Do you remember the historical novels of A. Dumas, where French provinces were often mentioned? Provence is one of them, located in the south of France. Original flavor, consistently beautiful weather, bright hot sun, amazing diversity flora, proximity to the sea and vineyards. The intoxicating aroma of flowering plants. A hard day of work for rural residents, at the end of which the most delicious village food and a well-deserved rest await at home. And working in the lap of nature really whets your appetite!

The name is translated as “province”. When applied to interior style, the name “Provence” means one of the directions rustic style(country). The unique charm of home comfort, the style of provincial housing in the south of France.

Style Characteristics

The archaic nature of centuries-old habits and traditions of the ancient way of life, where innovations and trends of the times come with a noticeable delay. Hence the rustic routine, simplicity, lack of pretentiousness, natural simplicity, closeness to nature, abundance of flowers and herbariums. Colors of nature that fade greatly in the sun. And a peculiar charm, even some romance of past centuries. Provencal style is illuminated by the stamp of time and does not accept any innovations or elements of modernity.

Decor style

The Provence style is also characterized by an abundance of accessories. Forged frames for mirrors and clocks, curtain rods and candlesticks, various wicker chests, baskets. An abundance of small pillows: on sofas, beds, chairs. Numerous bouquets in combination with ceramic or glass pots, fruit vases, figurines. A ceramic figurine of a rooster will always remind you of your homeland provencal style– France, as a symbol of this country.

Massive forged or cast lamps with glass lampshades will harmoniously fit into the interior. Open areas The walls are decorated with Mediterranean landscapes, still lifes, and painted decorative ceramics.

Fabrics – cotton and linen in delicate tones and colors: curtains, floor runners, tablecloths with light patterns or traditionally colored stripes. Textile products must have the appearance of being made by hand. A prerequisite is rustic naivety - flowers on the windowsill. And hanging bundles of fragrant herbs in the kitchen.

A Mediterranean theme in the bathroom will also be useful in the Provencal style. White and blue colors in tiles, bathtubs, curtains and towels. The seagulls painted on the tiles will attract special attention.

Style colors

Provence style implies increased attention to the color scheme - only calming, cozy, light colors, no bright colors. This is where it differs most from regular style country style with a predominance of bright colors. Calm pastel colors, creating the impression of sun-bleached surfaces. The ceiling and walls are not necessarily white. The proposed range of finishing tones for Provencal interior spaces is quite diverse: muted (burnt-out) colors of sunflower petals, sea wave, blue sky, lavender, greenery, lemon, dried clay. The obligatory presence of white, beige, cream, pale orange. And certainly elements of artificial aging.

The same tones are used for finishing furniture, painting dishes, and fabrics.

Interior decoration

Walls and ceiling. No wallpaper. Only natural materials. Colored textured plaster is suitable for finishing walls in the Provence style, and the work was done as if by an amateur or a hack - unevenly, with drips, bald spots, through which in places the exposed masonry of walls and ceilings is visible. It is possible to finish it with wood - cladding boards, usually painted with white paint. The ceiling, most often white, is decorated with contrasting beams dark colors. If the ceiling is not white, the beams, on the contrary, can be whitened.

Our compatriots, when decorating an interior in the Provence style, use the same pastel colors to paint the boards, or leave the color and texture of wood to the finish.

Doors and windows are traditionally white. Artificially aged white doors can be painted. And the large floor-length windows (of course, this is unrealistic in a city apartment, but in your own home, why not) are sectional, separated by sashes.

Curtains can be made of beads or light, airy fabric. Zoning a Provençal room with partitions or floor material; the role of partitions can be played by forged gratings, wooden shelving, and decorative flowerpots with living plants.

For the floor of a room finished in this style, parquet, linoleum, laminate are absolutely not suitable, carpets. Usually this is an untreated (sometimes painted) board. For the kitchen and hallway - untreated wood or floor tiles with beveled corners in terracotta shades.

The kitchen, unlike the rooms, is finished differently: the walls here are made of natural stone, multi-colored mosaics, brick-like tiles or bricks themselves. Collections of rustic dishes and elegant painted ceramics, embroidered linen napkins will complete the creation of a Provençal interior.

IN modern life You can’t do without household appliances. Here it can be built into furniture, hidden behind doors or facades. And the barely noticeable effect of soot on the light ceiling will strengthen the associations with rural life.

Solid rustic (wrought iron, wood or wicker) rough furniture in the Provencal style cannot have glass, nickel or other modern finishes. She looks as if she has been faithfully serving people for several generations. Retains the texture and color of wood, but can be painted in light colors. Artificial aging furniture is achieved through small cracks, chips, and abrasions.

