What to consider when remodeling
Redevelopment plan in Khrushchev
Any dismantling of walls requires approval and permission. If it is not part of the building frame, then it is not difficult to obtain. Having completed the project of changes, having agreed on it in all structures, you receive permission to carry out the work, and then hand over the finished room to the commission. Most often, the question of whether it is possible to combine rooms worries residents of small-sized Khrushchev-era apartment buildings. In such a building there are partitions of both types; if you are lucky and there is a non-load-bearing wall in the apartment, then the new layout is real. In panel houses, this option is not possible - the wall separating the room and the kitchen is load-bearing. It can be partially removed by creating a decorative opening with supporting supports.
Need to replace the stove with an electric one
It is prohibited to connect rooms if the kitchen has a gas stove. According to safety standards, it must be separated from the living space. If you are serious about saying goodbye to your small kitchen, you will have to replace the stove with an electric one. The procedure will require permission from the gas service and the installation of sufficient electrical cable power.
Key points when combining a kitchen with a living room
When asked how to best combine the kitchen and living room, experts advise evaluating the pros and cons. If the demolition of a main wall between rooms threatens the collapse of the building, it will not be possible to obtain permission for such an event. When there are more than three people in a family, and there are only one or two rooms, it is unreasonable to combine spaces without subsequently erecting other partitions, because everyone wants to have their own nook.
The arrangement of the kitchen-living room should meet the needs of all family members
Redevelopment rules
First of all, you need to find out whether it is even possible to demolish the wall between the kitchen and the living room - this will be clarified by the construction organization that owns the house. The gas service will require you to replace the gas stove with an electric one, since the presence of such equipment in residential premises is unacceptable.
The main difficulties of redevelopment are related to gas equipment, in contrast to other communications
The easiest way would be to replace a gas stove with a low-power two-burner electric stove, but when installing a full-fledged four-burner stove, difficulties may arise associated with allocating additional power and laying a new cable
Basic requirements for reconstruction and redevelopment
There is a specific list of what can and cannot be done during redevelopment, for the safety of one’s own and other residents.
Without permission to redevelop, you may face serious problems in the future.
What you should never do:
- completely removing the load-bearing wall, if supports are not erected, threatens to collapse;
- significantly increase the permissible loads on capital structures;
- transfer any “water” elements into the room, but it is permissible to move them within the kitchen space;
- reduce, dismantle ventilation ducts;
- if there is a gas stove or water heater of a similar design, the kitchen must have an area of at least five square meters, be located behind a partition, and have doors;
- if the house is a “historical monument”, an object of “cultural heritage”, redevelopment will not be allowed.
It is possible to dismantle the light partition between the kitchen and the living room, but moving it to the side of the room is no longer possible - placing the kitchen above the living quarters of the neighbors below is prohibited by the relevant regulatory documents
What you are allowed to do:
- develop a suitable project;
- make an opening anywhere in the main wall;
- organize a merger of the kitchen-living room with a balcony;
- move the kitchen to another place in the apartment;
- install separate electrical wiring from the switchboard in the entrance, if the total power of the house’s electrical network allows this;
- dismantle the window sills, making countertops instead.
Remodeling a kitchen with a gas stove into a kitchen-living room - apartment plan before remodeling
Remodeling a kitchen with a gas stove into a kitchen-living room - apartment plan after remodeling
Illegal redevelopment, that is, redevelopment not coordinated with the BTI authorities, is illegal, therefore the authorized bodies have the right to oblige the apartment to be restored to its original condition. Also, illegal conversion of premises will inevitably cause problems when trying to sell residential premises.
Combination without changing the gas stove
With light partition
The full combination of a kitchen and a room in the presence of a gas stove is not permitted by law, but there is an option that allows you to change the design of the room and comply with all regulations.
The rules require a fixed or movable partition or door between the kitchen and the room. As a way out, the apartment owners partially dismantle the non-load-bearing wall and install a movable partition in the resulting opening. This structure, when folded, does not separate the space of two rooms, but, if necessary, moves with a tight rebate. Often a lightweight plastic partition is installed, which, after a visit to the regulatory authorities and a permit for redevelopment, is dismantled and put away on the balcony or in the storage room. If you plan to leave the structure, then you should choose a beautiful and functional option.
An interesting solution is to implement the second option for dividing rooms - installing a door. Of course, in an opening of this size, it is not a hinged structure that is installed, but a sliding one. When open, its doors are located along the walls; if necessary, they close. This door block is made by analogy with a sliding wardrobe. The material of such a partition is selected according to the decision of the owners. There are no strict rules that govern it. If you use a glass structure, even when closed it makes the space light and bright.
