The combination of a guest room and a dining room is an excellent design solution not only for small apartments. A living room with a dining area will allow you to make some bright accents, and will also help guests sit comfortably in the apartment for dinner or just friendly gatherings over a board game.
Combining the dining room with the living room makes it possible to get rid of small cramped spaces and end up with a fairly spacious and comfortable space
Rules for creating an interior in the living-dining room
The decision to make a dining area in the living room will allow you to rationally use the available space. The main thing is to immediately decide on the style and color scheme of the room. The design of the dining room and living room in the apartment should be uniform for a harmonious picture. You can look at a photo of the design of the living room-dining room and choose the option you like as a guide.
The design of the living-dining room largely depends on the available space
Living room dining room in a small apartment
The small footage and small number of rooms do not allow making a separate dining room, and you have to install it in the living area. This layout is not always bad; you can choose a convenient location for all the furniture and even save space.
Combining a dining area with a seating area in one room provides more opportunities for family communication
If two rooms are located together, then you need to choose light furniture to visually increase the space.
To make a small room functional, you can install a corner wardrobe, a bar counter and a small sofa in front of the TV. This design will be convenient, the living room dining room will be able to fully fulfill its function.
The photo shows an example of the arrangement of a small living-dining room, made in light colors
Zoning the space in the room
When zoning a living room combined with a dining room, the size and type of the room are taken into account. In a separate room, you can choose the design of the living room dining room to suit your taste, but in the walk-through room you will have to place furniture in limited places.
When combining zones in one space, it is important to correctly separate the living room and dining area
Zone division options
To divide a room into several zones you can use:
- Partitions – cabinets, cabinets.
- Tabletops and bar counters.
- Arches and beams.
- Color accents in furniture.
In a living room with a dining table, you can create a division even with the help of a sofa and carpet, which will symbolize the guest area, and a table and chairs standing on linoleum or parquet will symbolize the dining area.
The choice of zoning tools depends on the area of the room, and the design style determines the features of the implementation of the same techniques
Pros and cons of the kitchen-living room
The modern design, combining the kitchen and living room, looks harmonious and creates the feeling of a single, spacious complex, full of light and air. What else attracts such a solution?
- With a special configuration of rooms - with inconvenient niches, bay windows, in the form of a polygon or with an arched wall, the combination of a kitchen and a living room allows you to use the entire area of the housing with maximum efficiency.
- In small apartments and studios, kitchen-living rooms provide a unique opportunity to create an interior to your liking, without looking at the “delights” of a standard layout.
- The combined space unites family members, allows you to become closer, know the interests and tastes of your loved one. In the kitchen-living room it is more fun to do everyday chores, cooking, cleaning.
- You can throw parties and invite guests who will feel comfortable in such a living room.
- The unified interior design of the kitchen-living room creates a holistic image of the living space.
- The absence of solid walls makes movement easier, and two or three windows (depending on the layout) provide more light.
- If there is one or more small children in the family, parents do not need to fear for the child left in the living room - everything is perfectly visible in the kitchen-living room.
- In the living room combined with the kitchen, it is enough to install one TV, while individual rooms require the purchase of a second unit.
- You can select a comfortable, cozy area for the dining table, while the kitchen area is nearby. In ordinary apartments, the owners are forced to equip a table for festive feasts in the living room, since there is simply not enough space in the tiny kitchen.
And, of course, combining the kitchen with the living room helps to win a few square meters of precious space, which is very important in small apartments.
- However, combining the living room and kitchen has several pitfalls that you should be aware of when deciding on redevelopment:
- In order to dismantle the walls between the living room, corridor and kitchen, permission from the BTI will be required. If the redevelopment affects load-bearing walls or, in the opinion of experts, negatively affects the structure of the building, the redevelopment will be prohibited;
- If mains gas is installed in a house or apartment, it will not be possible to coordinate a single kitchen-living room. Only alterations with the installation of permanent partitions made of plasterboard, glass, wood, with sliding doors and “accordions” can be allowed;
- dismantling walls and doors has a negative impact: the sounds and aromas of cooking float unhindered throughout the kitchen-living room. Therefore, you will have to install a powerful hood and look for low-noise household appliances.
