Without a hint of guile, we can say that an unusual living room, breathing freshness and enthusiasm, is the dream of many. After all, who wouldn’t want to make an original renovation and change a boring design? However, not everyone believes that such a bold dream can be realized. This seems especially impossible in ordinary apartments, which are not large in size. But this opinion is wrong - even with your own hands you can make your living room bright and interesting, regardless of its size. And in order not to be unfounded, we present to you several worthwhile and at the same time accessible ideas and photos of their successful implementation.
Finish: from mirrors to bricks
The main tool for transforming a living room is decoration, because it is what creates the background of the interior. What kind of cladding should you use to get a non-trivial space?
- . A traditional mirror can surprise few people, but mirror cladding is a rewarding material for creating an unusual interior. Mirror mosaics, panels, panels, tiles - such finishing can be used for decorative design not only of walls, but also of the ceiling, and even individual sections of the floor.
- Coloring. If you want to use paint as a cladding, give preference to non-standard solutions: rhombuses, zigzags, stripes, ellipses, checkered patterns, honeycombs - all this will look much more interesting than the usual completely painted plain canvases.
- Wrong surfaces. The most fashionable trend of recent seasons is interior decoration with an exterior effect. Particularly in trend are untreated wood planks and concrete. Of course, these solutions are only suitable for modern living rooms in the grunge style.
Advice. If this finish seems too rough to you, use decorative gypsum bricks or relief tiles - they are just as original, but they look softer in the interior.
- . Do you think this is a relic of the last century? You are wrong: modern photo wallpaper is a product of innovative developments, which, if used correctly, can divide the space into several zones and adjust its dimensions.
Combination of textures
To get a truly unusual living room, you don’t need to be afraid to play with materials - mix different textures, look for related options and create bold duets, trios and quartets. Leather and metal, fur and silk, wood and cotton, glass and plaster - you are absolutely free to choose components for your combinations.
Of course, when combining textures, you should not forget about one of the main qualities that a living room should correspond to - comfort. Therefore, to make the interior look homely, do not overdo it with plastic, stone and iron. But an excellent solution for the living room is a combination of fluffy and fleecy textiles: pillows, carpets, rugs - these elements will not only increase the comfort of the environment, but will also become an accent, eye-catching detail of the interior.
Advice. If you are afraid that you will not be able to achieve a harmonious combination, use materials of different textures, but similar colors - this way they will not conflict with each other.
Additional lighting
A few years ago, it was generally accepted that the main and only source of light in the living room was the central ceiling chandelier. In our time, such a monopoly is not acceptable, so if you set out to get an unusual living room, be sure to use additional lighting. What could it be? There are several options:
- Directional lighting in a niche. If your living room has a niche, turn it into a window imitation with lots of directional lights around the perimeter.
- Floor lighting. Lamps can be built not only into the ceiling and furniture facades, but also into the floor. Especially if podiums are used in the living room. Such local lamps are an excellent tool for decorative lighting and space zoning.
- Lighting accents. In order to simultaneously increase the level of lighting in the living room and highlight certain interior elements, use light accents: lighting, photographs, mirrors, vases, etc.
Relaxation corner
In ordinary living rooms there is rarely a place for secluded relaxation or reading, which means that in an unusual room it simply must be. For example, in the window sill area, so as not to take up a lot of usable space.
In this case, the window sill itself can be used in two ways. The first is the table. If you choose this option, you will need to level the base of the window sill and resurface it to create an aesthetically pleasing countertop. And for sitting you can use a banquette, an armchair or an ottoman. The second hypostasis is an area for sitting and lying. In this case, you will need small pillows and a blanket. Also here you can’t do without. You can limit yourself to a miniature wall-mounted model, because its maximum load will be a couple of books and a tray of tea.
The relaxation corner can be supplemented with an original one - it is suitable for use as a mini-library, shelf, or even for its intended purpose if you install candles in the portal.
Custom decor
The finishing touch to arranging an unusual living room should be the decor. When decorating the interior, try to move away from the usual accessories. Yes, paintings in gilded frames are attractive, but hackneyed. Use decor innovatively. For example, if you want to incorporate paintings, hang them on vertical strips with a small cornice - this will give you an original themed area in the living room. If you don’t like the pictures, set up a photo gallery in the same way.
Another fun way to decorate your living room is to turn shelves into display cases. “Dress up” books with homemade covers, arrange figurines along the rainbow spectrum, combine decorations into small thematic groups - organize your accessories and put them on display. Of course, you shouldn’t show everything at once - it’s better to prepare several groups of decor and change them according to the seasons.