Dressers, chairs with carved legs, wardrobes with mezzanines, large spacious beds. Light wood species are used for furniture: oak, walnut, ash, chestnut, cherry. Forged headboards and bed legs, bent legs of a massive round dining table in the center of the room.

Open cupboards are a unique highlight of the Provençal style. The dishes placed in them are an additional element of the interior. To prevent dishes from collecting dust and getting dirty, cabinets and cupboards can be made with glass doors.

The upholstery of upholstered furniture is fabric of soft, soothing colors, with a colored pattern.

Clocks and paintings decorated in classic style french style. Such things attract the attention of the visitor and correctly place accents in the apartment or room. If it already uses elements recreated in this style, then the clock (or paintings) will complete the image of the interior.

The right approach to . To decorate a bedroom in a French style, you need to use ready-made Provence details: curtains framed with ornaments, a bedspread, paintings and decorative pillows.

Decorative designs instead of wallpaper, indoor plants. You can draw a picture with your own hands on light walls: for example, a tree, butterflies or birds. A retro style lamp and pillows placed on the bed will perfectly complete the room.

Wooden furniture. Use an antique wooden furniture, for example, shabby old chairs, which is the norm in Provence interiors.

Decorating a living room is a responsible matter. If the corridor (hallway), bathroom and kitchen are rather “auxiliary” rooms, then the bedroom or living room are the main ones. After all, it is in them that the most time is spent (not counting the hours of work of each housewife in the kitchen). When planning the design of a bedroom, you want to take into account many points at once, sometimes contradictory. We will try to tell you how to do this in this article. The first chapter will touch on the design features of each room of the house (apartment), the remaining chapters will be devoted specifically to living rooms.

Design of a room depending on its purpose

Living room

This is the case when we can talk about the scope of fantasy. After all, this is usually the largest room in the apartment; you can make many of your desires come true. But, if we talk about a certain standard, then the advice is this: choose a classic style or a modern style. It will not become boring for a long time, and will not irritate you with intrusive elements of bolder styles (just imagine a loft-style living room for a moment - how long will it please you?). You need to start from the meaning of the name of the room - living room. This is the heart of the house; this is where you, for example, take guests.

Bedroom

The first and most important rule is to focus on the gender, character and passions (hobbies) of the owner. It is unlikely that the personal room of a guy-athlete will be similar in design to the bedroom of a woman leading a social lifestyle.

Compliance with the tenant is the main criterion for choosing a room design.

Bathroom

It all depends primarily on the size. If the bathroom is very small, it comes to the fore good location elements needed in it. Make the most of each square centimeter. You may have to refuse to install a washing machine (you can put it in the kitchen) and order (buy) a tall, narrow cabinet. It will not “eat up” square meters of floor, but it will accommodate everything you need.

Children's

It is clear that the tastes of an adult and a child can differ greatly. And what parents think is the most suitable option, their child may not like it at all. Therefore, first, try to find out which room the child himself sees. Discuss general idea and details, sketch out the project.

Corridor (hallway)

The most important guideline is size. It determines what kind of design you can afford to implement in this room. If this is a modest few meters, then first of all you will have to choose from the essentials (wardrobe, key holder, shelf for hats). The general one should be simple and unobtrusive. It is better to abandon colorful wallpaper and open shelves- this will “clutter” the room. It is also worth considering good lighting. Udachnoe lighting solution will help “push apart” the walls or visually raise.

A large corridor (entrance hall) provides more options when planning a design. In addition to the essentials, you can afford additional elements comfort and decor of the room (sofa at the entrance, large floor vase).

Choosing a style

So, the fundamental question is the choice of style for the living room. Let's look at a few of the most common options.

Modern

Undoubtedly, this style, like no other, will look relevant and modern (corresponding to the name). To prevent the appearance of the room from becoming boring, you can use some tricks. For example, to focus on those interior details that are easy to replace if desired (curtains, chandelier, paintings on the walls, various decorative items). By removing something and adding a new “zest”, you can easily give the room a new mood without resorting to global changes.

Classic

The style is suitable for those who love solidity and timeless design options. That’s what’s good about classics – they are always appropriate.

When choosing a classic style for a bedroom or living room, remember - classic does not tolerate cheapness! Everything, from furniture to the most inconspicuous part of the interior, should “breathe” with solidity.

Hi-tech

An excellent option for lovers of minimalism in the interior. Clear lines, strict functionality of objects, a free atmosphere in the room, clear colors - this is what you need to focus on when choosing a high-tech style.

