My kitchen and living room are combined. The entire space is 20 x 20.?

Question

How do I separate the two areas? My kitchen/living room is square shaped -- the kitchen is at the top of the box, my living room takes up the right side and bottom of the square and the left side of the box is the entrance into the apartment.

Currently, I have a waist-high bookshelf with plants separating the entrance area from the living room, a butcher block table separating the kitchen from the entrance and a table running along the far right side of the square.

There's too much going on and not enough delineation to make the two areas look separate. Any suggestions how to improve things?

Answer 1

1] a matching bookshelf at top of entrance [ bottom of kitchen ]
2] area rugs in same colors, different patterns; or same pattern, different colors; or same rug in different shapes for living area, dining area, and/or entrance. [ Make patterns out of newspapers before decisions or purchases ].
3] play with re-arranging rest of furniture to break up areas -
sofa with table behind it for LR/K divide or LR/entry divide;
bookcases at both sides of divide fron LR/K. Again, do it on paper first.
4] try to make wall colors, floors all similar, and use small prints, flowers, plaid, stripes, paisley, for upholstery/furniture fabric.
5] use the color you like most from the fabric for all wall paint EXCEPT the top kitchen wall - paint this a second color from print, or a contrasting color you like. [ ex: peach/turquoise, lavender/yellow, leaf green/rose
6] repeat the 'kitchen' color in centerpiece, counter items, or placemats.
7] repeat the LR/E color in small accessories - candles, vases, ornaments, flowerpots
8] a dark color from the print for rugs looks good, or just pick one that harmonizes well.
9] put a valence in the kitchen window, and drawbacks or drapes of same color/print of upholstery in LR
10] or, use neutral color blinds in both areas
11] use similar color and materials for framing all art - oak/walnut, brass/chrome/, or colored enamel.
12] repeat the same metals throughout a small space - stick to all brass, chrome, copper, or iron for metal accesories

Answer 2

Use your furniture to create separate seating areas. This will make the room more intimate. A sofa is a great way to divide the room. You can put a table behind it making it more attractive from the back. Area rugs will compliment each seating area and make it a distinctive area. Good luck.

Answer 3

What about some sort of screen? There are many styles and designs. Or maybe you could even make your own out of some old window shutters! Then you would have the specific height and length that you want. You could also paint it whatever color you choose.

Here's a photo screen divider http://www.abcdistributing.com/home/catalog/cat_item_pg.asp?G=483&P=38&Rec=27&N=35+94&Nao=0&R=13673
Cloth Folding Screen http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/home/homeaccents/contemporaryoccasionalfurniture/PRD~197952/Adesso+Rita+Folding+Screen.jsp

Without being in your apartment it's hard to say...or hard to imagine how things would fit. What about two xtra tall side by side book shelves to seperate?

Or a slim line sofa table might do the trick in the right spot.
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/home/homeaccents/contemporaryoccasionalfurniture/PRD~132185/Mission+Convertible+Sofa+Table++Buffet+Server.jsp

I hope you find what you're looking for!

Answer 4

A chinese screen. and or A large shelfing unit and some hanging plants from above to help raise the level. I would go with a large book case or two and just shape the furniture as if that was a natural wall of bookcases.

Answer 5

Separate your areas with the use of rugs instead of forming imitation walls. Place a rug under your living room pieces and one under your dining furniture.

Answer 6

you won't be able to remedy because of the fact it is not an equation, yet you may simplify. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ technique: long branch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (x³ + 4x² - 3x - 12) / (x² - 3) = ? do not forget approximately to comprise the assumed 0x once you place up the long branch. ................... x + 4 ................. ------------------------ x² + 0x - 3 ) x³ + 4x² - 3x - 12 .................. -x³ + 0x² + 3x .................. -------------------- .......................... 4x² + 0x - 12 ........................ -4x² + 0x + 12 ........................ ------------------- ........................................... + 0 answer: (x³ + 4x² - 3x - 12) / (x² - 3) = x + 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ technique: FACTORING ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ you do not particularly prefer to apply long branch to simplify this polynomial. (x³ + 4x² - 3x - 12) / (x² - 3) = group the numerator. [(x³ + 4x²) + (-3x - 12)] / (x² - 3) = factor. [x²(x + 4) - 3x(x + 4)] / (x² - 3) = [(x² - 3)(x + 4)] / (x² - 3) = The (x² - 3)s cancel. [(a million)(x + 4)] / (a million) = x + 4 answer: (x³ + 4x² - 3x - 12) / (x² - 3) = x + 4 verify utilising long branch ….….… x² + 0x - 3 ------------------------------------- x + 4 ) x³ + 4x² - 3x - 12 ….… -x³ - 4x² ….… --------------- ….…….… + 0x² - 3x ….…...… + 0x² + 0x ….….…. --------------- ….……..…… - 3x - 12 ….……...…… + 3x + 12 ……........…. --------------- ….……..........…..… + 0 (x³ + 4x² - 3x - 12) / (x + 4) = x² - 3 genuine