Don't forget about textile accessories. Curtains and tablecloths with deep prints will help revive the interior: abstract silhouettes, geometric patterns, bright floral motifs - textiles should be as rich as possible.
All these ideas prove: a creative living room in an ordinary apartment is real. The main thing is not to be afraid to experiment and use non-standard, and sometimes very bold solutions. So, take some original ideas and start creating a living room with a completely new character.
Living room of unusual shape: video
Unusual living rooms: photos
Modern interior of a small living room with a built-in wardrobeCity standard apartments do not have large areas. And on small square meters you need to organize a convenient, comfortable and at the same time stylish place for family relaxation and meeting friends. At the stage of decorating a living room, there is a serious task - how to make the interior of a city apartment correct and comfortable, which at the same time will correspond to the style and please the eye.
Where does the design of a living room in an apartment begin?
Before you start decorating a living room in a city apartment, you need to evaluate some important points:
- functional purpose of the living room;
- technical parameters: footage, window location, ceiling height;
- zoning of the premises;
- furnishings;
- location of household appliances;
- color spectrum;
- accessories and decor.
It is worth considering each factor separately.
Living room functionality
The hall is a multifunctional room. It has several purposes:
- meeting with guests;
- family holiday;
- holding parties.
You can also create a small office in the living room or use this area as a bedroom. If you know what you want to get from your living room, then design every square meter to its maximum advantage. Furniture for the room should be functional and comfortable.
City living room in beige and blue colors If you have a large family or noisy parties, then consider a spacious seating area and dining room. If relatives stay overnight, then the sofas should be folding, so you will have an extra bed. If you need to work within the walls of the house, then consider a mini-office, and families with small children need a play area in the living room.
Living room interior in an apartment in art deco style City living room options
When thinking about the design of a room, be sure to consider its dimensions. In interior design, pay attention to:
- location and size of windows;
- interior door;
- ceiling height;
- choose the right furniture;
- decorate the room with suitable accessories.
If the living room has high ceilings, then the following designs would look appropriate:
- tension;
- multi-level;
- plasterboard.
Such ceilings will help divide the living room into functional areas.
The living room in the apartment has a small work and soft area If the ceilings are low, then you should not use multi-level structures in the design. They will visually make the room small and low. You should not decorate a low ceiling with stucco or massive chandeliers. A white glossy stretch ceiling would look appropriate here. It will enlarge the room and make it more airy.
Multi-level ceiling in the interior of a city living room Pay careful attention to the design of the walk-through living room. As a result of the redevelopment, you may end up with an uncomfortable room filled with furniture. It is furniture that plays a key role here. Do not choose massive sofas and armchairs. Everything should be compact and preferably light in color.
In the living room you need to use every meter as comfortably as possible If the living room has access to a loggia or balcony, then due to this area you can increase the living room. To do this, remove the partition between them. On additional square meters you can equip a library, bar, office or sleeping place.
In a city apartment, you can use an electric fireplace in the living room design Arrangement of furniture and household appliances
You can divide the space into zones using furniture, flooring, wall decoration or light. A soft area with a sofa and armchairs is decorated with soft lighting, for example, floor lamps or hanging lamps. If possible, make multi-level ceilings and a floor with a podium in the living room.
A monochrome kitchen-living room should have bright accents, for example, a red refrigerator or pillows If you decide that a city living room should have a dining area, then you can highlight it with a carpet or textured wallpaper. By making a decorative partition or installing a bar counter, you can install a mini-bar in the room. You can try to arrange all this in a small living room.
In a narrow city living room, it is better to place furniture around the perimeter Carefully consider the location for your TV or home theater. In most interiors, they are the main accent in the room. The TV must be in front of the TV. Remember that everyone should sit facing him, and not vice versa. When arranging furniture and TV, keep in mind that there must be a certain distance between them.
Living room in an apartment with loft elements If the living room area allows, then install a sofa with armchairs and a coffee table in the middle of the room. If the room is small, then all the furniture should be located around the perimeter of the room. Another main accent in a city apartment can be a fireplace. Near it you can put a table and a couple of chairs. You will get a cozy relaxation area.
The living room in a small one-room apartment is divided into a recreation area and a bedroom Lighting in a city living room
Even the smallest room needs several light sources. There are several types:
- the main lighting is massive chandeliers or spotlights;
- For comfortable TV viewing, use hidden backlighting;
- local lighting - it is located above the table, near the sofa or armchair, or above the cabinet.
