Anton
head of design studio
Even if you are not the owner of a large penthouse, don’t be upset. You can create a luxurious interior for an apartment, be it a two-room apartment or maybe a three-room apartment, but only if professionals get down to business. Our Moscow design studio is a team of professionals who will turn your living room into candy.
Whether it’s a one-room apartment, or maybe a two-room or three-room apartment, the layout of many does not always provide for a large living room in terms of footage. But a small living room is not an obstacle to make a luxurious renovation. Our craftsmen will bring all your ideas to life by drawing up a design project, and the designer’s advice will help you implement them even in a small area.
Read more
Sofa seat
in living room design 18 sq m
Visual planning
. Even if the living room is 18 square meters, the first stage of renovation is planning. It is worth drawing a plan where the furniture and furnishings will be placed in the diagram. And as an option, the initial design of the apartment will no longer be as functional and successful as it seemed at the very beginning.
Designers do not recommend placing the sofa itself in a drafty environment
- on a line running from the door to the window opening. Even if it is an 18-square living room, it will be easy to see on the drawn up plan.
The location of the sofa in the living room
. Our masters suggest designing a small living room and placing a sofa in the following way:
1. The sofa should be placed opposite the TV - on a line diagonally from the door. He directly invites you to sit down.
2. The sofa can be placed near the door. The interior design in this option is optimal if overnight guests often stay in the house.
3. Corner-shaped sofas. It just begs to be added to the interior in the farthest corner of the room - this way the room will look larger.
Possible room layout
A visual representation is great, but when the plan is transferred to paper or a tablet or computer monitor, then everything becomes clearer and much clearer. You can immediately add or exclude some nuances, move the emphasis or remove it altogether.
If the room is planned for one functional room, then everything is simple, but what to do when you plan to combine several zones in one space? You will have to think through ergonomic zoning.
The plan determines a place for a recreation area, for receiving guests, a work space, a dining area, if one is also needed. Accordingly, priority is given to oversized furniture, sets and sets that have a thoughtful design for such rooms.
There are the following planning options:
- Living room;
- Bedroom;
- Bedroom + children's room;
- Bedroom+office.
Living room
The living room is considered a common room; if the apartment has other rooms, then 18 m2 can be allocated for the arrangement of the hall. Guests will find it comfortable here, as will home owners.
The furniture you need to install is a sofa, and one or two armchairs and a coffee table will fit into the set. The set is standard, the point is its location and shape.
The boundaries will be emphasized by the carpet, but you can pay attention to elements such as a shelving unit, a screen, a chest of drawers: such pieces of furniture can become useful functionality or a beautiful piece of decor.
A TV wall can also become useful if you purchase a modern, stylish set with shelves and cabinets.
Bedroom-living room
Often at a family council it is decided to combine the decision into one, namely to combine the bedroom with the living room. The space is divided, there are suitable designer solutions for any room size.
In most cases, the relaxation area is located near the window, although you can approach the solution in a non-standard way and equip the bedroom on the second floor, if the height of the ceilings allows this.
If you want to save space, purchase a sofa bed or a bed with a lifting mechanism. The solution is both stylish and modern. When such a bed is no longer needed in the morning, it can be wonderfully converted into a shallow closet.
The cabinets are beautifully decorated with mirror inserts with engraving or bevel. If there are two zones in the room, the issue of separation will be relevant. The space is divided by a wardrobe, curtain, screen, wall and ceiling surfaces. This allows you to install a full bed, which will also give you complete mental rest.
The sleeping place, located on the second floor in a room of 18 square meters, is comfortable. The result is natural zoning; a comfortable sofa fits easily underneath.
Bedroom with children's room
Married couples may be interested in including in a room of 18 square meters. m children's room. In this case, dividing the space is more difficult, because simple zoning may not be as successful as in the case of a living room-bedroom. The children's room is separated more thoroughly, this is done for reasons of at least some noise blocking and in order to separate the design of the adult world from the child's world.
Sometimes the division of a room of 18 m2 into an adult bedroom and a children's bedroom is divided by combining wallpaper, flooring and ceiling. There is an excellent option with companion wallpaper, combinations of painted walls with laminate flooring or wallpaper. If desired, you can raise the floor level by making a podium, if the child’s age allows this from a safety point of view.