Remember that this style is good for those who really like it. By choosing it for the design of a bedroom or living room as an experiment, you risk quickly getting tired of the unusual look of the room.

Minimalism

A style somewhat similar to the high-tech style. From furniture - only necessary and functional components. The general direction of the design should be observed in the main elements (wallpaper, furniture, curtains), avoiding small interior details.

Design options according to room area

Room 5 sq m

The size of such a room only allows for so much. It is worth refraining from many pieces of furniture and leaving the essentials, according to the purpose of the room. A bed, a small wardrobe - perhaps this will become the decoration of such small room. Otherwise, the bedroom will turn into a “Chinese box” filled with its owner’s things. Guided by the principle of minimalism in the design of such a room, remember that one large (but shallow) closet is better than separate shelves, etc.

Room 8-9 sq m

This size of living room is undoubtedly more convenient. It is possible to place more necessary things. And design options can be “bolder”. In a room of this size, if desired, you can arrange useful pieces of furniture (, bookshelves, bedside tables), and “minor” ones (a small aquarium, a TV on the wall, a soft pouf or a couch).

Room 12-15 sq. m

IN in this case You can choose a certain style and strictly adhere to it. The size of the room will allow you to observe all the subtleties of style and embody the chosen direction in everything, without saving on space.

The nuances of decorating a room for a girl and a boy

It is clear that there is a difference in the design of a boy’s and a girl’s room. It is important not to go to extremes and templates when decorating your personal room. Below are the main criteria that you should adhere to when planning your bedroom design.

The bedroom of a young girl has:

• Light (usually pastel) colors
• Lightness and elegance of furniture
• Abundance of decorative elements

Room young man usually different:

• Some asceticism (minimalism)
• Strict “masculine” colors
• Functionality of furniture

It is clear that each person is individual. And a girl’s room is not something predictably “girly”. Surely, an athlete’s bedroom will be very different from a young woman’s boudoir. Also with the choice of room design for a young man - there are many options. It all depends on the personal preferences and lifestyle of the owner of the room.

How to choose the right wallpaper for a room

It would seem that wallpaper is just the background of the room in essence. And you need to choose them, focusing primarily on color. However, the modern assortment expands the range of criteria that you need to rely on in your choice. First of all, the purpose of the room influences. After all, wallpaper for the kitchen will be significantly different from wallpaper for the nursery or living room! And the process varies depending on the type of wallpaper chosen.

Wallpaper for the bedroom

Whatever the style of the room, it is better to choose wallpaper for the bedroom in neutral tones. After all, the first and most important purpose of the room is relaxation. This is what you should start from when thinking about “clothing” for the walls. When choosing wallpaper in bright, specific colors or with a very expressive pattern, think ahead. Will you get tired of this wallpaper after just a couple of months and want a calmer option? If you want bright accents, let them be photo frames, unusual vases, and other accessories. Replacing them with new ones is easier than changing the wallpaper on the walls. If the bedroom style involves “expensive” decoration, you can choose seamless fabric wallpaper. By the way, they will do an excellent job of providing additional sound insulation.

Wallpaper for the living room

Curtains for the living room and bedroom: features of choice

Usually, when designing a room, it is done almost as an afterthought. Although this interior detail can carry no less stylistic load than, for example, furniture or wallpaper! Curtains - how business card rooms. They can make a room boring and inexpressive, and with the right choice, they can enliven the most laconic room in design.

There are rules for choosing curtains that should always be taken into account so as not to be disappointed with the result.

• Curtains should be combined primarily with the color and texture of the textiles in the room.
• The upholstery of upholstered furniture and curtains must be in harmony!
• The patterns of wallpaper, curtains and textiles in the room should not “interrupt” each other, creating chaos. If the wallpaper pattern is clear and pronounced, it is better to opt for curtains in one color, without a pattern.
• Using the effect of contrast to correct the shortcomings of the room (vertical stripes on curtains are perfect for a room with low ceilings, and transverse stripes will visually expand it). Also, do not forget about the size and shape of the window(s), the size of the room, the height of the ceiling and other features of the room.

When choosing curtains for a living room, it is important not to overdo it! Excessive pretentiousness of curtains, an abundance of details and a complex cut can do a disservice and make all other design elements look inexpressive.

Ceiling design in the room

When deciding on a living room, you need to be guided by many criteria. An important point is determining the amount of financial costs. After all, the ceiling can be either “budget” (simple whitewashing or painting the surface) or more expensive (there are many options here).

