Combining a kitchen with a living room or room in 2021. Examples and tips.

The kitchen-living room is no longer a fashion trend, but a fairly common phenomenon in modern housing stock. Many developers offer ready-made solutions where there is no need to combine anything - open-plan apartments and studios. We’ll tell you about the latest kitchen-living room design ideas, and a large selection of photos of real interiors will help you find your ideal option.

Design project of a kitchen-living room: pros and cons of a combined interior

Is it always advisable to combine the kitchen and living room spaces? Each case may have its own subtleties, advantages and disadvantages.

Combining the kitchen and living room is a good idea

, If:

• the kitchen is very small, there is not enough space for cooking, storage and free movement;
• I want to get together with the whole family: while one cooks, the rest communicate;
• you need to do household chores and keep an eye on your small child at the same time: in an open space he is always in sight;
• need to save money on TV. It can be installed in such a way that it is visible from all sides.

Flaws

This solution also has:

• the need to coordinate any redevelopment and make changes to the technical passport (moving a doorway or expanding it, erecting new partitions, moving communications, etc.), which entails a loss of time, money, and often nerves;
• loss of an additional isolated room (in the case of combining the kitchen and living room in a one-room apartment). A person needs personal space and the opportunity to be alone;
• the noise and smells of the kitchen will become part of the living room. Loud refrigerator; the smell of fish that has permeated the upholstery of the sofa and curtains, or household members who wake up before you and turn on a noisy kettle at 7:00 - all this can be annoying.

The listed pros and cons are very subjective. Therefore, if such a solution will bring more benefits to you, then, of course, combine them. But remember the important nuances when redevelopment should never be done.

IT IS FORBIDDEN!

• Breaking load-bearing walls and structures.
• Combine a gasified kitchen with a living room. In this case, the problem can be solved by abandoning gas equipment and switching to an electric stove. Residents have this opportunity, but they must first apply for permission from the management company and coordinate actions with the gas service. You may be refused for completely objective and compelling reasons - unsuitable load on the electrical network.
• Independently install and change gas equipment.
• Non-residential areas cannot be located above residential areas. The kitchen is a non-residential space, and if you go to move it into the living room, then your neighbors below, having learned about it, are unlikely to be happy, since this violates sanitary standards and rules;

In this regard, residents of the first and second floors are lucky if the first floor is used for commercial purposes: the redevelopment project can be approved for them.

See also a separate selection of examples of decorating a small kitchen-living room - go to.

Apartment redevelopment - combining a kitchen and a room. Legal standards

The design arrangement of rooms in an apartment building is protected by law

The design arrangement of rooms in an apartment building is protected by law. Redevelopment or reconstruction of areas must comply with the requirements of SNiPs, SanNPiN, the Housing Code and a number of Resolutions approved by the Government of the Russian Federation.

1. Housing Code. The document separates the concepts of redevelopment and reconstruction (Article 25). If the technical equipment of the apartment is affected, then the combination is considered a reconstruction. Repair work involving changes to the design in the field of construction is recognized as redevelopment. At the same time, the law obliges to make changes to the technical passport of the apartment, since when combined, the indicators of the quality of its area change: total, residential and useful.
2. SNiP and SaNPiN standards. The requirements of documents 2.08.01-89, 31-03-03 (SNiP), 2.1.2.2645-10 (SaNPiN) are designed to protect the building, as well as the life and health of its residents, from the possible negative consequences of redevelopment and reconstruction. Based on these standards, a decision is made to permit or prohibit the consolidation of areas.
3. Government resolutions. Legislative Act No. 47 (216.01.06) establishes the criteria for determining residential and non-residential premises. It also includes the grounds for recognizing houses as unsafe.

Separate legal documents on the requirements for redevelopment and reconstruction of apartments can be approved for regions of the Russian Federation (for example, No. 508, for Moscow 10.25.11).

How to combine the kitchen with the living room?

The trend towards combining kitchens with adjacent rooms is gradually losing its relevance. After all, in order to arrange both a kitchen and a living room in one room, it is not necessary to break down the partitions. Modern developers often offer ready-made spacious premises for this purpose.

If you are lucky with the kitchen area, why not arrange a relaxation area here? Even on 15 sq.m you can make a small kitchen-living room. For owners of small-sized apartments, this solution will be especially relevant, as it allows them to turn a one-room apartment into a two-room apartment.

Studio apartments are another ready-made space that initially combines several functional areas.

But for owners of apartments in old housing stock, the issue of redevelopment and its approval if they decide to combine rooms and demolish a wall will be inevitable. In Khrushchev buildings, for example, two redevelopment options are very popular:

• complete demolition of the partition between the kitchen and living room;
• moving the entrance to the kitchen from the living room and widening the opening.

Walk-through kitchen-living room in Khrushchev

Since most Khrushchev buildings are gasified, it is important to remember that redevelopment is possible if they are allowed to switch to tariffs for electric stoves and abandon gas. Another solution is to combine the rooms not really, but visually, by installing a glass partition instead of a blank wall.

