In apartments and private houses, designers often use zoning. The living room and kitchen combine well. Two rooms connected to each other look spacious, and this layout will make the space cozy. You can update the design, implement interesting ideas, or repeat a design seen in a magazine, TV show, or photo on the Internet. The style in the living room-kitchen can be different, and choosing it can turn into an exciting experience. Before combining rooms, designers advise taking into account the basic rules, creating a project, choosing colors.
Zoning
Designers do not advise giving in to fashion trends and copying design ideas without taking into account dimensions, location and other nuances. Before planning and arranging furniture, every detail is thought through. There are several simple rules that experts advise you to follow:
- Let the room have natural light. To do this, remove excess walls (except for load-bearing ones).
- If the rooms in the apartment are small (12 sq. m or 16 sq. m), the layout of the kitchen combined with the dining room will be the right solution.
- If the ventilation system is not designed correctly, the smell of food will spread throughout the apartment.
Photo of a swing for a summer house with your own hands
Note!
Swings are one of children's favorite attractions. In principle, this is not a very complicated design that you can make yourself. “Nest” is a suspended model that has some advantages over other structures. It is a good option for installation on a summer cottage or in the yard of your own home.
Partitions
The interior of the kitchen and living room begins to be thought out from the junction of two zones. Here are some of the methods and objects that delimit the space: installing a bar counter; a kitchen island; a large table; installing a low partition. Designers advise installing a wide counter, since you can sit at it like at a regular table, and high chairs are quite suitable for the whole family. However, in small rooms (16 sq m), narrow counters are installed. Kitchen islands are convenient to use, but are only suitable for large kitchen-dining rooms (25 sq m or 30 sq m). Capital low partitions are installed only if it has been decided in advance what they will be used for (for example, as a TV stand).
Manufacturing
To make a durable bench seat, you need to start with the frame. Consider the surface area and angle between the seat and backrest. Then prepare eight bars: four for the seat and four for the back. The bars are connected in pairs, at an angle, and secured with bolts. One will become the basis for the seat, the other for the back. Thus, you will get four paired elements, two of them will make up the sides of the future bench, the remaining two products will be distributed inside the seat. Four blanks are fastened with horizontal bars: two on the back and two on the seat. The bench frame for the swing is ready.
At the next stage, the frame is sheathed with lamellas. Each plank is drilled from the sides so that it can be secured to the frame. Before covering the frame, it is worth checking the design parameters and the angle of the backrest again. When the seat is covered with slats, it needs to be turned over and reinforced from below with metal corners. Armrests of a simple geometric shape are mounted on bolts so that if necessary they can be removed.
The finished bench is treated with antifungal agents, special impregnations, and varnished. This should be done with special care; untreated parts will be destroyed in the open air from snow and rain. To hang the swing you will need two pipes. One will be held stationary on supports, and the second, with the help of bearings, will move along with the chain. The bearings need to be closed type, they are well treated with lubricant and covered with plugs.
The bench is suspended using four chains. The height is adjustable so that an adult sitting on it can reach the ground with the toe of the shoe. You can put pads on the chain for a comfortable grip with your hands. The structure is installed on prepared supports. They should look like an "A" shape, the crossbar between the posts makes them more secure and able to support a bench seat. Large family swings are unlikely to swing much; for them, it is enough if the supports are dug into the ground 70–80 cm, but for reliability, each pillar can be concreted.
As for the suspensions, to secure them you can use a metal cable that runs synchronously with the chains; if the link opens, the swing will remain hanging on the cable.
Furniture items
A few examples of furnishing a kitchen combined with a living room:
- 1. Sofa. It becomes an object that zones space. The sofa is placed with its back facing the place where food is prepared. In small rooms (less than 20 sq m) a corner is placed, which is placed against a wall installed perpendicular or parallel to the kitchen.
- 2. Set. According to designers, minimalist models without elaborate details look modern. The service, vases or glasses are placed on an open shelf. You can buy a fashionable display case for them. Furniture is placed near the wall. If the space is large (20 sq. m, 25 sq. m or 30 sq. m), then in the central part you can install an island, which also has sections for kitchen appliances.
- 3. Furniture set. The style should be combined with the design of both rooms. In small rooms, a compact table and chairs made of transparent material or painted in light colors look good. You can add a table with a round top to your living room interior. In spacious rooms, the kit is installed near the wall or in the central part. An elongated rectangular dining table would look good here.
Read here: How to make a folding table - 120 photo ideas on how to make a compact table with your own hands
How and from what to build a swing yourself
From theory we move on to an interesting practical part, in which we will look at several options for creating a swing yourself. Several materials can be used for this.
- Metal gymnastic hoops are suitable as seat frame parts for nest chairs and cocoon chairs. These hoops are made of aluminum, so the product should be designed for a teenager at most.