Urban living room in Mediterranean style Textiles in the city living room
The appearance of the curtains should suit the overall stylistic design. When choosing textiles, be sure to take into account the natural lighting of the room and the color scheme in the decoration of the room. In a small living room, choose curtains made from a soft, thin material that will match the color of the walls. Window textiles should be complemented by a cornice that will not be conspicuous.
Living room interior made of natural materials with light translucent curtains In a small living room, do not hang massive and heavy curtains on the windows. It is better to give preference to Roman curtains or blinds. If there will be furniture under the window, then it is best to choose curtains with a length up to the window sill.
Windows in the living room can be decorated with lambrequins, silk curtains and light tulle You can fill your city living room with a unique atmosphere using textile decor. To create home comfort, use:
- fabric lampshades;
- furniture covers;
- pillows and much more.
If there is furniture next to the window, then use Roman or roller blinds Color scheme for a living room in a small apartment
One of the important points is the selection of colors. Shades and colors depend on the location of the windows, lighting, the expected effect and personal taste preferences. If you want your living room to be as cozy as possible, then choose a calm pastel palette.
In a city apartment, the living room can be connected to the kitchen using a bar counter Red and gold colors are ideal for a formal interior. Light colors will help expand the space. If you used a monochrome color scheme to decorate your living room, then add bright accents, which can be in the form of pillows, upholstery and textiles.
It is better to make a small living room in light colors Accessories for a living room in an apartment
An important indicator of taste, character and habits is decoration. All accessories and decorative items should be in harmony with the decoration, furniture and style. Even such a simple and meager minimalism style needs accessories. With the help of such items you can give the interior of your living room:
- habitability;
- create contrast;
- place accents;
- make a zonal division.
Design of a living room in an apartment in different styles
In order for the living room to be comfortable, the style must please all family members and be harmoniously combined with the rest of the rooms in the house. If you are afraid that the style you have chosen will quickly go out of style, then choose a direction that is easy to change with the help of some details and accessories.
Modern interior of a living room in an apartment There are a huge number of ideas for decorating a living room in an apartment. The most common of them are styles:
- modern;
- loft;
- eclecticism;
- minimalism;
- high tech;
- country;
- Provence;
- Scandinavian style;
- neoclassical;
- Art Deco;
- noble estate;
- Empire style
Design of a living room in an apartment - photo
Every person wants to live in a cozy and beautiful apartment or house. One of the key aspects to achieve this goal is the correct interior design. Let's consider the main points of renovation that must be observed in order to get a cozy living room.
Basic design rules
"Artazum/Shutterstock.com"A living room is a room that can serve different functions. For some, it is a meeting place for guests, for others, it is a place of relaxation, and for others, the living room can perform several functions at once.
"Artazum/Shutterstock.com" Below are the basic rules to consider when choosing a living room design.
Room size. If the area is small, then it is most rational to use the minimalist style. This will make the room seem light and free.
"JR-stock/Shutterstock.com" Modern designers offer the opportunity to combine the living room with a balcony or kitchen. This will make the space larger, which means the number of design ideas will increase.
For a large room, the choice of style is much more varied. Classicism, baroque, and loft would be appropriate here. It all depends on the taste preferences of the apartment owners.
If the living room includes several functions, then it is best zone the space with the help of well-chosen lighting, furniture or wallpaper.
Any living room should have an accent. This could be a fireplace, a soft corner or a French window.
« pics721/Shutterstock.com» A color scheme. Which color is best to choose is up to everyone to decide for themselves. The main rule to remember is This is to observe the compatibility of colors. Then the living room in any style will look attractive.
Color compatibility table
Living room in a private house
No matter the size of the house, the living room is always present there. After all, this is exactly the place where you can meet friends, gather in the evening for family conversations, or simply relax reading a book in front of the fireplace. Therefore, it is very important to choose the most optimal design option to suit the character of the owner of the house.
Most often, the following styles are chosen for the living room in private homes:
- Classic;
- Modern;
- Country;
- Minimalism.
Let's look at the main points of each style.
Minimalism is attractive because it mainly includes light shades, as well as a minimal amount of furniture. And the one that is present in the room is very functional.
"Ataly/Shutterstock.com" The use of country style in the living room most often includes the presence of a fireplace, which is trimmed with stone around the edges. Also, the presence of massive wooden beams under the ceiling helps to bring it closer to a rustic setting.
Also, many owners of private houses prefer to make both walls and ceilings wooden. Wooden lining copes well with this. If the living room has a large window that offers an incredibly beautiful view, then it is better to decorate the entire room in neutral colors with a minimum of accessories. So all the emphasis will be on the window.
