Good day, friends. To begin with, I still want to touch on the topic of kitchens and living rooms. The newest trend in residential design is the combination of certain rooms into single spaces, a prime example of which is the kitchen-living room. This layout has a huge number of advantages, thanks to which it quickly gained interest and popularity. A properly equipped kitchen will be a real gift for any housewife - here, without stopping from cooking, you can look after the children or welcome guests. When serving, there is no need to move dishes from one room to another and also with cleaning. A kitchen combined with a living room, if designed correctly, will always be visually perceived as more spacious and lighter, which can be seen in the photo in our selection.
Such kitchen-living room design options will of course be costly in terms of finances, but rest assured, they will give a million positive emotions to their owners and their friends.
The most popular style for the kitchen area is country. It emphasizes the country character of the room and adds coziness to the overall atmosphere. To decorate a kitchen combined with a living room, it is ideal to use natural materials: stone, wood or ceramics. Clay would work too – it will give the style a little rural vibe.
Let's return to the main idea of this article. Namely, we will analyze some kitchen design options with windows or access to the terrace. Let's start with the more beautiful and elegant options, and also consider the simpler and more economical ones.
What is the difference?
Nowadays the words veranda and terrace are often used as synonyms. But there are still differences in meaning. Initially, the veranda was the name given to the unheated part of the house, with glazed windows, which was used mainly in the warm season. Unlike a veranda, a terrace is not connected to the house by a common foundation; it can consist of one deck without a roof and can even be located at a distance from the house.
Verandas
Over time, there were so many design options that all strict rules faded into the background. And now it is customary to call a recreation area on a site a terrace and a veranda if it forms a single composition with the house.
Terraces
Tilt-and-slide units
These glazed structures are very similar to the sliding type, however, it is possible to use one more function - opening each of the panels separately.
The design is represented by the following composition:
- The canvas can move apart and tilt, the other one opens inward by analogy with a conventional single-floor design.
- The movable canvas can not only move, but also recline, locking in this position. A prerequisite is that the second leaf closes tightly when the first one opens.
- The glazed areas in these canvases are smaller in area. It is allowed to manufacture sashes with dimensions limited to no more than 2.0 x 2.4 m and weighing up to 180 kg.
Veranda design
In the classic version, the veranda resembles a greenhouse - there is also a lot of light, greenery and glass. Most often, all the walls, except the wall of the house itself, and even the ceiling were made of glass. Perhaps this trend is not so popular now precisely because of the difficulties of caring for so many windows.
But, of course, there is a stylish way out. This is how brick looks great in the design of verandas. Thanks to its rough texture, brick fits perfectly into interiors with a slight touch of negligence. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the perfect painting of the walls or the impeccable condition of the furniture.
On the contrary, tables and chairs inherited from grandparents, as well as details found at flea markets, will look great in such a veranda. And don’t even think about restoring them – history in the form of scratches and abrasions will only add depth to the interior.
The design of verandas without glass, but with high railings, is now considered more traditional. Typically, such verandas are located on the front side of the house or along its entire perimeter. The most common color is white. Not too practical, but so elegant!
As for the content, usually the verandas have one or several pairs of chairs, a coffee table and, if possible, a lot of greenery and flowers. Complex paintings or sculptures in such an environment seem inappropriate, because the nature around is the best painter.
But, it is likely that you will want to make the terrace itself bright. Usually in this case they use not just rich tones, but also a certain style. We recommend paying attention to the eastern one. Firstly, it is not so difficult to create: more bright pillows, a carpet and 1-2 recognizable details. Secondly, it always looks impressive.
If you are ready to experiment, then you can use non-standard solutions. For example, paint the veranda black. If you add details of interesting shapes, for example, antique lamps, make flower pots from familiar objects and use different chairs, the interior will look like something out of a designer’s portfolio.
Double door designs
A design feature is the horizontal division of the door leaf , thanks to the structural element.
Its placement should be at the level of the window frame, i.e. around 80 cm from the floor. As a result, the structure is divided into two independent parts with glazing. The horizontal element is equipped on doors whose white leaf exceeds 2.2 meters. The same figure for a colored profile is 2.1 meters.
This requirement arises due to the possible expansion of the profile under the influence of rapid heating. This property is especially noticeable in dark-colored profiles. The structure must be reinforced to protect the door from deformation resulting from heating and expansion of the profiles.