Furniture in each functional area may differ in design, but should still be in harmony with each other.
Bedroom with study
People who work remotely or simply need a workspace at home can combine a bedroom and an office in a room 18 square meters.
Such a corner with a working mood greatly increases both efficiency and the effectiveness of your own work. The main thing will be not just the separation of each zone from each other, but the allocation of a workplace: this is a desk. It can be placed so that the bedroom is not visible, or you can simply cover it with a shelving unit, which will turn out to be necessary and useful.
If the priority is still the workspace, then the furniture emphasis is placed precisely on it, with the bedroom playing a significant role, the furniture in the sleeping area will be the highlight.
Lighting is important; it will highlight both the sleeping area and the desk, thereby also playing the role of a space divider.
Correct opening of the door in the living room
In or out?
Opening the door in the living room
. If you don’t want to attract attention to the front door, it’s optimal to install an invisible model, without installing a casing. And if you paint it the same color as the walls, it will become completely invisible.
But is it better to open inward or outward? Here the designers say - there are no special rules, the main thing is that they do not interfere with the entrance and exit, or approach to the cabinets. Often, when carrying out repairs, there is a reason to move the doorway or make a version of the door - a compartment, a folding type.
1. Not a bad option. The door will not block the corridor itself and will not interfere with the entrance to the room. The downside is that when the door is open it will close the cabinets.
2. Not the best option. The door leaf will block the entrance to the room and so visually takes up a lot of space. Here it is optimal to install a door like a book or an accordion.
3. Wrong decision. And then when you open the door, you have to take a step back, which is inconvenient, especially if the corridor is narrow. It is optimal to install a folding/sliding door type.
4. The optimal option for opening the door - it will not interfere with the passage, and in terms of safety - the right decision.
Finishing features
Floor
A universal solution would be linoleum or laminate with imitation of natural wood. Light colors remain the priority, but if you choose natural brown, it is important to make the ceiling and walls light. For comfort, carpets with patterns or plain models with pile are used (depending on the style of the apartment).
Walls
Most often, decorative plaster is used or simply painted in the required color. Wallpaper is rarely used, but with its help you can create zoning or create an accent wall. To visually increase the height of the ceiling, vertical stripes or photo wallpapers with large, three-dimensional patterns are used.
Ceiling
If the ceilings are high, you can install a multi-tiered structure using films of one or more colors and decorative lighting. A universal solution would be a matte white ceiling, which will not attract attention and will allow you to concentrate on relaxation.
Recently, ceilings with photo printing have been gaining popularity, but in the living room they can become an inappropriate accent. A good choice would be the “starry sky” or “floating” ceiling. Such designs are not cheap, but their appearance allows you to completely relax. Installation should be entrusted only to professionals.
TV in the living room
size and location
Placing a TV in the living room
. To correctly place a TV in a room, it is important to consider several points.
Location
. It is optimal to place the TV opposite the sofa - this is the most reasonable solution in this matter. At the same time, the distance from the sofa to the screen means that modern models can be hung close.
Cabinet or bracket?
Not so important. The main thing is that the area itself looks neat, without a lot of wires and cables hanging from the TV. It is these wires that will completely ruin the entire appearance.
Height from floor
. Experts call the optimal height one meter from the floor level to the middle of the screen - this is the so-called eye level point of a person sitting on the sofa.
Diagonal size
. If the amount of money allows, choose models from 50 inches or more. If the screen is smaller than this size, it will look lonely on the wall.
Film projector
. If the wall in the room is not perfectly smooth and white, you will need a screen. It can be lowered automatically or manually. If automatic, you need to consider the issue of power supply. The main thing is that there are no wires or protruding connections, this will ruin the whole look. Next, you should choose a place to install the projector - it can be a removable option or use mounts, it’s up to you to decide for yourself. But to darken the room, you should install blackout curtains on the windows, which will help you enjoy the brightness and clarity of the picture.
TV in the living room
How to finish the floor, ceiling and walls
Surface finishing is not just a matter of renovation: it is what will be the basis for a future cozy home environment. What should you use when decorating the surfaces of a room of 18 m2?