"Svet_Feo/Shutterstock.com" Art Nouveau style is also appropriate in the living room of a private house. Combines the contrast of light and dark colors. This way the interior becomes more dynamic and not boring.
«fiphoto/Shutterstock.com» Classics are appropriate everywhere. In the living room of the house, it is primarily reflected in symmetry: armchairs and a sofa stand strictly opposite each other, with a table in the center. In this case, colors close to natural wood or white are most often chosen.
Living room interior in Khrushchev
As a rule, the living room in an old Khrushchev building is very small in size. Therefore, don’t give much rein to your imagination. Such a room most often includes not only a meeting place for guests, but also a dining room, an office, and sometimes even equipped as a sleeping place.
If you choose the right design, then it’s all easy to fit even in a small area. Designers advise the owners of such an apartment to use only light colors in the living room, which must be combined with each other.
Avoid using bright color accents. This technique will only visually reduce the area of an already small room. You should also remember that the color should be combined in everything: walls, floors, furniture, textiles.
Don’t think that only white and brown are the most suitable colors for a small living room. White and turquoise, white and light yellow, beige and olive go well together.
You should not cover the walls of the room with wallpaper with stripes or large patterns. If you really want to, then use this wallpaper to highlight one zone.
You can put either linoleum or laminate on the floor. But there is no need to put large carpets on the floor. Ideal option: a small rug near the sofa.
Furniture should be minimal if you don’t want to weigh down the entire interior of the living room. A sofa, a small table and small furniture sets along the wall - that’s all.
As for window decoration, you should abandon roller blinds and curtains. It is better to give preference to tulle and straight plain curtains.
Living room + kitchen
Recently, it has become fashionable to combine the living room and kitchen into one space. This has its advantages. Firstly, this creates a large dining room where you can sit at the table with a large group. Secondly, if the kitchen is small, then this is a great option to expand it. Thirdly, there is a good opportunity not to interrupt the conversation with guests or household members while preparing food.
"ppa/Shutterstock.com" It is worth noting the disadvantages that such a combination does have: the presence of food smells in both the kitchen and the living room during cooking, good audibility; if the redevelopment is incorrect, the purpose of each room may be lost.
But getting rid of these shortcomings is not so difficult. Just install a powerful hood and provide good ventilation, and to get rid of annoying noise while cooking, choose silent appliances.
« hxdbzxy/Shutterstock.com» It is also necessary to properly zone the room. For the kitchen floor, you can choose tiles that are easy to clean, and for the living room, give preference to laminate or carpet.
"Mauro Carli/Shutterstock.com" It is also best to use decorative tiles for the walls in the kitchen, and wallpaper or paint for the living room.
«AndjeiV/Shutterstock.com» Different colors will also help to separate one room from another. But here we must remember that the color scheme should be as close to each other as possible. Furniture is also suitable for zoning. Where there should be a wall, you can put a dining table or a soft sofa, or a bar counter.
« Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock.com» Some designers propose highlighting the kitchen in a very unusual way, namely a podium. It turns out very creative and original.
Fireplace in the living room
If the living room has a large area, then a fireplace would look appropriate in it. It will bring a homely atmosphere and comfort.
"Breadmaker/Shutterstock.com" For those who find this idea tempting, it is worth remembering that fireplaces come in the following types:
Electrical– an ideal solution for an apartment. They are safe, easy to maintain, do not pollute the room, and emit a small amount of heat.
Wood burning fireplaces. Most often they are installed in the large living room of a private house. It has such advantages as a pleasant sound from the crackling of firewood, warmth and soft light. But it is necessary to equip a place for firewood in such a living room.
Gas. Similar to wood-burning fireplaces, only the source of “energy” is gas, and not the wood itself.
Most often, large interior items such as vases or mirrors are placed above the fireplace. To create an even more homely atmosphere, you can place frames with photographs of your family.
Living room with bay window
A bay window is a protruding part of a building, which from the inside of the house is a living area. Most often, a bay window is present in the living room. This increases not only the area of the room itself, but also the flow of daylight.
"Shawn Zhang/Shutterstock.com" Since most often the bay window is a window opening, special attention should be paid to its design. A special cornice is selected for it, which follows the contour of the bay window. You can hang regular straight curtains, as well as roller or Roman curtains.
Some people prefer to separate the bay window and turn it into a cozy place for reading or relaxing. You can put two small armchairs and a table for tea drinking. Or along the entire curve of the same shape there is a light-colored sofa. It will turn out to be a very cozy corner.
Those who love flowers can dedicate this area to a home garden. Beautiful, stylish and safe.
