Living room design in a panel house apartment

The design of a living room in a panel building is an important component of the entire home interior. And if the apartment is located in a panel house, then its development should be approached especially thoughtfully, because often a large functional load falls on the premises. To ensure that your living room meets the most important requirements, find out how best to decorate it.

Interior of a modern living room in a panel house

Living room design features

Before you start decorating your living room, it’s worth understanding its main features, which will be taken into account when choosing a design. These include:

The room can be a walk-through room. And if it has doors leading to another room, this can create certain difficulties or become the highlight of the room.
Often typical living rooms have a balcony. This is a great opportunity to expand the space. But it is worth noting that at the same time cold air may enter the room, so take care of insulation in advance.
Functional load. If a large family lives in the apartment, then the room can be used as a bedroom and a nursery at the same time. When choosing a design and layout, try to maintain the primary importance of the living room, focus on this point.
Living rooms in panel houses most often have a limited area, so do not choose bulky furniture, leave only the essentials.
Relatively smooth walls. This feature of the room can reduce the finishing time.

Kitchen renovation

Panel houses usually have comfortable kitchen spaces, but you need to take into account several rules that will help make this room even more comfortable and functional.

Initially, you need to take care of high-quality ventilation of the room; for this you need to check the ventilation system already in the house.
Most panel houses are very old, so maximum attention should be paid to such aspects; the comfort of using the premises depends on this.
The ventilation itself is closed with a plug, which will allow sufficient quality ventilation of the room, while preventing dust from the system from entering the rooms, this is very important.
Next, you need to check communications and heating, after which you can begin choosing a kitchen unit. The most popular option for panel houses is a set in the shape of the letter “L”.
The entrance to the room is located on the side of the smallest wall, and on the right hand, as a rule, the set already begins. This is very convenient and allows you to save a lot of space to accommodate a dining group.

It is better to choose a transformer table, even if the family is small. It will come in handy when guests come and you need a wider table.

They try to choose neutral shades for the kitchen, because a person should eat in peace and comfort, this greatly affects the digestibility of food by the body.

A little decor is allowed, with the help of which you can add some zest and bright shades to the room. It could be a photo frame, a wall clock, a vase, a panel, basically anything.

Living room design in a panel house: TOP 4 styles

The living room can be decorated in any style, but the most popular are:

Modern classic. This style differs from traditional classics in the absence of pretentiousness, gloss and pomp. For wall decoration, choose plain wallpaper in neutral tones; you can also use small prints or horizontal stripes. Its main features are the symmetry of all components, soft colors, and a moderate amount of decorative elements.

Scandinavian style. It is based on a combination of white, gray and wooden furniture. When decorating the walls, you can use wallpaper with a print. If you want to place accents, simply highlight the desired wall with wooden slats or photo wallpaper. The trim should be chosen in light colors as it acts as a backdrop to the rest of the design.

Minimalism. This style does not accept clutter and unnecessary things. The decoration is done in light colors, accents are placed with the help of furniture, while there should be no frills, textiles and photo wallpapers, for example, with images of nature. There is a direction of minimalism based on the use of a monochrome palette. It involves the use of white, gray and black.

Provence. The living room in this style is decorated using vintage furniture and wooden beams on the ceiling. The main feature is natural fabrics in the decor and floral prints. Light colors are mainly used when decorating a room.

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Zoning

If there is a need for a living room of 18 square meters to combine several functions and be equipped with a separate sleeping place or study, zoning is used to give the space a different geometry.

For example, if the interior of the hall is distinguished by the presence of a niche, it will ideally accommodate a bed. It is appropriate to equip this recess with sliding partitions or curtains. An equally advantageous place to install a sleeping bed will be the far corner of the room, which can be separated using a shelving unit or a small podium.

For conditional zoning, different floor coverings are suitable, such as laminate, parquet or more budget linoleum.

A living room of 18 squares with a workplace is divided using solid or transparent plastic and glass partitions. Also quite often they use functional plasterboard structures, which are equipped with bookshelves, niches and full storage compartments.

In the photo there is a room of 18 squares in a Scandinavian style with a sleeping place located in a niche.

The layout and zoning of the 18 sq. m hall is carried out according to an individual project, taking into account the needs, preferences and tastes of all family members. Regardless of the number of functional areas in the room, the most important of them is a place for relaxation.

Comfortable furniture and a TV are placed in the recreation area, decorated with expressive decor and bright details are added. This segment can be complemented with contrasting paintings, family photographs or colorful carpets.

The photo shows the zoning of a shelving in the interior of a living room of 18 square meters with a work desk.

Living room combined with other rooms in a panel house

If the living room space is limited, it can be expanded by combining the space with another room. This solution will allow you to increase your living space, but at the same time you will encounter a lot of difficulties.

First of all, you will lose a sleeping place that is isolated and hidden from prying eyes, which can be useful when there is an unexpected visit from relatives or if you have a large family.