Moving the kitchen into the room along with communications

There are several communication networks that require mandatory transfer. Worth mentioning here:

• ventilation;
• water pipes;
• sewerage

Reconstruction and transfer of the kitchen to the corridor and living room entails the mandatory transfer of all these systems, although homeowners remember this only at the last moment. There are no problems with water supply, since water can pass even through small pipes, but with sewerage everything is much more complicated. The device requires a pipe with a diameter of at least 50 mm. You should definitely think about ventilation, otherwise cooking smells will remain in the room.

Connection with electric stove

There are no rules restricting such redevelopment. Moreover, the reconstruction may well be carried out by creating an opening in the wall between two rooms, or by demolishing the wall.

To implement such a project, the home owner will first have to obtain special permission to dismantle the wall, since it may turn out to be load-bearing.

How to combine with a gas stove

In regulation number 1508, clause 10.17 states that combining rooms with a kitchen where there is a gas stove is strictly prohibited. Even the opening in the partition between these rooms cannot be arranged without a door.

It is because of this point that permission for reconstruction is often refused. These rules apply only to the combination of living room + kitchen. Other options, for example, kitchen + corridor, are quite acceptable.

Connection with replacement of gas to electric

To simplify the procedure for obtaining official permission to renovate an apartment, the owners are seeking to replace the gas stove with an electric one.

The simplest step is to replace the gas with a regular, low-power, two-burner stove. This will not require any complex approvals, and is cheaper. When the replacement is completed, you can think about coordinating a project for redevelopment of the premises.

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.

Classic and neoclassical

For a kitchen-living room in a classic style, arches, two-level ceilings with antique patterns or stucco, and massive furniture with patina will be relevant. The kitchen area can be separated from the living room by a symmetrically located dining area or island.

This design is appropriate in spacious rooms, but for a small kitchen-living room it is better to choose an alternative in the form of neoclassics. Adding modern elements will make the interior lighter and freer.

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.

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.

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

The ideal option for a small kitchen-living room is minimalism, which assumes the most simple and clear forms, minimal or complete absence of decor, smooth surfaces, an abundance of light and free space.

Color design

Color sets the mood of the interior, and its choice is tied to the chosen stylistic direction.

Bright hues

Light colors are suitable for a small kitchen-living room or for interiors in a certain style.

The classic interior is characterized by a beige color scheme, the Scandinavian interior is predominantly white with bright color accents, and Provence is characterized by a delicate, pastel range of lilac, blue, pink, and cream shades.

Dark colors

Snow-white interiors have been replaced by the fashion for dark kitchens. Today, deep and complex gray-green, dark green, blue, earthy, rusty shades are relevant.

An obstacle to using dark shades in the interior of the kitchen-living room is the small area. In conditions of 15-20 square meters, they can visually narrow the room, but this only applies to cases when there is a choice of a dominant color scheme. After all, dark shades can only be used locally - for example, make only one accent wall black or dark blue.

Dark colors will make the interior of the kitchen-living room more austere and status. To emphasize this effect, it is important to use natural textures in the design - wood, concrete, stone. Light furniture, bright accessories and decorative items will stand out against the background of dark shades. Textiles made from dense and rich fabrics such as velvet, corduroy, velor will look beautiful, which can be used in the design of curtains or upholstered furniture in the living room area - sofa, armchairs.

Some styles are very fond of dark shades - art deco, fusion, loft, English classics.

Bright design

The most radical solution is to make the entire kitchen-living room bright; it may only be advisable if the living room is not a living room, and in addition to it there is another place in the apartment where you can relax. Bright colors invigorate and charge with energy, but the downside of a rich interior is irritation and rapid fatigue. Therefore, it is always better to dilute them with neutral tones - basic gray, white, beige.

You can add a color accent to:

• kitchen set;
• apron,
• one wall;
• on upholstered furniture, buying a bright yellow sofa or armchairs in rich rich colors;
• cabinet furniture (bright shelving or cabinet);
• accessories (carpet by the sofa, vase, paintings, etc.).

Less familiar and original solutions are a colored door, window frame or ceiling.

Why is a partition needed?

The wall between the living room and the gasified kitchen in many homes was invented for a reason. It is intended for two dangerous situations:

• in the event of a gas leak, it will not flow into other rooms;
• if an explosion occurs, the shock wave will hit the window, and not the main walls.

In the second case, maximum insulation of the kitchen will save the lives of the apartment residents. Injuries, unfortunately, cannot be ruled out, but the risk of them may be minimal.

@motostar.pp.ua

Kitchen-living room layout options

A well-chosen layout is half the success in the design of a kitchen-living room.

When planning, it is important to consider the following.

1. Features, size and shape of the room.

When arranging furniture and designing, first of all, the real opportunity to choose one or another layout is taken into account. For example, the width of the kitchen may not be enough for a U-shaped set, or the location of windows and doors may interfere with the installation of a corner kitchen. It is necessary to start from the location of the riser and water supply: although moving the sink is possible, it is problematic and limited by certain legal frameworks.