Combination of rooms. Design possibilities
Project of a two-room apartment series II-29-03
The layout of apartments (especially during the Soviet construction period) was most often designed in such a way that the kitchen was across the wall from the room and they were not separated by a hallway. And it is precisely this type of house that has the opportunity to combine a room and a kitchen without violating technical construction standards, since only partitions have to be dismantled without touching the load-bearing walls.
Recommendation. Everyone knows that the operating instructions for residential premises do not allow unauthorized redevelopment of the premises, including the demolition of partitions. This requirement was made to avoid emergency situations in homes and premises. The fact is that in some projects, the wall separating the rooms may turn out to be load-bearing and its demolition will lead to an emergency condition of the entire house. In addition, demolition of a load-bearing wall can cause the ceiling to collapse, which is dangerous to the health and life of people in the immediate vicinity. Therefore, to redevelop an apartment, you need to have either knowledge of the design of your house or permission from the relevant authorities.
Read also about the features of combining a living room and kitchen.
Virtual partitions
Virtual division of the room with a semi-arch
- If you combine a room with a kitchen with your own hands, this does not mean at all that you will have a barracks-type dining room; on the contrary, such an alliance should bring a certain charm to the interior of the apartment. Be that as it may, the room should be divided into zones and one of the design moves in this case is a semi-arch. Such an architectural element, while leaving the room intact, emphasizes the boundary between the work area (kitchen) and the relaxation area (living room).
The virtual border is indicated by small partitions
- However, this does not have to be an arched element - small partitions can be used to virtually delimit the territory. These partitions can look like columns attached to the main walls, and there will be a wide passage in the center, as in the photo above. Moreover, in this case you will not have to deal with much alterations and dismantling - you can use an old brick partition, removing only its central part.
Dividing the area along the ceiling
- You can mark the boundary between the kitchen and living room areas along the ceiling. To do this, it is enough to make a small barrier from plasterboard from 30 to 40 cm in height (depending on the total height of the ceilings) and decorate it with a curtain and/or recessed lamps.
See other options for the modern interior of a living room combined with a kitchen.
Bar counter as a partition
- Another option for a virtual partition is a bar counter that separates the kitchen work area from the living room. Of course, the price of such an element will be higher than that of the same semi-arch, because the counter needs to be lined with something, and you will also have to spend money on a tabletop, but, to paraphrase the proverb, we can say that such a game is worth the candle. And, if you decide to combine a kitchen with a room, then this design option can probably be called the most successful and logical.
Separation by furniture, light and color
The living room is separated from the kitchen by a soft corner
- To make the combination of a kitchen and a room look unobtrusive, the area can be divided with furniture, for example, delimiting it with a soft corner. Also, such a virtual edge can serve as a dining table or a pair of chairs placed at imaginary corners.
Using light to delimit zones
- You can delimit zones in a combined room using lamps. So, at your service there are many lighting fixtures that are built into the ceiling, arches and partitions, attached to the ceiling and walls in a suspended state, and can also be lowered using a holder to the table itself.
Kitchen – dining room – living room. Lighting
- Each group of luminaires must be controlled autonomously, by a conventional or relay switch, or by a remote control (RPU). And if in one combined room each zone is illuminated separately, then the impression of a large volume will be created, and this was one of the main reasons for the unification.
Using Color for Virtual Borders
- When planning the combination of a kitchen and a room and their design, one cannot ignore the use of the enormous possibilities of color. Notice how simply and unpretentiously the floor border between the zones is made in the photo above - gray tiles in the kitchen and brown laminate in the living room. But this is not just about gender and not just about dividing boundaries.
Colorful design of combined rooms
- Color can not only make a room larger or smaller, but can even raise or lower its temperature. Of course, all this is on a visual and virtual level, but this is what the art of design is built on. So, warm, darker colors bring objects closer, making the room smaller and more comfortable, but cold tones, on the contrary, move visible things away and expand the space.
Advantages of a living room-studio
Zoning
- It becomes possible to functionally zone the space and move the dining area from the kitchen to a more spacious place.
- The resulting spacious room can be given your favorite style and an individual design.
- The new room will receive greater illumination and a visual expansion of boundaries.
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:
- The smell of cooking food will spread throughout the room; a powerful hood will help get rid of it, but not completely.
- Vacant space deprives residents of privacy. This is especially true for a family of several people.
- 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.
