Combined Dining and Living Room Setup
Setting up your combined dining and living room correctly will make you feel more comfortable at home. We spend most of our time in this room and it’s where we hang out with friends and family. That’s why it should be set up so that people are comfortable and can interact with one another.
Your setup options will depend on the size and shape of the room. You should also decide if you want the two spaces to be clearly differentiated and separated from one another, or if you’d like them to be more visually joined.
In this article, we’ll show you a series of tips that can be helpful when setting up your dining and living room.
Division of spaces
Even if your dining and living room share the same space, you may prefer to create a divide between them. To do that, we recommend the following elements:
- Sofas: If you put a sofa or armchair with its back to the dining room, it will divide the two spaces. This way, you can divide the spaces without having to install anything. This is a great option for small-sized rooms.
- Screens: However, if you’d rather have a total division of the spaces, and your room is big enough for it, you can opt to install screens. They come in many different materials and sizes so there’s sure to be some that fit your style. We recommend choosing ones that will let the light pass through even if the spaces are divided. Opaque screens tend to leave part of the room in low light.
Dining room location
The dining room should be located in the part of the room that’s closest to the kitchen. Having them closer will make our day-to-day tasks easier. Also, it would be awkward to always have to go through another room to put food on the table or to clear it off.
If the kitchen and dining room are close, it will help with dividing the spaces and will separate the functions of each room.
Beware of big televisions!
The average size of televisions has increased significantly in recent years. It’s like everyone’s goal is to have the largest screen possible, as if the living room were a movie theater.
Far from increasing the quality of the picture, a screen that big can end up being uncomfortable to look at. A good rule to follow is that for every 10 inches of television you have, there should be 50 centimeters between the screen and the sofa. Using this simple tip will help you choose the right size TV for your room.
Coffee tables, more comfortable than practical
Coffee tables often take up a lot of space in the room, limiting space between the sofa and the TV. They can be useful pieces of furniture, but they can also get in the way. We recommend that you don’t choose a really big one unless you have a large room to work with. You want to leave at least 35 centimeters of free space around the table.
When it comes to the dining and living room being joined together, you really don’t need a large coffee table since the dining room table is in the same room. If you have to take up large amounts of space, focus on using the dining room table for that.
Be careful with fireplaces
Everyone knows that fireplaces give any space a unique touch. There’s nothing like the warmth and comfortable feeling they give off. If you’re one of the lucky people that have one in their home, or you can install one, make sure you’re careful about distances.
When the hearth is lit, it can give off sparks and get really hot. So, you should be careful that there’s nothing flammable nearby. Also, be sure to keep the sofa a safe distance away. We tend to get really cozy with the heat so we want to get closer to the fire. In turn, we bring the furniture closer to it which can be dangerous.
A great way to take advantage of the fireplace, while also protecting yourself from any danger, is to install a protector that will keep any sparks from flying out. These protectors are becoming more and more fashionable and can also be used as a decorative piece. Finally, don’t forget that chimneys require continuous maintenance and cleaning.
Use these simple ideas to create your ideal, well-organized, coherent and intelligent-looking dining and living room. They’ll turn your room into a homey and pleasant space. Then, invite some friends and family over and enjoy the company!