And one more everyday nuance: a mountain of dirty dishes in the sink or a sloppy tabletop in the living room can completely ruin the impression of the most stylish and expensive interior. Therefore, cleanliness will have to be maintained constantly.
Room decoration
When choosing an interior for the living room and dining room, you need to immediately think about all the details. Choose the type of covering and furniture so that they are in harmony with each other, decide on the color scheme.
When choosing a color palette, use a simple rule - the smaller the room, the lighter the finishing materials should be
Floor finishing
Linoleum, tile and laminate are cheap and durable covering options that are suitable for a combined dining room. Of the more expensive ones, you can take parquet and cover it with carpet in the guest area. You can also use a multi-level floor to separate zones, but this is for those who are not afraid of tripping.
The podium is a convenient and effective way to divide a room into functional zones
Ceiling finishing
An economical and effective option is to make a plasterboard ceiling on two levels. It will be lower in the dining room and higher in the living room to visually enlarge this space. You can also use beams if the room is not three by three meters. In a modern style, contrasting colors are allowed, as long as one of the colors (the largest area) is light.
A two-level ceiling is a convenient option for zoning space, equally well suited for both a cramped room and a spacious room.
Wall decoration
There are no clear criteria or wishes here; a person proceeds from his own budget. The only rule is not to combine two styles and different materials. If in the guest area it is wallpaper with a floral print, then in the dining room there should be no painted walls in the form of a mosaic.
To decorate the walls of a small room, it is better to choose neutral shades from a light color palette
How to choose the right living room
Before you start purchasing the contents of the room (furniture), it is important to carefully plan the entire interior in the smallest detail. This process takes a lot of time and effort, especially for non-professionals, so to get rid of the hassle, it is better to contact a design company.
The first stage of planning will be to determine the functionality of the room. To do this, you need to draw on paper a detailed plan of the room, taking into account all window and door openings, niches, bay windows and similar elements. Then determine the purpose of the living room: will it be just a relaxation area, a study or a room for holding parties.
The filling of the room directly depends on this point, for example, for an office you will need a computer desk or a multifunctional bureau, a comfortable chair and several shelves for books and documents. Zoning of space is also quite popular in the design of the living room.
Read: Small living room
Most often, this technique is carried out by contrasting painting the walls in colors that are radically different from each other, or by light separation. It is worth noting that this technique is often used in the design of small spaces.
Creating the necessary lighting in the interior
A living room with a dining area requires good natural and artificial lighting. If there is a choice, then the table is placed closer to the window, and the furniture is forced into a dark corner, where floor lamps or additional lamps can be placed.
Correctly placed lamps automatically become a room zoning tool
It is better to install several lighting systems:
- recessed lamps in the ceiling for intimate light;
- large chandelier for bright lighting;
- a small lamp with soft light in the relaxation area - near the sofa or armchair.
The design of lighting fixtures must correspond to the chosen style direction of the interior
Style directions and colors for the design of the living-dining room
The size of the room and the type of housing do not play a role when choosing a style; it all depends on the taste of the owner of the room.
The atmosphere in the house or apartment depends on the choice of style for the living-dining room. It is important that the interior matches the lifestyle and worldview of the home owners
Modern
The most popular and simple style, which is easy to match with furniture. It has many directions - Art Deco, Provence, Modern, Minimalism. Almost always, the furniture chosen is light, made of plastic, with a minimum of details and small details, everything is modest and stylish. Any color scheme, with bright accents and contrasts.
Modern interiors, such as minimalism or hi-tech, are characterized by simple and laconic forms, a small number of decorative elements
Classical
Often chosen for large rooms and country houses. You can install large soft chairs with a sofa, a massive wooden table and strong chairs with backs. Pastel colors, if contrasts are made, then only in small details. You can make a pattern on the walls, install carved cabinets and even order antique furniture.
Luxurious interior, implemented in a classic style, always looks expensive and elegant
And others
A wide range of styles (Scandinavian, eco-style) makes it difficult to choose furniture and finishing materials. Therefore, if you choose an unusual option, then consultation with a designer is required, who will select everything with taste.