Advantages and disadvantages of kitchen remodeling
The advantages of increasing the kitchen area are obvious:
- the presence of free space allows you to accommodate more guests, as well as eat food with the whole family in comfortable conditions;
- due to the combination, the illumination also increases, since there are more windows in the new combined space;
- the inconvenience of cramped space when working in the kitchen is eliminated;
- While preparing food, you can simultaneously communicate with guests or family and count on their help when serving ready-made dishes on the table.
However, it is worth considering the disadvantages of unification:
- Smell. The aroma released during cooking will spread throughout the area of the combined room. This is not always appropriate and pleasant to others, for example, when preparing sharp-smelling dishes. The design of apartment buildings is not equipped with ventilation in residential premises, limiting it only to the kitchen and bathroom.
- Humidity. Boiling kettles and pots will invariably spread humid air throughout the apartment. This can lead to mold growth and damage to wall and ceiling coverings.
- Use of special materials during repairs. Considering the possibility of high humidity, as well as the spread of microparticles throughout the room, it is necessary to select special furniture, interior and decor items, and material for covering walls and ceilings.
- Noise. There is a high probability that the noise when working in the kitchen will interfere with your rest. In addition, do not forget about the sounds of operating household appliances that are equipped in the kitchen. For example: refrigerator, dishwasher and washing machine, mixers and meat grinders.
- Mess. Those who are ready to clean work surfaces immediately after cooking should combine the kitchen with the room. After all, such a mess cannot be hidden behind the door and left for later.
- Complex repair process. In addition to the fact that the unification work itself is very dirty, it will require coordination and approval of the result. It is this factor that often stops owners from implementing redevelopment projects.
If the complexity of the approval process does not bother the owners, and comfort and interior design are more significant, it is worth getting involved in the redevelopment of the apartment, combining the kitchen and room should be done according to the law.
Preparation of documents for redevelopment:
See also Telephone numbers for consultation May 12, 2020 Yulia Yuryevna 506
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Discussion: 5 comments
- Ulyana Makhova says:
06/08/2018 at 11:56A friend wanted to combine a kitchen and a living room in a two-room “Khrushchev” apartment, but she was never able to get permission, since she has a gas storage heater in the kitchen.
Answer
- Natasha says:
06/09/2018 at 00:24
You must obtain permission for this and draw up a project together with a specialist, but some people prefer to do everything themselves and do not inform anyone about it. It is very sad that few people know about the legality of such actions.
Answer
- Lyudmila says:
06/29/2018 at 07:21
Redevelopment is a thankless task, you have to weigh everything a hundred times - is it worth doing? And if you do not document everything, then you will not be able to sell such property later. The government is no joke.
Answer
- Anastasia says:
07/05/2018 at 23:37
Our neighbors combined a kitchen and a room. Gas stove. Who gave permission and how remains a question. I am against such redevelopments, against the demolition of walls in the apartment. If it is planned according to the project, it cannot be demolished. Even if it’s not load-bearing, what will happen to the house if everyone starts breaking down the partitions in the apartments?
Answer
- Sergey says:
03/06/2019 at 14:53
It is worth noting that, if a permit for redevelopment is issued, it is for a certain period, usually a year, so that upon completion of the repair work, the commission from the BTI will accept it. If the permit is expired, then it must be obtained again.
Answer
Kitchen-living room design options
Despite the desire to combine two rooms, the food preparation area should have spatial separation. This is done in several ways:
- visual zoning;
- architectural isolation;
- logical separation.
You can use the bar counter
After redevelopment, the kitchen becomes not a separate room, but a functional area in the new room. Its department in Khrushchev has its own characteristics - there are low ceilings, so it is better to abandon zoning by raising part of the floor or installing a multi-tiered suspended ceiling. The architectural zoning option provides for the installation of stationary structures. They are not performed whole and high, otherwise the meaning of separation is lost. It is suitable to install a narrow bar counter that does not take up much space and gives a special style to the room. Its role can be performed by the remaining part of the wall if it was not completely removed.
Partial plasterboard partition
Partitions are made in ethnic style, in the form of shelves or racks. Drywall has become a popular material for work. It is affordable, easy to process, and can be used to create any shapes and compositions. A glass partition is also an attractive option that does not reduce the space of the new room.
One way to optimize the resulting space is to create a passage from the hallway to the kitchen. The entrance to the premises will be through the living room. After finishing, a refrigerator or cabinet will be conveniently located in this place. Nearby there is a functional work area - stove, sink, cabinets, table. A prerequisite is the installation of a powerful hood.
