Grunge style in the interior: description and photo examples

Grunge style in the interior - elegant negligence

One of the fashionable trends in modern interior design can rightfully be called grunge style. Combining seemingly incompatible things, it attracts with its unusualness and, at the same time, accessibility. Classic antique items here coexist with practical modernity, standing out effectively against the background of deliberate negligence.

Grunge style in the interior

≡ Contents:

— History of origin
- Main idea
— Conceptual features
— Materials and finishing
- Furniture
— Lighting
— Textiles
- Colors
— Decorative elements
— Photo examples of design in Grunge style
- Video

Grunge color palette

The color scheme of the grunge style is very natural and natural. This direction gravitates towards neutral shades that will not create a depressing effect. In the interior you can most often find warm pastel colors. These can be shades of brown, beige or gray.

White is used both in pure form and in the form of halftones: milk, ivory, Egyptian cotton, eggshell.

Neutral design is diluted with dark gray, dark brown or black colors. The interior also features metallic shades with a warm undertone. Metals such as brass, copper, and rose gold are suitable for styling.

History of the style

The history of the emergence and development of the grunge interior style begins in the French provinces of the 19th century. Representatives of the aristocracy flock here, tired of the pretentiousness of city life, to equip their family estate and calmly enjoy the delights of simple village life. The interiors of such houses are practical and peaceful.

However, time takes its toll, and in the 80s of the 20th century, the grunge style experienced a rebirth. Now it is no longer what it was before - smooth walls are replaced by untreated brickwork, floors acquire demonstrative negligence, and massive furniture gives way to light and sliding structures.

Today's grunge is the style of representatives of various subcultures, musicians and supporters of non-standard solutions.

Style Features

To create an interior composition in the grunge style, two main conditions are required - a spacious room and an abundance of light. The whole environment is imbued with freedom; excesses and intricate decorations are alien to it.

Special features of the style include:

beam ceiling;
brick walls;
big windows;
warm, soft additional lighting;
natural materials in decoration and textiles;
elegant and practical furniture;
classic shapes and smooth lines;
calm, natural colors;
simplicity and conciseness.

Materials and finishing

In interior solutions of the grunge style, attention is drawn to the simplicity of the finishing, often bordering on slight negligence. Wooden plank ceilings with massive beams are treated only with special protective compounds that do not disturb the natural color and texture. In this form, they effectively complement painted or plastered walls or decorative brickwork. An alternative option is a light ceiling, from which the whitewash “flows” in picturesque waves onto the concrete, brick or stone walls.

Some parts of the wall surfaces are effectively decorated with wooden arches or simple, untreated boards. In some places it is permissible to use textile wallpaper with an original texture.

The following coatings are used for the floor:

tiles in discreet shades;
imitation stone;
poured concrete;
large aged parquet.

Design rules

In order to exactly match the declared style, you must adhere to certain rules when choosing finishing materials, furniture and decorative items. This style is very similar to the classics, but differs from it in some ways, which makes the task not as simple as it might seem at first. The most important points that should be taken into account are the following:

It is necessary to avoid ostentatious luxury and pathos. Expensive decorative details can be replaced with objects that are not so chic, but have their own history - old family heirlooms, photographs, antique dishes.
Whenever possible, forged elements are used, but without bright shine - patina-covered figurines, handles on furniture, lamps on chains.
The absence of gilding and generally shiny coatings will also be one of the basic rules. The only item that can be decorated with gilding will be a mirror in a massive frame. However, even here it is better to choose an option with a patinated design rather than a bright and shiny one.
Lack of negligence in everything. The lines should be smooth, the finish should be of very high quality, and the materials should be expensive. At the same time, one must avoid ostentation and pretentiousness - all this creates a feeling of solidity and demonstrates the taste of the owners of the house.
The use of natural materials or, if this is not possible, very high-quality imitations. The floors are usually wood or stone, the walls are covered with wallpaper with discreet patterns, and the ceilings are simply white.
The abundance of natural light is also one of the significant details of this style. Windows should be opened as much as possible and the curtains on them should not have a complex cut. The fabrics are natural and without unnecessary details in the form of a pattern.
The room should be cozy and carpets on the floor, various sofa cushions, tablecloths on tables, as well as a space unloaded with small details will help create a comfortable environment.

A very characteristic feature of this design are brick walls. If the house is built of brick, then the masonry needs to be exposed and not covered with anything - natural bricks of different colors will very well emphasize the chosen type of design. If the walls are made of a different material, you can create an imitation of brickwork using modern materials.

Furniture in a grunge interior

To match the grunge style, the furniture with which the room will be furnished should be simple, but at the same time expressive. Smooth, classic forms are preferred, without unnecessary decoration. Furniture sets in light colors are usually used. The most common material is teak. All elements should be comfortable and practical, distinguished by excellent quality and thoughtful detail.

