Do you want to properly decorate your apartment? Then you are at the right place. Our article will tell you in detail about all the nuances and features of design art.
When choosing a sofa, you need to take into account the ratio of its size to the dimensions of the room, ease of use, reliability and appearance
A decorated kitchen, living room with a sofa, photo selections that you will see more than once as you read, can transform the interior decoration many times over. Pay attention to detail. They are capable of performing miracles.
Design options: photo selection
Studio apartments are a modern trend in the internal layout of living space. This manner came from the west, but it also began to be widely used in the east.
The kitchen and living room are essentially rooms with different purposes, combined into a common space. Therefore, when furnishing them, you must adhere to certain rules.
There are several important features when organizing the design of a kitchen-living room. Let's get to know them better:
- Visual zoning. This technique helps to differentiate different rooms without the use of walls or artificial partitions. Convenience remains high.
- Single space. The exact opposite of the previous point. Here you can cook and watch your favorite TV show.
- Unity of style. One specific type of design is selected, which corresponds to both combined rooms.
- Duality of styles. In this case, the kitchen is “dressed up” in different colors from the living room. A zoning effect is created without using clear boundaries.
- Architectural demarcation. This method determines the presence of several architectural layouts. For example, partial installation of walls (parts of walls), arches, glass partitions.
- Furniture zoning. From the name it is clear that a sofa will be used as a delimiter. This is a convenient solution: there is somewhere to relax.
Arranging a kitchen living room with a sofa is a creative process. There is no need to adhere to strict laws. Fantasize. Compares the incomparable. Take risks. Then you will get truly unique design solutions.
Compact yellow sofa in an industrial style kitchen-living room
Sofa with carriage screed in a classic kitchen-living room
Kitchen-living room in a minimalist style with a modular rectangular sofa
Zoning methods
Zoning is a tool for delimiting individual functional areas of a room. It allows you to bring organization into the space, eliminating the creation of an atmosphere of disorder in the limited area of the kitchen combined with the living room.
This can be done in different ways, for example:
- using different light sources for the kitchen and guest areas;
- separating zones with existing furniture (shelf, sofa, bar counter or cabinet);
- choosing a different color for the flooring or covering the living room area with a carpet;
- choosing wall coverings of different textures or shades;
- dividing the space into zones due to the design of the room ceiling;
- using screens or narrow partitions.
However, whatever zoning technique is chosen, it must take into account the characteristics of the room. For example, the project should provide for maximum leveling of light to the level of natural light. If the room is narrow and long, you need to compensate for the lack of sunlight in such a way as if there were windows in each functional area.
Partitions are appropriate in square rooms, where, when dividing space, they will not create the illusion of space divided into cells.
Kitchen living room with sofa
It's good when it's spacious. There is space for installing roomy, oversized furniture. But often the square footage is not enough even to accommodate a small sofa. Then you have to rack your brains.
A straight sofa can be conveniently placed along a wall free of kitchen units
If the size of your kitchen-living room is no more than 10 square meters, you will have to think carefully. A roomy sofa is a good thing, but not always appropriate. Here are the cases in which you can’t do without it:
- The apartment is one-room, but family members need to be accommodated somewhere. In this case, choose a medium-sized folding sofa. Look for a middle ground.
- Guests often come. To organize intimate gatherings, the presence of comfortable, roomy upholstered furniture is an important factor.
- Distant relatives are used to staying with you overnight. In this case, the presence of a spacious folding sofa is a mandatory factor.
When a kitchen with a 10 square meter sofa is properly equipped, there is no need to urgently purchase a bed for the bedroom. And if you have a home theater, such a piece of furniture will add comfort, luxury, and will allow you to watch your favorite movie without leaving home.
A corner sofa is more spacious, often equipped with a sleeping area and storage drawers
Selection of furniture
In a combined room, you should not arrange furniture as you please. There are certain rules and recommendations. To save free space, the elements are installed in a straight line or in the letter G. Large furniture is also not desirable. An excellent option would be hanging drawers; you can store all kitchen utensils and necessary little things in them.
Young designers often match kitchen fronts to the color of large furniture elements. All appliances are built-in, neutral shades. If the furniture is bright, the finish should be light, without patterns or designs.
It is also not recommended to clutter the recreation area; a minimal set is sufficient. The sofa is placed with its back to the kitchen, opposite the TV. There is no need for heavy curtains; they will weigh down the space; it is better to give preference to light fabrics.
Where to place the sofa?
It is advisable to install the sofa on the imaginary border between the kitchen and living room. This is the most common interior design option found in studio apartments.
In this case, the sofa is often combined with a bar counter
But often you want variety. For example, arranging a kitchen with a sofa and TV. This solution will require placing upholstered furniture, a sofa in particular, opposite the TV. The main thing is to do it right. Do not place upholstered furniture near a gas or electric stove. This will protect against possible contamination of the upholstery by splashes of grease, as well as from possible fire.
In this kitchen-living room, the space is divided into a work area and a place to relax, and the sofa is located as far as possible from the main sources of pollution
It is also unacceptable to place the sofa near a sink, dishwasher, or other household appliances that can splash the upholstery. The best place is the opposite wall from the kitchen unit. If the TV is mounted on the kitchen part, then you can install a sofa opposite.
The most practical and durable upholstery for a kitchen sofa is genuine leather, but it is not cheap.
It is better to cover a sofa with fabric upholstery with a cover that can be easily removed and washed
It is also very beautiful and cozy if you place upholstered furniture in the dining area. In this case, it is more advisable to place the TV in an accessible proximity. Then you can have dinner with your family while watching the news, TV shows or movies.
