2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 05:33
Interior design is always a challenge. Arranging several functional areas in one room complicates it even more. The article will discuss how to zoning and equip a room with furniture, what colors and lighting to use, how you can hide the flaws of a studio layout and how you can save space.
Features of the layout
The kitchen-living room can be in two versions. In one case, this is a one-room apartment in which the kitchen is combined with a single room. In another - one of the premises, for example, in a three-room apartment or in a house
In modern houses, a large kitchen is often provided and it would be quite rational to equip a living room in it. Thus, an entire room can be saved. The peculiarity of this type of housing is the absence of doors, which saves a lot of space. However, the designer's task is complicated by the need to place several functional areas while maintaining a single style and aesthetics.
Considering a room with an area of 20 sq. m., we can say that this is a rather small room. But with the right approach, even it can be arranged ergonomically, beautifully and quite freely.
If we are talking about a kitchen-living room, which does not perform the additional functions of a bedroom, study and dressing room, then everything is much simpler. A full-fledged kitchen and a reception area can easily fit here. With a skillful approach, this room will become a modern decoration of the whole house.
Zoning options
In a studio apartment, zoning occurs throughout the entire area from the front door to the balcony. Note that in new buildings, apartments of this type are most often rented out without a fenced-in bathroom. This is very convenient, because in this way future residents determine its size and geometry based on their own ideas. Therefore, generally speaking, zoning includes the definition of the bathroom.
If we consider the issue of delimiting functional areas only in the kitchen-living room, then, first of all, it is necessary to prioritize . Those planning to host many guests will have to sacrifice the size of the kitchen unit or the presence of a separate bedroom. However, a sleeping place can be arranged on an additional floor above the bathroom or kitchen. Then there will be a place for the location of a spacious sofa, a folding dining table, additional ottomans, chairs or armchairs.
If there is enough sofa for two or three people and a bar counter, then the kitchen can be made larger. Together with the bar counter, it can be in the shape of the letter P, then the border between the kitchen and the living area will be quite clear. This layout is especially relevant if the room has the shape of an elongated rectangle.
If the room is square, then along the wall you can arrange the kitchen in one line, on the contrary, put an island bar counter. Put a sofa with a back against it, and a TV opposite.
For those who do not like to sleep on folding sofas, you can try to equip a separate berth. If the layout allows, niches do this task well. Otherwise, it can be organized by fencing off part of the room.
In addition, it is necessary to define the storage area . This is a very important stage, especially if there are a lot of things and it is not possible to equip a full-fledged dressing room. Some techniques for organizing additional storage sections will come to the rescue.
One of the options is mezzanines, which can also become an element of zoning. Such a structure will draw a demarcation line under the ceiling, while leaving free space on the floor.
Also, such techniques as the construction of a podium bed or sofa will come to the rescue. Convenient and capacious drawers are placed inside the podium.
If you plan to build an additional floor for the bedroom, another locker can be placed under the stairs.
If there are not so many things, then a spacious wardrobe will do . Note that in a small room, you just need to use all the free wall space for more capacity. Therefore, it is worth buying or custom-made a cabinet to the ceiling. In addition, it will look more aesthetically pleasing than usual.
Zoning a kitchen-living room in a multi-room house is an easier task . For 20 sq. m freely fit a full kitchen with a large dining table and a spacious sofa with a TV. The most common and rational layout option is a sofa with its back to the kitchen and table. The TV in front of him will be visible to everyone.
Hiding the cons of a studio room
The disadvantages of this type of layout include, first of all, the noise of household appliances . This question will be especially relevant at night. Therefore, a refrigerator, a washing machine (if it will be in the kitchen) and a dishwasher must be chosen the quietest. The hood should be not only the quietest, but also quite powerful, since many smells from cooking tend to be absorbed into furniture textiles and various decorative elements.
Also note that in order to preserve aesthetics and additional noise isolation, it is better to use built-in appliances.
Another disadvantage of the studio is that any items left behind, for example, clothes or dishes, are immediately visible and striking. Therefore, it is better to get a large dishwasher, which will fit all the dishes without leaving any residue. Also in the bathroom it is worth equipping a roomy and lockable laundry compartment.
