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Even when planning repairs or finishing, you need to think about what the style of the interior will be like. In accordance with it, it will be necessary to select methods of finishing, materials and also colors.
Current trends of recent years
It is impossible to say that historical styles in the design of premises are now unpopular. But gradually the emphasis is shifting. After a busy work rhythm at home, you want space, simplicity, and convenience. And numerous, albeit chic, decor elements are tiring. They, of course, create an atmosphere of comfort, but very stuffy. Therefore, gradually baroque, rococo and other chic styles give way to minimalism, hi-tech and others – modern, more functional and lighter interiors.
Modern style in the interior
Like most current trends, the modern style of interior design involves a minimum of furniture and accessories. The main task is to create an interior with a feeling of unloaded space, light and unobtrusive. Hence the choice of items: they are functional, the lines are concise. This style is for those who are tired of the variety of complex shapes.
The characteristic colors are neutral tones. These are shades of gray, beige, white and light brown. All wall and floor decoration is just a background for furniture and accessories. This is where finishing comes in. Walls can be plastered or wallpapered, but their surface is smooth, without a pronounced texture. When decorating rooms in a modern style, the walls should not have any pronounced textures and even barely noticeable patterns. It can resemble silk, velor, be just smooth matte. Perfectly smooth surface without flaws.
Laminate is usually laid on the floor and, as a rule, light colors. They also lay parquet, but the boards are laid evenly, without patterns. It is acceptable to use carpet with a short pile. Another option for flooring is self-leveling floors, and again, plain matte, soft colors.
If you leave the interior in this form, it will be too calm and inexpressive. Bring it to life with accessories and decor. There are very few of them, they are chosen carefully, often the decor is functional things: shelves, racks, interestingly shaped furniture. The colors are saturated, the shapes are simple, no patterns or floral, plant motifs. It is interesting in such a background to look like living plants. Their greenery stands out brightly, bringing the necessary color accent.
Ceilings in modern design are no less noticeable part of the interior than, say, walls. They can be with any number of levels, made of plasterboard, plastered or combined with tension. In this style, there is usually a chandelier, but it has an unusual shape, suitable in style – made of glass or with a metallized surface. Plafonds – strict forms without embellishments and curlicues.
Interior furniture in a modern style has the right proportions, smooth or smooth, slightly rounded lines. She is practical and comfortable. Upholstery – plain color with a smooth color. It can be fabric, leather – natural or artificial. In choosing textiles for furniture, you can add a few bright accents, breaking the monotony of the design.
For windows, textiles are also chosen for the most part evenly colored. There may be geometric patterns, alternating matte and shiny threads, but without floral motifs. For a modern interior, classic eyelet curtains are suitable. They create measured, measured folds that fit perfectly into the style. Japanese, Roman ones are also good, roller shutters can be used.
Modern style, by the way, is easily transformed into congenial ones. It serves as a basis for other areas in the same vein. You will get tired of monotony, you will want something more daring … a few paintings on the walls, a number of bright accessories, change the upholstery to black and white like “zebra skins” or just striped. It’s an art deco style.
If you add metal to the interior – lamps with open fittings, equip furniture with shiny inserts, put it on stands such as tripods, vases in the form of tall and narrow flasks, add a city landscape to the wall – you get a techno style.
High tech
This style of interior, which arose towards the end of the 20th century. It reflects the penetration of high technologies into our daily lives. It has strict swift lines, smooth surfaces without patterns, simple shapes. The most characteristic features of the high-tech style are the combination of metal and glass in many interior items and the presence of “production” motives.
For implementation, large spaces are required and there are no partitions. Rather, they are organized by folding, sliding structures that only zone the space without dividing it into separate rooms. Very characteristic glass partitions framed in shiny metal – aluminum or chrome steel. The same motifs in the furniture: shiny pipe legs.
The walls are plain, smoothly painted, without texture and ornaments. So here in the decoration – mostly plaster, if the wallpaper, then absolutely smooth. The color scheme of the background – walls, ceiling and floor – does not differ in variety: white, light gray, beige.
But the furniture can be painted in a bright color. She is the center of the composition. At the same time, the lines of the furniture are simple, the upholstery is plain. But this does not mean that there are no unusual forms. On the contrary, high-tech interior furniture can be of very unusual forms – futuristic, technocratic.
Accessories or not, or they are strict and concise. Lighting is bright and zoned. The chandelier in the center is absent in principle, and the illumination “gets” by a large number of lamps on the walls, ceiling, characteristic table or floor lamps.
The ideal option is a glossy or semi-gloss stretch ceiling. It reflects the glare of light, which brightens up the monotony of the situation. The same reflections play on glass and shiny metal surfaces.