What needs strengthening most of all is a double-leaf door - without a horizontal element in the middle, deformation at the joints will lead to lowering of the leaf, causing friction against the frame of the structure, and ultimately the glass may crack.
Terrace design
Decorating an open terrace is somewhat more difficult than decorating a veranda. In a veranda, the roof brings the whole composition together, but in the case of a terrace, you need to try to make the design look complete. It can help to place objects not along the walls, as we are used to, but in the center in a circle.
Another life hack: use “long” decor. What does it mean? Hang lights, garlands or flying curtains - something that can unite several zones at once. And in general, everything that can be swayed by the wind looks advantageous in nature.
As we have already mentioned, the terrace can also be a free-standing structure. In this case, it usually has elements that are also found in the exterior of the house: similar lines or materials. Already at the stage of designing a house, it is better to think about how the site will look so that everything turns out rational and at the same time stylish.
In general, outdoor terraces are only suitable for countries with persistent warm weather. But with our unexpected downpours on the hottest days of summer, you will quickly regret not thinking about the roof sooner. And in general, it’s nice to sit on the terrace, breathe in the fresh air and dream while the rain hits.
The same rule applies if you want to arrange a dining area on the terrace. With a roof, you and your guests are not afraid of any bad weather. By the way, in order not to freeze in the evenings or in not too warm seasons, you can install a potbelly stove or build a fireplace on the terrace.
Open
The open kitchen resembles a camp barbecue, but that's the beauty of it
An open kitchen, in its structure, can easily be confused with a gazebo if all kitchen utensils are removed from there. The building is constructed from light materials such as plywood, lining and wood. The main elements are: a canopy, a stove for cooking, a sink, a table, seats, a floor cabinet for dishes, the rest depends on the wishes of the owners. Many people build Russian stoves, install barbecues, etc.
Advantages and disadvantages of a summer house-kitchen
The biggest advantage of an open kitchen is the maximum unity with nature, which is created due to the absence of walls. Such a building does not have to be built near the house itself; it will look great near the pool or in the middle of the garden.
Positive aspects of an open kitchen:
- financial accessibility;
- fast construction;
- integrity with nature and fresh air;
- the housewife who cooks in the open kitchen will always be able to keep an eye on the children playing and is generally in direct communication with all family members;
As a big plus, I would like to note evening gatherings in the fresh air with family or friends near the grill.
Negative sides:
- not used in winter;
- gatherings may be interrupted by rain or strong gusts of wind;
- food and belongings must be brought into the house at night;
When choosing which option for a summer kitchen will be more suitable, we must not forget about the location of the future construction, which will play an important role.
Living room design with access to the terrace
The first rule of combining a living room with a terrace is panoramic windows. Ideally, they are hinged, so that if desired, they can completely connect the two spaces. If the living room has a fairly expressive design, then on the terrace it will look better to be light and neutral, so that there is no “fight” for attention.
On the terrace you should keep the same style as in the room. So one space will look like a continuation of the other. But neutral design doesn't mean grey. These can be bright pieces of furniture and accessories, the main thing is that they do not stray from the general concept.
Since the living room has panoramic windows, the terrace is usually left open so that the roof does not shade the room. If the area is small, then in general it is better not to overload it with additional structures. Or make them from the lightest possible materials.
Color spectrum
Today, when decorating the kitchen space of a private home, natural color schemes have become widely popular. We are talking about blue, gray, green and brown colors and their shades. In the subconscious, they are associated with nature and give peace, balance and a sense of security. For owners of private homes who are not afraid to play with the color palette, designers suggest using bright colors, such as red, yellow or green. The main thing is not to overdo it with the brightness of the shades, otherwise even 2 minutes spent in such a kitchen can throw a person off balance.
Kitchen design with access to the terrace
Another common option for combining the terrace with the rest of the house is to exit through the kitchen. The explanation is quite simple: who doesn’t love invigorating breakfasts under the bright sun or romantic dinners at sunset in good weather? And this is the easiest way to set the table.
From the beginning it seems that there is nothing difficult about taking a couple of plates to the back corner of the house. But gradually such meals become a habit, and housewives begin to rage at the eternal running between the terrace and the kitchen.
Therefore, it is quite logical to place two tables nearby: one indoors and the other outdoors. By the way, pay attention to the levels. It will be much more convenient if there are no steps between them. It seems like little things, but they are the basis of the work of professional designers.