All kinds of volumes are included in the interior wisely: if you really want to use stylish 3D panels on the walls, you still shouldn’t decorate all the walls with them, one or even part of it is enough.
Laminate on the wall or floor looks stylish and noble. The solution is successful, as is the option of zoning and emphasizing the wall.
Companion wallpapers also boldly decorate a room with such a layout and dimensions. But you can combine the color of the walls with wallpaper in another area.
The ceiling is no longer boring; 18 square meters allows the use of multi-level structures with a wide variety of lighting. A simple stretch ceiling is also good; it looks neat and allows you to use other zoning techniques.
The floor is either finished with the same material for the entire room, or zoning requests are taken into account and types and types of coverings are combined.
Furniture in the living room
Furniture in the living room
. In a delicate, neoclassical interior, bright blue tones predominate, while the armchair, for example, takes on the main accent.
- Armchair.
It is this that often becomes the main and irreplaceable item in the interior - its shade and shape itself may differ from the main furniture. When choosing it, be guided by your own priorities and tastes. You should be comfortable in it with the shade of a book in a 90 by 90 cm chair, but just to sit - 80 by 80 cm is enough. See the seat itself. - TV stand.
For example, large TV stands are not as relevant as before, when they stored a lot of technical accessories. At the moment, console-type tables or narrow cabinets are relevant. - Coffee table.
It is with its help that you can give the interior a note of coziness and comfort, and if you choose a transformer model, this will give the table functionality. It’s true that choosing comfortable and beautiful models is problematic, and the price is that they cost a lot. - Side tables.
If, in terms of square meters, the living room is not as large as you would like, you can opt for an alternative, namely a side table. They are lightweight and convenient, do not take up much space, plus, you can choose very original models. - Rack.
This is an extremely important and useful piece of furniture - you can place many decorative elements on it, plus it can act as a light partition, dividing the room into zones. - Additional storage cabinet.
If the square footage of the living room allows it, place it in the center. This way you can free up important space, and you don’t have to choose between a comfortable sofa and a spacious closet. In addition, it is worth examining all the niches and recesses in the room where you can install cabinets or sofas. - Fireplace.
Undoubtedly, we have to talk specifically about electric models - some simply heat, others have the function of humidifying or ionizing the space. If we talk about the portal for the fireplace, it can be classic and modern style, antique models. The main thing is that they are combined with the overall design solution of the room - otherwise it will spoil the whole look with its own absurdity.
Design features of a combined room
Below is a great example of combining a kitchen, living room, office and bedroom in one space.
Compact placement of three zones in one room Source www.galangpratama.com/
There is a kitchen countertop that is L-shaped, which simultaneously serves as a work table and a place for preparing food. A large set of wall shelves holds culinary paraphernalia and work-related items. A row of kitchen blocks is placed above the working part of the countertop.
Arrangement of furniture and equipment Source www.behance.net
To differentiate between the work and kitchen surfaces, you can use decorative elements. Such an object here is a black jug.
A thin white kitchen hood takes up very little space on the wall. Plus, it's stylish in its simplicity. Its lights illuminate the corner position of the hob. A row of small black wall sconces adorn the top of the kitchen window, illuminating the sink at night.
Kitchen, bedroom and work area Source www.behance.net
All the furniture in the room is in neutral colors, making the space look open. A small chair can be easily hidden under the tabletop.
The desk drawer can be tucked deep into a corner to provide more legroom, and roll out on wheels when access to its contents is needed. It can store kitchen utensils and other things.
Layout of a studio apartment of 18 meters Source www.pinterest.com
The white finish of the bedroom furniture with black stripes along the edges, imitating the design of the wall shelves above the office and kitchen, beautifully connects the zones into one.
The TV wall is the back of the closet that separates the sleeping area from the hallway.
Separating the hallway area with a partition Source www.zimmo.be
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in interior redevelopment.
Kitchen + living room
If you remove the partition between the room and the kitchen, you can create more light space. And such projects are increasingly present in the work of our designers. Not everyone likes this option, but even so, the solution has many fans.
Kitchen-living room design
. If you place several bright accents in the interior, they should not look like copies of each other.