You can also equip a small dining room or office in this place. It all depends on the personal preferences of the owners.
Living room design with two windows
Most often, there is only one window opening in the living room. But if the room is large, then you can install two windows. They are located on the same wall next to each other or on opposite ones, but symmetrically relative to each other.
Two windows in the living room bring in much more daylight. This opportunity allows you to decorate the interior of the room in dark colors, without fear of plunging the living room into darkness.
You can take a Western interior idea and place a fireplace between the windows, provided that they are on the same wall, or place an armchair next to each one. The free wall between the window openings can be decorated with a mirror or a painting. The curtains must be exactly the same.
Styles
As mentioned above, classic, high-tech or other modern style is best suited for the living room. The main thing is that the style reflects the spiritual essence of the owner. Then such a living room will be truly cozy.
Classic
The colors of the walls, ceiling, furniture and everything else should blend smoothly into each other. The classic style does not welcome bright acidic shades. To add elegance and luxury, it is recommended to use natural materials.
« KUPRYNENKO ANDRII/Shutterstock.com» Classics love elegant objects: a beautiful carved handle or inserts in upholstered furniture. It will not do without paintings and mirrors. A carpet must be laid on the floor. It can be plain with a large pile or woolen with a beautiful ornament.
« Svet_Feo/Shutterstock.com» The classic style involves the presence of a large amount of textiles: thick curtains, armchairs and sofas, soft decorative pillows. To definitely give your living room a classic style, you can simply install a fireplace in it.
« Svet_Feo/Shutterstock.com» It is best to lay laminate or parquet on the floor. You should not lay laminate flooring. It is inappropriate in the classics. The walls are decorated with wallpaper. You can paste over some of them with a large pattern. Wallpaper joints can be decorated with beautiful moldings.
High tech
This style is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. There are clear rules that create this style:
1. Availability of only modern technology.
2. No stucco molding, wooden floors, patterned wallpaper or other bright accessories.
« KUPRYNENKO ANDRII/Shutterstock.com» The ceiling is most often made suspended. The walls must be perfectly smooth. Most often they are painted in a light shade. It is best to lay laminate or tile on the floor. But blinds are ideal for windows. High-tech style loves glass. Therefore, glass shelves or partitions will look very stylish. There should be a minimum of accessories.
Modern style
Includes: a calm overall color scheme with bright elements, a minimum of furniture, a sofa is the basis of everything. Modern style implies the presence of free space without various partitions. Lots of light. For this, various lighting devices are used. The floor can be illuminated. No need to hang a crystal chandelier. It’s better to choose something of an original shape and color.
"ESB Professional/Shutterstock.com" Color selection
As a rule, everyone decides for themselves which color they like best. But still, the main colors for the living room are white, beige, gray and black.
White color Ideal for a living room in any style. This color visually expands the space and also makes it airy. In order not to turn the living room into a hospital ward, it is recommended to dilute this color with either bright shades or simply another calm color. White color harmonizes with any other color. Designers also call it basic. White color will highlight designer furniture and other expensive accessories.
"Filip Miletic/Shutterstock.com" Beige color and its shades occupy a leading place in the design of the living room. Since the living room is most often used as a place to relax after a hard day at work, brown shades will promote relaxation. Beige goes well with other colors, and it is also practical and visually enlarges the room.
"Paul Maguire/Shutterstock.com" Grey colour is gaining more and more popularity when decorating a living room. It, like white, serves as a base for highlighting bright accents (for example, a yellow sofa or multi-colored bright vases). As a rule, gray is preferred by people whose lives are at a fast pace.
"Artazum/Shutterstock.com" No need to be afraid black color in design. It looks luxurious and noble. The main thing is to combine it correctly with other colors. Of course, the most popular duo is black and white (dark walls, light ceiling). Also suitable for the living room is a combination of black with gold or gray colors.
"Jodie Johnson/Shutterstock.com" Furniture
Each style implies the presence of a certain amount of furniture in the living room. But they all have a sofa. It can be large or small, bright or in bed colors. The sofa serves an important purpose. It is in the living room that household members gather for conversations or get-togethers with guests. Therefore, a comfortable sofa is an excellent way to relax.
Most often, you can find a table in the living room. As a rule, it is small. Acts as a stand for tea and coffee or is intended for newspapers and magazines.
"Alex Gorins/Shutterstock.com" A wardrobe is not often found in a living room. Only when the living room also serves as a bedroom or office can you find a closet in the room. You can also give preference to a very low but long cabinet located along the wall under the TV.