Alternatively, you can still leave the dining area in the kitchen, but create a relaxing place on the terrace where it will be pleasant to sit with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. If you give preference to transformable furniture, then such a terrace will be easy to adjust for the arrival of a large number of guests.
If the layout of the house does not allow the installation of panoramic windows, you can get by with windows of the usual height, only very wide ones. Yes, without access to the terrace, but with what a view! Even washing dishes with such a view outside the window is a little more pleasant.
By the way, with the help of a window sill and a work surface you can organize a kind of bar counter. This technique is used very often in street cafes. Why not repeat it at home? Comfortable and very cute.
If you are ready to support the cafe theme, then you can go further. For example, decorate the walls with appropriate posters (by the way, they are very popular now), print out a funny family menu, or hang a chalkboard with warm wishes.
This design is not yet common among us. Therefore, you can still have time to become one of the innovators.
Single-field models
These models are installed on terraces quite often.
Opening can be carried out according to the principle of a single-sash window, or using a tilt-and-turn mechanism. For models of this type, there is a restriction on the dimensions of the canvas - no more than 240 x 160 cm. The design is equipped with fittings that provide additional protection against burglary .
The fittings for a single-leaf terrace door include:
- latch equipped with a handle on the outside;
- opening function limiter;
- a lock that allows you to hold the door in an inclined position, eliminating the possibility of slamming;
- adjustable tilt mechanism with angle adjustment in different positions.
A mandatory attribute of any door to the terrace is a locking mechanism that prevents the handle from occupying the wrong position. As a result, opening the front door will not displace the locking pins with the handle. Neither a draft nor any other situation will allow the door to close spontaneously, and the frame will not be damaged by the pin.
Kitchen on the veranda
Do you remember in the past they often built a separate “summer kitchen” in their dachas? So this trend is coming back again. If you are not yet ready for such drastic decisions, consider placing the kitchen in the veranda. To avoid freezing, you can make a warm floor.
And yet, in modern houses, the kitchen outside is only an addition to the main one inside the house. Therefore, usually only things that can be useful for preparing dishes that are usually eaten in nature are placed on it.
As for styles, two are in the lead. Classics - the same stonework, marble, large chandeliers and massive furniture. And the direct opposite is a loft, in which wood, rather than metal, predominates.
Disadvantages of Merging
- Smell. Aromas lingering throughout the house are perhaps the most important problem for those who decide to combine the dining room with the kitchen. It is necessary in advance, even at the stage of planning a kitchen in an ordinary rural private house, to purchase a powerful hood.
- Functionality. It's no secret that a house filled with children resembles a small island of chaos, where any room sooner or later turns into a playroom. Proper zoning of space will help solve this problem. And, of course, personal control over how household members use the original premises.
- Heating and air conditioning system. It can be solved quite easily: you need to install a sufficient number of heating radiators, plus several air conditioners, in order to feel maximum comfort in your own kitchen-dining room.
A high-quality modern hood can easily cope with unpleasant odors in the kitchen
Advice! If you are the happy owner of panoramic windows, then carefully consider the issue of their tightness. This directly affects maintaining the desired temperature in the room.
Types of roofs
This is, perhaps, what the design of the entire terrace is based on. There are many interesting options, but try to focus on convenience. For example, one of the trendy finishing options is slats. Yes, they add lightness to the structure, but do not provide shadows. And on a hot day, this is much more important than visual effects.
An awning may be a solution. It also doesn’t look heavy, but it still provides shade. Although it all depends on the density of the fabric: if it is too thin, then you will only dream of coolness. The advantages of the awning are its low price, ease of installation and minimalist design. Just don’t choose models with patterns; it’s better to add prints to accessories.
A glass roof is a transitional option between a classic veranda and an open terrace. Looks very fresh. But keep in mind that a lot of snow can fall in winter, so the design must be very reliable - you cannot save on this expense item.
Frame building
A frame summer kitchen has many advantages. The structure can be erected with your own hands in a fairly short time. At the same time, large capital investments and special equipment are not required. To complete the work, you just need to follow a simple algorithm. And it’s worth starting with the construction of the foundation.
Foundation
The base directly depends on the characteristic features of the structure. Frame buildings have a relatively light weight, so there is no need to construct a permanent foundation. It will be enough to use a shallowly buried strip foundation for a summer kitchen.
Important! When carrying out work, it is worth taking into account the characteristics of the soil on the site. The process is carried out in the following sequence:
The process is carried out in the following sequence:
- mark the territory and remove the top fertile soil;
- dig a trench 60-80 cm deep around the perimeter;
- arrange a cushion of sand or gravel;
- lay a frame made of reinforcement;
- set the formwork to a height of 25 cm;
- pour concrete.