Surface decoration
By using different finishes on the walls, ceiling and floor, you can also highlight different zones in the room. It will be convenient to create a multi-level ceiling. At the same time, it is recommended to use drywall for its arrangement. The option of installing a podium is also often used, often raising the kitchen area. Some designers recommend making the floor surface in a combined kitchen with a living room in a Khrushchev-era building with different materials, for example, laying parquet or laminate on the floor in the living room, and making a tile floor in the kitchen.
The walls in the kitchen-living room, in a Khrushchev-era building can be completely identical and the same color, but it is worth considering that in the food preparation area it is better to decorate the walls with practical and easy-to-clean materials, such as:
- ceramic tile;
- fake diamond;
- washable wallpaper and the like.
Photo of a two-level ceiling and floor with a podium in the kitchen-living room, in Khrushchev.
Sofa
Furniture, in particular, a sofa, is quite often used as the simplest solution for zoning a room in a Khrushchev-era building. You can install it in several ways:
- The L-shaped installation method is when the sofa is made in the form of a corner and its smaller side is installed against the wall, and the main part visually divides the room;
- linear - when the sofa is placed along one of the walls in the living room, and the remaining space is occupied by the dining area;
- island - when the sofa is installed in the middle of the room on the border of two zones, with the back towards the kitchen.
Bar counter
Often, to separate the kitchen from the living room, a bar counter is installed in a Khrushchev-era building. It visually separates the two main areas for cooking and relaxation, and can also be used as a dining table.
Cabinet or rack
By installing a cabinet or shelving unit in place of a demolished wall, you can add useful space to the kitchen. In this case, install the piece of furniture with the working side facing the kitchen. The reverse side can be disguised with decorative stickers or neutral wallpaper.
Table
You can install a dining table at the border between the kitchen and living room in Khrushchev. It should be placed between two windows. It will be complemented by chairs of similar design and material.
Partitions and screens
Partitions and screens also allow you to separate the kitchen from the living room in a Khrushchev-era building. The following types of structures can be used to separate space:
- false partition - a plasterboard structure that partially separates the kitchen from the recreation area, can be made in various shapes (arched, with waves or with beveled corners);
- Sliding structures are screens and partitions that allow, if necessary, to completely isolate the kitchen area; the structure is usually folding or sliding, which does not take up much space.
Selection of furniture and household appliances
The combined design of a kitchen and living room in a Khrushchev-era building presupposes the presence of furniture and modern appliances with maximum functionality. It is also worth highlighting that even though the premises are combined, they require the presence of equipment and pieces of furniture intended for specific purposes. For example, the kitchen must have a set, a sink, a refrigerator and a gas stove. As an addition, you can place a microwave oven and other small kitchen appliances (blender, mixer, coffee maker).
It is better to place a dining table with chairs on the border of the area between the kitchen and living room. The seating area must have a sofa; if desired, you can install a small coffee table. Having a TV is also important.
Advice! It is better to install the TV in such a place that it can be viewed both in the recreation area and in the kitchen.
Color spectrum
The choice of color design for the kitchen-living room in Khrushchev should be in complete harmony. It is important to choose colors that will go well with each other, while ensuring that pieces of furniture do not blend into the background of monochromatic walls and ceilings.
Even despite those recommendations for color combinations, it will still be more effective if each area of the room has its own individual color.
Attention! The connecting element can be objects of the same color evenly distributed throughout the kitchen-living room.
A successful color design can be a smooth transition from light to darker colors, starting from the recreation area and ending with the working kitchen area. This transition principle is called a gradient. You can also create contrast and place furniture, decor and other dark-colored elements on a white background.
Photo of the interior and color scheme of the kitchen-living room in Khrushchev.
Textiles, decor, accessories
Textiles, decor and additional accessories are selected taking into account the style direction. If the kitchen-living room in Khrushchev is decorated in a classic style, then it is characterized by the presence of leather. Generally, leather is a more practical material and a leather sofa will be much easier to care for. Also, classic assumes the presence of objects made of natural wood, glass or crystal. Paintings and small figurines can be an addition.
The Scandinavian style requires simple and laconic furniture, a small sofa and a wooden coffee table in light shades. In the kitchen it is better to install chairs made of natural material or a high-quality imitation of it. The presence of simple decorative items, but with a bright accent, for example, paintings with a bright image, but in a simple frame, is considered mandatory. More complex decorative items are also inherent in the Scandinavian style, but their color design should be more calm. An excellent addition would be a carpet made of thin fabric in a contrasting or solid color.
