5 easy tips on decorating a combined living and dining room

1. Use accent partitions to visually separate the two spaces
A combined living and dining room design can be tricky to navigate. The idea is to carve out space for both a dining and living area without making the room look cluttered or packed. Our first tip is to create an accent partition between these two spaces that allows each area to have its own identity while keeping the visual continuity so that the room does not appear closed-in.
 

A half, glass partition decorated with potted plants, as seen here, is a great way to retain the flow and light while still visually demarcating the dining from the living areas. You could consider vertical wood slats with gaps between them, a metal or wood jaali panel, decorative glass panels, a sleek open-shelving system or even a vertical garden system as a partition.

2. Create a parallel setting with a walkway between the two zones
Another way to separate these two areas within the same room is to create a walkway between the dining zone and the living zone. With the first tip, you are adding elements to create a partition; here you are strategically taking away elements to demarcate each zone. 
 

This is especially useful in a rectangular layout, as seen in this image, where the parallel setting sees the dining area located at one end and the living area at the opposite end. By leaving substantial space between the living area furniture and the dining table, design a circulation path or walkway that also visually separates the two zones.

3. Use contrasting yet complementary décor styles and/or colours to decorate each zone
Our next tip involves using various elements including different décor styles and colour to work out various sections within this one space. For instance, you could choose the same décor style for the entire room – say minimal or mid-century modern – and then differentiate each zone with complementary colours. You could also use two balancing décor styles or even furniture materials in each area.

In this picture, though the dining and living areas are housed in the same, almost-rectangular room, each has an identity of its own. The walls have been kept grey and white in the entire room which allows for a smooth transition between the two zones. However, the furniture uses complementary colours and patterns to visually define the seating area from the eating area.

4. Visually divide the room using existing furniture
In some cases, like an awkward layout or a compact room, adding more elements, like a divider, to create two distinct spaces might not be the best option. In such situations, it helps to draw a visual line with a large piece of furniture that is already a part of the setting.
 

The easiest option here is to use your sofa layout to visually separate the room without adding anymore furniture to the room. Place it in such a way where it cuts the room, cocooning the seating area to one section. Make sure to keep enough space for ease of circulation around the furniture.

5. Use flooring or floor coverings to create different zones within the room
Your flooring can be a very effective décor tool. Use it to visually separate the two zones. While renovating, plan your living and dining room design to incorporate complementary flooring materials, one for the dining area and one for the living area, that beautifully merge to create the walkway.
 

Of course, if a major renovation is not possible, a similar effect can be achieved by using floor coverings. Multiple area rugs are a wonderful way to anchor each zone and visually compartmentalise the dining and living areas.
 

In this picture, though the dining and living areas are housed in the same, almost-rectangular room, each has an identity of its own. The walls have been kept grey and white in the entire room which allows for a smooth transition between the two zones. However, the furniture uses complementary colours and patterns to visually define the seating area from the eating area.