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Ceiling finishing options and their features
Ceiling plasterboard	Perhaps this is the most common ceiling design option in our time. After all, it has a lot of undeniable advantages: Ability to create complex original designs. The ceiling can become the main design decision in the design of the room! Additional sound insulation. Saving heat and adjusting the microclimate of the room.
	One of the fastest and easiest ceiling repair options. If you want something special, unique design, then the suspended ceiling can be combined with plasterboard elements. The disadvantages include its price (most often it is much higher than other possible options).
Fabric cloth	A very specific option, used only in individual, thoughtful room design.

An apartment, decorated correctly and tastefully, will always please the eye of both owners and guests. And the overall impression of your home primarily depends on the living room.

The living room is the “heart” of any home and it performs a double function: here all family members can relax, chat with each other, just watch TV, listen to their favorite musical artist, and at the same time this room serves to receive guests. Accordingly, the living room should be as comfortable, illuminated, welcoming and warm as possible. So how can you design a living room to harmoniously combine all these functions in one area? In this article we will try to figure this out.

Basic principles when creating a living room interior

Basically, the living room is a single space that connects all the other rooms of the house. It is connected to the outside world by the hallway, to the sleeping area by the corridor, and to the utility area by the kitchen.

The main task when decorating a living room is to find a certain center around which the entire interior of the room will be designed. A fireplace or TV can serve as this center.

When decorating, it is very important to choose the right flooring, basic shades, lighting and curtains, because they will set the basic design style of the room.

The living room should be absolutely comfortable for everyone, both children and old people.

Living room style

So how to decorate the interior of the living room? This primarily depends on the chosen style - be it classic, exclusive retro or modern.

Classic living room style

Classic style is both comfort and luxury, which indicates the refined taste and status of the owners.

For a room in this style, very important attributes are the color scheme and correct geometric shapes. The living room is distinguished by calm shades in the interior; it is characterized by soft, pastel colors such as light blue, cream, light green, brown and others. Modern classic style welcomes the presence of antique paintings, a large chandelier in the center, mirrors in massive frames, spectacular candlesticks and wall sconces.

How to decorate a living room in a classic style - photos of illustrative examples are presented below.

Retro style in the living room

Retro style allows you to combine the most unpredictable shades: orange with red, green with yellow, pink with black and much more. It all depends on your imagination. These colors can be used both in decoration and in accessories and upholstery.

This style is characterized by enhanced lighting, which is carried out using floor lamps, chandeliers on cords and lamps with lampshades or fringes.

For even more emphasis retro style it will be enough in overall design add antique elements to the room, for example, photographs from the past, a gramophone, a rocking chair or an antique typewriter.

Living room in Art Nouveau style

“How to decorate a living room in Art Nouveau style?” - you ask. Yes, very simple!

The main goal of the designer when decorating a living room in this style is to create the maximum amount of free space and abandon strict straight lines.

The main shades are light in combination with brown, golden, red and yellow. In such a living room there must be wood and glass, and the window is decorated with a lambrequin and curtain tiebacks. Naturalness, simplicity and comfort are the main features of a living room in the Art Nouveau style.

Modern living room style

This style, which is characterized by the slogan “nothing extra,” is the most common in the modern world. It combines functionality, unusual shapes, pastel, bright colors and the use of new, modern materials. Modern style is a mixed style that embodies a bit of modernism, minimalism and hi-tech. This style is suitable for any living room, both small and large, and provides enormous scope for imagination.

Living room color scheme

First, you should think about the color scheme of the living room. There are no special requirements, the main thing is that all the colors used are fully compatible with the overall design of the room.

If you want to create maximum comfort in the room, then it is best to use warm colors, such as orange, yellow, cream or red. If the room is primarily intended for relaxation, then experts advise using cool shades - green, blue or light blue.

It is better not to decorate the ceiling in dark colors, this will reduce the space and create pressure on those present in the room.

When choosing a color, it is worth remembering that each shade can visually affect the space of the room. For example, dark-colored walls and a light ceiling will help increase the height of the room. Too monotonous decoration should be broken up with bright colors to create a positive atmosphere.

Living room furniture and accessories

It is important that the living room is not cluttered with furniture. The main item in the living room is, of course, the sofa. Its design can be very diverse - with or without armrests, with fabric or leather, with padding made from synthetic or natural materials. If the space of the room allows, then it is best to place it somewhere in the center of the room, and not near the wall on the side. The main thing is to respect the overall design of the room. You should lay a warm carpet near the sofa.

