The living room is the heart of the home and a meeting place for guests. This is a room in which any bold interior will be appropriate. Bright accent colors, custom textures and details are easily integrated into the guest area. An abundance of furniture is an optional condition for this room. A sofa, a couple of armchairs, a coffee table and a TV are a standard solution for a living room. Especially if the room has a small area.
In the standard layout, the living room is the largest room in the apartment. However, in old residential buildings, the largest room can have an area of 18 or even 16 square meters. In this case, it is important to approach the repair competently and take into account all functional areas.
It is important to work with zoning comprehensively. The color of the finish, type of flooring, protrusions, podiums, lighting and decorative elements will allow you to visually highlight the space and indicate its intended purpose. It is important to take these aspects into account already at the project creation stage.
Design Features
The living room can be either an isolated or a walk-through room. In the first case, it is possible to fully utilize the space and evenly place pieces of furniture in the room. When working with a checkpoint, it is important to consider the presence of several doorways. At the same time, it is worth providing space for passage. The main recreation area should be located in free space and highlighted with the help of lighting design, a podium or a multi-level ceiling.
In typical buildings, rectangular and square living rooms are most often found. In the first case, the elongated shape allows you to create a spacious interior that expands the space. In this case, it is better to place the main furniture near one of the walls of the room. It is better to refuse symmetry in such a space. The advantage of a square is that you can centralize the composition. The main furniture and recreation area are concentrated in a single space, while the corners remain free for other areas.
Zoning
A room of 18 square meters should be designed so that there are no more than four zones in the room. This way you can avoid chaos. The zones of the room should complement each other and not contradict.
Several methods are used for zoning:
- Different wall textures. In one area, glue wallpaper, in another, attach a wooden panel, and in the third, hang decor on the walls.
- Separate areas with furniture (shelves or a sofa).
- Add closets to separate the sleeping area.
- Install portable screens that will only be placed before bedtime.
Redevelopment options
The simplest redevelopment solution would be to combine a room and a balcony. If the living room is combined with a loggia, it is enough to insulate it, glass it and remove the internal partition. This wall is not load-bearing, so it can be easily demolished if necessary.
However, if there is no balcony, it will not be possible to increase the living room area. In this case, the main redevelopment will be carried out inside the room. However, even with the original 18 squares, you can create an unusual and multifunctional interior. This can be done through zoning.
How to arrange furniture correctly
Furniture arrangement should be based on the shape of the living room. Furniture should not be placed along a long wall. This will make the space unproportional and unharmonious.
In narrow living rooms, avoid direct symmetry. Corridors should not be made. That is, do not place large furniture over long distances. Furniture should not overload the space.
Zoning options for living room 18 sq.m.
Zoning the space will help create several functional zones. For example, in an old two-room apartment, the living room can serve as both a common room and a sleeping area or a study. In this case, it is worth allocating space. This can be done in different ways:
- With the help of color, light and texture, you can easily emphasize different functional areas. In this case, you will not have to install additional partitions - the design will visually isolate part of the space. It is best in this case not just to change the color scheme, but to use a non-standard style solution.
- Shelving not only serves as storage space, but also perfectly zones the space. At the same time, they do not take up much space and do not create a feeling of overload.
- Additional partitions are a more radical solution. This will not help with sound insulation, but will create the feeling of a separate corner. Partitions will help to separate zones of different functionality, for example, a living room and a bedroom.
- Curtains perform the same function as curtains, but they look less massive. Such an accessory will fit into the interior of different styles, add comfort to the atmosphere and at the same time help to highlight the area.
- Podiums help divide the space. Most often they are used to highlight an office or the main guest area.
The choice of a specific zoning method largely depends on the purpose of the zones and the general style of the interior.
How to furnish an 18 m2 apartment?
We have collected some useful tips that will help you wisely use decorative features in the design of a small apartment.
- Furniture. The kitchen is usually tied to communications and moving it to another place is not the most profitable solution. How to arrange the furniture in the rest of the apartment? The bedroom-living room can be separated by a functional bar counter (it will also serve as a table) or a shelving unit that will act as additional storage space. Opposite the bed, which should be placed close to the wall, there will be free space for a TV or desktop.
- Lighting. In order not to visually overload the decor, you should not use bulky chandeliers: laconic lamps are suitable, including lighting built into the furniture, which visually lightens the set. It is better to replace floor lamps with sconces.
- Color spectrum. Designers advise using 18 square meters in the studio. m. neutral light shades: white or light gray walls will visually add space, while dark ones, on the contrary, will absorb light. But sometimes professionals use an interesting technique, spotlighting one dark, contrasting wall or niche, thanks to which the room visually gains depth.
- Textile. When arranging an apartment, it is recommended to choose plain textiles without small drawings and patterns that split up the space. If you design the windows to a minimum, more light will penetrate into the room. Many studio owners, often in Scandinavian style, leave the windows without curtains. An alternative to such a radical technique are Roman blinds, which are lowered only during sleep. Carpets, pillows and blankets certainly add coziness, but their abundance threatens to make the apartment look cluttered.
The photo shows a studio with a gray sofa that also serves as a bed. Cabinets, shelves and cabinets are used as storage spaces.
Glass and mirror surfaces reflect light and make a compact apartment of 18 square meters. m. lighter and more spacious. For this purpose, mirror panels are actively used in partitions and on walls. To prevent the eye from clinging to massive elements, you can partially furnish the room with transparent furniture.
In the photo, not only the wall, but also the partition is decorated with mirrors. Glossy floors, facades and chrome parts also help expand the space.