Of course, it is possible to use another type of base. So, if the frame kitchen is small in size, then it is possible to use a tiled foundation. In this case, we are talking about pouring concrete over the entire area of the building.
Foundation for frame kitchen
Walls
For the construction of a frame structure, treated timber is used. This allows you to protect the wood from negative environmental factors.
Important! To connect frame elements, nails, anchors, dowels and steel angles are used. The frame installation process is carried out in the following sequence:
The frame installation process is carried out in the following sequence:
Laying the bottom trim. According to the project, beams are laid on the foundation, which serve as a bunch of vertical posts. A layer of waterproofing material is first placed on the base. Installation of vertical racks. When attaching the beams, it is necessary to accurately maintain the distance between them. Installation of the top trim. When carrying out work, make sure that all racks are strictly vertical
It is very important. Fastening horizontal crossbars. During the installation process, it is worth considering the location of door and window openings. Strengthening the frame
For this purpose, special cuts are used. With their help, the strength and stability of the structure increases. Thermal insulation of walls and installation of OSB boards.
Finished walls
Raising the roof
Roof fastening is carried out in various ways. The best option would be to use nails.
The process of constructing a rafter system is carried out as follows:
- The rafters are connected to the floor of the foot. It is recommended to use a chain saw for cutting. After this, the connection is strengthened with nails.
- Fastening the rafters to the mauerlat, which is used as the top frame frame. To connect, use one nail on each side.
- Installation of the crossbar.
- Installation of counter-lattice and sheathing. To fasten boards with your own hands, use nails and screws.
- Roofing. First of all, thermal insulation is installed. A vapor barrier film is laid on top of it. At the final stage, the roofing material is installed.
At this stage, the installation of the roof can be considered complete.
Summer kitchen roof
Cladding works
The summer kitchen is decorated with various materials with your own hands. So, the floor can be covered with linoleum, parquet, laminate or ceramic tiles. As for the ceiling and walls, it all depends on the chosen style. For wall decoration, lining, wallpaper and other materials are used.
Decor with greenery
The simplest, but at the same time effective way to decorate a veranda or terrace is with greenery. You can use plants that climb, such as ivy or grapes. You just need to make a base of slats, and the green tent will appear naturally.
To have a lush garden, you need to care for the plants very carefully. If the green leaves do not completely fill the “roof”, the effect will not be the same. Therefore, this decor option should be chosen only if you really love plants and are ready to tinker with them a lot.
Plants in pots are a little easier to care for. If necessary, they can always be moved to a more suitable location. By the way, one of the advantages of the veranda is that there are never too many plants. Arrange as many as your heart desires. And in this case it is not at all necessary to adhere to any particular interior style.
Successful examples
Beautiful examples will help you decide which style to choose for decorating a combined kitchen and living room. You can choose from a ready-made version or take part of an example and incorporate it into your idea.
The loft style has always been considered an interesting solution that can be easily implemented in the premises of a private home. This style will look very beautiful if the areas in the kitchen-dining-living room do not have a full partition. Using a second color you can achieve an incredible effect. In this case, the brick acts as a finishing and decorative material for the room.
Many people choose modern for their kitchen-living room. It will look good in any area, no matter how big or small. You can use glass surfaces, bar stools, and chairs that have unusual shapes.
Classic is an option for a large room, which will be appreciated by families with a large number of household members. It is allowed to use only natural materials, because classics cannot tolerate counterfeiting. Gilding, carved furniture, paintings - all this will be relevant for a classic kitchen-living room.
Lighting
It is lighting that helps turn a pleasant place into a truly magical one. The same rule applies here as with greens - the more, the better. The main thing is that you feel comfortable.
Recently, light curtains, round lamps and garlands of retro light bulbs have become especially popular. Don't be afraid to combine them with each other. The only thing you should pay attention to is that the light in them is the same, preferably warm. And no blinking!
Candles will also look great. Choose tall, closed candlesticks to prevent the wind from constantly blowing out the flame. And don’t forget about safety - candles without stands should not be used.
An ideal option for autumn and cold summer evenings is a potbelly stove. By the way, even unlit it will look like an interesting accessory. Firewood can also be used as decoration. Their natural texture looks better than any artificially created one.
