The layout with a combined living room-kitchen, as well as studio apartments, will have both supporters and opponents. Indeed, this option has its own nuances.
I like this idea, and not just like it... I have been in the kitchen-living room for over 20 years. And when I was still a teenager in my parents’ apartment, and now with my large family.
I can't imagine a small isolated kitchen. I feel stuffy and uncomfortable in it. Don't turn around. Although for a couple or one, the opposite is possible.
We suggest considering design techniques that can be used to completely hide or make the kitchen area as inconspicuous as possible.
As you know, it is the presence of a kitchen in the living room space with its communication systems and household appliances that causes the most criticism.
So, if you have made your final decision or are already the happy owner of a spacious living room-kitchen, take on board the ideas proposed by experts that will neutralize the effect of being in the kitchen!
The very idea of combining the kitchen and living room space is very popular. But in the practical implementation of such projects, homeowners are faced with many nuances.
However, professional designers claim that with the right approach, this technique can be incorporated into both a standard one-room apartment and modern apartments with an improved layout.
Combination features
If we talk about an ordinary apartment, then the living room and kitchen represent two different rooms that need to be combined. This can only be done if the wall is not load-bearing and the demolition will not harm the structure of the residential building. To dismantle, you must obtain permission from a government organization; unauthorized changes to the design are prohibited.
This dismantling will not go unnoticed, so it would be stupid to be cunning, because in this case penalties will be imposed, and the wall will have to be returned to its original position at your own expense.
When demolishing a wall, the kitchen remains in the same place, since all communications are located in that place and there is no point in moving them, since this has no practical meaning. Moreover, relocating communication systems will entail additional financial costs.
By carefully thinking through the interior, you can make it stylish, original and harmonious, and 20 square meters is enough to create two functional zones.
All advantages in one space
Very often, such a solution is justified in new buildings where there are no internal walls; this immediately simplifies the task of arrangement. This solution is resorted to in Khrushchev buildings. But then you will have to spend effort not only on demolishing the wall, but also obtaining approvals.
The result is worth it:
- the kitchen and living room become more comfortable and functional due to the availability of free space around;
- the dining area can be a full-fledged area, with a large table, comfortable chairs, and half-chairs in sufficient quantity;
- the overall interior becomes more interesting, expressive, filled with bright, memorable details.
The meter balance of the two zones may be different. If you rarely cook, but spend a lot of time with guests, then there is no point in making a kitchen set on a global scale.
If, on the contrary, the kitchen is actively, intensively used, then it makes sense to equip it thoroughly, spending up to half of the total space of 19-20 sq. m for its area - then the interior project must necessarily include a full-fledged place for eating.
A linear tabletop layout with comfortable but compact chairs along the wall with a window will not only make use of usually unused space, but also correspond to fashionable trends in Western design. Such solutions are increasingly used in the spirit of modern minimalism and Japanese style.
Disadvantages of this solution
- Inconvenience due to the loss of a separate room. Here we are talking about the original use of the living room; if it was also a bedroom, then sleep and peace may be disturbed due to visits to the kitchen by household members.
- Smells of cooking. If the exhaust is not strong enough, odors will settle and be absorbed into the furniture, and getting rid of them is not so easy.
- Large noise threshold. In the living room there will now be noise from a working refrigerator, extractor hood, water when washing dishes, as well as sounds from other household appliances.
- Dishes must be washed on time , because in a separate kitchen, a mountain of plates in the sink did not disturb the aesthetic appearance of the room.
- Solid financial investment. Such renovations will cost much more than just a kitchen or living room.
If you still decide to redesign the room, then you need to be prepared for the nuances of demolishing the wall:
- It is very easy to redesign a room in Khrushchev-era buildings. The internal walls are made of brick, and only the facade walls are load-bearing.
- In panel houses, things are more complicated. In such houses, as a rule, the partition between two rooms is concrete and at the same time is load-bearing. Floor blocks rest on a load-bearing wall, and when such a wall is demolished, cracks may form in the building and the house may simply collapse.