Styles
It is better to design a small studio in styles that do not imply voluminous or ornate decor, a riot of colors and a lot of furniture. These styles include:
- loft;
- minimalism;
- high tech;
- constructivism;
Scandinavian or Japanese style
Mixing several styles is an interesting solution . As a basis, you can take laconic minimalism or practical constructivism and add some element of decor or furniture from a more saturated style. These can be an eclectic bed, an avant-garde mirror and fusion-style decoration of one wall.
In a large apartment or house, all rooms are usually decorated in the same style. But there are also exceptions. In any case, any style is suitable for a kitchen-living room, from classic to modern.
Color and lighting
For small rooms, it is recommended to use light colors and small bright accents. On an area of 20 sq. m, you can use a darker color scheme, for example, brown-green. This mainly depends on the layout of the room.
If you want to use saturated or dark colors, then you need to correctly place accents and, most importantly, choose the right furniture. It should not visually clutter up the room. In addition, it is necessary to correctly distribute the color between the ceiling, walls and floor.
It should be borne in mind that the colored ceiling is visually lowered. Walls and floors of the same color create a sense of isolation, so it is best to darken the floor. And if the walls are made darker, then visually they will move towards each other.
However, there are techniques to help visually enlarge the room . For example, a colored floor combined with white walls and a ceiling pushes the room to the sides and up. Separate vertical lines on the walls raise the ceiling. They can simply be drawn in suitable spots on the wall, or by matching furniture.
This can be a closet to the ceiling with narrow sections. The sections should be in two colors, one of which matches the walls.
The issue of interior decor should also be approached carefully. For those who love various figurines, vases and many pictures or pillows, it is better to make the most of white in furniture and wall decoration. In this case, only decorative elements will stand out, without creating a feeling of clutter.
When it comes to lighting, the more the better . If, due to the shape of the room, dark corners appear, they can be decorated with additional lighting devices. Thus, there will be more air and space. Note that overuse of small bulbs or fixtures can play the role of over-decor and ruin aesthetics. Therefore, decoration with light and various objects must be done in a complex.
How to equip?
When decorating a room with furniture, it is necessary to take into account its color and shape. The more you need to put it, the simpler it should be. If the room is small, then dark, variegated or ornate furniture will not give it space. To maintain a sense of freedom, it is better to use light wood, monochrome and simple shapes.
As for the arrangement of the furniture set itself, then zoning can be carried out due to it. A sofa, bar counter and shelving are best suited for this. Note that for small rooms it is better to use furniture that transmits light:
- shelving unit without back wall;
- chairs made of transparent plastic or those with a back not solid;
- table with glass top.
The rack can serve as a partition between any zones. The bar counter will separate the kitchen from the rest of the room. With the help of the sofa, you can separate the sleeping place from the guest one if you move it with the headboard to the bed.
Note that today there is a large selection of transforming furniture on the market:
- coffee tables that turn into dining tables;
- ottomans that fold out into stools;
- wardrobes and shelves with folding beds and work tables.
It is worth noting that when arranging a room, windows, their number and location play an important role. In a corner apartment, they can be located on two walls.
If the room has two windows on the same wall, they will help to carry out zoning in it. The space between the windows will act as a separator. A kitchen can be placed near one window, and a sleeping place or a guest room near the other. A dining table can be placed between the zones.
If the room has one window, then a bed or sofa is located next to it . But in some cases, it is possible to place a dining or writing table by the window. You can also turn a wide window sill into a worktop. This will save a lot of space.
Interesting idea - second tier
The presence of a second tier allows you to create several zones while maintaining space in the room. Most often, it is used to arrange a sleeping place. The best place for placement will be the space above the bathroom and kitchen
If the bathroom has already been built and there is no way to redo it, then the way out will be the construction of a bed, for example, above the sofa. In addition to its practical value, such a technique will add originality to the design and attract attention.
Tips
When decorating a kitchen area, it is better not to use traditional kitchen elements such as tiles, artificial vegetables and fruits, decorative jars and plates. It is recommended to hide all kitchen utensils in cabinets. It is also worth providing cabinets for small household appliances that are not used daily and can be removed for a while. It clutters up the look just like unnecessary decor or furniture.