A small sofa in the dining area is a standard solution for a modest-sized room
Decor and textiles
Nicely placed decor against the backdrop of beautiful curtains is a special treat for the eyes. When choosing textiles for a kitchen with an area of 20 sq.m. Do not forget about functionality and practicality. For example, you need to take into account the fact that under different lighting conditions the situation may look completely different, therefore, when choosing dark shades of curtains, you need to take care of good central and decorative lighting. Light shades of fabrics are not so picky about light.
You need to pay attention to the drawings. For example, small patterns on fabric can “visually” make a ceiling that is too high lower, and horizontal stripes can slightly soften the “sharpness” of furniture and corners.
As for the decor, it must fully comply with the overall design of the kitchen and fit harmoniously into the desired color scheme. Also, quite familiar things can become decorations, such as colorful hodgepodges, handmade dishes and shelves with stained glass.
How to decorate the sofa area?
If the sofa is located near the wall, hang a painting with a landscape, family photographs in beautiful frames and a passe-partout on the latter. The designer pillows that cover the upholstery surface look beautiful. Choose different tones of soft pads. The presence of patterns, still lifes, portraits is welcome.
The decor should match the style of the kitchen-living room interior. For example, posters or placards would be appropriate in a loft
In modern interiors, modular paintings are often used to decorate the wall above the sofa.
The wall above the sofa can be decorated with a collection of family photographs.
Place small cabinets near the armrests. Place framed photographs on them on a stand. Large green plants, which are also placed near the armrests, look great. Tall stems will create comfort and freshness.
A beautiful coffee table can be a worthy decoration for a sofa group
What materials to use
When decorating a living room in a modern style, you can use glass, metal, wood, concrete and brick. The most common combination is natural wood with metal or glass. It is allowed to complement the interior with chromed metal, artificial stone, laminated MDF panels, and high-quality plastic.
The flooring can be made of laminate, natural stone, tiles or self-leveling floors. The main thing is that the floor is smooth and uniform. When choosing shades, you should give preference to milk, nut, coffee, cognac. Of all the types of wood, maple, dark wenge and ash are most suitable.
The walls are designed so that they become the backdrop for furniture and accessories. To do this, they are made plain and smooth - this way they will not distract attention. Decorative plaster, paint, vinyl or liquid wallpaper are suitable for finishing. One wall can be made an accent wall using 3D wallpaper or plaster bas-relief.
The ceiling in a modern style is standard white. It should be smooth and even. If the height of the room allows, two-level ceilings with built-in lamps are allowed.
Design example
Consider the design of a bright kitchen-living room. The flooring is made of laminate, parquet boards or parquet. In the kitchen area you can make an insert of ceramic tiles. This will protect the coating from exposure to excess moisture. Color – light beige.
Tiles on the floor in front of the set will divide the room into functional zones
Lay out a gray rug in the dining area. But choose beige-gray upholstered furniture. This will make it interesting to combine two elements in one - flooring and carpet. Place bright orange pillows on the surface of the sofa. This will be a great accent.
Bright pillows will decorate the interior of the kitchen-living room and make it more attractive
Cover the walls with light gray or bluish wallpaper. Paint will work too. Finish the ceiling in the same way. Be sure to purchase a large format painting with abstract images and outlines. For orange pillows, this color must be in the picture.
Part of the wall in the sofa area can be painted bright orange
Complete the design with orange elements. Place vases, jugs, and flower pots with yellow flowering plants on the shelves. Choose a two-color kitchen set. Black and gray are a good solution.
Color solutions
A correctly selected range of colors and shades plays a huge role in the design of the kitchen interior. This is how you can beautifully highlight the overall design and create a lasting impression.
White kitchen 20 sq.m.
A snow-white shade can visually make a large kitchen even more spacious and bright. This color will fit very harmoniously into Provence, minimalism and country style. It is so versatile that it can be combined with almost any bright elements, such as brown furniture or colorful decor. An ideal option for those who respect practicality, comfort and tradition.
Yellow kitchen 20 sq.m.
Lemon accents can not only “refresh” a space, but also visually make bulky items much more airy than they actually are. Most often, yellow color is used in individual elements of textiles or furniture so that there is no excess of it. This could be light yellow curtains, kitchen decor and a soft corner.
If you choose such a rich shade for decoration, then on the contrary - you can slightly dilute it with light green or white furniture, small ornaments on curtains and fresh flowers.
Green kitchen 20 sq.m.
Mint notes in interior design look very attractive in combination with the following colors: brown, white, yellow, peach, gray. If you add decor in the form of wickerwork or wooden figurines, photo wallpapers or curtains with elements of nature, as well as pottery to the overall green palette, then in a matter of minutes you can get the warm atmosphere of a forest house in your own kitchen.
Gray kitchen 20 sq.m.
A more conservative, but no less popular color for design. Experts often combine it with white or yellow. This shade is great both as a finish and as textiles. It can be easily diluted with warmer shades.
Gray will perfectly set the necessary sophisticated accents in classic and modern interior styles.
Red kitchen 20 sq.m.
The garnet color in the kitchen represents the brightness, extravagance and courage of the owners themselves. Cherry and raspberry will create a more delicate design, while rich burgundy will highlight individual elements (furniture and decor).
One of the most popular and proven options is a warm combination of red and white. It is worth noting that the color red can really “sparkle” beautifully when combined with good lighting.
Photo: sofa in the interior of the kitchen-living room
Features of choosing curtains
Lightweight curtains are chosen for window decoration. These could be Roman blinds or blinds. Another option is the complete absence of curtains. If you choose multi-layer draperies, then only if you need to separate zones or darken the room.
The design of windows in a living room in a modern style is thought out depending on their shape. Panoramic glazing should be left without decoration. If you choose curtains, then only light, plain ones, without floral motifs. These should not be heavy curtains with lambrequins and tassels. Instead, it is better to choose Japanese or Roman blinds.
