If there is only one common room, the question arises of how to organize all the zones necessary for comfortable living in a limited space.
It is necessary to decide where to receive guests, where to work, where to relax and how to make these zones as non-intersecting as possible.
Combining a living room and a bedroom in one room is an interesting task that requires careful design consideration.
The living room is meant for active pastime, while the sleeping area should provide the opportunity to rest in a relaxing environment. It seems that these tasks are mutually exclusive.
However, having thought through the layout of the apartment and made some adjustments at the renovation stage, you can successfully place both a bedroom and a “reception hall” in one room.
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Zoning methods: easy and not so easy
When it is possible to make minor changes to a room without affecting the supporting structures, a good solution for separating different zones would be to build a partition in the middle of the room, perpendicular to its long side, with two passages on the sides.
Bedside tables can be successfully replaced by light tables, open cubes with one shelf inside, even fabric shelves on brackets. The main thing is to be able to put a book, phone or glasses.
Bedside and sofa lighting groups are mounted inside the wall itself. With this bedroom-living room solution, depending on where the window opening is, you can admire the sunset or sunrise, lying in bed or comfortably settling down with a cup of cocoa on the sofa.
The second way to divide a common space into two zones, which also involves the construction of lightweight wall structures, is to extend short partitions perpendicular to the long sides of the room.
You can also install ceiling mounts for Japanese curtains made of several panels moving in one plane, creating a private space.
The third method involves visually dividing the space by painting the living room and bedroom in contrasting colors and using different textured materials for wall decoration.
The living room can be an “explosion” of color if it matches the owner’s mood. The optical effect of different spaces should be supported by narrow ceiling-high shelves, photographs or posters, or objects that emphasize the character and interests of the apartment’s inhabitants.
Even ordinary spinning rods or an intricate interweaving of steel pipes will look like an art object, a modern installation.
If the sofa takes the place of the bed
When creating a space in one room that is both a living room and a bedroom, it is necessary to think through the choice of large objects that will emphasize the functional purpose of one or the other zone with their appearance.
What are the possible options?
- Freestanding sofa and bed.
This option is suitable provided that you do not have to place furniture close together and you can walk from one end of the room to the other. - A full-size bed and a sofa bed, which can be used to accommodate late guests if necessary.
It is better to pay attention to light multifunctional furniture that will not take up much space, but will allow you to use the available space to the maximum. - Full size sofa and pull-out bed.
It is important to remember that this is one room and it should look harmonious. - A fold-out sofa that emphasizes the living room function during the day.
The most logical location for a sofa in the living room area is considered to be a place by the window.
Pros and cons: what to choose
- Lifting bed – a great opportunity to get a full-fledged sleeping place, which, with the onset of the morning, rises into the closet, i.e. becomes invisible.
This allows for significant space savings, and thanks to the lifting mechanism, the structure can be easily stored in a niche. When closed, this device becomes a three-dimensional panel where you can easily attach a magnetic marker or chalkboard. This is where you can hang the necessary materials when thinking about a new project, place an exhibition of drawings or something more large-scale.
The simplest and most effective option is a mirror. A convenient mechanism will help make the lifting bed invisible during the day, and the room space will be designed for work and active recreation.
In the evening, the closet is transformed into a sleeping area, and the room becomes a bedroom; in the morning, you return the structure to its place (with a slight movement) and the room again turns into a living room, ready to receive guests. - Sofa bed - an amazing invention. During the day it is a place for gatherings, and at night for sleeping.
When folded, it does not take up much space. A sofa can become a bright center of the room, attracting all the attention to itself if it stands out from the general color scheme with its upholstery or small textile details - accent pillows, a textured blanket.
If you need to use a fold-out sofa, you can find a model that folds out into a comfortable sleeping area. However, this piece of furniture has its drawbacks. Assembling and disassembling a heavy structure every day is a real challenge for any person.
When unfolded, it takes up almost the entire room and interferes with free movement. In addition, a sofa bed is a temporary measure, it cannot be disassembled daily. On some products, manufacturers even put the marking "Not for permanent use".
A sofa cannot provide the necessary level of support for the body of a sleeping person in the same way as an orthopedic mattress. Placing a full-size bed and a separate sofa in visually separated areas is the best option for creating a comfortable home.
A similar solution is possible in a small room, the only condition is its rectangular shape.