Note! Under no circumstances should a load-bearing wall be demolished.
Many people ignore this rule, but thanks to modern technologies and construction secrets, they have learned to do this. You have to sweat here. The concrete wall is dismantled using diamond cutting and the remains are strengthened with metal channels. The wall is not completely removed, but a piece of concrete is left at the junction with the floor blocks and this wall must be reinforced with metal on both sides. But before such redevelopment, it is imperative to obtain permission and prepare the project in advance.
Zoning
Proper division of space will allow the joint design of the kitchen and living room to include the necessary alternative zones on 20 square meters, albeit in a somewhat truncated version. It can accommodate not only a soft group with a TV area, but also a study, a library, and a playroom for a child, especially if it is possible to add a balcony to the total area.
The basic division between the two main zones is often made by:
- bar counter;
- an island is a very convenient option;
- an effective false wall made of plasterboard;
- high back of the sofa with a long chest of drawers and console located behind;
- large aquarium, possibly built-in;
- arch.
The bar counter will allow it to be a convenient place for several people to have a snack, only when it is large and the design is end-to-end.
The connection line is emphasized by the opposite planes:
- Floor – podium modifications. Elevation inevitably appears when engineering systems lead to the island.
- The ceiling is illuminated, there are many unusual lamps that repeat the markings from above.
What is not recommended to do?
There are some things that are best avoided in a two-in-one space. These things apply specifically to the combined areas of the kitchen and hallway, so they should be considered in this context.
We do not recommend:
- Get carried away with the variety of colors. Choose several primary colors of the same range that will harmonize with each other. To separate zones, you can use slightly contrasting shades, which will also add dynamics to the space.
- Use “capricious” materials and fabrics. Soot, grease and dust are the enemy of textiles and upholstery. Choose fabrics and materials that are easy to wash and will withstand harsh kitchen environments.
- Install the kitchen set in a U-shape. This format will only clutter the space and hinder free movement. For an open space, installing furniture and appliances either in a line or in an L-shape is suitable.
- Use dark colors. They visually reduce the space, which would definitely not be appropriate on 20 square meters. It is better to replace them with light or warm shades. Dark colors can be used to make point accents in decorating or zoning space.
- Ignore the installation of the hood. It often happens that the owners of a studio apartment try to save money on the hood, saying they don’t cook much, but this is an impractical saving. Odors, grease and fumes will in any case settle on the furniture in the living room, which will lead to the need for unnecessary cleaning.
- Install one central light source. Each zone should be individually illuminated by several light sources and it is desirable that the brightness of the light be adjustable. A practical option for each zone is a central lamp/chandelier on top and spotlights above all functional areas where a person will do something.
- Expand functional areas in the kitchen. The well-known “triangle rule” should apply here, where all functional things should be at hand and there should be no barriers between them. An ideal solution when one turn on the spot provided access to the refrigerator, sink and work surface.
Tips for choosing furniture
To keep your studio looking tidy, choose furniture with plenty of storage space. It is better to choose shelves and cabinets with opaque doors.
Use mobile furniture. Pay attention to folding transforming tables and tables and cabinets on wheels.
If the apartment is very small, every centimeter of space will be at a premium. Order cabinets with smooth fronts without decoration and built-in appliances for your kitchen.
You can decorate a kitchen studio using various furniture and decorative items. The main thing is that the open space is clearly demarcated into functional zones. Additionally, smooth surfaces of light-colored furniture will help visually expand the space.
How to place a sofa in a room of 20 square meters?
Taking into account the configuration of the kitchen combined with the living room, the sofa is most often installed with its side or back facing the kitchen.
The most popular is to place the product in the center of the room. The sofa is combined with a coffee table or coffee table and complemented with chandeliers and floor lamps. In this case, behind the sofa back there is a bar counter or a dining group.
