Properly combining the living room and bedroom will solve many problems of space shortage.

Living room and bedroom are combined not only in one-room apartments and studios. Often, such a need arises in two—or three-room spaces. The rules for the existence of these two zones in one room are the same for all types of apartments. The main thing is knowing and adhering to them when planning a room. Then, it will become not just functional but also convenient for all family members. Giulia Lombardi, from the interior design platform Hackrea, shares some tips for combining a living room and a bedroom.

1. Zone The Space

The living room and bedroom are two spaces with different purposes. The first is public; the second is private. The living room is intended for family members’ joint leisure, friends, and acquaintances. Here, they communicate, watch TV, and drink tea. The purpose of the bedroom is the opposite. This space is closed to outsiders, a resting place for one or two. You cannot do without zoning the room when combining two contradictory surfaces. This is the first and mandatory condition. The room must clearly define where the public area is and where it is private. And this division should be clear to everyone: both hosts and guests.

2. Place For The Bedroom – Further From The Door

The second rule will help distribute zones. Let’s use common sense and everyday experience and ask ourselves: Do we want to turn the bedroom into a walk-through yard? Most likely, no. Then, we place the bed as far as possible from the door, and in the nearby area, we place a sofa and a TV. Upon entering the room, guests immediately find themselves in the desired part and do not need to invade the owners’ personal space. Everything is simple and convenient.

3. Partition Of The Bedroom

The sleeping area must be separated from the living room with a tangible barrier. And we are not talking about building an additional wall and turning one room into two. Not at all. The room ultimately retains its integrity, and the bed is protected. There are many options for such barriers. Starting from textile and panel curtains, various screens, and glass partitions and ending with chests of drawers, shelving, and cabinets. The curtains and screens are mobile and easily change the space of the entire room. Chests of drawers, racks, and cabinets provide additional storage space.

4. Raise The Bedroom

Another way to zone a room is to make a podium and place a bed and related items there. The podium represents a special barrier to uninvited intrusion into a private area. You can make it tall and equip it with storage systems. You can equip a low podium with lighting, which not only decorates the room originally but also creates the effect of a larger area due to the play of light and shadow.

5. Sofa And TV – Away From The Bed

When arranging furniture in such a complexly organized space, one must proceed from the safety of the sleeping place. Therefore, “public” furniture, like the TV, has to be as far as possible from the bed. This will allow you to keep guests at a distance from your personal space. And the TV, if you are in the habit of watching it before bed, can be installed on a swivel bracket.

6. Furniture – Only Compact

The living room bedroom should accommodate many multifunctional pieces of furniture, so preference is given to cabinet-shaped and compact items—no classic sofas, armchairs, or wardrobes with their free volumes. Furniture of modern styles is best suited: minimalism, contemporary, and Scandinavian. Furniture should not look bulky or heavy and should create a feeling of plenty of free space.

7. Use Transformable Furniture

First, this rule applies to tiny rooms with an area of 16-20 sq m (170-220 sq ft). The most common and functional transformable furniture, or “smart furniture” – folding sofas and a table. They are indispensable for quickly converting a bedroom into a living room and vice versa, especially when putting both a couch and a bed in the same room is impossible. The bed can be combined not only with a sofa but also with a wardrobe and stored in a particular niche. But such morning exercises are not suitable for everyone. Let’s not forget folding chairs and armchairs, which save space and allow you to accommodate all your guests comfortably.

8. Use The Space Under The Ceiling

Remember that a room has not only a floor but also walls. These walls can be occupied both in the lower and upper parts, closer to the ceiling. There are two options for developing walls under the roof. The first, the most popular and accessible to everyone: equip shelves and mezzanines there. Of course, only a portion of the room’s perimeter; otherwise, the overhanging structures will create an oppressive atmosphere. Shelves on one or two walls, for example, above a sofa, will be enough. The second option is a mezzanine bedroom, aka a bed under the ceiling. The option is rare and not suitable for everyone. The main criterion for the possibility of a “second floor” is the height of the ceiling. If it is over three meters (10 ft), install a loft bed for adults. It will definitely be “not like everyone else.”

9. Style And Color Are The Same

Yes, the interior style and color scheme are the same throughout the entire room despite its functional zoning. There is no need to make the living room country and the bedroom modern. If you want eclecticism, go ahead, but in both parts of the room. Otherwise, the interior will be chaotic and tasteless. You can play with tonality but within the same color. This is such a strict rule.

10. Different Lighting

However, the lighting in the two zones should be different. The living room is bright; the bedroom is muted. It is better to hang the chandelier not in the center of the room but in the middle of the living room area. And provide it with additional light sources, such as a floor lamp or built-in lamps. In the bedroom, a pair of sconces and a table lamp on a chest of drawers or a shelf separating the “private” from the “public” will be enough.

Conclusions

Combining a living room and bedroom can be a practical solution for optimizing space, whether in a studio apartment or a larger home. By following essential guidelines, you can create a functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing environment. Zoning is crucial, ensuring a clear distinction between public living and private bedroom spaces. Placing the bed away from the door and using partitions, like curtains or screens, can help maintain privacy without compromising the room’s integrity.

Raising the bedroom on a podium or strategically placing the sofa and TV can further enhance this separation. Opt for compact, multifunctional furniture to maximize space, and consider transformable pieces for smaller rooms. Utilize vertical space with shelves or even a loft bed if the ceiling height permits. Maintain a consistent style and color scheme throughout the room to avoid visual chaos, but differentiate the lighting to suit the needs of each zone. With these tips from Giulia Lombardi of Hackrea, you can successfully merge a living room and bedroom, creating a versatile space that meets all your needs.