Unify a kitchen, dining and living room with a common color or element.
Decorating a combined living room, dining room and kitchen area--sometimes called a great room--requires more planning than if the rooms were separated to avoid having decor that clashes in a large, open space. Each area should be defined by its own color scheme or theme, yet flow into each other harmoniously. Decorate the entire space with the same style and weave a common detail through each room to unify the space while allowing each space to take on its own characteristics.
Instructions
1. Paint the walls with a warm, rich color to make the space feel cozier. Each room can have its own color or an accent wall in a different color with the common walls painted in the same shade. For example, use a mocha color on all the main walls with red in the dining room, yellow in the kitchen and aqua in the living room if you want each area to have its own personality. The constant colors should be mocha, chocolate brown and cream with touches of the accent colors in this scenario.
Use wallpaper if you prefer. Separate different colors with molding or other decorative embellishments.
2. Place furniture in smaller groupings that make sense for the area. The dining room would have a table and chairs, while the family room would have a sofa, love seat or chairs arranged in a conversation grouping or for optimum TV viewing if that's what you do in that room. Creating smaller groups with the furniture will visually separate the room into logical zones while allowing the area to flow. Larger pieces of furniture will look better than a lot of smaller pieces, as that will make it look cluttered.
3. Use area rugs to help clearly define your zones. Area rugs with the same patterns can differentiate between spaces and unify the different zones at the same time. Alternatively, use area rugs that have different designs but include the same colors or most of the same colors.
4. Hang curtains that flow with all three rooms. Choosing the same curtains in each room with different valances is one option. Choosing slightly different patterns, fabric or cuts is another.
5. Add lighting that can be dimmed or used to light specific areas within each room rather than having overhead lights that don't allow for intimacy. Bright light makes sense in the kitchen, but can take away from an intimate family dinner in the dining room.
6. Accessorize each room with items that make sense in the room. For example, place plants or cookie jars above your kitchen cabinets that fit in with the style and colors of the room. Use candles, linen napkins or decorative plates in the dining room. Scatter family photos, decorative vases and throw pillows around the living room. Keep all the accessories within the same color family or repeat materials or patterns to unify the space while defining each room's personality and function.
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