One surface, two spaces. At a time when interiors are getting smaller and smaller, the living room and the dining room seem forced to coexist. If on the one hand the living room advocates tranquility, this is not the case with the dining area, which seeks conviviality. So how do you unite these two pieces with opposing uses? A partition that plays on transparency, neutral colors, thoughtful accessories, and even compact furniture, Maison Creative has pinned on Pinterest 28 ideas for creating an optimized living room in a small room.
1. A corner sofa to delimit the living room from the dining room
In this living room bathed in light thanks to the large bay windows , the gray sofa rests on an existing concrete post. Rather than closing off this space, it delimits it perfectly from the rest of the living room, thus creating a privileged seating area , taking advantage of the light from one of the bays, and a spacious dining area, also enjoying natural light. Circulation is thus carried out around this central element of the house.
2. Suspensions, as a common thread from the living room to the dining room
In this living room where inspiration from the past and modern style mingle, the set of suspensions makes the link from one space to another . On a contemporary gray-green background, the black lines stand out more. Like a chandelier above the coffee table, the glass suspensions guide the hanging of the duo which lights up the dining table. The good idea is also to play on the heights and to choose different models of suspensions in order to create rhythm in the decoration . The visible threads are accepted and we love it!
3. Use rugs to create living and dining areas
From one space to another, the entire decorative universe can change. Sometimes all that is needed is little things. In this bohemian room , a Berber-inspired rug warms the living room atmosphere, while a woven rug litter the dining room floor. If your heart balances between ethnic or natural tendencies , here is enough to adopt them both without complex in your interior. We will retain the idea of playing on the arrangement of coffee tables and meals: parallel to the wall for the first, and perpendicular to it for the second.
4. Arrange the living room as an extension of the dining room
In this former London factory converted into a family home, the living room and the dining room are one. We notice that the sofa is integrated in the extension of the dining room table , a little as if it were the chair at the end of the table. The dining room is the heart of the room , surrounded by the sofas and the stove. The decor is rustic and refined with associations of wood and lace.
5. Install a step to discreetly separate living room and dining room
When you want to clearly distinguish the living room and the dining room without separating them completely, some small details are enough. In this house, the owners have made the (good) choice to create a simple step between the two. The result? A dining room and a living room demarcated but in the same room and no walls to block the natural light. We will remember the idea of the white alcove which brings a discreet decorative touch to the ceiling.
6. A well-appointed living-dining room in an apartment
Even living in an apartment, it is possible not to have to choose between living room and dining room and to arrange both in one room. As this Berlin accommodation illustrates, it’s all about ingenuity. Here, the sofa gives the impression of having its back to the table, which allows the living room and the dining room to be placed side by side but without one encroaching on the other. In terms of decoration, the owners have set their sights on Scandinavia with sober walls and designer furniture or graphic cushions to brighten up the whole.
7. The same decor for a harmonious living-dining room
Another way to organize a dining room and a living room can be to adopt a similar decoration throughout the room to combine the two elements. This photo is the perfect example with the bias of two main tones , white and black, present throughout the room, whether for furniture or accessories. This is also the case with the reminder between the cushions and the carpet which give a graphic decoration in the living room as in the dining room.
8. A long living-dining room
When you have a large area, why not set up a living room and a dining room in the same room and take advantage of the space? This photo shows that we do not have to separate the two rooms by a wall and that they can complement each other in terms of decoration. To wake up the white walls, we appreciate the vintage elements such as the green painted bonnetiere at the back of the room or the suspensions which contribute to the cocooning atmosphere of the place.
9. A discreetly elegant living-dining room
As we have seen previously, a tip for arranging a dining room and a living room is to choose a similar decoration so that the two merge into the same atmosphere. We see it in this Norwegian house where the room is covered with wood from floor to ceiling through the furniture. This shades of light or white wood thus makes it possible to make the living room an extension of the dining room or vice versa. The coffee table with a reclaimed spirit taken from old pallets is a nice additional decorative touch.
10. A bright living-dining room
Brightness is one of the characteristics to take into account when grouping the dining room and living room in the same room. In this Melbourne home, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the garden let light enter the room to enhance the living-dining room . The architecture of the house here allows the living room and dining room to be grouped together in a large open room while delimiting the spaces thanks to the recess in which the end of the dining area is hidden. Visually, we thus feel slightly separated while remaining close. Regarding the decoration, the chairs and the armchair manage to give a design touch to the whole and succeed in harmonizing the dining room and the living room.. Neither one nor two, we pin!
11. Break down a wall to group the living room and the dining room
Instead of having two small rooms, why not knock down a wall to make one more spacious? Simpler than it seems, this method allows light to enter the entire length and highlight each square meter . This trick is also successful thanks to the parquet, identical in both parts of the room. We will retain the practical idea of the two old fireplaces transformed into storage.
12. A well-appointed long living room
The cozy living room of this house opens onto the dining room and then onto the garden. The impression of grandeur is reinforced by the khaki paint on the walls, which are identical in both parts of the living room. We love its cocooning decor and its glass openings that illuminate the room.
13. Modular furniture to create a small living-dining room
Never neglect the traffic in a small living-dining room! This is why it is necessary to reduce the number of pieces of furniture as much as possible, the dining room table can serve as an office as the pedestal tables in the living room can replace an overly imposing coffee table. Compact, on wheels or simply foldable, modular furniture is the first allies of small surfaces. Exit the XXL dining table, we choose a flap console that closes at the end of each meal. And to optimize space as much as possible, we swap the large armchairs for stackable metal chairs.