The interior of the kitchen-living room has 20 square meters with two windows; a compact sofa can be installed near one window opening. And set up a place for cooking near the other. A bar counter or a small dining area is suitable for separating functional areas.
Designers do not recommend choosing oversized sofas that take up a lot of free space. A great idea would be a model that matches the color of the kitchen set.
It is advisable to install upholstered furniture items away from the stove to protect the upholstery from rapid contamination and accidental fire.
Decorative moments
A complete, complete image is impossible without decor. Quite often, when combined, you get 2 windows. And therefore, you need to put in 2 times more effort into their design.
The abundance of textiles on the windows greatly overloads the room - even for the classics, simple options flowing from the ceiling without numerous lambrequins are chosen.
The combined design project will allow you to place a fireplace in the living room. Electric versions of this cozy attribute will allow it to become a successful addition to the room. Depending on the configuration of the room, the sofa is placed either with its back to the kitchen or on its side. The connecting color accents are the combination of the apron and sofa cushions.
Many more different design techniques can be seen in the photos of the combined examples, so different and able to take into account the specific wishes of the owners. A variety of interior solutions allow you to safely connect the kitchen with a cozy soft living room, creating an original space of 20 square meters.
How to arrange it?
In a combined room, the cooking area should look as inconspicuous as possible so that the room is not perceived as one large kitchen. To do this, choose a set with a light or neutral facade that harmonizes with the wall decoration. Thus, the design blends with its surroundings and does not clutter up the space.
To further lighten the appearance of the furniture, closed upper cabinets are decorated with glass inserts or replaced with shelves.
The guest area should also not be overloaded with large quantities of objects. A minimalist furniture set will make the design of the kitchen-living room more harmonious. In the recreation area, it will be enough to install a sofa, a coffee table and a wall-mounted TV. A corner compartment design, several hanging cabinets or shelves are suitable as a storage system.
All furniture should be laconic in design, have simple lines and facades without elaborate decorative details. Models with high legs and a glossy or mirror surface will look great.
For the interior of a kitchen with a living room with an area of 20 square meters, you need to very carefully select household appliances. First of all, pay attention to the hood. It should be powerful enough so that odors during cooking do not penetrate into the guest area.
It is better to give preference to silent equipment that will not interfere with a relaxing rest.
If there are two windows in the kitchen: what is important to consider
The owner of the apartment must obtain permission to dismantle the partition between the rooms if he decides to combine the kitchen with the living room. The structure may turn out to be load-bearing, and its unauthorized destruction will lead to fines.
Then you need to think through and work out the design project. All aspects that at first glance seem trivial are taken into account, for example, the construction of partitions, color design, the presence of a bar counter, furniture design.
Modern interior in Provence style Source dizainall.com/
When dismantling the wall, all communications and one window remain in place, so the kitchen area also does not need to be moved. But the area can be divided into zones as desired. But usually no more than 20-25% of the room is allocated to the kitchen, the rest is allocated to the living room.
All furniture should be selected in such a way that the room remains free and spacious. Choose only the most necessary furniture, preferably compact. Usually in the living room there is a sofa, a small coffee table, a plasma TV, a small closet and shelves.
Beige kitchen-living room in Provence style Source m.yandex.by/
For decoration, you need to choose neutral tones to make the room look spacious. This is usually milky white, gray, beige shades, pastel colors. Bright solutions look tasteless and rude.
Interior of the living room and kitchen in black and white design Source dizainall.com/
If you need to visually raise the ceiling, it is recommended to choose narrow cabinets, floor-length curtains, and columns. To expand the space, long tables and sofas, wide shelves, and horizontal patterns on wallpaper are used.
Style design features
- minimalist style, which assumes strict and simple geometry, the absence of unnecessary decor and a discreet color palette, will fit well into the combined space For interior decoration, it is appropriate to use both natural and synthetic materials. Built-in, corner and modular furniture pieces made of wood, glass, metal, plastic and other things are considered especially popular.