When combining a living room with a kitchen, you will have to fit a dining room, work area, and also a place for rest of the household into the room, which is quite difficult. In addition, you additionally need to buy a powerful hood to avoid the spread of food odors coming from the kitchen, which are easily absorbed into upholstered furniture.

Interior of a two-room apartment in Stalinka

Among the offers in the old housing stock, these are the apartments that are the most spacious. A chic living room with 2 huge windows can easily be converted into two bedrooms. In the large hallway there is room for a spacious linear dressing room. Since there are no load-bearing walls inside the apartment, the owners have a wide choice of styles to use.

How to use the balcony

In panel houses, the living room often has a balcony, so this important point must be taken into account when decorating. The first thing you need to do is insulate it and glaze it, this way you will significantly reduce heat loss. In addition, on the balcony you can equip a relaxation area, a mini-office, storage space, etc.

This solution will also help increase the space of a small living room. But it is worth remembering that demolishing a wall is not always possible. In this case, the insulation must be thorough and of even higher quality.

Living room 17 sq.m. – photos of real interiors

When designing a living room of 17 sq.m. Don’t limit yourself to boring canons and one style! Modern trends are surprisingly eclectic, suitable for experimentation and the most extravagant combinations. And for your inspiration, we have collected this selection of photos!

Design of a living room in an apartment: 85 beautiful ideas

Choosing a color

The ceiling height in a panel house most often reaches 2.55 m-2.75, which significantly reduces the space. Light colors are used to visually expand the room. The most commonly used options are:

Pastel colors. These are soft shades such as beige, pink, marble, light green and gray. They will make the atmosphere more comfortable and visually expand the room.
Cool colors. It is preferable to use it if the room's windows are located on the south side. Cool colors are blue, graphite gray, red, black, white.
Natural shades. It is ideal for different color schemes. This includes colors such as brown, honey, cherry, terracotta, yellow, dark green. If you want to expand the rectangular living room, cover the narrow walls with wallpaper in a light shade, and decorate the wide ones in a dark shade.

Choosing living room furniture

Once the renovation is complete, it’s time to choose furniture:

First of all, think about the sofa. It can be of any shape, the main thing is a sufficient number of seats. Additional seats can also be arranged using folding chairs or a low chest of drawers, on which a mattress in a beautiful cover will be placed.
A table is another essential element of the living room. If the room will be used as a place to eat, then choose a large round or square table. An excellent solution is a transformable table that does not take up much space and quickly folds to the desired size.
Storage space is a must in the living room. These can be modern cabinets, shelving or closed systems. The main rule is that they should not clutter up the space and be in harmony with other elements of the interior.
Curtains and other home textiles. By choosing black-out curtains, you don’t have to worry that someone will see you from the street. A transparent veil with a fancy pattern or organza with a pattern will make the room brighter.
As a covering, choose a wear-resistant carpet. Jute coverings have a dirt-repellent effect.

Interpanel seams

Interpanel seams are another headache for residents of standard houses. Answering the question: “How to seal interpanel seams inside an apartment?”, it is worth paying attention to the fact that this problem arises both in old houses and in new buildings. There are several ways to solve this:

Polyurethane foam. The main advantages of this method of interior finishing are considered to be good filling of voids, ease of work, quick drying and excellent heat-insulating properties of the material. However, when exposed to direct sunlight, the foam loses its quality, and this is a serious drawback.
Polyurethane foam. Budget cost, ease of work, resistance to sunlight and rotting - thanks to these advantages, the material is very much appreciated. But there are also disadvantages: it absorbs moisture, which means that in winter the moisture can freeze and the process of destruction will begin.
Combined method. First, polyurethane foam is laid (approximately 30% of the required volume), and then supplemented with polyurethane foam. The top of the seam is covered with mastic or cement plaster.

To be fair, it is worth noting that the material should be selected individually in each case; each of the above methods can protect your home from the cold.

Features and Tricks

Some techniques will create the ideal atmosphere for a family holiday:

The desired shades will help you achieve the feeling of the desired temperature. It has long been proven that colors influence our subconscious. Thus, a cold spectrum can convince our brain that the room is several degrees cooler, while the red-yellow spectrum has a completely different effect. It can be used if in winter the radiators are not so hot as to warm up the entire room.
Lighter is better than darker. The standard area of the hall is 18 m2 and this is not enough to paint the room in a bright, fashionable shade, for example, wenge. But with a few tricks, you can use any deep dramatic tone. To do this, the base color should be white, pastel, or you can use a white and gray palette. Dark colors are good for creating accents. Borders and baseboard cornices in this range will highlight the base shade.
A combination of different styles. When decorating a living room, do not use more than two styles; choose directions that are similar in nature. For example, Provence will look good with country, minimalism will suit a lounge, and romanticism will suit shabby chic.
Multifunctional furniture. Transformers will fit perfectly into a living room with limited space. Choose coffee tables that convert into large tabletops. Sofas and armchairs with built-in sleeping places will save you when guests unexpectedly arrive. Single beds occupying the lower part of the built-in wardrobe are always good. Double options, on the contrary, will take away useful space that could be used for shelves and wall cabinets. Use a regular sofa that can easily fit two people.