So, in order to create a cozy and comfortable environment in the living room, you must first decide on the direct purpose of the room. After this, choose the appropriate style and color scheme. If you doubt the correctness of your decision, it is best to contact designers who will offer you several design options.
The hall is the central room in a house or apartment. It is intended for leisure, family gatherings, and receiving guests. It is very important that the design of this room matches the special atmosphere. Today, designers present many interesting and original ideas that can be used when decorating a given room.
Among the huge variety of ideas for decorating the hall, trends and styles are distinguished. Each style is characterized by specific details used in the design.
Today, designers identify several directions.
Loft
The style began to be used in design relatively recently. Its characteristic features are coldness and rough finishing of walls and floors. This could be roughly finished walls, brickwork, or a non-pre-war wall. Floors are most often finished with rough, wide boards or ceramic granite. The coldness of the design is diluted with warm textile accessories.
High tech
A favorite style for people who prefer practicality. The basic rule for using this style in the interior is a minimum of decorative elements and maximum functionality. This style is characterized by restrained colors and straight lines. The decoration contains many glass and metal parts.
Eco style
Characterized by maximum proximity to nature. Combines such trends as country and Provence. Only natural materials are used. There are elements of antiquity.
Art Deco
A style that is replete with luxury and wealth. Suitable for rooms with high ceilings and a huge area. The interior in this style contains light colors, some elements can be trimmed with gold or silver. A room decorated in this style is full of various decorative details such as vases, figurines, antique clocks and candlesticks.
Original living room interior
In order to make your living room original, you only need a flight of imagination and a little knowledge of renovation and decoration. You can look up interesting ideas on the Internet or go to any design store showroom. You can also use the services of professionals. In any case, it is necessary to study this issue more carefully.
Many designers suggest making living rooms original by zoning or combining rooms into one common space.
At the same time, they use unusual materials to decorate walls, floors and ceilings. They use unusual color schemes and combine several styles into one whole image. Doorways made in the form of arches or unusual geometric shapes can also make the living room original. Also, the furniture in the room can be unusual in shape and color.
Non-standard living room shape
The phrase non-standard living room applies to rooms that have a semicircular, circular or other shape. Most often, this form is found in private houses or in apartments with a very large area. In order to make such a room beautiful and different from the others, you can use color techniques for decorating walls and ceilings. Also, built-in multi-colored lighting and original chandeliers will not be amiss.
Original tailoring of curtains will give any room a special atmosphere. In living rooms with a non-standard layout, you can install corner slide walls that perform various functions.
In such rooms it is good to create separate zones that will stand out from each other not only by purpose, but also by stylization. For example, you can separate the seating area from the eating area with a beautiful bar counter or glass partition. The work area is played with light and modern technologies, which are located on laconic computer desks or secretaries. You should also not forget about decorative elements. For people who love art, you can highlight an entire wall painted in light colors. Huge paintings stand out perfectly on light surfaces.
Using a fireplace as an idea
The use of a fireplace in the interior goes back to ancient times. Previously, the fireplace performed a heating function. Today its role is to decorate the room.
There are several main types that are used in interior design:
- Classic, firewood is used for combustion;
- Closed with a cast iron firebox, suitable for enjoying the fire on cold winter evenings;
- Gas, connected to the general gas system;
- Electric, used for decoration only.
Most often, fireplaces can be found in private homes. It is customary to place comfortable armchairs and a coffee table near the fireplaces. Each fireplace is finished taking into account the overall interior of the room. In apartments, taking into account safety precautions, electric fireplaces are installed. They can come in different sizes and designs.
The fireplace as a design element creates a warm and cozy atmosphere in the room.
On top of the fireplace you can install a shelf on which family photographs and exclusive souvenirs and vases will be placed. You can also enhance the beauty of the fireplace with materials for exterior decoration. This can be stucco, special panels with imitation stone or brickwork.
Interesting ceiling ideas for the hall
Ceilings are a very important component of the interior of a room.
According to the finishing method, ceilings are divided into several types:
- Painted;
- Tensioners;
- Hanging.
Each method differs in materials and, accordingly, in appearance. Which one to choose depends on getting the desired result. Experienced designers always take this fact into account when designing an interior.
If you need to visually enlarge the space, use glossy stretch ceilings.
If you need to make an accent, use bright colors. The choice of color depends on the space and the main idea. Ceilings in the same color as the furniture look good. Also, multi-level ceilings expand the space of the room.
Don't forget about lighting. Proper placement of light creates the necessary ambience and makes the living room a room where it is pleasant to spend time not only alone, but also with your friends. The use of colored lamps will help create accents that will create a special atmosphere.