1. Personal needs.

Do you really need a spacious, large kitchen? After all, by increasing the number of storage spaces, you sacrifice free space. And for a small kitchen-living room it is more valuable. Adequately assess how many cabinets and drawers you need to hide the necessary kitchen utensils and utensils. You can do this using the example of the kitchen you are currently using.

Don’t be afraid of non-standard and unusual solutions - kitchens without upper cabinets, double-row, asymmetrical layouts, etc. In rooms with architectural features and poor placement of windows and doors, such ideas may be the best option.

Rectangular

For a rectangular kitchen-living room, the most suitable option is a linear or straight layout - when the kitchen cabinets are located in one row.

If you do not need a large and roomy kitchen set, then it is more advisable to install furniture along a short wall: this way you will mitigate the disadvantages of the layout.

Square

Depending on the location of windows and doors, in a square room there are two possible configuration options for a kitchen set - corner or straight. The first will allow you to increase the working surface, the second will look lighter and more compact in the interior.

With bay window

A bay window is an ideal place for a dining area.

If there are other options for a good location for the dining area, then you can install a kitchen set in the bay window. But this idea is advisable only on the condition that the communication lines are located nearby, and they do not have to be pulled across the entire room. In any case, you need to make a set for a bay window to order, which will add 20-30% to the cost of the furniture.

Disadvantages of layout

If you approach this procedure with all responsibility, then you need to evaluate not only the pros, but also the disadvantages of combining rooms:

1. The smell of cooking food will spread throughout the room; a powerful hood will help get rid of it, but not completely.
2. Vacant space deprives residents of privacy. This is especially true for a family of several people.
3. Due to the specific situation in the kitchen, you will have to clean the entire room more often.

The listed shortcomings are discussed by all family members, and the joint decision to change the layout usually remains unchanged.

Materials and finishing

Finishing materials can act as a tool for zoning the kitchen-living room space, but their design should not argue with each other, since, ultimately, it is important to obtain a stylistically unified space.

Floor

As we said above, combining different materials for floor finishing is a bad idea. In addition to difficulties with selecting a design, there may be problems with their joining. In most cases, aesthetics will suffer. Therefore, it is easier to choose a solid covering for the entire kitchen-living room.

Considering the high traffic and wet areas in the kitchen, the search for materials should be narrowed to waterproof, practical and wear-resistant options:

• porcelain stoneware;
• quartz vinyl tiles or PVC floor tiles;
• linoleum 32, 33 classes.

Safety Tips

If you still manage to obtain permission for redevelopment, be sure to take care of safety. There are many ways to help you avoid trouble:

1. Technical devices. We are talking about sensors - gas catchers. If there is a leak, they let you know about the problem.
2. Change the stove. Give preference to models that are equipped with gas control - a mechanism that shuts off the gas supply if the burner is flooded with liquid.
3. Be sure to check the effectiveness of ventilation. Do not block the openings with the hood pipe. First of all, think about your safety and only then about foreign odors. Agree that it would be better if the apartment smelled like fried potatoes than there would be a risk of gas poisoning.

@sovet-ingenera.com

Lighting and backlighting

Lighting plays a special role in the design of the kitchen-living room.

1. Decorative.

The lamp itself can become a decoration and even the main accent in the interior, and decorative lighting of display cabinets will create a completely magical atmosphere in the evening.

1. Zoning.

Pendant lights can visually separate the dining area, and the ability to dim the lighting in different parts of the room will illuminate a specific area of ​​the room. Relaxing in the living room and want to hide the kitchen from view? It is enough to dim or completely turn off the lights in this area.

1. Functional.

The direct task in organizing lighting is to make the process of being in the room as comfortable as possible. Therefore, it is necessary to provide separate lighting sources in each zone:

• general diffused lighting;
• directional lighting in the form of LED lighting in the kitchen work area;
• directional lighting above the dining area;
• soft and diffused light in the recreation area (from floor lamps, sconces, etc.).

If desired, you can equip lighting inside kitchen cabinets, illuminate display cabinets and sideboards. It is not only convenient, but also beautiful.

Advantages of a living room-studio

Zoning

1. It becomes possible to functionally zone the space and move the dining area from the kitchen to a more spacious place.
2. The resulting spacious room can be given your favorite style and an individual design.
3. The new room will receive greater illumination and a visual expansion of boundaries.

Real photos of kitchen-living room interiors

You can find more ideas for inspiration in the large selection of design examples in the photo below.

Kitchen combined with a living room in a Khrushchev building

In a private house

In the country

Kitchen-living room in country style with a real fireplace

With bedroom

Combined kitchen-living room in Stalin

Studio

Small kitchen-living room

Is it possible to dismantle a wall in a panel house?

It is impossible to combine a kitchen with a room in a panel house, since all the walls in such a building, unlike a brick building, are load-bearing.
As mentioned above, they can only allow the construction of an opening reinforced with a metal frame, and even then only if the following conditions are met:

1. the scrap is not very old. In a dilapidated building, work to change the layout associated with violating the integrity of the supporting structures can lead to serious consequences;
2. in adjacent apartments above and below the floor - openings were not made in this load-bearing wall.