In small apartments, curtains and curtains are quite actively used for zoning the space . Most often, they enclose the bedroom area. Their advantage is ease of fastening, the ability to exchange for others and affordability. In addition, other areas can be fenced off with a curtain, and if necessary, it can be easily pulled back and creates a single space.
As we said before, the floor and walls of the same color create a sense of isolation. For those looking for white walls and floors, we recommend using contrasting skirting boards that match the color scheme of the design. This technique emphasizes the outlines of the floor and neutralizes the described negative effect.
Modern interior ideas
The modern interior is distinguished by a wide variety of styles. Each person can choose one or another design of their home in accordance with their taste and ideas about aesthetics
So, you can use a discreet high-tech with an abundance of straight lines, right angles, glossy surfaces and metal. Another feature of this style is thoughtful and varied lighting.
Avant-garde with its variety of colors, unusual shapes and original images will suit creative individuals.
Classics also occupy a worthy place in modern design. An antique column or a damask pattern on the wallpaper will perfectly fit into the new interior and demonstrate the refined taste of its owner.
Brickwork is another interesting element of modern decor. Combined with a thoughtful design, it looks very original.
Design projects
Much of modern design is urban in nature. The interior presented below is a mixture of the two styles. Lamps on long cables, safites and a concrete wall without decorative trim are characteristic elements of the loft. And metal and glossy surfaces, right angles, kitchen lighting and gray color are the main features of hi-tech
Separately, it is worth noting the ways of zoning space: color, light and different levels of the ceiling. The black kitchen and light gray living room stand out but don't contrast with each other. And the bar counter, coffee table and laptop stand, made in the same style, create unity and connect zones of different colors.
Also note that during the arrangement, a rack was used with a built-in folding bed and a black cabinet to the ceiling. The latter is not conspicuous and is perceived as part of the wall.
This design is an excellent example of the clever use of black. Due to the distribution of dark and light accents, the interior is perceived quite easily.
Now let's look at an example of a bold pop art design. The rich colors of the furniture are balanced by the laconic forms, right angles, transparent glass and white walls and most of the kitchen units. Also note the modesty of the additional decor, which is limited to one poster on the wall and a few pillows. Stage spotlights and guitars harmoniously complement the musical theme of the style.
The next example of a design is distinguished by competent zoning. One room has four functional areas: a bedroom, a guest room, a dressing room and a kitchen. The sleeping place is fenced off with a rack and an armchair. They divide the space well, but do not clutter it up. The curtain for the dressing room creates coziness and, in combination with a coffee table, is an excellent element of zoning.
Recommended:
Design Of A Small Room (96 Photos): Examples Of Repairing A Small Apartment With An Area Of 9 Sq. M, Ideas-2021 For The Interior Of A Small Bedroom In Khrushchev
Small apartments are in great demand in large metropolitan areas. How to create a practical and beautiful design for a small room? You can see examples of repairing a small apartment with an area of 9 square meters in this article
Design Of A Small Studio Apartment (72 Photos): The Modern Interior Of A Very Small Studio Apartment With A Kitchen Of 14 Sq. M
Design of a small studio apartment. What to consider? How to arrange furniture? What color range should I use? How to fit all things? How to create a modern interior for a very small studio apartment with a kitchen of 14 sq. m?
Kitchen-studio In "Khrushchev" (57 Photos): Design Of A One-room Apartment And Alteration Of A Two-room Apartment Into A Studio, Interior Options
Kitchen-studio in Khrushchev is a modern layout for an old house. Design of a one-room apartment and alteration of a two-room apartment into a studio: what points should be taken into account? Zoning basics and examples of design projects
Interior And Layout Of A Studio Apartment (126 Photos): Layout Of A Studio Room, Redevelopment Of A Studio Into A One-room Apartment
The interior and layout of a studio apartment - features, subtleties and important points. What layout options for a studio room are suitable for a small space? How to expand the studio space? What style to choose for decoration?
Kitchen Set For A Small Kitchen (134 Photos): Choosing A Set For A Small Kitchen, Project And Design Of A Room With An Island, Options For The Size Of A Kitchen Set
How should a kitchen set look like for a small kitchen? The rules for choosing furniture for a small kitchen. What materials are modern furniture made of? What are the shapes of the models on the market today? Selection recommendations from specialists. Unusual examples of what a modern kitchen might look like