- The interior of the kitchen and living room in a classic style combines serene, luxurious notes and an abundance of natural light. The decoration uses materials such as noble wood, natural stone, elegant stucco and exquisite ceramics. The room is done in white, cream or brown tones, furnished with leather upholstery and decorated with highly artistic tapestries and paintings.
- The room in Provence style is especially cozy . The ceiling plane in the room is decorated with wooden beams, the kitchen area is complemented with vintage furniture, open shelves or a glass sideboard with beautiful dishes. The guest space is decorated with a soft furniture set with fabric upholstery decorated with floral patterns.
- loft style is characterized by brick walls, an abundance of metal, raw surfaces and open utilities. The design of the kitchen-living room is laconic, careless and informal.
Photos of real design projects
To make it easier for you to choose how to decorate a 21 m2 kitchen-living room, take a look at the photo ideas of real projects that will be presented below. They will show the design of such a space, so you will definitely find the optimal style for yourself.
Even the smallest spaces can be decorated harmoniously. If your kitchen-living room has an area of only 21 m2, then even in such a space you can create functional zones that will be in harmony with each other.
Read: Countertops for the kitchen - 55 best photo ideas for decorating countertops in the kitchen
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Finishing features
After choosing a style and selecting specific materials, the question often arises of how to more thoughtfully design different areas. For example, it is logical to make the floor wooden, but in the food preparation area it will definitely suffer sooner or later. The floor covering must have an expanded range of characteristics: moisture resistance, wear resistance.
Therefore, tiles are the most reliable, proven option. Nowadays, imitations of textures have reached such a level that it is visually difficult to distinguish where the parquet or laminate ends and the ceramic area begins, especially if the joint is made correctly.
On the contrary, you can emphasize the differences by playing with the color combination, and the self-leveling floor will enhance any effect to the limit.
For walls in areas that need more care, choose washable wallpaper. Painting with suitable paint is a more preferable option from the point of view of naturalness and environmental friendliness than plastic panels.
The ceiling is standard - glossy white, capable of raising the height. But it won’t fit everywhere: in a fashionable loft, matte is better. The ceiling has long ceased to be perceived as a place for a chandelier: the built-in system will allow you to create lighting of any intensity, and current stylish lampshades on a thin high leg right up to the ceiling near a table or sofa will provide enough light.
Technical equipment
How much of the budget is allocated to the technical equipment of the kitchen will determine how much effort and money will then be spent on maintaining the interior in its original “new” condition.
A kitchen hood is the main and mandatory attribute, especially since manufacturers offer many creative options for adapting this item to any style:
- innovative on the verge of futurism;
- powerful ceiling in silver metal for urban areas;
- hidden in the wall for laconic solutions;
- overlay camouflage cabinet for “non-industrial” styles, such as retro, vintage or authentic.
It is worth thinking carefully about the placement of the hood - its location is recommended in the location of the stove, although kitchen furniture manufacturers can claim the opposite.
Noise contacts between the two main zones, even with a partition, should be eliminated. If the ability to see and hear the TV from the kitchen area is only a plus of the connected interior, then this does not work in the opposite direction. Relevant: silent appliances, fittings that allow you to close the doors softly.
A kitchen is unthinkable without specific attributes such as a faucet or an oven; not everything can be disguised as much as possible when you want the room to give the impression of more of a living room than a kitchen.
Noticeable, spectacular decor, furniture of a special type can attract attention to themselves: designer chairs, a fashionable armchair, paintings, lamps, and preferably a bright accent color.
Rectangular shape
If your 20 square meter space is rectangular in shape, then island, peninsula and U-shaped layouts are worth considering. Often in such cases, a U-shaped layout is used, where one of the sides of this shape is made in the form of a bar counter, which delimits the living room and kitchen areas. You can also use a work surface instead of a bar counter.
If you need more freedom, then it is better to choose an island layout, where each zone looks like a separate zone with free access to each other.