If you combine a room and a kitchen, you automatically end up with a room with several windows. And the space itself will be filled with more air and light. No less advantageous is the presence of a full-fledged dining area in the house, and this is not always possible in the kitchen. It is important to remember that when choosing a table, it is worth calculating so that there is at least 70 cm for each person sitting at it.
Ideas for the kitchen-living room
Living room-bedroom in one room
The best option is to combine the living room with the bedroom. This is a multifunctional opportunity to use furniture and save space. A room of several squares can sparkle in a new way, the main thing is to decide on the furniture and its location.
Today, there are interesting furniture attributes that perform several functions at once. So, on one side there is a sofa, on the other there is a table. This is an ideal option for combining and simultaneously separating a relaxation area and a work office. The possibility of organizing several versatile rooms is an attractive idea.
Modern apartments have long ceased to be standard. New technical and furniture solutions make it possible to make rooms multifunctional without cutting down on space. However, you should understand that you will have to carry out a number of mandatory manipulations every day. This means laying out and assembling the sofa, hanging a screen and organizing the space.
The main advantages of the combination:
- Multifunctional room;
- Availability of significant zones;
- Organize space according to personal preferences.
The difficulties in this case are minimal. The main advantage of combining space is the opportunity to create a unique atmosphere in the apartment and combine several significant zones in it. This is not difficult if you think through every detail of the interior in advance.
Bedroom + living room
Combining a living room and a bedroom is a rare option in a designer’s practice. If the family is large, this option is not suitable, but for young people living in one or two room apartments, this is the optimal solution.
For example, a shelving unit can be successfully used as a partition - this will divide the room into zones and retain natural light from the windows, and for books and other items this is the optimal storage place.
Bedroom design with living room
. An excellent example of a bedroom-living room design for a one-room apartment!
Space zoning ideas
When zoning a room, the following solutions are used:
- Partially, elements of the interior or the furniture itself highlight each zone. For example, a bookcase with books will fill the room with coziness, while at the same time separating the work area from the bedroom. It shouldn’t be huge, covering the entire room, just define the border a little. Visually it should look like this - in one corner there is a bedroom, for example, and in the other there is a living room. But in general, it looks harmonious and should be connected with each other by one style. Not free-standing furniture.
- Use of multifunctional furniture. Folding table - can be placed anywhere. Make it as an additional shelf by installing it against the wall.
- Completely separate a certain area. They make a barrier between one part and another. It is simply installed in a certain place - a partition. They are made of plasterboard or plastic. Or, in general, they build a real concrete or brick wall.
Living room + office
In a small room, not everyone can accommodate a full-fledged workplace - a table with a computer. It is often placed in the bedroom or living room, and when placing it, it is worth considering whether there will be a computer or laptop. If you have a laptop, it is enough for the table to be 50-60 cm wide, for a computer – at least 70 cm.
Living room design
. It was the table and shelves in this project that were made unnoticeably thanks to the color - it was matched to the tone of the walls. But the chair served as a bright accent.
How to place a table in the living room?
1. Far corner. If you rarely work in the living room, this is the optimal solution. The workplace can be made to match the walls or place a screen next to it.
2. Table by the window. If you work at home all the time, this is the right decision; if you have an extended window sill, a computer will fit into it.
3. The table is built into the closet. This is a great solution if you want to hide the creative mess on your desk from prying eyes. I closed the cabinet doors and that was it.
Desk in the interior
Two sofas in a small living room
A small living room is a difficult but possible area to work on furnishing with two sofas. The essence of the living room is meetings and gatherings. If this is for a single family, then the design can be simple. But this room is designed “for show”.
9 square meters - perhaps this is the minimum possible area for a comfortable seating area with two sofas
Using light colors in the interior will help visually enlarge the space of a small living room.
Basic tips for designing a small room:
- leave a minimum number of items;
- purchase of oversized furniture;
- simple sofa design;
- combining sofas with various accessories: flowerpots, carpets, tables, etc.;
- near the window (if there is one) TV;
- A corner sofa makes it possible to save space.
