kitchen with the living room or bedroom at your own discretion. The combined room should have open storage systems; it should be equipped with furniture made from natural materials, giving preference to shades characteristic of the Scandinavian style (gray, white, blue, beige). The bedroom can be decorated in a classic style with minimal furniture, since its area will be no more than 20% of the entire apartment.
To learn about the European layout of an apartment, watch the video.
Ceiling finishing
When designing a ceiling slab, use:
- Wallpaper;
- Paint;
- Whitewash;
- Plaster;
- Ceiling panels.
But all these options require an even overlap or preliminary leveling of the surface.
Stretch ceilings will help you avoid unnecessary work. They will also provide the opportunity to use fashionable built-in lamps or create a dream ceiling using photo printing.
What is the reason for their popularity?
✓
Opportunity to save
In the economy class real estate segment, the cost of European apartments is 15-30% lower than prices for ordinary apartments. Unfortunately, in premium level projects this bonus is destroyed: there the prices for regular and European apartments are approximately at the same level.
✓
Comfortable common space plus the necessary personal space
The philosophy of Euro-apartments with a large family room combined with a kitchen area fits organically into the Russian mentality. Gathering as a family at a common table on the weekend or spending the evening side by side, but at the same time not interfering with each other doing their own things - this is very much our way. Cramped standard kitchens are not suitable for this.
✓
A fresh look at layout and design
The area of the apartment is not eaten up by unnecessary walls and corridors. The free space of Euro-apartments allows you to think through an unusual apartment interior.
Solutions that are inappropriate in standard housing are transformed into adequate and implementable ones. Industrial style, home display of contemporary art, electric fireplace - why not?