However, here you will have to take care of transferring communications in the kitchen, but this solution is relevant when, in addition to the kitchen and living room, you need to add some other zones in the common space, for example, a sleeping place or an office.
In case the rectangle is too narrow then use:
- Mirrors to visually expand the space. Large mirrors from floor to ceiling, as well as mirrors located opposite each other, cope well with this task.
- 3D wallpaper. Use only high-quality samples that can create the illusion of presence in a particular picture, and will also help expand the space.
- Glossy furniture fronts. These can be varnished or glass facades. However, you shouldn’t heavily saturate the interior with them, so as not to create the effect of a “mirror room”.
- Translucent partitions for zoning. They transmit light, are small in size and can be installed anywhere.
- Light colors for decoration. Light colors reflect more light, so they create a slight optical illusion that the room is visually larger than it actually is.
Set: location and general impression
With a free layout of a kitchen-living room of 20 square meters, the choice of design for a kitchen unit is always larger and more interesting than in a kitchen of 6 square meters. Even in the photo you can see that the techniques are unusual, sometimes the exact opposite.
Some allow you to highlight the cooking area in the general perception, others allow you to disguise it:
- The L-shaped layout is the most standard and will suit any layout.
- The U-shaped layout with a sink by the window allows you to emphasize the comfort of the kitchen and bring increased functionality. Preparing culinary masterpieces will become comfortable, accommodating full-fledged models of household appliances from a combine, built-in coffee machine to a vacuum decanter.
- Closed modules that hide the large attributes of the kitchen area take on a fantastic look thanks to lighting.
- The absence of an upper tier – in laconic styles for a neat, unpretentious impression.
- Open small shelves - beautiful, eye-catching dishes can also serve as decor. And the lower drawers are spacious, with professional storage systems guaranteed to accommodate kitchen utensils and supplies.
- The highest possible, solid set right up to the ceiling – maximum functionality. All equipment, utensils, and “household” attributes are hidden, and visually there is complete integration of the space, characterizing the owners as completely free from everyday details.
Design nuances
Good design is designed to make people's lives better and more enjoyable. This design takes into account many subtleties that allow you to save time, maintain a good mood and increase functionality. To correctly combine the space of the living room and kitchen, you should know about some nuances.
For kitchen-living room areas of approximately 20 square meters. meters, you should not use a lot of dark colors: black, dark shades of brown, purple, blue. This visually reduces the space.
Shades of blue, beige, yellow, warm green, on the contrary, will make the room more spacious. Warm shades will make the room cozier and brighter.
The selection of technology in this case is very important. It’s definitely worth installing a hood, so odors from the kitchen will penetrate less into the living room. You should not choose very noisy hoods; this is not always convenient when receiving guests or in the late hours, when you want to rest peacefully. This also applies to other equipment.
An excellent stylistic solution would be equipment made in the same or similar style and material, because... in the kitchen-living room, many electrical appliances will be in plain sight.
Furniture also absorbs cooking odors. Easy to wash fabrics will be a good solution and will allow for better cleaning. Curtains, tablecloths and all other textile elements must be combined in density, color and quality.
This does not mean that you should choose only one color; use compatible combinations of shades.
Designers pay great attention to lighting in the project. If the living room and kitchen are combined, one light source may not be enough. Functional spotlights are well suited for work surfaces, floor lamps and sconces will create a cozy atmosphere in the living room area, and it is better to illuminate the dining area with a bright chandelier.
For the most convenient design of the kitchen area, there is a working triangle rule. This means that the area is divided into three main areas: the stove for cooking, the refrigerator for storing food, and the sink for washing dishes.
The fewer barriers and transitions from one point to another, the more functional the room.
Disadvantages of combining a kitchen with a living room
Despite the obvious advantages, connecting the living room with the kitchen has its disadvantages. The main one is the smell of food. Even the most powerful hood may not be able to handle some aromas.