Any style or design of the living room is selected taking into account the personal wishes of the owner.
Interesting ideas for decorating a room (video)
The hall is the room where the most time is spent, for this reason it is necessary to make it as comfortable and cozy as possible. Many of the above styles and techniques can be combined with each other to create your own original design. It is also worth paying attention to small details, which are the direct highlight of the interior. All objects and decorative elements should always be combined with each other, embodying that very original idea.
Unusual living rooms (photo)
Each apartment has its own atmosphere, its own personality and its own style. First of all, this applies to rooms where the whole family often gathers and where guests are received. Since the living room is rightfully considered to be the “heart” of an apartment, therefore the design of this room must be approached with all responsibility. This article will talk about how to decorate a living room in an apartment.
Family leisure or relaxation with friends can be spent in a room of any size, although not all of them have spacious rooms of the correct shape. With the help of thoughtful design, the existing small space can be changed so much that the disadvantages of such a room will turn into advantages.
Choosing a style for decorating a living room
Before starting the decorating process, it is important to determine what kind of look you want your living room to have. Any style can be embodied in its interior, but you need to proceed from the dimensions of the room and its location in the apartment. Our time has special fashion trends, so it’s worth considering how to decorate a living room in a modern way.
In the improvement of a small living room, different variations are possible. If expansion of space is required, then the room must be filled with light shades and use a minimum of furniture. In this case, it is possible to use a high-tech or minimalist style, or, if you wish, you can create a box room with antique furniture and things, heavy curtains and other attributes characteristic of the classic style.
You may also be interested in the design of a small living room, made in the loft style, which creates a bright space that is not overloaded with furniture. The expansion of space is achieved through a minimum of finishing and the use of simple furniture suitable for the given room.
The loft style requires the exclusion of everything unnecessary - furniture and decorative elements. This kind of urbanism will be appreciated by modern young people, for whom space and the absence of restrictions in everything, even in the interior, are above all else.
Retro style is characterized by a combination of the most unpredictable shades: pink and black, green and yellow, red and orange. These color schemes are also used in finishing materials, accessories, and furniture upholstery.
This style is characterized by very good lighting, which can be achieved using lamps with fringes or lampshades, lamps on cords, and floor lamps in the style of the 70s.
To further emphasize the retro style, it would be nice to add antique objects to the interior of the living room - a gramophone, old black and white photographs depicting city landscapes, a rocking chair, a record player.
Art Nouveau design requires a lot of free space, but excludes strict straight lines.
The main color schemes of modernism are light shades in combination with gold, yellow, brown and red. The materials always include glass and wood. Lambrequins and curtain tiebacks will look beautiful on the windows.
The main criteria of the Art Nouveau style are naturalness, simplicity and comfort.
The design of a small room can be made in African or other ethnic style. Minimalism is ideal for a spacious living room that is not overloaded with frills, and therefore such a room will look airy and light. The classic style can be used in the design of a narrow living room, also combined with a kitchen or dining room. The design of a living room in the Japanese style with its inherent asceticism and impersonality is interesting.
In the current interpretation, podiums can be seating areas on the floor, while a coffee table can be used as a low Japanese table, and hieroglyphs can decorate pieces of furniture and accessories.
The use of purely traditional things will allow you to feel the atmosphere of the Japanese mood.
In private households and in apartments with large living rooms, eco style has found wide use, combining indoor space and nature.
The layout of most modern apartments often does not allow creating such an interior, but cottages with spacious rooms and a large number of windows are a suitable option for embodying eco style.
The living rooms in such houses are located on the ground floor, and through glass sliding doors you can directly access the garden, which creates many ideas for eco-design. The work uses exclusively natural, environmentally friendly materials - stone, wood, cork, rattan, wicker, natural fabrics, which helps to feel the natural atmosphere. You can decorate a large living room in the spirit of classics with all the luxury and pomp characteristic of this style.
Classicism is distinguished by the presence of stucco molding, columns, mirrors framed by wood and carvings, forged furniture, heavy expensive curtains and, of course, a fireplace.
The only thing that is unacceptable for the classic style is cheap fakes. A living room in a classic style will be a suitable room for collectors. In such a room you can place paintings, sculptures, old toys and other rare and antique items. They can be hung, placed on special podiums or in wall niches. Thus, you can create your own private gallery in the apartment.
If the room will be used for outdoor activities, parties and other entertainment, it can be decorated in a minimalist style.