14. A piece of furniture to separate the living room and the dining room
In order to delimit the living area from the dining area, the most common solution remains the room divider. Multifunctional, it acts as storage and partition. Low sideboard, openwork bookcase, shelf on legs, the important thing is to turn to light models that let the light circulate in the place. The detail that changes everything? Opt for supplies with character – vintage curves, a graphic cutout or an old patina – which will set the tone for the decor of the small living room.
15. Invest the walls and the height of the living room
When floor space is scarce, why not invest in the walls and the ceiling? The small parts can benefit from a dining area unexpected setting a single tablet between two windows. Two stools and cushions for comfort, and the dining area appears in the living room. Interiors with vertiginous ceilings can even grab a few square centimeters on the height: thanks to a system of slides, the dining room table goes down in the middle of the living room and disappears into the ceiling once the meal is finished. An inventive tip for an optimized living-dining room.
16. A homogeneous decor in the living-dining room
Small spaces also like strong atmospheres … On condition of adopting a strict line of conduct! The living room and the dining room seek to merge: if the black and white look appeals to you, decline the range of its two colors from the table to the sofa, including household linen. And make a cross on the flashy shades that risk breaking the harmony. A few indoor plants will then be enough to bring a note of freshness to your small living room.
17. Arrange a small living-dining room in length
To reconcile living room and dining room in a small, long room, we avoid aligning all the furniture against the walls. Installed at the back of the living room, the dining table can be spread out wide and create a real dining area. The lounge area must for its part follow a millimeter organization. No question of weighing down the space with a coffee table, an openwork end of the sofa will bring a more airy touch to the atmosphere. As for the sofa , it is discreet and takes on a color similar to the paint in the room.
18. The kitchen opens onto the living-dining room
Yes, it is possible to push the walls to enlarge a small living dining room. The trend of American kitchens has gone through this and today prompts us to bring down the partitions. A central island or a simple serving hatch, the once isolated kitchen opens onto the living-dining room. And to gain a few extra square meters, you can even try your hand at whitewashed parquet. A daring bias that gives a purely Scandinavian look to the living room.
19. Accessorize to delimit the living-dining room
Say no to partitions that darken the space, prefer to accessorize small surfaces. Decorative objects are an excellent technical – and economical – way to delimit the living room and the dining room. Two mismatched rugs , a series of frames attached to the wall and a vintage floor lamp, the living room asserts its presence in the small living room. The dining area is therefore more discreet with a simple hanging lamp and a bouquet. Proof that just a few accessories are enough to reinvent a short stay from head to toe.
20. Organize a small square living room with style
Furnishing a square room is a breeze but often lacks fantasy. To breathe a little daring into the living-dining room without losing functionality, we favor furniture with rounded lines. The curves not only soften the atmosphere but they also break the classic symmetry of these small square spaces. Pedestals, tables, frames and even a sofa, the round furniture is essential in the small living room. Enough to transform the living room into a bubble of serenity.
21. A living-dining room in less than 10m2
Do you live in a pocket square? Don’t panic, it is possible to create a living-dining room in less than 10m2. Forget the coffee table and bulky seats: the dining area merges with the relaxation area. Thus the sofa acts as a bench during lunch and the dining room table becomes an occasional piece of furniture once the meals are finished. Small space is not necessarily synonymous with shy decor, dare to mix pink and mustard tones in your living room.
22. Invest in furniture adapted to the small living room
The size of your furniture plays a decisive role in the layout of the living-dining room. The narrower the living area, the more your furniture should play it mini! The large sideboard inherited from your grandmother will not find a place of choice in this kind of space, instead think of the wall shelves to store your books and other utensils. The seat to be avoided: a corner sofa that blocks traffic and further narrows the dining area. A convertible bench, a compact daybed or just two stacked mattresses, there are many ways to create a sofa in a small living and dining room.
23. The small living room is adorned in white
Contrary to popular belief, white is not necessarily going to put a damper on your living room. This bright shade is even ideal for enlarging a small living-dining room. By mixing the materials – fur, wool carpets, linen cushions, paper suspensions, wooden chairs – the total white look is warm. An immaculate atmosphere which infuses a cocooning spirit in the small living room.
24. Transparency to enlarge a small living-dining room
In glass or plexiglass, it doesn’t matter what material you like as long as it allows the gaze to circulate between the living room and the dining room. Transparent furniture finds its place in small spaces because it can be forgotten. Thus a translucent table imposes its quirky touch on the dining space and puts the spotlight on designer seats such as these Eames chairs.
25. Install small extending table against a wall
In a small living room, opt for an XXS dining table (preferably extendable, which will still allow you to host dinner that you will place against the wall to waste as little space as possible. The idea to remember: install a pendant lamp above this small table to create an intimate effect and reinforce the impression of “room” in another room!
26. Choosing dual purpose chairs
Do you absolutely want to install a large dining table in your living room? Why not, but it will be necessary to optimize the space as much as possible. The clever idea: opt for different seats (a bench, folding chairs, designer chairs, etc.) that will suit both the living room and the dining table. So, no need for an armchair, one less imposing element!
27. Use a table to link the kitchen to the living room
If you have an open or semi-open kitchen on the living room, place a table between these two spaces. Thus, it will make the link between the kitchen and the living room for an ultra friendly room.
28. Delimit the dining room with paint
To create two spaces in one, play with color . Here, the dining area is delimited by a powder pink on the walls, floor and ceiling which creates a block effect, a real corner apart. Those who are more cautious will only paint the floor or a section of the wall.