A coffee table is usually placed near the sofa, which, as a rule, is no higher than 60 centimeters. Tables with an irregularly shaped table top and bending legs will look very good.

A group of furniture consisting of a sofa and two armchairs can be placed opposite the fireplace. If you have enough space, experiment with the placement of furniture and remember: furniture near the wall line is a completely outdated solution.

Bright, unusual and stylish detail the living room can become an aquarium, with which you will get a lot positive emotions while observing life behind glass. Any interior image can be complemented bright accent in the form of fresh flowers.

Lighting plays a big role in the living room interior. big, beautiful chandelier on the ceiling will create a touch of celebration, and small lamps in certain parts of the living room will create comfort and coziness.

How to decorate the entrance to the living room

As mentioned earlier, the living room is the main room in the house, therefore the front entrance should, if possible, not be narrow, but rather free - in the form of an arch or beautiful double doors. It is important to properly design the entrance to the living room - so that it not only fits in, but also harmoniously emphasizes the entire style of the apartment.

In the images below you can view illustrative examples living room entrance design that will help you design the living room of your dreams.

Ideas for original living room wall decoration

Very often, to create a charming, unique interior in the living room, owners or designers experiment with finishing materials and the way they decorate the walls. Instead of ordinary wallpaper, use the brightest ones design solutions. For example, they produce wall painting, plasterboard structures or old newspapers are used instead of wallpaper. A very good idea for wall decoration is brickwork, with which you can make an unusual accent in the interior or separate small sections of the wall, for example, a fireplace. You can also decorate your walls beautifully with the help of decorative shelves, on which photographs, figurines or flowers can be comfortably placed.

In this small collection of photos of interiors with unusual wall designs, you can clearly see how you can decorate the walls in the living room.

How to decorate a window in the living room

To decorate the windows of a bright living room in a classic style, use curtains of green, blue, gold and other bright shades, since these colors are a symbol of luxury and wealth. Cords, tassels and fringe are used for decoration. A labryquin with a bandeau is suitable for both classic and modern styles. It allows you to design the window so as not to block the direct rays of the sun from entering the room. Regarding the color scheme of curtains for a modern style, black, white or bright colors. Light transparent tulle will add lightness and emphasize the overall style of the room. When choosing curtains, you should always remember the visual impact of the ornament, for example, vertical stripes can make the room taller, and horizontal stripes wider.

How to decorate the ceiling in the living room

The ceiling in the living room should be completely compatible with the entire interior of the room, both with furniture and other accessories.

Of course, the ceiling can be decorated in a standard way - white paint and a large chandelier in the middle, but increasingly, owners prefer small light sources scattered around the entire perimeter. This can divide the room into separate zones and add some romance.

Also very often, modern ceilings are designed in several levels, which are painted in different colors. And each level on the ceiling can be accompanied by a variety of lighting effects.

How to decorate a kitchen living room

Very often in small apartments combine the living room and kitchen, and when combining them, care should be taken to ensure proper zoning. If the area of ​​the room is large enough, then there should be no problems dividing it into zones, but in a small living room it will be a little more difficult.

Using color, you can create a zoning of the living room-kitchen - decorate the dining area in bright colors, and the space around the fireplace or TV in calm, light colors that set the mood for relaxation.

Very often the kitchen is separated from the living room by a special bar counter or podium.

You can also use different floor coverings for zoning. For example, tiles are most often laid in the kitchen, and laminate or carpet in living rooms, and the boundaries of the floor can be not only in a straight line, but also in a curved one. This method can also be combined with different wall and ceiling finishes.

In the photo below you can see how to decorate a living room beautifully and tastefully.

How to decorate a living room with a fireplace

A fireplace can transform a living room beyond recognition, while a live fire brings you closer to nature, emphasizes special warmth and comfort, and charges everyone around with positive energy.

Unfortunately, not all owners have the opportunity to install a real fireplace. However, there is a way out - you can equip the living room with an electric fireplace, which looks no less aesthetically pleasing. Before the symbol family hearth It’s best to put a coffee table and upholstered furniture. Family photos, candles, figurines or clocks are ideal for decorating the fireplace.

For those who are constantly thinking about how to decorate a living room with a fireplace, we offer a small selection of photos of the interior of such a room.

How to decorate a small living room, while creating the most comfortable and cozy interior, many people think. To do this, small design tricks will come to the rescue.

To expand the space of a small living room, light shades are used in decoration, furniture and curtain design, and also use mirror and glass surfaces. To prevent light colors from becoming boring after some time, they should be used together with bright touches. For example, they will look very good on a light background sofa cushions, rugs, vases and other accessories in green, coral, orange, brown and red shades.

