Recommendations for the design of a kitchen-living room in a country house

Layout

The design of the combined space depends on its shape and dimensions, as well as the location of windows and communications. When building a private house, the placement of the main objects is designed at the initial stage and is dictated by the customer’s requirements, and in a finished house you have to adapt to the existing conditions.

In a large kitchen-living room (25 – 30 m) it is easy to place all three functional zones:

• There is space for a kitchen set, which can be arranged in the shape of the letter “U”, at an angle or in a line.
• Enough space for a dining area: a table, chairs or a soft corner.
• There is free space for a recreation area: a sofa, a TV or a fireplace.

The photo shows a kitchen-living room in a cottage with a small kitchen and bar counter. Metal elements, leather upholstery and concrete surfaces make the interior strict and even brutal. Wooden finishing softens the impression thanks to the warmth that natural materials provide.

The layout of the kitchen-living room in a private house is also influenced by its proportions. A room of a regular square shape looks more spacious, but it is more difficult to zone it: each section looks like a separate island, which is not always cozy.

A rectangular room is usually divided into two equal squares, where each zone is given its own place: the kitchen is combined with the dining room, which is quite comfortable, and the living room is located in the second part of the room.

The photo shows a living room with a linear kitchen, which is located in a private house under the stairs to the second floor.

Even in a modest area it is quite possible to place all three functional zones – to arrange a space for cooking, to organize a small dining room and to put a sofa for relaxation. But in the kitchen-living room you should choose only the most necessary, laconic furniture.

Sometimes the relaxation and dining areas have to be combined. The unification is achieved with the help of a sofa that moves to the table. Another good option is a bar counter used as a dining table and cooking surface, and a small sofa is placed separately.

The photo shows a kitchen-living room with a sofa placed close to the table.

Features of zoning

There are several ways to divide the kitchen-living room into zones. One of the most popular is to use a sofa placed with its back to the cooking area and table. If there is a lot of space in a private house, an island is placed as a divider and additional work surface – a separate spacious cabinet. It can also serve as a dining table, around which there should be enough space to move.

Another way of zoning is a bar counter. It looks great in a small kitchen-living room of a country house, but has one drawback: a high countertop and bar stools are not comfortable for the elderly and the youngest members of the family.

The photo shows a functional island table that serves as a table, work surface and storage space for dishes.

The room in a private house can be zoned with additional extensions: arches, a podium or partitions. The first two options practically do not steal space, but additionally erected “walls” can deprive the kitchen-living room of space and natural light, so they are appropriate only in a room with two or three large windows or with an exit to the terrace.

A rectangular kitchen-living room in a private house can be easily zoned by color or different types of wall decoration: contrasting paints or wallpaper, brickwork, decorative plaster, wood panels. The floor is also covered differently: tiles are laid in the kitchen area, and laminate or parquet in the living room. This decision is dictated not only by aesthetics, but also by practicality.

How to arrange a kitchen-living room?

Combining the kitchen with the living room in a private house entails some problems – these are smells and noise from household appliances. To reduce the impact of negative aspects, the room should be equipped with a forced ventilation system and an exhaust hood.

From an ergonomics point of view, the most successful arrangement of the “working triangle” (sink, stove, refrigerator) is considered to be a U-shaped kitchen. While cooking, you can stand in one place, turning only your body, which significantly saves time and effort. Less convenient, but versatile, is considered a corner kitchen.

The photo shows a large kitchen-living room in a country house with a bar counter, corner sofa and a separate dining group.

The charm of a dacha is its proximity to nature, which means it would be a good idea to emphasize this feature in the arrangement of the kitchen-living room. If the room has an exit to the veranda, it is worth equipping the opening with a modern glass door. The kitchen set in the walk-through room must be planned so as not to interfere with free movement and opening of the door.

The countertop and sink, located close to the window, look great: while cooking and washing dishes, it is pleasant to admire the surrounding landscape. It is much more difficult to implement this idea in an apartment than in a private house.

The photo shows a kitchen-living room with a large dining area and an exit to the veranda, where the corner set is located with the sink to the window.

If the kitchen-living room is in the attic, it is recommended to replace the wall cabinets with open shelves. For a sloping ceiling, a light color scheme is best: white or light gray.

Choosing lighting

Do not underestimate the role of lighting in the interior of a private house. With the help of light, you can visually expand the area of a small kitchen-living room, and, on the contrary, fill a spacious room with coziness. General lighting is provided by a chandelier or pendant lights. For the kitchen area, local lighting in the form of LED strips is selected.

Each area should have its own light sources with conveniently located switches. Lamps are hung above the dining table, and floor lamps are placed near the sofa. Wall sconces are often used in a classic interior.

Spotlights can highlight certain decorative elements: for example, a painting decorating the living room. Small spotlights are also used if you need to lighten the room slightly in the evening or at night.

The photo shows a kitchen-living room in a private house. The lamp on the chain is located directly above the island. In the recreation area, one of the light sources is a table lamp with a lampshade.

Interior design ideas

The design of the kitchen-living room depends on several factors: the taste of its inhabitants, the facade of the house, as well as the surrounding area.

It is logical that if the interior of a cottage faced with stone, will be designed in styles close to classical: art deco, neoclassicism, empire. Luxurious furniture, expensive textiles, arches, as well as a fireplace lined with stone or decorated with moldings fit perfectly into such an environment.

In a wooden house, a kitchen combined with a living room looks organic, with elements of Provence, country or designed in the style of a noble estate. Natural materials, antique furniture and decor are used for decoration. Wooden beams, exposed timber and aged boards look beautiful.

The photo shows the design of a kitchen-living room in a private house, designed in a classic style.

If the dacha is located on the sea coast, the most appropriate is the Mediterranean style, which will ideally fit into the surrounding landscape. But even if a private house is located in the middle zone, with the help of bright and fresh furnishings you can turn it into a real resort.

Adherents of the modern style choose the Scandinavian direction, minimalism, eco-style, and also loft. Such designer interiors look spacious, bright and laconic.