Bright living-dining room in a studio apartment designed in Scandinavian style
Spacious living-dining room with bar counter in eco-style
Modern small living room
A small living room in a modern style is, first of all, furniture of simple shapes with a sleek, minimalist finish (no handles). 3-4 colors are currently fashionable. White or gray are often used. This combination looks fantastic with colorful accessories such as pillows, a vase or a pouf.
For a modern living room, we will choose furniture with a lacquered or glass facade or with a glued mirror. Currently, the most fashionable colors for the living room are white, gray, black, pastel colors and natural wood colors.
In a small living room, a sofa in a versatile, bright color (no patterns!) would be great, as long as you make it a main color piece—black, bottle green, or indigo.
Too many additions are certainly not suitable for a small living room, so if you want to add decorative elements to it, let them be items that also have a practical function: airy curtains, pendant lights, statement lamps, a mirror on the wall or unique colorful pillows on the couch.
Choosing furniture for the interior of the living-dining room
Must be:
- table and chairs;
- sofa or soft chairs;
- small coffee table;
- shelves or cabinet.
All this will not take up much space and will easily fit even into a small apartment. If the space of the room allows, then you can cover the free space with a fluffy carpet, put a chest of drawers or a bookcase. The furniture material is selected based on the style of the room.
The dimensions of the dining room and upholstered furniture are selected relative to the total area and shape of the room
Different sets of furniture look good if the chairs and table are from one set, the sofa and armchairs are from another, but everything is done in the same tone.
Upholstered furniture is often used to zone a room. For example, a sofa will clearly mark the boundary between two territories if you place it with its back to the dining area
Dining room lighting
Well-designed lighting is essential in a dining room. To properly illuminate the table and its surroundings, you must carry out the electrical installation in advance. This is why the dining room is often located next to large windows that provide natural light. Above the table there can be one lamp located in the center and high, which will brighten the table well.
An interesting option is a lamp or a series of lamps located low above the tabletop, which will provide “intimate” lighting. Around the table on the walls of the dining room you can place sconces that provide discreet light.
Examples of room decoration
You can look at the photo of the dining room combined with the living room to find out the different views. There are now a lot of options and it’s easy to choose even according to a template or take a specific living room as an example of a color scheme. See what details you like, what repels you, and choose the ideal option for yourself.
Carved details, openwork elements, expensive textiles - this decor is suitable for decorating a room in the Baroque, Empire or Art Deco style
Antique objects, vintage lamps, handmade wooden products - suitable decor for a living-dining room in country or Provence style
Large living room plan: several suggestions
You can install your living room furniture in many different ways. A large living room offers a lot more options in this regard than a small room in an apartment building. Therefore, it is worth using and designing the room in such a way that it meets the expectations of all family members and is adapted to the lifestyle of each user. How to decorate a large living room? In this case, you can certainly give free rein to your imagination and immerse yourself in the creativity of interior design because you are not limited by the size of the room.
Photos of successful examples of the interior of a living room combined with a dining room
Connecting the zones is a good solution, which many people are now resorting to. Look how interesting and unusual it looks. A room of any size can be easily furnished so that it does not lose its functionality.
A modern studio apartment in which only conventional elements are used to divide the space
The interior of the dining room-living room, in which minimalism is successfully diluted with loft elements
Spacious living-dining room in loft style
Dining area in the living-dining room, decorated in high-tech style
Now there is no need to sacrifice space and street light, no need to separate guests from the owners of the house while the latter are setting the table. A place for eating and guests in the same room is an ideal solution to a lot of problems.
Style
Today there is no strict framework for following a certain direction. Eclecticism and individualism are encouraged. But mixing different styles so that it looks harmonious, with rare exceptions, only a professional designer can do. If you do not want to take risks, then try to adhere to the chosen concept and the simple rules listed below:
- follow the chosen style throughout the room - both in the kitchen area and in the living room area;
- stick to a single color scheme, placing color accents in the right places.
Let's look at the most current and popular destinations.
Modern
The modern design of the kitchen-living room gravitates towards simplicity, clear and geometric lines, and laconic forms. Basic shades are always relevant - gray, white, black, beige, which in varying degrees of saturation can make up monochrome interiors.