Description of styles

Classic style is, first of all, comfortable furniture, light pastel colors and soft lines. Furniture should be made of natural materials with gilded elements and upholstered in expensive fabric. A massive crystal chandelier on the ceiling will be an ideal lighting option and will add solemnity to the atmosphere. Curtains on the windows should match the wallpaper. It is better to take expensive satin fabric for them. The walls are usually decorated with paintings and large mirrors; a carpet should be placed in the center of the room. To receive guests you need to think about the table; it should be made only from natural materials.

If you are missing something in such a room, install a floor lamp or a beautiful lamp, hang a sconce on the wall. Fresh flowers will be an additional decoration for the living room. Don't forget, everything must match the chosen style.

High-tech style is used by practical people to decorate the living room. There should be a minimum of furniture and maximum convenience and comfort . The color of the walls should visually expand the living room space; cold and light shades are suitable. Among the materials, preference is given to metal, glass, steel and aluminum. The presence of bright accessories will make the room more elegant and festive.

Decorating Tips

Some tricks will help with repairs:

To increase your living space, you should think about combining a living room with a balcony. The window sill will be converted into a bar counter, and the room itself will be insulated and decorated in the same style as the living room. Finishing one wall in the loft style, which is placed opposite a window with sufficient lighting, will not visually take up much space. In small living rooms you can use stucco. Simple finishing materials, such as decorative plaster, paint and plain wallpaper will make any room more “airy”. Mirrors built into wardrobes and walls will also make the room visually larger. Do not use wooden partitions or columns as they reduce the space.
Floor. If desired, create a uniform design. To finish floors, use laminate, parquet and linoleum without large patterns. Mosaics, tiles and colorful carpets will visually reduce the space. In corner rooms where there is more than one window, you can use a dark or colored floor. But at night, the room should be well lit so that the room does not look too dark.
Ceiling. In rooms with low ceilings, complex structures are not used. The only exceptions are suspended ceilings with bright spotlights. High and medium ceilings can be decorated with various graphic effects. A rectangular recess in the middle, with an LED strip along the edges, will help sparkle any small room with soft tints. A small living room needs to be decorated with small lamps. A massive chandelier will cut up the space, depriving it of its integrity.
Walls. Classic design involves the use of a single color scheme. The presence of a small fireplace is allowed; the environment around it should be light. It is not recommended to use decorative screens or glass partitions. Walls in a nude color will allow you to use much more interesting solutions than a design with a heavy pattern. Wood and leather are not used to decorate a small room, since these materials look rather heavy in decoration.

Materials and design

The living room is one of the few rooms where you can use almost any finishing materials. There is no constant humidity, no high traffic, no food is prepared here and no one wears outdoor shoes. Therefore, focus primarily on aesthetic preferences.

Floor finishing

The most versatile material for finishing floors in modern living rooms is laminate. It imitates untreated boards, pieced artistic parquet, tiles, stone or even cast colored coating. Choose any collection or combine several options for zoning.

Tiles in the living room are also quite appropriate, as is modern linoleum with a high level of wear resistance. But natural stone is rarely used: it is too heavy and expensive. Now there are more practical and affordable imitations that are not so capricious in installation and maintenance.

Ceiling design

If you need a neutral background for a complex decorative interior, it’s easier to simply whitewash or paint the ceiling. If it is uneven or cracked, then cover it with matte or satin cloth. But in minimalist rooms, complex suspended and plasterboard ceilings for zoning and built-in lighting look stylish.

Wall decoration

Painting and wallpaper are the leaders in living rooms with an area of 17 sq.m., but paneling or slabs have been significantly inferior in recent years. A single-color coating or a combination of several adjacent shades looks restrained and minimalistic, while contrasting and bright inserts will add color. If you want to add an industrial loft element, leave one wall brick or concrete.

Lighting

The most convenient and versatile option for a living room of 17 sq.m. – multi-level lighting. A main ceiling source or a series of spotlights provide uniform, diffused light. In certain areas, install sconces, floor lamps or tabletops, and for decoration - LED lighting for niches, shelves and plasterboard structures.

Textile

If you love decorative multi-tiered curtains with tulle, tiebacks and lambrequins - the living room has 17 sq.m. this is the place for them. But keep in mind that the larger and denser the textile, the more difficult it is to care for it. Minimalistic Roman shades pair well with throw pillows in the same shade or pattern.

Leave a small rug on the floor near the soft corner - and the living room will immediately become more comfortable. If you use a lot of napkins, coasters, toys and other textile decor, leave them with at least one common element: color, pattern, type of fabric, texture.

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