Owners of small-sized homes often choose folding models that turn into sleeping places at night
The layout of many Soviet apartments is quite small in square footage, so these tips are useful for the majority of the population. Try to focus on simple planning; this approach is much more effective than a chaotic system.
A creative approach to any task will allow you to create unique and stylish interiors.
Air conditioner
in a small living room
The main rule here is that cold air flows should not blow too intensely on people sitting at a table or on a sofa. It is also worth remembering that the farther the air conditioner housing is placed from the window opening, the more expensive its installation will be.
Air conditioner indoor unit
. They always try to “veil” their body and, for example, a white body is hardly noticeable on a white wall.
How to place the air conditioner correctly?
1. An excellent location is to place the block above the doorway.
2. Not far from the window opening. This option is suitable for those who intend to save on the gate - it contains the system communications.
3. Incorrect placement. Here the air flows directly onto the sofa and the people sitting on it.
Lighting
there are 18 square meters in the living room
An equally important issue when decorating the interior is lighting, which will determine how comfortable the room will be. And the main thing to remember is that there is never too much light, plus there are a lot of options to consider.
Living room lighting
. So, the advantage of a brick wall is minimalistic lamps made in the loft style.
Lamps
. Lamps are an integral part of the decor and therefore they must be in harmony with the overall style in the room. And at the moment, it is customary to use several lighting fixtures in one room, the main thing is to keep them in the same style. And once again regarding several types of lighting - let's look at what they can be.
overhead light
- the main lighting in the room, and involves the use of lighting devices such as a chandelier and work light in the form of spotlights. At the same time, the chandelier itself is not just a source of light, but also a unique piece of art decor.
To local light sources
designers include floor lamps and table lamps, as well as sconces. But rarely does anyone install sconces in the living room, especially today - it’s optimal to replace this one unit with 2 lamps.
Towards intimate light sources
craftsmen bring candles and garlands. If we talk about the interior type of garlands, they will burn with an even light, warm, optimally white, thus creating an atmosphere of comfort in the living room, but they can also be used as a night light.
Candles
. A lot has been said about them, but it’s worth noting a few words again. In the interior, it is optimal to use candles of different sizes, single-colored ones, it is advisable to choose large ones. The ideal solution for any interior is white, with a slightly rough or matte surface.
Zoning
. It is the lamps that can be ideally used when zoning rooms. So in the kitchen - living room there should be both working type lighting and lamps above the table and bar counter. But in the living room area, the light should be basic and local, namely a chandelier, as well as lamps near the sofa, and a floor lamp near the chair.
Arrangement methods
The symmetrical option is one of the most common. There is no need to invent anything - just paired things are installed on the sides of a certain object or relative to an imaginary axis. Alternatively, armchairs near a coffee table or fireplace. In the case of diagonal symmetry, objects are located in opposite corners of the room. Moreover, it is not necessary to use the same elements. Chairs of different colors look original and unusual. It is in rooms of regular shape that it is most interesting to use this method of arranging objects.
The asymmetrical option involves placing elements near a specific focal center (window, door, fireplace). To create balance, the size of objects and their “weight” in the interior are taken into account. Therefore, the large item is placed closer to the center, and the small item further away. An asymmetrical setting can also visually correct the proportions of the room. And you definitely need to imagine how the composition will look from different angles. After all, if you slightly unfold a large sofa, you will be able to visually reduce its length and “weight”.
With the circular principle, things are installed at the same distance from a certain center. If there is a round carpet in the middle of the room, then it can be “outlined” with pieces of furniture (chairs, tables, sofas). The most popular centers are tables and lamps/chandeliers. Typically, rooms combine different types of arrangement of objects. For example, circular and asymmetrical or circular and symmetrical.
Modern style in the living room
This style is very interesting and fits perfectly into a small apartment. It also has such characteristics as simplicity, conciseness, but at the same time it is functional and convenient.
Modern living room design
. The geometries of lines and the clarity of patterns are a feature of modern style.
Signs of style
. The colors are based on white and black tones, as well as beige or gray undertones. But here we also need bright accents - this will not make the style itself monotonous and faceless. Modern interior solutions include the use of large-sized posters and paintings.
Regarding decorative items, there should not be many of them, but they are all original and unique. The furniture is practical, simple in form, with the principle of minimalism.