Open shelves and racks are used to store small items. Massive wardrobes are not relevant here; they give way to lightweight designs, for example, with louvered doors. Chairs are light, tables and bedside tables are movable. Upholstered furniture includes a comfortable, often corner sofa, and a pair of folding chairs.

Main components of a grunge interior

“The best way to decorate a house is with a semblance of gardening floristry.
These elements will perfectly dilute the classic mood of the grunge style and add a little exoticism to the interior.” As we already know, the grunge style gravitates toward classic home furnishings and should not be filled with colorful brightness and high-priced furniture. However, this does not mean that it may contain the carelessness in the setting characteristic of country music. The basis of the decor should be high-quality natural materials. You need to recreate the fabulous atmosphere of bygone years with elegant accessories such as lamps and floor lamps with forged elements, fabric lampshades and a pretense of antiquity. Imitation of silver, platinum, gold and steel should flash in the finishing details. You can place elegant dishes behind the transparent doors of glass cabinets.

The best way to decorate your home is with gardening floristry. These elements will perfectly dilute the classic mood of the grunge style and add a little exoticism to the interior.

accent grunge wall in the interior of a modern living room

Window openings, in principle, can be decorated with any curtains and drapes, but ideally they should be made from a material that is eloquently reminiscent of retro. Combinations of companion fabrics are welcome. If we talk about their color scheme, then textiles should be chosen several tones darker than the walls.

The grunge style is also democratic in terms of the interior color palette. The room can be decorated with any impressive soft shades. It’s good if the main background is gray or beige. Shades of brown and black will help to dilute the calm color mood of the style.

The grunge style does not shy away from cute trinkets in the interior, such as sofa cushions of various sizes and shapes, carpets, figurines from the past . With their arrival, a stable comfort will appear in the atmosphere, and this is the main stylistic task!

using artificially aged wood panels to create a grunge style in the bedroom

Lighting

A special role in the grunge style is given to artificial lighting. There should be quite a lot of light, but without intrusiveness and excessive brightness. Do not ruin the impression of the interior with fluorescent lamps. It is better to prefer small forged chandeliers hanging from the ceiling on chains.

Various floor lamps, wall and table lamps are also appropriate, adding warmth and evening comfort to the atmosphere.

What materials are suitable for the interior

For aristocrats it was important that as many natural materials as possible were used in country housing. Therefore, for finishing floors and walls, it is important to use exactly these: stone, brick and wood of varying degrees of processing. The emphasis should be placed not on the color of the material, but on its texture. The more unusual it is, the better. Therefore, materials can be aged to obtain a more authentic interior of that time.

For walls, we recommend choosing decor made from brickwork. If your house is made of brick, leave it untouched, it will look more interesting. The walls can be decorated with wooden boards. It is important that they have a natural tone. Wallpaper in the grunge style is also used - warm, plain ones or with small, unobtrusive patterns are suitable. Wallpaper should add warmth and serve as a basis for the interior, and not be an element of decoration.

Photo: architectureartdesigns.com

The ceiling can also be made of wood. It is usually covered with decorative beams and boards. For the floor, choose wooden parquet with large elements, tiles or natural stone.

Photo: decorassentos.com.br

Textile

All textile elements in the grunge interior are made exclusively from natural materials - cotton, linen, satin, wool. Curtains, upholstery and even floor lamp shades should be as simple as possible, plain, without patterns. The bed is decorated with a strict but soft bedspread or blanket without any hint of decoration or frills.

A mandatory attribute is a small long-pile floor carpet.

Decorative elements

Unobtrusive additions to the grunge style decoration usually include forged elements with signs of antiquity, portraits on the walls and one or more indoor plants to liven up the decor.

Interior design in this style is decorative in itself, so souvenirs and accessories should be kept to a minimum. Only very unusual and dear to the heart.

How to decorate different rooms in the grunge style

But it is not enough to know the general features of the style. Decorations and accessories must match the purpose of the room.

Kitchen

The kitchen has an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility. There is a large dining table in the center of the room, and a bar counter surrounded by high chairs against the wall. There is a minimum of dishes on the shelves, and only those that are in demand are placed. Tea and coffee sets and other necessary kitchen utensils are placed in cabinets with transparent doors.

Laminate or black and white tiles are laid on the floor. There is no need to be upset if the flooring wears out over time; this fact will give the grunge kitchen even more naturalness. It is better to choose furniture made of teak; if the set is not new, it is painted matte white.

A bright and cozy kitchen, where it’s so pleasant to spend time with a cup of tea

The function of curtains can be taken over by original blinds made of wooden slats. There should be no negligence in the room; here all objects are in their places.

Living room

The design of a living room in the grunge style accepts any range of shades, as long as it is not contrasting and does not cause tension among the inhabitants. That is, the colors should be soft and warm.