Gymnastic hoop
- Quite massive and durable structures of almost any type can be built from pipes. Due to its heavy weight, the swing should only be attached to a very solid base. If only the frame is made of pipes in the seat, then you don’t have to worry too much about this. Working with metal is difficult. Sometimes you have to bend or weld it. Both procedures require special tools and the ability to work with them.
Metal pipes
- The pipe can be replaced with steel reinforcement. It doesn't look very attractive, but you can wrap it tightly with rope. This will add more beauty, and you won’t have to touch the metal with your body.
- It is easiest to work with wood at home. It feels pleasant to the touch when processed, looks very beautiful and is strong enough to withstand high loads. The disadvantage of wooden structures is their cornerstone nature. Without experience and the right tools, parts cannot be bent, so you can’t count on creating something original.
Wooden blocks
- A good material is metal-plastic pipes. They bend easily, so they are used in complex designs of the same cocoon chairs.
Metal-plastic pipes
There is no point in writing about other materials such as rattan, since only professionals who have been studying their craft for more than one year work with them.
Other materials may also be useful for the seat.
- One of the most suitable is thick fabric.
It is inexpensive and can be used to make a product of any shape. It is necessary to calculate the capabilities of the material according to the loads. Technically this cannot be done without experience. Therefore, it is better to look at materials such as raincoat fabric and tarpaulin. - The fabric can be knitted from threads. By changing the density of the loops, you can obtain a material of high strength and create a unique composition.
- Macrame art is suitable for seating. Any hanging frameless or frame chair with such filling will acquire an incredibly beautiful appearance.
The frame of the swing is made of two gymnastic hoops, the seat is filled with macrame weaving
Swing made of metal rings
The first example is a single-seat design made from two rings. Steel strips will be used instead of round hoops.
To work, you will need the ability to weld metal, operate a sewing machine and needle, and have the necessary tools and other equipment for this.
After studying the principle of constructing such structures, it becomes clear how the seat of a garden swing is repaired.
| Step, photo | Description |
| The first step is to create a template by which you can check the length of the metal ring. To do this, screw in a self-tapping screw on a sheet of chipboard or plywood, tie a thread or piece of wire to it, attach a pencil at the required distance and draw an even circle. Then we screw screws along the perimeter of the circle in increments of 7-8 cm so that they become a kind of stop. |
| The steel strip 40 is bent around the circumference. It is convenient to do this through the wheel, as shown in the photo. You will have to make a lot of physical effort. If you have a pipe bending machine, then the work will not take much time. Then we place the blank on the template and mark its length. The excess part is cut off using a grinder with a metal circle. |
| The ends of the hoop need to be rested against each other and everything must be tied together with strong rope or wire so that the parts do not move during welding. We cook, then we knock down the slag, grind the seam with an angle grinder. We try to give the circle as even a shape as possible. You can level everything the old fashioned way with a hammer. |
| By analogy, we make the second circle. It should be smaller in diameter and pass freely through the first one. To mark, you can use our template by inserting the workpiece under the screws closer to the center. You can also navigate by the finished part. |
| To prevent the metal from rusting, it must be painted. To do this, use a primer that can also be applied over rust. It is recommended to sand the metal first. |
| The smaller hoop will become the seat, and the larger one will become the backrest. Such a structure is necessary for the structure to be foldable. Braided slings will support the person’s weight. You can buy them in a skein. We cut the material to size, sew it with loops to the frame and pull it tight. The ribbon strips are sewn in two directions, they all must intertwine with each other, as shown in the photo. |
| Now the rings need to be connected. To do this, two pairs of slings are sewn together: short front ones and longer rear ones. We mount a carabiner at the upper ends of the slings. Flexible hangers will be attached to them. |
| To prevent your back from touching hard and cold metal, you need to cover the hoop with something soft. In our case, the master took Izolon - foamed foil insulation. He glued it to the hoops with spray glue. |
| We will not sit on the same lines. We sew a round pillow, filling it with the same insulation, but thicker (8 mm) and in several layers. The pattern is the simplest - a cover for a flat pillow. |
Now all that remains is to decorate the hoops with white cloth or braided rope, and you can hang the assembled miracle for use.
Ready-made swing made from metal rings
Frameless swing
You can set any size of the swing seat if you make it yourself. But they must be accurate for the product to be convenient to use.