A modern kitchen-living room is a room where there is nothing superfluous: a minimum of decor, a maximum of light and free space. Therefore, for a small room this is the most suitable design option.
Provence
The French country theme will be appreciated by lovers of romantic interiors and outdoor recreation. Therefore, this style is especially relevant for decorating country houses and dachas.
For the best ideas for decorating the interior of a kitchen-living room in the Provence style, see a separate article - go.
Art Deco
The brilliant brainchild of neoclassical and modern, art deco is an exquisite combination of steel, glass, leather, mirrors and silk. All this may well end up in your kitchen combined with the living room.
The originality of the style is manifested in strong lighting, the play of light and shadows, multi-stage design, contrasting stripes or cages. But the style decoration of the room will be considered complete and fully consistent with the style, provided that the interior contains objects of art and elements of luxury.
High tech
Are you nervous about new technologies and high-tech systems? Then a high-tech design is more suitable for you.
It has:
- strict lines;
- straight, simple, but at the same time very functional designs;
- monotony with small rich accents;
- minimum of natural materials;
- chrome elements;
- high ergonomics;
- no textiles;
- smooth surfaces of furniture, walls, floors and ceilings.
Well, if modern trends are not to your liking, let's go back to the roots.
Scandinavian
To make the kitchen-living room in the Scandinavian style cozy, do not be afraid to add color accents characteristic of this style - red, yellow, blue, light blue, green. Wooden surfaces in the design of flooring, countertops, and dining tables will add warmth and neutralize the cold asceticism of Scandi.
Neoclassical
Have you already seen that most modern music carries classical motifs? Something similar is happening with apartment design, where classic elements take on a stylish and modern look.
Restraint, neatness, symmetry, mirrors, stucco molding, monograms, a little antiquity combined with modern materials and forms - this is what characterizes neoclassicism. This is a wonderful and most suitable choice for connoisseurs of elegance and tradition.
Modern
Especially for refined natures, connoisseurs of exclusive products and accessories, we will consider a fabulous version of the Art Nouveau style (Tiffany).
Imagine it as if in a classic kitchen combined with a living room. Now you asymmetrically stretch the doors and furniture, giving them curved shapes, add stained glass instead of glass, optical illusions on the walls and ceiling, and make the combination of white and blue colors dominant. You're almost there!
American Art Nouveau - and Tiffany also bears this name - is characterized by simplicity, elegance, practicality, and the presence of the latest technologies and objects of applied art.
Country
Having considered Provence - a type of French country - it would be unfair not to pay attention to other national village styles, united by the simplicity and comfort of design. The meaning of style is the ability to escape from the bustle of the city by simply returning home.
All that remains is to choose a country that is close to your soul - your native one or a distant but beloved one. It turns out that there are many types of country music - Russian, Italian, Indian, Egyptian, American, Japanese, and they differ in objects, materials and colors.
But here's what they have in common:
- eco materials;
- antique, vintage items;
- knitted, patchwork, hand-made textiles;
- authentic decor items;
- often - a round wooden table with a “great-grandmother’s” tablecloth.
Classic style
If you:
- are obliged to correspond to high status in everything;
- want to emphasize your noble origin;
- you simply do not accept changes and are not ready to part with antique interior items;
- Do you consider decor an integral part of comfort?
– think about decorating in a classic style.
It accepts expensive, noble materials in the decoration of floors, ceilings, walls and furniture, a symbiosis of laconicism and decorativeness, elegance and strict symmetry of forms.
A classic kitchen combined with a living room is and will remain timeless, as these photos will confirm.
Loft
The loft style for the kitchen-living room is one of the most suitable, as it originally originated in free, spacious industrial premises. Here it is better to abandon partitions, and use techniques with furniture arrangement and lighting as zoning.
For information on how to create an ideal loft-style interior, see a separate article - go to.
Minimalism
Minimalism is modern elegance, functionality, monochrome, maximum open space and minimum decor.
The kitchen-living room in the minimalist style is characterized by straight furniture facades, strict geometric shapes and smooth, non-textured surfaces. If your life credo is “nothing superfluous,” perhaps this style was invented especially for you!