As you can see, there are many ideas for living room design. The main goal is not the embodiment of bold, but by no means suitable fantasies, but the comfort and convenience of home owners. When a style is finally chosen, questions arise related to the layout of the space, the choice of finishing materials, the purchase and arrangement of furniture, the use of decorative elements and accessories.
Living room layout
In order to rationally and functionally use the available space, a thoughtful layout is necessary. If there is a need to combine the living room with the kitchen and dining room, you should determine the possible location of the dining table and take into account that the so-called “wet” zone is not transferred from its original position. Then, through finishing, you need to visually separate the soft area from the dining area. It is better to divide the room space across, rather than lengthwise, in order to highlight two or three square zones, rather than one narrow “pencil case”.
If you plan to place a workplace in the living room, if possible, it should be located closer to the window, or it should be equipped with high-quality lighting. For a children's play area, the floor in this space is insulated and this area is filled with sports equipment and educational toys. To hold karaoke in the living room, you can choose a place and equip a podium. There are plenty of living room layout options, but the main rule is that the center of the space is the dining and living areas.
Living room decoration
Now that the planning issues have been resolved, you can choose finishing materials. Moreover, finishing options must be combined with the chosen style and with the design of functional areas. The floor in the living room can be made of durable, beautiful and at the same time presentable materials: parquet or laminate. For eco style, cork is suitable as a floor covering, and carpet is suitable for a play area.
Luxurious self-leveling floors are very popular these days. They look especially good in the living room.
To delimit the space into zones, a podium is erected or different colors are used to decorate the floor. The walls can be covered with wallpaper, decorated with decorative plaster or painted, and for the loft style, imitation brickwork is relevant. It will look very beautiful if you highlight one of the zones with original photo wallpaper or textiles. Light shades of wall materials are used - this will make the room visually larger. If the living room is small, then one of the walls can be decorated with mirrors. In this case, the space visually increases. And finishing the walls to a glossy surface will create an airy atmosphere.
To give your living room a cozy, warm atmosphere, you need to decorate the walls effectively. Moreover, this needs to be done in such a way that you don’t just fill the emptiness of the wall with just something, but choose decorative items according to the style and color of the room.
For the design of small standard living rooms, the urban style is most acceptable, including comfortable modern furniture without any bends or curls. The walls are usually decorated in light colors; straight curtains without drapery are ideal for them. And thanks to decorative textiles, the room will come to life and become brighter.
The walls in such an interior are decorated with narrow shelves with large photographs, large posters and, of course, modern paintings in flat thin frames. You can use mirrors to decorate the walls - this will visually enlarge the small space of the room.
It is advisable to select decorative decorations for compositions on the wall in accordance with the chosen style and color scheme.
In the interior of the Provence style - a variety of country - pastel wallpaper and bright colors of chintz will find their application. Against their background, furniture in light, faded shades will look very aesthetically pleasing.
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A bright accent on the wall will be decorative plates or wall compositions of dried flowers, both with and without frames.
To give the living room in the Provence style a fresh touch, one of the walls is highlighted with wallpaper of a different color or draped with light textiles.
Furniture selection
Usually the room has a large and comfortable sofa or sofa area. If space allows, then use two sofas of the same texture, but different colors, and a pair of armchairs of the same color. Thus, a soft area can be created in the living room. On the wall opposite the sofa area there is a large TV. In order not to clutter the room with massive pieces of furniture, it is better to use a TV stand, where you can also place books and decorative items. The center of the sofa area will rightfully be occupied by a coffee table intended for tea drinking and board games.
The work area can be separated using open shelves with books. This is a functional solution, as it creates the effect of a kind of library with a desk and an upholstered chair. It is advisable to place a fireplace next to the sofa area. If for some reason it is impossible to build a real fireplace, then an alternative may be to install a decorative or electric fireplace.
In a small living room, in order to save space, you can install transformable furniture: cabinets, shelves, armchairs, sofas, tables.
Decor in the living room interior
There should be moderation in everything - this unshakable principle is also true for decorative elements. A spacious living room can have a large number of decorative items, but they all must be combined with one of the selected styles. This applies to accessories, figurines, sculptures, paintings, wall photographs.
As decoration in such a room there are unusually shaped lamps. For good lighting of a large room, one chandelier may not be enough, so install sconces, floor lamps, and lamps built into cabinets or niches. When creating the interior of a living room, it is important to remember that the main purpose of this room is comfortable rest for the whole family. Therefore, using various ideas, you can equip a cozy corner for family communication or an entertainment area for relaxing with friends.
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Living room interior through the eyes of a designer:
Expert advice will help you properly decorate your living room:
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