A kitchen combined with a living room has become a certain standard of modern living. Open air space has been a trend for several years, which can be applied precisely by merging the kitchen with the living room. However, it is necessary to at least visually separate the kitchen area from the living room. How?
Modern kitchen trends are slowly changing , but an open kitchen with a living room has become the norm in most households. Whether you're decorating a brand new home or just looking for a simple addition, the following tips will help you organize your kitchen with a living room and how to properly separate it from the living room. with the living room and how to properly separate it from the living room.
Bet on zoning
When it comes to architecture and design, there is one layout that seems to be ubiquitous these days – large, open floor plans. Two main rooms – the living room and the kitchen are often combined into one open room.
If you also need to separate the kitchen and living room space, you have various options. Open spaces work best if they are zoned . Why are zones for a modern living room with a kitchen a must?
Zones indicate which area of your room is designated for individual activities. Without zones, a large space does not provide much privacy, it looks spacious and not cozy. A pile of furniture placed thoughtlessly in a large space gives the impression that you are walking into a warehouse and not a living room. The solution is therefore to divide the room into areas according to their function.
How to zone the common space of the living room with the kitchen?
Make no mistake, zoning does not mean closing off any part of the room. There is a reason why open spaces are so popular! So how to properly separate the living room from the kitchen and preserve the benefits of an open floor plan?
Colors and styles
One of the easiest and most visually striking ways is to use colors and different styles to create zones. Use one color scheme for the living room and different color shades for the kitchen. Another option is a decorative wallpaper behind the sofa in the living area or a distinctive partition light above the dining table.
By combining traditional and contemporary pieces of furniture or accessories, you not only visually separate the kitchen from the living rooms, but also give your home a timeless appeal and a distinctive style.
Carpets
You can also use carpets to define the space and create a kitchen and living area. A nice rug gives your living room a cozy feel, while a wooden floor in the kitchen creates a more practical space. The most common solution is one harder floor for the entire common area and "coziness" of the living area with a carpet.
Furniture
Another natural way to separate the kitchen from the living room is through furniture. For example, a long sofa or an L-shaped sofa can separate the living area from the dining area. Conversely, the dining area can be separated, e.g. in the case of a kitchen with an island or a bar.
Kitchen island
A kitchen island standing freely in the space is suitable for extra-large kitchens, in smaller spaces you can choose a U-shaped kitchen, which will divide the space, and you will also get more work surface. A dining table or a bar can be part of both the kitchen island and the U-shaped kitchen unit.
Bar
The bar is a great solution for separating the kitchen from the living room in a small space where there is often no space for a dining table. The bar counter and chairs not only replace the dining room, but also perfectly zone the common space.
Shelves and partitions
To define zones, you can use practical shelves and partitions , which not only physically separate the space, but also give you extra storage space. Books, flowers and various decorations can be placed on the shelves.
If you choose shelves and partitions that are not attached to the floor, you will be able to rearrange the room according to your will and situation. Unlike a partition, this solution does not prevent the penetration of light and maintains airiness in the space. Another option is a dividing screen with a wooden or metal frame and different types of filling, which you can also move as you like.
Curtains
You can create a more intimate atmosphere by adding curtains made of opaque fabric. If the space is not very bright, choose a transparent fabric that allows light to pass through. Just like wallpapers and curtains, you can choose from an abundance of colors, patterns and prints.
Partitions
You can also opt for a plasterboard partition , which partially separates the space and creates sufficient privacy in the kitchen, without completely separating the kitchen from the living room. You can also consider a sliding door wall , thanks to which you can have the space between the kitchen and the living room both open and separated. In addition, sliding doors save space because they do not open into the space, but into a pocket in the wall.
More tips for sharing a kitchen with a living room
Are you furnishing a common area of the kitchen and living room? Then don't forget to consider the following aspects of the open space.
Kitchen appliances
Choose the quietest possible kitchen appliances that will not disturb you in the living area. It is generally recommended to share the kitchen with the living room. An induction hob is generally recommended for a shared kitchen with a living room induction hob is generally recommended for a shared kitchen with a living room . Unlike a gas stove, it is quieter and heats up faster. An exhaust system is absolutely necessary in an open space. An exhaust hood is absolutely necessary in an open space hood is absolutely necessary in an open space , which absorbs fumes and unpleasant odors during cooking and frying.
Lighting
For the kitchen, choose a sharper white light that will be aimed at the work area. It is more suitable for the living room. A more muted, warm light is more suitable for the living room more subdued warm light is more suitable for the living room , whose intensity can ideally be adjusted – for example, more intense light for reading, less intense when watching TV, etc.