Many modern living rooms
What styles can you decorate a room of 18 sq m
Room 18 sq. m can and should be furnished beautifully; the easiest way to do this is to rely on tips on decorating some interior style.
When zoning, it remains unshakable that everything must be done in the same style.
It would be most successful to choose one of the modern styles, since lush and elaborate interiors do not look particularly interesting in 18 square meters of one small apartment, especially if it is a Khrushchev-era building.
For high-tech and minimalism, furniture is selected taking into account its function and modern visual simplicity. No unnecessary decorative items, except those that can aesthetically emphasize the technology of the direction.
The layout is built around geometry: straight lines sliding through glass over metal or plastic.
Classic, Scandinavian style, eco are also good for the interior of a room of 18 square meters. m. But in any design, details are important, and you just shouldn’t overload the space with them. It is better to once again turn to the choice of suitable lighting and focus on light.
Neoclassical style in the living room
Modern neoclassicism is a popular design style. And in fact, this is a direction that designers describe as an improved, modern version of the good old classics. Intricate shapes of lamps and furniture upholstery - a la carriage upholstery, shades - watercolor.
Living room in neoclassical style
. Multi-colored pillows with flowers will fit perfectly into a modern or classic interior.
Signs of style
. Neoclassicism, like classics, has such features as symmetry in the arrangement of furniture and the arrangement of accessories. Complex shaped furniture and stucco, moldings on the wall, drapery of curtains - these elements are present in the style.
Living rooms in neoclassical style
Photo of living room 18 m²
To create a competent project, the gallery presents photos of finished interiors, the ideas of which were implemented by professional designers.
Other living room styles
Scandinavian style
Fusion
Loft
Colors
Beige color in the design of an 18-square living room
It’s impossible to say with one voice – yes, only light shades in the interior. You can use a variety of original and bright ones, both in classics and modern neoclassics.
Beige - a shade that will help visually expand
premises of the room. This is its main task - to bring the illusion of space into the room.
Compatibility
. It will pair beautifully with most dark/cool tones. Plus, it will allow you to add bright accents to the interior itself - textiles or furniture, decor. Plus, it perfectly calms the psyche.
Create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort
. In addition, they calm the psyche and do not become boring.
Beige color in the living room
. Warm beige is used when decorating interiors in a classic style. At the same time, cooler shades, for example, gray shades, will fit perfectly into modern interior options.
A selection of beige living rooms
Gray color in the interior of a small living room
Gray color in the living room
. Gray is the calmest and most neutral color.
For example, black shades will absorb light, and if used incorrectly in the interior, the room will be gloomy. But the abundance of white will make the room faceless, so to speak uninteresting. At the same time, gray tones and shades are a neutral zone between them.
A selection of gray living rooms
Ideas for using room space
Ideas to make the most of your room's space:
- Hang wicker baskets on the wall. It is important that they are in the same style and can withstand a lot of weight.
Hanging wicker baskets Source plus.queen.gr
- Small dining table. It is better to choose a round one to accommodate more people.
Dining room and living room Source architecturalandinterior.com
- If space is limited and you don't want to use large, bulky furniture, use a chair as a side table and install sconces to save space. Choose a bright color for it.
- Hang the TV on the wall. This will save a lot of space. In addition, you can place an additional glass shelf under the TV.
- Cube chairs. They can be used as chairs if there are a lot of guests, and also as a bedside table or surface.
- Use space under the ceiling. If you add drawers without handles and in the same color as the ceiling on top, they will not be immediately noticeable.
Comfortable soft corner Source www.mila.bg
- Ottomans instead of armchairs. They are compact, lightweight and can perfectly brighten up the interior.
- Highlight one area with a large rug. There can be different color combinations: dark, light, bright. The main thing is that the carpet fits harmoniously into the interior.
- Add shelves above doors or windows. It is important that they match the color of the doors, windows or walls themselves.
- Multifunctional furniture. For example, a coffee table with many compartments inside.
- L-shaped sofa. They usually have storage compartments and can be converted into a bed.
No curtains on the windows Source www.pinterest.com
- The living room will become visually larger with a glass coffee table.
Classic design Source dominterior.org