Art Nouveau assumes the presence of stucco and floral patterns, as well as unusually shaped furniture. Often, natural materials are used to create a living room combined with a kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building in the Art Nouveau style, mainly wood, less often stone. The presence of natural fabrics in harmoniously designed colors is also inherent, which can merge with the design of the walls or be identical with the upholstery. A small geometric chandelier would be a good addition.
The simplest arrangement option is to remove everything unnecessary. In the minimalist style, only a few photo frames, plain furniture similar in color to the wall decoration, and simple curtains are allowed.
Methods for visually separating zones
Various floor coverings
The cooking area occupies a minimal area, while the main part of the room is in the living and dining areas. The use of different floor coverings allows you to visually delimit the space. Practical ceramic tiles that are not afraid of spilled water and mechanical damage are suitable for the kitchen. Laminate flooring is laid in the main part of the room. This material is available in a huge number of colors, does not require complex care, and is affordable. Carpet and classic parquet are also suitable for the living room. To make the separation more pronounced, contrasting colors are used.
A multi-level stretch ceiling with a combination of matte and glossy areas also allows you to delimit zones. By choosing colors, textures or photo printing on the canvas, you will play with the division of space in an interesting way.
Dinner table
Lighting plays an important role in the zoning process. Various lighting fixtures placed on the ceiling, walls or furniture highlight or conceal individual areas in the shadows. For the working corner in the kitchen, spotlights are installed; at the demarcation point, above the table or bar counter, pendant lamps with original lampshades look appropriate. A chandelier is suspended in the recreation area, and individual secluded areas are illuminated by sconces and a floor lamp.
Layouts and zoning
The ideal option would be a layout that involves several windows at once in a small kitchen-living room. The window opening fills the space with natural light and visually expands it. An excellent interior solution is to combine several openings into one panoramic window.
If the redevelopment of a small kitchen-living room requires the presence of an insulated balcony or loggia, this area can be equipped with storage systems or equipped with a bar counter.
The photo shows the layout of a small kitchen-living room with two window openings.
Zoning deserves special attention. In a room united by demolishing a wall, an arch, a plasterboard partition or glass sliding doors will help to visually delimit a small space. Weightless curtains are perfect for separating the kitchen from the living room area.
The photo shows a layout diagram of a small combined kitchen-living room.
It would also be appropriate to divide the room into functional zones using furniture in the form of a long sofa or a narrow and high bar counter. A small kitchen-living room is often zoned using different finishing materials. For example, the cooking area is decorated with floor tiles, and the guest area is laid out with laminate, parquet or carpet.
A combined open and closed shelving can act as an excellent partition. This design will provide an additional storage system for necessary items.
The photo shows zoning with an island in the interior of a small living room kitchen in a modern style.
Decoration rules
Use light colors
Professionals in interior design share their experiences on living room-kitchen design. Before combining rooms and choosing materials for decoration, get acquainted with several nuances of decoration.
- To achieve a feeling of spaciousness, use light wallpaper and paint. This is especially true for rooms with insufficient natural light. Stretch ceilings with a mirror effect can visually expand a room.
- The decoration of the work area and living room should partially contain similar materials or color schemes.
- When achieving a unified style for a room, it is difficult to choose harmonious colors, so you can use shades of the same color. The use of uniform surfaces, matte or glossy, visually unifies the interior of the living room-kitchen.
- If you want to add dynamics to the design of the room, do it through furniture with bright fronts.
Note!
When decorating a room resulting from combining the kitchen and living room, it is necessary to maintain unity in the finishing style and correctly zoning the space so that it is indicated by a blurred boundary.
How to combine kitchen and living room correctly
When combining a kitchen space with a living room, it is permissible not only to demolish the wall between them, but also to change the location of individual communications. If it is not possible to completely connect the rooms, the opening is simply widened a little, and the hinged “blind” door is replaced with a sliding, transparent one.
Transparent sliding partition made of tempered glass - a modern and stylish solution to the problem
A bar counter and a sofa are a fairly common combination that allows you to do without the construction of additional structures
In order for the combined space to look harmonious, it is important to approach its design wisely. The kitchen should remain a work space, and the living room should remain a resting place. The unification is carried out by demolishing the partition, arranging furniture made in a common style, uniform textiles, draperies, upholstery, and similar lighting fixtures.
You can delimit the space of the kitchen-living room using a two-level stretch ceiling
The decor of the kitchen and living room should have some unifying principle, for example, it could be curtains of the same color
