At Magico, we believe that the highest level of content isn’t just about trends or furniture—it’s about sharing values. Today, we want to talk about the idea of the “Core Zone.” If this concept resonates with you, then we’ve succeeded in doing more than design talk—we’ve started a value exchange.

What Do We Mean by “Core Zone”?

A Core Zone breaks away from the rigid architectural layout of a home. It is a shared family space, shaped not by walls or rooms, but by the way people actually live together. At first glance, creating such a space may seem like a matter of knocking down walls or opening up doors. In reality, it’s about rethinking how family members interact.

Any interior designer who walks into a client’s home without first asking basic questions—how many people live here, their ages, work schedules, or daily habits—misses the essence of design. For most families, especially those with three or four members, often including grandparents, the truth is simple: outside of sleeping hours, people spend most of their time in one shared area.

That’s why it’s so important to consciously plan for this “Core Zone” at the very start of a renovation. It doesn’t have to be the living room, or the dining room, or even a study. It’s a space worth reshaping your home for—removing walls, combining rooms, or opening doors—to create the most meaningful area where life unfolds together.

Core Zone Idea 1: A Double-Door Link Between Living Room and Bedroom

In some layouts, the bedroom and living room are connected by double doors, allowing the family to always stay together. This won’t suit households that need strong privacy, but when possible, it creates a remarkable sense of comfort and openness.

Contrary to what many imagine, double doors aren’t just for mansions with high ceilings. Even standard-width openings can be designed as double doors, and in homes with average ceiling heights, extending the door frame upwards (sometimes even to the ceiling) makes the space feel taller and more elegant.

Core Zone Idea 2: A Bookshelf Wall in the Living Room

“Where should we put a study?” is one of the most common questions families ask. But do we really all need a separate study?

One friend of ours—her husband is an academic—surprised us by saying they didn’t want a dedicated study. Instead, they preferred a bookshelf wall in the living room. Reading, writing, and even children’s play could happen in the same shared space. They rarely watch television, so the bookshelf wall became the centrepiece.

This is why we often recommend merging the idea of a study with the living room. A living room built around a bookshelf wall and a desk can serve multiple needs while bringing family members together. Removing the traditional “study” altogether often makes the home feel larger and increases the happiness index of daily life.

Core Zone Idea 3: The Island That Connects Living, Dining, and Kitchen

Open-plan kitchens have long been debated, but one undeniable benefit is the ability to merge kitchen, dining, and living into one continuous space. Add an island bench, and suddenly you have a natural gathering point. Cooking, eating, chatting, even helping with homework—all can happen around this central hub.

In Japan, this concept is called LDK (Living, Dining, Kitchen). Among the various Core Zone ideas we’ve seen, this model is one of the most practical and widely embraced.

Core Zone Idea 4: One Big Table for Everything

Some families choose to build their Core Zone around a single large table. Reading, working, using a laptop, crafts, or family meals—all take place around this central piece of furniture.

We’ve seen families thrive with this setup: everything happens together, side by side. At Magico, we’ve spent years crafting solid oak dining tables for exactly this lifestyle. Every batch sells out quickly, proof that both the table itself—and the lifestyle it represents—speak deeply to people.

Independent Thinking Beyond Tradition

This article is about philosophy more than formulas. Examples are useful, but they should never become rigid templates. The real message is this: don’t be bound by conventions. Whether in work or in home design, independent thinking matters.

If your life would feel richer by tearing down a wall or removing a door, do it. If your family needs a space that doesn’t fit the traditional idea of a “living room,” create it. The Core Zone is not about architecture—it’s about people. When you design from your family’s habits and ideals, you build a home that is truly your own.

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