In a small living room you should not install various screens and partitions; the room should be zoned exclusively visually. Using a color scheme, you can perfectly divide a room into zones, e.g. different shades wallpaper, multi-level ceiling or flooring texture.

In a small room, it is better to abandon bulky walls; in extreme cases, they can be decorated with mirrors, which will make the living room larger.

Each apartment has its own face, its own atmosphere and its own style. This is most evident in the rooms, which often gather all family members and are shown to guests during their visits. The living room is rightfully considered the “soul” and “heart” of any home, so the design of a living room requires careful consideration.

A room of any size can become a room for family leisure or relaxation with guests, although not everyone is lucky enough to have spacious housing and well-shaped rooms. To do this, you just need to think through the layout of a small space or the design of a narrow living room, trying to hide the disadvantages of such a room and turn them into advantages.

Before you start decorating your living room, you should decide what style you want this room to be in. Almost any interior style can be embodied here, but it is advisable to proceed from the layout of the original room. It could be African or other ethnic style in the room small size, allowing you to decorate a sort of box room, or a minimalist design of a large living room, where the spacious room is not overloaded with details, and therefore looks light and airy, or classic design narrow living room combined with kitchen and dining room.

The design of a modern living room looks quite interesting in Japanese style, the historical traditions of which are considered to be some asceticism and impersonality. In the modern interpretation, in our reality, seating areas on the floor turn into podiums, which also perform the function of zoning space, coffee tables are replaced by low Japanese tables, symbolism in the form of hieroglyphs finds its place on pieces of furniture and accessories. That is, originally Japanese things, which are not very convenient for our realities, are replaced by convenience and comfort with a Japanese mood.

When thinking about the design of a small living room, you should decide whether you want to visually expand the room, filling it with light shades and using a minimum amount of furniture, using, for example, high-tech style or minimalism, or whether you want to decorate a box room, filling it with antique furniture and things , objects of art in carved frames, heavy curtains and other attributes of the classical style.

Also very interesting is the design of a small living room in the loft style, which involves creating a bright space that is not overloaded with furniture. Loft style implies visual extension space due to the minimum amount of decoration and the use of the simplest furniture needed in the room. Extra pieces of furniture and decorative elements are not used for decoration at all. This urban style is highly valued by modern young people who love space and the absence of boundaries in everything, even in creating an interior.

In private homes, the design of a large living room in an eco-style can be used, which provides unity with nature. It is rarely possible to successfully create such an interior in apartments, since the eco-style is characterized by the presence of good natural lighting, which is often absent in apartments with modern layouts. In modern cottages, many rooms have a large number of windows, and the living rooms on the ground floor of the house are often walk-through, where the garden is connected to the house by transparent sliding doors. In eco style, only natural, harmless materials are used - cork, wood, stone, wicker, rattan, natural fabrics, etc., which looks very natural and simple in a good way.

Also, the design of a large living room can be classic with all the pomp and luxury inherent in this style. Stucco molding, columns, traditional fireplace, mirrors in wooden carved frames, gilding, forged elements furniture, heavy curtains - all this distinctive features classicism, which does not accept one thing - cheapness. This design of a large living room will be very useful for collectors, who will be able to place their collection of paintings, sculptures, old toys, etc. in the same room, hanging them on the walls or placing them on special pedestals or niches in the wall. Such private galleries for collectors of traditional art objects are made in the classical style.

Minimalism can also be used in large spaces if you need to create a place for active pastime, parties and other similar entertainment.

In general, you can choose any style for the living room in your apartment. The design of a modern living room provides for some deviations from the traditional principles and canons of a certain style in the interior, because today designers, architects, and homeowners think more about people’s comfort than about realizing the wildest, but often not entirely livable, fantasies. After choosing a style, decorating a living room raises issues of space planning, choice of finishing materials, furniture arrangement, use of accessories and decorative items.

Layout

The layout of any room must address the issue of functionality and rational use of the available space. It is important to clarify what functions the room should perform in order to consider the presence or absence of partitions, the correct arrangement of furniture and the use of finishing materials for visual zoning of the space.

If you plan to combine a living room with a kitchen and a dining room in the room, it is important to determine where the dining table(the “wet” kitchen area cannot be moved from its original place), and where is the soft seating area, in order to then visually delimit these zones using various types of finishing. Moreover, when thinking through the design of a narrow living room combined with a kitchen or dining room, you need to skillfully divide the space crosswise so that instead of one long “pencil case” you get two or three square zones.