Swings and hammocks
The love for soft rocking movements probably never goes away. That is why swings and hammocks have become a real symbol of relaxation and comfort. If you want to make your veranda just like this, then you should pay attention to modern models.
Swings that resemble mini-sofas are trending. Add more pillows and a fluffy blanket - and there will be a line lining up at the swing. As for more familiar models, cocoons will never go out of fashion. And also take a closer look at single hammocks - designers all over the world are very fond of them.
Dreaming of something more unusual? Pay attention to the swing, shaped like a crib. For a couple more seasons, this accessory will definitely remain in the top. Experimenters will love the completely flat swing-beds. They like to use these in spas, and it seems to be a great association.
And of course, hammocks. To make the hammock look more original, hang it directly in the window or doorway. Or a little higher than is usually done. Cool design and bright emotions – two in one.
Communications
Special attention should be paid to the installation of utility networks. Their number depends on the purpose of using the premises. They provide water supply, gas, electricity and sewerage.
Communications
Connection should begin not at the end, but during the construction process. Some networks are located under the foundation, while others are not. Therefore, you should take this stage into account and plan its sequence during design.
Furniture for verandas and terraces
Since this is an open space, first of all, the furniture should be practical. Or inexpensive, so that if necessary, you won’t mind replacing it. By the way, you can easily build suitable sofas, armchairs and a table yourself if you use ordinary pallets as a basis.
They are not very pleasant to sit on, so you will need pillows. They can be stylized: choose, for example, marine or Moroccan style, eco or boho. It is better to make the covers removable, so it will be much easier to care for the pillows.
By the way, you can attach wheels to the pallets to make the furniture mobile. If you decide to save on furniture, then don’t skimp on decor. Still, simple furniture needs to be decorated with something.
Don't want to bother yourself? Choose time-tested options. What is your first association with garden furniture? Of course, weaving! Now rattan is imitated so skillfully that sofas and chairs do not look like fakes, but look very nice.
It’s not for nothing that luxury hotel owners use wicker furniture. To prevent it from looking boring, combine it with furniture made from other materials or pay attention to unusual shapes.
More and more interesting models from this material are appearing from advanced designers. So don't be afraid to fall into the "old man" style. On the contrary, weaving is a trend. To avoid mistakes, select chairs and tables with strict geometric lines.
But in the kingdom of sofas, the 60s reign. This means you need square shapes, narrow armrests and thin wooden legs. It would be great if they were rounded and slightly angled. Then even your veranda will look like a picture from a fashion magazine.
But let us remind you once again: beauty is beauty, but comfort should come first. After all, if even a place intended for relaxation does not contribute to it, then where to relax? Be softer! (We are talking about choosing furniture).
Another trend is modular furniture, in which a sofa easily turns into two separate armchairs and vice versa. If we talk about shapes, then this is geometry again, this time simple, without frills. If we talk about colors - light natural wood without coating and all natural shades for fabric.
When arranging a veranda and terrace, the main thing is not to follow all the fashion trends, but to be guided by what is convenient for you personally. And then, we are sure, you will spend many wonderful, memorable days there. Inspiration to you!
Installation
The installation of patio doors should be carried out by specialists, but you can install them yourself. So, if you need to mount a sliding PVC system, then its top and bottom are equipped with profiles to which mounting brackets are provided. A solid frame is installed in the opening, attached on all sides using self-tapping screws. Sliding plastic elements are connected to each other with a threaded tie. When installing packages to the full height of the wall, the posts are attached to concrete to strengthen them.
At the final stage of installation, plugs are installed into the hole on the profile, and the distance between the wall and the door is filled with foam. Next, the sliding system guides are attached. When installing panels of a sliding plastic structure, they must be attached to the upper guide, matched and then placed on the lower part of the guide.
During installation, it is important to install the elements horizontally, otherwise the sliding mechanism will be disrupted.
When installing aluminum systems, you need to stock up on specialized tools. The opening must be leveled before installation. The frames are placed in a horizontal position and fixed with anchors. Next, using polyurethane foam, you should ensure the tightness of the space at the junction of the wall and the profile. After assembling the basic structure, the installation of door compartments and fittings begins.
There are two or three rollers at the bottom of the sashes, and their ends are equipped with a brush seal, which prevents dirt from appearing in the room and reduces the level of street sounds. After such preparation, they are mounted into runners, placing them in the upper part of the guide and lowering them onto the lower part. Finally, check the level of the position of the canvases.