The next swing we'll look at is frameless.
| Steps, photo | Description |
| To work you will need:
|
| We start by painting the support. While we are assembling the seat, it will have time to dry. It is better to work outside or in a ventilated area. We use gloves to avoid getting our hands dirty. |
| The loops from the edges should be at a distance of 20 cm. We thread the harness through them, accurately aligning the lengths of the segments, and connect them with a strong knot. We do the same on the second side of the canvas, only the loops should move further away from the edge so that the hammock chair has the correct shape. There are 4 lines in total. You can add more if you need a more stable seat with the correct shape. |
| We throw all the resulting loops onto the baluster support. Due to the figured darts of its profile, the ropes will not slide off the part. If you use a flat bar, just in case you need to provide a limiter that will prevent the loops from flying off during swinging. |
| Now you can hang the swing from a strong supporting structure - a tree branch or the crossbar of a gazebo. To connect, we use a rope harness, which is pulled tightly into knots. You can make 1 or 2 attachment points for the base. In the first case, you will get a swing that can rotate around its axis. The disadvantage of this design is that it is difficult to balance. Therefore, for reliability, we use two loops. |
Multi-level floor
To zone the space, craftsmen install floors at different levels. They advise installing a podium to separate the kitchen and dining room. This option is considered one of the most practical because, among other things, the owners have additional free space where they can hide something. It is convenient to use boxes or drawers for this. Wicker baskets will look good. But such space can remain free.
For podiums, reliable materials are selected that can withstand heavy loads. Usually builders make wooden or metal podiums.
However, such a design should not be made if there are small children in the family, since the podium can become an obstacle for him. In addition, various floor coverings can be used. They will zone the space between the living room and the kitchen and protect the podium from damage. For example, tiles are laid in the kitchen area, and laminate flooring in the dining room. The main thing is to choose colors and textures and combine the finishes correctly.
Step-by-step instruction
See also:
Dish drying rack in the lower cabinet: when is it needed, which one to choose
Let's move on.
In addition to bearing pendants, rings, carabiners or hooks can be used as an alternative.
The structure should be installed in prepared recesses, where crushed stone is poured and concrete is poured.
Concrete should be given at least 5 days to harden and set.
If you decide to use supports to which the base is welded, then you will have to dig a trench. After this, it is also filled with concrete and ordinary crushed stone.
The base of the seat can be made from metal, pre-processed corners. Make sure the angle between the backrest and the seat is about 120 degrees. The frame is assembled from a profile with a rectangular cross-section. The sides are connected using horizontal jumpers.
Then a hole is made in the frame to install wooden boards and strips. They are secured using bolts, nuts and washers. The chair must be connected to the suspensions at 4 points. As you understand, a wooden chair should be treated first with stain, and then with several layers of varnish or paint.
A rectangular metal jumper is welded on top of the base, on which the visor will be held.
Loft
This year the style remains in demand. It is often used to equip kitchens combined with a living room. This combination gives more free space, which will only emphasize all the details of the loft.
Today, such a definition as “classic style” is used less and less by designers. Loft - any interior design in which various technical elements are not hidden, but emphasized.
For example, stylists play with brickwork, wires or concrete walls. The photographs clearly show how successful it can look like a living room that is combined with a kitchen. For loft, rough and heterogeneous surfaces and rough materials are selected. In apartments decorated in this style, wall lamps are installed. In this case, the light is directed along the walls. Due to this, shadows fall so that uneven surfaces look three-dimensional. At first, loft was viewed with caution, but it quickly became popular. Designers do not hide finishing materials and even fake them. To imitate a concrete surface and smudges, decorative plaster is used.
Video material
As a result, not much time was spent, but meanwhile, an almost ideal place to relax was ready. For greater comfort, soft cushions are placed on the seat. In order for them to be used for as long as possible, it is better to equip them with covers that can be easily cleaned if necessary.
Provence
The name of this destination comes from a region in the south of France. Even a small kitchen-living room, the decor of which was inspired by French aesthetics, will be filled with warmth and comfort.
The main thing is that it has a lot of daylight, textiles with romantic prints, and floral patterns. The dining room in the Provence style is designed in pastel shades. Furniture items can be vintage or artificially aged. Plain walls will contrast with large checkered curtains. The door in the kitchen area set is sometimes replaced with curtains made from the same material as the tablecloth. A good addition would be vases and figurines, clay pots, forged metal parts and ribbons.
Ready-made drawings with dimensions and photos
A drawing of a swing seat will help you create your own version, which you can develop yourself or download from our website.
Color combinations
Stylists advise taking into account the following nuances:
- direction in the interior;
- combination of shades;
- illumination
It is much easier to choose a palette if the style for the kitchen and living room has already been selected. For example, neoclassicism and Provence have their own combinations. In a classic interior, designers combine pastel colors, pale colors, which are slightly diluted with dark shades. In French country houses you can often see soft blue, pink, and pistachio colors. Art Deco designers make up objects and finishing materials in black and white, sometimes beige and brown or silver and black. The main thing is to choose a shade for the walls. White will become universal, it will expand the space, and later you can paint them with any paint. However, in the cooking area, white ceases to look fresh. Beige or gray shades would be more practical. This background will highlight the other colors. In a monochrome interior, designers recommend gluing wallpaper in an unusual color or with a photo print.
Waterproof surfaces are easy to clean, so washable wallpaper is recommended. The colors of the furniture echo the details and accessories, be it cushions for the sofa, curtains or other items.