To place in the living room workplace, it is important to place it close to the window if possible or carefully consider the lighting for this area. To create a children's play area in the same space, it is important to insulate the floor and think about filling this area with modern educational toys and sports equipment. If you also plan to have a small stage in the room for home concerts, you need to choose a place for a small podium.

There are a lot of options for combining functional areas in the living room space. It’s rare that anyone can afford to place here only a soft seating area for the whole family to gather in front of the TV, or a traditional dining table for lavish family celebrations. It is only important to follow the rule that the center of the space is still these zones (dining and living room), and skillfully hide the remaining zones or combine them with the main ones.

Finishing

When the issue of planning the living room has been resolved, you can begin to select finishing materials. Finishing options depend both on the chosen style of the room and on the design of different functional areas.

For the living room floor, the most representative materials are often used: parquet, parquet boards, cork - for eco style, carpet, especially if there is also a play area for children. IN lately Self-leveling floors, which look great in the living room, are becoming very popular. To zone the space, you can build a podium or use different colors or patterns when decorating the floor.

Wallpaper, plaster, imitation brickwork (for loft style), and paint can be used for walls. You can highlight one of the walls with interesting photo wallpaper or textiles. Most often, light shades are used for walls to visually enlarge the room, but sometimes they use the opposite technique and emphasize the intimacy of the space by choosing dark colors for the walls.

Ceilings in living rooms can also be different, but appropriate general style premises: whitewashing, suspended ceilings, complex designs suspended ceilings. In ethnic and eco styles, decorative elements are often used. ceiling beams. The design of a small living room may include decorating one of the walls with mirrors to visually expand the space. In the same case you can use glossy surfaces, which will create an airy atmosphere in the room.

Furniture

When choosing furniture for the living room, it is worth considering that in any case there should be a sofa or sofa area in the room, and the sofa should be as large and comfortable as possible. If space allows, you can use two sofas of different colors and the same textures (for example, leather) and a couple of armchairs to create a soft zone in the room.

Many people, even those not connected with design, have at least once heard about the Provence style in the interior. But not everyone is able to distinguish it from the classics, choose suitable furniture, and especially decorate the room correctly. Meanwhile, it is filled with incredible romance and the charm of French villages, which can bring life to even the gloomiest apartments. And our tips will help you with this!

Style Features

The style came to us from France, that part of it that is known to people who have at least once traveled beyond the borders of the capital. One has only to look at the endless lavender fields, the refreshing Cote d'Azur, the endless blue sky - and it immediately becomes clear what inspired these light pastel colors, unobtrusive patterns, flowing lines, as well as the love for everything natural in Provencal interiors.

Confusion with the classical style among uninformed people is not accidental - Provence actually has similar features. Don’t think that rural origin makes a destination provincial. The simplicity of Provence gives it a feeling of coziness, and its complexity lies in luxury and sophistication.

Style loves space and freedom, so for small spaces it is better to choose a different solution or fit in only a few elements, simplifying the design. It is desirable that all rooms of an apartment or house be decorated in a single theme, creating a holistic composition.

So, when planning your design, you should rely on a light, pastel palette that includes white. This could be a bouquet of pink, light green, lavender, blue shades, “flavored” with various patterns or textures of natural materials. The latter are an indispensable companion of Provence, which, having originated among the enchanting French nature, does not tolerate artificial options.

The furniture content has classic sophistication and beauty, often painted white. According to style rules, the space should be filled primarily with antique items purchased at auctions, but few can afford such luxury. To avoid unnecessary expenses, the necessary furniture in the Provence style can be purchased at a flea market or ordered from a master, using the effect of artificial aging.

To create a cozy atmosphere in the interior there should be as much as possible more details- that's why large area is an important requirement. Drawings, figures, forged elements, soft fabrics and, of course, plants - perfect combination for Provence. The completion of this composition will be a large abundance of natural light.

Finishes and materials

But before you fill the room with objects, you need to create the right “frame” for them. Provence, although a simple style, puts forward clear rules for each part of the space.

Floor

The flooring for a Provence style interior should be plank, wood, with paint applied on top. Ideally, it will contain small, but safe for movement, irregularities or defects that have arisen from the effects of time.

If the authentic option is not suitable for you for a number of reasons, choose a more budget-friendly laminate that imitates wood. It doesn’t look as impressive, but to distract attention, the floor can be covered with a carpet.

Walls

Interior partitions can also afford to be less than ideal - unevenness, scuffs and bare brickwork are held in high esteem, but only if it looks neat. A layer of light, often white, paint is applied to this coating.