As you can see, in its purest form, the style is rather cold. Not everyone likes it, although it can be softened with a plain shaggy carpet and suitable textiles. But all the same, it turns out more “industrial” environment than home. That is why softer interiors from “domesticated” high-tech appear. They contain its elements, but combined with softer and more varied colors, wooden furniture and the same warm tones in textiles. Some of them are presented in the photo gallery.
Minimalism
The interior style “minimalism” also “comes” from the end of the last century. Its characteristic feature is the absence of any unnecessary details. Only the necessary. The main color of the walls and ceiling is white, accentuated by contrasting black, brown or dark gray. There are other colors, but these are no longer characteristic features, but variations. It is distinguished from the high-tech described above by the use of wood and products from it, although wood is not a mandatory attribute. It just stands out especially clearly against the background of light walls, undoubtedly attracting attention.
Basic rules: large spaces, conditionally zoned by lighting, are slightly marked with partitions. Large windows, a lot of light, but it is not sharp and bright, as in high-tech, but softer and more diffused. To create this effect, matte surfaces are used. They do not reflect light, but scatter it.
Lighting is dominated by zoning. There are usually no chandeliers, there are a large number of lamps of simple shapes. Here, Actually, that’s all. Furniture – simple, plain, lack of ornaments and pretentious elements. Space, plenty of air, unloaded interior. This is minimalism.
ethnic styles
Although ultra-modern styles and trends in interior design are good, they are not for everyone. Too cold and refined. There are always romantic natures for whom such utilitarianism and rationality are unacceptable. They prefer a more comfortable environment. This opportunity is provided by ethnic styles. They are good for their diversity, which allows you to choose a style according to your own taste.
Provence in interior design
The style is named after one of the southern provinces of France and belongs to the “country” direction. Provence is an agricultural region famous for its extensive lavender fields. And interiors in the Provence style – rural, pastoral, simple, with wooden elements – painted or artificially aged.
The main colors are white, possibly with a gray or beige tint. In the design – soft pastel shades, as if faded under the bright sun. Pale blue, slightly lilac, pale pink, light green, yellow. As a color accent – lavender and the color of the southern sultry sky – bright blue, you can find warm blotches of ocher.
If you need Provence style indoors, wallpaper is not for you. The walls are plastered, and the plaster is rough, with a pronounced texture. Wooden walls fit well. Can be bleached, dyed or natural. But the coating without gloss is matte, and better is an aged surface with a clearly visible texture.
A brick wall looks great, just whitewashed or in natural color, without plaster. In general – rural, light and, slightly, cottage style. Great for wooden houses, but in a refined form it is also good in apartments.
Furniture – simple wooden or painted. Tables, chairs, chests of drawers are made of wood. There are forged elements – on the walls there are shelves for flowers, legs for a table. The upholstery of sofas and armchairs is either plain, similar to linen, or with floral motifs. A lot of textiles – pillows, homespun bedspreads or rugs. With all this, we must not forget that this is – at least rural, but France. The objects are simple but not coarse, some even with a touch of elegance.
The ceiling is wooden or plain white. A characteristic feature is the beams under the ceiling. Unfortunately, in Provence-style interiors, ceiling lighting, so beloved by many, is practically not used – it does not fit into the concept. But a forged chandelier is perfect, which can be lowered from the beams on a chain.
Separately, it is worth talking about windows. They, of course, are large from floor to ceiling: the south, the heat, it is necessary to ventilate. Curtains – light, classic models – white curtains and plain or colored light curtains. Colors are soft, pastel.
In general, there is no variegation. On a white or other light background, brown tones of wood and one more, maximum and occasionally – the second color.
Another interesting style for creative people – loft – is described in this article.
If you like simple interiors, but modern trends are too cold, Scandinavian style is your choice. With a general similarity, it is more “homely” and warm. A wider range of colors is used – all natural shades, no “acidic” or exaggerated ones. The walls are white or milky white, cream shades can be used. The remaining colors from the “natural” palette – brown, ocher, green, blue – the colors of the sky or sea waves.
The harsh climate has taught us to love the feeling of warmth that wood gives. It is on the floor, furniture is made of it, walls are sheathed. The most common species are pine and birch. Their wood has a light color, a well-defined texture, which attracts attention against a light background.
The floor is usually board or laminate. There is no excessive splendor, the situation is concise and simple. Ceilings are ordinary, white plastered or wooden, natural or whitewashed. Tension multi-level systems and complex lighting are not typical for Scandinavians. In general, grandeur and pretentiousness are alien to them. Simple, comfortable, high-quality things – yes, but complex decoration – no. All this is reflected in the style of the interior.