Simple and tasteful Source assz.ru
The noise and smell from the kitchen do not always allow those family members who are used to relaxing on the sofa in the living room after work to fully relax. The coffee maker, mixer and dishwasher rarely run silently.
The living room will have to be cleaned more often, since dirt from the kitchen will constantly fall into the living room area.
It is not always possible to demolish the wall between the kitchen and living room. This is done only after obtaining permission from the relevant authorities.
Requirements for kitchen cleanliness are increasing. Dirty dishes, garbage not taken out on time, or an uncleaned table can ruin the impression of guests at home. The combined kitchen-living room should always be perfectly clean. This can also be difficult for working housewives.
Zoning using ceiling lighting Source www.fortline.ru
Design development
Combining the living room with the kitchen and obtaining a space of 21 sq. - 23 sq. m, think about which area will be emphasized: the work area or the recreation area.
The first option is more suitable for housewives who spend a lot of time at the stove. In this case, a corner or island kitchen layout will be relevant.
This will ensure the principle of ergonomic space, i.e. the refrigerator, sink and stove will be visually combined.
You can communicate with guests and household members, as well as watch TV while cooking.
If a person lives alone, then a spacious studio of 20 sq. m. m with a minimum set of necessary household appliances and a set equipped with a bar counter will be the best option.
The rest of the place becomes a relaxation area. There you can put a soft sofa, armchairs, a large table, a wall, cabinets and shelving.
This design of studios is 20 sq. m combines both a hall and a study in one room.
In the interior of the kitchen-living room, adhere to the rules of unity and equality. If one zone is oversaturated with decor, then neutrality is necessary in another, otherwise the room will look bulky and chaotic.
When decorating the walls, choose soft pastel colors that will create a cozy and warm atmosphere. Psychologists say that dark colors negatively affect a person’s emotional state.
In addition, a gloomy and poorly lit kitchen-dining room will seem much smaller than it actually is.
Floor tiles would be appropriate as flooring in the work area, and carpet, laminate, or linoleum in the living room. Give preference to high-quality, moisture-resistant materials that are easy to use and easy to clean during cleaning.
In the kitchen-living room 20 sq. m, if the height of the room allows, a suspended ceiling or a suspended structure made of plasterboard will look advantageous.
These two options can be combined, but it is desirable that they form a single whole and visually combine the dining room and living room. Spot lighting around the perimeter of the room looks very impressive.
It is desirable that, in addition to light bulbs, the kitchen-living room should have one large chandelier and additional lighting fixtures in each zone: sconces, lamps, lamps or floor lamps.
The advantages of combining a kitchen with a living room
First of all, combination allows you to expand the space. Two small rooms are combined into a single spacious room in which all the most daring design ideas can be realized. Such an interior always looks unusual and stylish.
Each zone has its own functional focus, which makes family life more comfortable.
Such a room is convenient for holding various events and gala dinners: guests will not have to be crowded, there will even be room for dancing. Even an ordinary meal will become pleasant and comfortable, as there is room for a full dining area.
It is convenient to receive guests in the kitchen-living room: the hostess can cook without stopping communicating with the guests. And the rest of the time she can simultaneously prepare homework with the child and keep an eye on the kids who are playing nearby.
When two rooms are connected, the resulting room has two windows, which provides additional lighting.
You don't have to buy two TVs for two rooms, one will be enough.
Color spectrum
There are two main techniques for decorating combined rooms - to combine the space even more or to emphasize its delimitation. In the first case, make a uniform neutral background throughout the room - white, beige or gray. In the second, combine different colors and materials, make contrasting inserts and leave colored accents.
A safe choice is a black-gray-white or beige-brown palette. But not just them: yellow will make the room warmer and brighter, blue - cooler and airier. Red and orange invigorate and tone, purple puts you in a creative mood, and green calms and relaxes.