Studio apartment 18 sq. m. seems lighter when white glossy facades are used. Do not neglect the space under the ceiling - cabinets that fill the entire wall visually raise the ceiling. For the same purpose, you can use hidden LED lighting installed around the perimeter. A mirror on the ceiling would also be useful: it amazingly changes the perception of the entire geometry of the apartment.
Style selection
In a small living room you can create an interior in many styles and even create an original mix. However, when developing an idea, it is important not to forget that an abundance of details will overload a small space. It is better to avoid a large number of decorative items and textiles, but this does not mean that any experiments are prohibited on 18 squares.
For example, a modern interior style will look great in a small living room. A laconic and functional solution will add air to the space. It is best to choose a light color scheme for this. Bright details will look great as accents in such an interior.
A classic solution will create a more sophisticated atmosphere. At the same time, the abundance of white will help expand the space. In a classic-style living room, solid wooden furniture, plant drawings, figurines, paintings, candles and indoor plants will look good.
A more casual and relaxed loft will add a touch of modernity to the space. This is a budget style that will look great not only in the main living room, but also in the office or sleeping area. In this case, finishing materials can become zoning elements. Brickwork or tiles will emphasize the isolation of the space without creating a feeling of overkill.
Lovers of natural materials will love the Provençal style. If the lighting of the room allows, you can choose a more subdued color scheme for a living room in this style: gray, olive or ocher. Furniture made from natural materials in light shades will help compensate for the rich color of finishing materials and create an unusual contrast.
Another solution for small spaces is minimalism. Such a living room should be dominated by smooth lines, a calm beige and light palette, simple materials, mirrors and tulle. In this case, all the main furniture should be placed at one point in the space, leaving the rest of the room free of unnecessary items.
How to furnish the room?
A corner sofa or a folding model, which will provide an additional sleeping place, will fit perfectly into the interior of a room with an area of 18 square meters. The corner design can be equipped with built-in shelves, drawers and even special compartments for storing bedding or things.
It is appropriate to decorate the wall opposite the sofa with a TV or install a fireplace. The main furniture set will be perfectly complemented by a pair of armchairs, a round or rectangular coffee table.
It is not recommended to overload the living room interior with large closed cabinets and other massive structures. More acceptable options are shelving, open shelves and modular hanging elements.
In order to create a natural and harmonious atmosphere in the living room interior of 18 squares, it is necessary to organize high-quality lighting. The room is equipped with built-in artificial lighting, floor lamps, several sconces are placed, spotlights are installed and a central ceiling chandelier is hung.
A color palette of neutral white, gray, beige, cream and other light shades will allow you to expand the room and create the perfect backdrop. You can add an interesting touch to your design with the help of decorative elements and small objects in bright colors.
In the interior of the living room, one of the walls is sometimes highlighted with wallpaper a tone darker than the main covering. The accent plane can be single-color or decorated with attractive patterns.
Despite the fact that the area of 18 square meters is average, the living room is still not spacious enough to decorate the walls and floors in too rich and deep colors.
The photo shows the interior design of a hall of 18 m2 with a corner sofa.
Lighting
Since the living room is the central room in the apartment, you can experiment with lighting in this space. Properly selected artificial light will add comfort and warmth to the interior. As the main source, you can choose a massive chandelier with or without pendants. It will become the central accent of the space, which will visually help to assemble the style of the room into the overall picture. If the apartment has high ceilings, such a chandelier will additionally work to correct the space. A large object on a high ceiling with a small room area will give a visual match to the height and footage of the room.
Those who prefer more laconic lighting should opt for spotlights. They can be placed centrally or around the perimeter of the room. Such a lighting source can be either primary or additional. With its help you can easily zone the space.
Sconces and floor lamps will add coziness to the space. Spotlights will rid the room of dark corners. However, such light sources will not look harmonious in every interior: it is difficult to integrate such lighting devices into a space in a modern style or in a minimalist design.
If necessary, several light sources can be placed in the room: main and auxiliary. In this case, it is worth installing separate switches in each zone. In addition to electrical appliances, it is worth considering the placement of mirrors and glossy surfaces in the room. Glare caused by light rays can cause discomfort.
Square room layout
The square shape makes it possible to choose ergonomic furniture that will fit well along the walls, which will allow you to save free space in the middle of the room. Living room design 18 sq. m. in the shape of a square allows you to practically arrange the room, while showing a creative approach. When placing furniture, you can use one tricky trick. If possible, upholstered furniture is installed along the wall opposite the window. In this case, the person in the room perceives it as more illuminated by natural light.
Corner sofas or upholstered furniture with the possibility of transformation will help to practically use the space of the room. Classic sofas and armchairs, unfortunately, will take up too much space.
Another technique for properly arranging a room of this type involves the use of wardrobes, as well as sliding doors at the entrance to the living room.
The best solution for decorating a small room is a light color palette. This rule applies not only to walls, it applies to textile elements and furniture. Milky, vanilla, white, cream, beige, sand colors will add comfort to the room. In addition, a bright living room will seem more spacious.
When choosing types of lighting, it is important to pay special attention to the central lamp. There should be enough light from it to cover the entire room. The modern living room has 18 sq. m. should be provided with central (top), zonal lighting, as well as effective decorative lighting.
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.
Features of minimalism in the living room
Modernity and convenience - this is how we can briefly describe this direction. Every item here carries a functional load. Other recognizable features:
- Spacious room without screens or partitions.
- Good lighting, natural and artificial.
- Contrast of dark and light shades.
- Zoning the room with light and decoration.
- Maintain symmetry and proportion when arranging furniture.
- Use of natural materials for decoration.
Decorative elements are present here to a minimum, diluting the too strict atmosphere.
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