The optimal materials for wall finishing are gypsum, plaster or molding. Wallpaper is also typical for Provence, but only if it is decorated with floral patterns.

Ceiling

The ceiling beams brought to the foreground do not need to be hidden - they will become the highlight of the Provençal interior. But if your home lacks such elements, ideal option What remains is a smooth white coating with decoration in the form of an elegant chandelier.

Furniture in Provence style

Provencal furniture bears the imprint of history, glorifying the beauty of classical antiquity. It is predominantly wooden, less often - wicker furniture, which is often decorated with forging elements. Objects are painted in white or pastel shades, through the paint of which a colorful, worn texture appears. Drawings or upholstery with plant patterns serve as decoration.

The furniture set is not limited to standard items necessary for life. You can’t do without low chests of drawers, sideboards or elegant sideboards here. In general, earthy objects on legs that seem to bend from gravity are characteristic of a Provence-style interior, and are also used not only in the living room, but also in other rooms. Small sofas and stools throughout the house seem to remind us of the importance of relaxation and measured contemplation of the surrounding beauty.

Forged openwork details traditionally decorate a bed, but can also be used for stairs or smaller things - for example, lamps. Only they should not create a feeling of pomp, but, on the contrary, French playfulness.

Textiles and decor

The most interesting part of the design, which will “breathe” life into a Provencal interior, is the decorative details. And although they are limited by standard style rules, the variability of application fascinates even experienced designers.

Firstly, the curtains are light, airy, and do not block the penetration of natural light. Depending on the room and the size of the windows, you can purchase classic, Austrian or cafe curtains. In this matter, the material plays an important role - cotton, linen, definitely something natural.

The fabric can be plain, floral or checkered, but this choice should harmonize the interior. Approximately the same criteria apply to bed linen.

Art lovers can fill the room with their collections of impressionistic or realistic paintings - they will look right here. Elegant gilded frames will stand out brightly in pastel Provence.

Classic fragile chandeliers and candelabra will help create a romantic atmosphere. And don't forget about mirrors decorated with wooden frames.

Numerous shelves, tables and little tables can be decorated with cute trinkets: painted vases, boxes, fruit bowls, photographs, all kinds of figurines or napkins. The main thing is to be able to stop in time without overloading the composition.

Provence in the interior - photo

And although the listed rules are universal, interior design in the Provence style will differ slightly depending on the type of room. But a few tips and photos will definitely give you a good idea!

Kitchen design in Provence style

A Provence style kitchen is spacious, bright, often combined with a dining room. The cooking corner is separated from dining area countertop or island bar counter. Designers face a difficult task, because they need to harmoniously fit household appliances into a classic, rustic interior without it looking out of place. For this modern items often hidden in cabinets or disguised as antiques.

When choosing dishes and other kitchen utensils, do not forget that they, displayed in plain sight, are part of the decor. Painted plates, wooden spatulas or jars with herbs will look very cozy. On small windows It’s better to hang “cafe” curtains.

Living room design in Provence style

A traditional living room includes a sofa, several armchairs, a table, a wall and, if space allows, ottomans or bedside tables. Such furniture suggests that in addition to watching TV, you will also spend time reading books, and maybe knitting.

Speaking of the TV, it’s unlikely to be hidden, but you can choose a minimalist model that won’t attract too much attention.

A small rug with a burlap effect, floor lamps, and pots with plants would look appropriate.

Bedroom design in Provence style

The bedroom, as a resting place, can be furnished with fewer items. A bed with a wrought-iron headboard, painted white and covered with snow-white sheets, looks authentic for Provence. For variety, textiles can be with a floral pattern or lace inserts.

A mundane chest of drawers opposite the bed will fit perfectly into a large bedroom. Girls can treat themselves to a dressing table - just like in the houses of noble ladies. Air classic curtains will complete the overall composition.

Bathroom design in Provence style

The iconic Provence style bathroom is a work of art. And if in other rooms it is still possible to somehow deal with a small area, then here you simply cannot do without free space.

The presence of a window, although inconvenient for apartment owners, is very important detail. It allows you to get closer to nature, creating the most natural atmosphere for hygiene procedures. For the same reason, natural materials are used, despite the high humidity in the room.

Ceramic tiles should be matte. For example, only the lower section of the walls can be finished with it. The rest is decorative plaster or painted brickwork.

A traditional clawfoot bathtub is considered a must-have. But it’s better to forget about the shower stall. Otherwise, the filling of the room can correspond to the needs of the owners.