The main thing is not to overdo it: 1-2 two primary colors and 2-3 accent colors are enough. Otherwise, the risk of overloading the interior and making it tiresome is too high. Eclecticism and bizarre combinations are in fashion, but moderation is important in everything: if you experiment with colors, stick to the simplest shapes and textures.
The main thing is the right idea
In the photo: bright kitchen-living room
The most successful design solutions and projects are built on an idea. It is able to unite space, make it holistic, harmonious, practical, even if it is 30 square meters.
Based on the idea, a color scheme is selected, furniture, accessories, dishes, and textiles are selected. For example, if we take as a basis the idea of creating a design in the style of ancient Egyptian palaces, then everything in these rooms should be completely subordinated to this direction. Folk motifs suggest a canopy and a common room, and Japanese design allows you to fence off the kitchen with screens and decorative fences.
In the photo: kitchen-living room 30 sq. m. black and white
If the idea has already been chosen, then it is worth looking at it realistically and, remembering that there is 30-36 square meters of area for its implementation, will it look decent, if it turns out just a similarity, it is worth thinking about changing the concept.
How to choose furniture and appliances
A corner kitchen unit fits best into combined rooms - it in itself already designates a work area. But if you have a long, elongated room, use furniture in two rows. A remote island or bar counter will simultaneously serve as a partition.
Select the equipment taking into account the chosen style: in the classics, it is still better to completely hide it behind the facades.
But in modern interiors, a shiny refrigerator stylishly matches a glass shelving unit or metal loft pendant lamps.
For a sofa, it is better not to choose too expensive and capricious upholstery, even if it is located at the other end of the room - the kitchen remains a kitchen. Take materials that you can definitely take care of. The same upholstery or elements from it can be used to decorate chairs and stools.
A bar counter is a stylish accessory, a useful acquisition, and in some cases a complete replacement for a table. They rarely fit in typical kitchens, and in an ordinary living room they are not always appropriate, but in a combined room they are just what you need!
Materials and design
Like the color scheme, finishing materials can both unite and delimit space. But remember the main rule: either experiment with the palette or with textures! And don’t forget to take into account the specifics of the kitchen: humidity, temperature, odors, fat.
Floor finishing
There is a simple and time-tested solution for finishing the floor in the kitchen-living room - combining laminate with tiles in different areas. The laminate under the kitchen triangle wears out faster and deteriorates from moisture, and the tiles under the sofa are too cold if you don’t have heating. Therefore, we suggest killing two birds with one stone, and carefully hiding the joint behind a decorative trim.
Wall decoration
For a kitchen-living room, paper wallpaper, textiles or wood on the walls are unlikely to be suitable - except as separate elements. Choose washable surfaces: waterproof paint, non-woven wallpaper, vinyl.
Even if you don’t delimit zones, be sure to take care of the apron above the work surface - this area gets dirty, scuffed and wears out the fastest.
Ceiling design
Simply painting the ceiling for the kitchen-living room will most likely not be enough, even if it is perfectly smooth. It will not be possible to conveniently integrate multi-level lighting into it, which is indispensable in a combined room.
If you want to visually enlarge and expand the space, choose glossy stretch ceilings.
If you prefer noble elegance, satin and matte finishes of all colors and shades are at your disposal. And to build complex multi-level structures with height differences, use moisture-resistant drywall.
Textile
It’s good if the textiles in the kitchen and living areas overlap with each other. This doesn't mean that towels and decorative pillows have to be exactly the same. One unobtrusive motif is enough - color, texture, pattern - and this will immediately harmonize the disparate room.
Think about the design of the windows: in the living area you can create any composition, but in the kitchen it’s better to have light short curtains or roller blinds. If the room has several windows on two walls, you will have to find a compromise.
Lighting and backlighting
An impressive area and several functional areas necessarily require multi-level lighting. You won't be able to get by with just one chandelier in the middle of the room - it's neither beautiful nor practical. Use a series of spotlights, built-in lighting, floor lamps, sconces, LED strips. The main thing is that all sources are independent of each other and can be regulated separately.
