Sunken seating areas are all about comfort. Sunken bathtubs explore the same concept while also taking advantage of the increased privacy they offer. And there are numerous other sunken designs based on similar ideas and properties. We’re down with all these options and we’re going to analyze them all in the a series of specific examples.

Sunken seating areas and living rooms.

Such a design is often common in modern and contemporary residences with huge open floor plans. It’s a way of delimitating the living space from the rest of the functions by incorporating different floor levels.

The change in floor level is a defining element in the interior design of a residence. It’s a method of making a certain area stand out without using bold colors or any other visual elements. So even if the décor of the seating area doesn’t differ from that of the dining space for example, the two will still have a lot of individual character.{found on swattmiers}.

A sunken seating area somewhat limits the design and layout options. However, this doesn’t mean there’s no room for creativity or flexibility. In fact, it can all be solved by opting for modular furniture which allows a variety of different configurations to be adapted to a given space.

One way to make the most of such a configuration is to design the sunken seating area with benches. Basically you can envision a single continuous bench that’s built into the structure. You can freely reconfigure the space using pillows and cushions.

Here’s an example of a sunken conversation pit that has a U-shaped bench. It allows multiple guests to sit down, face each other and interact. Comfort is not neglected. The seat and back cushions make this a really cozy space.{found on egueyseta}.

Usually there’s a coffee table at the center of these sunken seating areas but other design options are also available. For example, multiple side tables or stools can be spread around so those gathered there can be more comfortable.{found on Alicia Taylor}.

And while these conversation pits are great for accommodating multiple guests, they’re just as cozy and inviting when you want to spend some time alone, read a book or just enjoy a lovely afternoon as a couple.{found on room11}.

Also, even though sunken living rooms are pretty common in a large open floor plans, they can also be small and part of a more limited area. You just need to adapt the design and the proportions to the space you have.

The design and the layout possibilities are numerous and there are lots of ways to make a sunken living room fit into the décor. For example, this one uses wood accents to coordinate with the ceiling, accent walls and staircase.{found on gabbe}.

Rectangular conversation pits and sunken seating areas are the most common but other shapes can also be explored. Circular designs, for example, can stand out even more and feel even cozier.

At the center of a circular conversation pit can be either a coffee table or a fireplace/ fire pit which can also feature a circular design and thus emphasize the cohesiveness of the décor.

Sunken kitchens and dining areas.

The same way a sunken seating area stands out without actually featuring any eye-catching design and décor elements, a sunken kitchen can be special through the simple fact that it has a different floor level than the rest of the space.

The same design elements that make a sunken living rooms feel cozier and more relaxing than a regular one can also be applied when designing the kitchen. The kitchen area can have a lower floor level than the rest of the open floor plan and, as such, become a distinct area.{found on mamm}.

Both the kitchen and the dining area can form a separate, sunken space. Such a configuration would be a bit more difficult to achieve because of the plumbing and all the other elements but this shouldn’t be a deal breaker.{found on Joe Fletcher}.

Such a design strategy can also be extrapolated to other types of spaces as well. For example, a large office space can feature sunken meeting spaces, conversation nooks or dining areas.{found on Paul Crofts Studio}.

Similarly, this is an example of sunken tables in a modern restaurant. The green wall and the wood panels surrounding the space almost make you feel like you’re outdoors.{found on esrawe}.

Sunken tubs.

The reason sunken tubs are so great and interesting is because they bring us closer to the ground and thus make us feel safer and more comfortable, which is important in this case because tubs are meant to be relaxing.

It’s usually freestanding sunken tubs with artistic and eye-catching shapes and designs that impress us the most. They’re a wonderful accent feature for any luxury bathroom but they require the space to be custom designed.{found on antoniolupi}.

Despite the popular opinion that only spacious bathrooms can accommodate features such as a sunken tub, it’s also possible to enjoy this type of tub in a small bathroom as well. For example, it can occupy half of a narrow bathroom space.{found on elii}.

Sunken beds.

You can opt for a sunken bed in order to make your bedroom more inviting and comfortable. And the design possibilities are variate. For example, there can be a difference in floor levels in the room and the actual bed can fit inside a carved out nook or the bed can be designed in such a way that it create this impression.

Technically, this is a platform bed. The mattress fits inside the bed frame, giving out the impression that this is a sunken sleeping area when there’s no variation in floor levels.{found on ruhlwalker}.

Sunken outdoor entertainment areas and landscapes.

In addition to offering the increased comfort and the cozy and casual ambiance that sunken living rooms do, sunken outdoor entertainment spaces also offer increased privacy, sheltering the users from curious eyes as well as protection from the wind.

A lovely thing about these sunken outdoor seating areas is that they can blend in easily by incorporating in their designs planters, flower beds and other similar features.

Natural materials such as stone are usually used in this case. They offer the area an organic charm and allow it to be simple without lacking character.{found on llamadevelopments}.

An even more suggestive examples would be this stone sitting area built into the ground. It almost looks like nature itself shaped this space. Grass and moss make their way through the stone, taking over the landscape.{found on metrofolia}.

The colors used for an outdoor seating area, where sunken or not, play an important role overall. These shades of white and dark grey combined with the green and brown create a balanced ambiance and a chic and relaxing décor.

When designing a sunken entertainment area outdoors it’s also important to add accent lighting. Strategically placed sconces and spotlights can highlight certain elements and create interesting visual effects at night.{found on charlotterowe}.

Take the opportunity to add an outdoor fireplace to the mix to make the seating area even more relaxing. A U-shaped seating nook seems like a good approach.{found on envisionlandscapestudio}.

A sunken seating area can serve as an extension to the deck or patio. It can be a cozy nook for those who need a bit more privacy or for times when a small group carries out a separate conversation.

For the sake of symmetry, a sunken hot tub can be complemented by a sunken seating area and they can form a duo of comfortable spaces in the backyard or on the patio.{found on luxapatio}.

An even more luxurious possibility is to have an infinity pool with a sunken seating area inside it. The views, of course, would have to be extraordinary to take full advantage of such a design.

But even if there’s no seating area or furniture out here, you can still make the most of a sunken landscape design. You can design your outdoor spaces in steps and incorporating various features such as a koi pond, a fountain or flower beds.

This is perhaps one of the simplest and most impressive landscape designs we’ve come across. Circular recessed areas surround groups of trees. They resemble huge sunken planters and the accent lighting gives them a dramatic allure.{found on wagnerhodgson}.