Creative owners of houses and apartments quite often look for housing design options in which they can show their imagination and create an extraordinary design. Such unusual and unique solutions include creating an interior in London style. Its main advantage is the absence of a general scheme according to which registration must be carried out. Each variation of the direction has its own character and creates its own special atmosphere. The main rule for creating the chosen style is the use of thematic elements (or materials, textiles with thematic prints), which at first glance will show you modern London. Therefore, when stylizing interiors in this way, you need to be guided by the basic recommendations of designers and not be afraid to introduce your personal ideas into the created design.
Style Features
The main feature of the London style is its non-standard presentation. By changing the main colors of the range, choosing different decor or textiles, you can make it both simpler and quite eye-catching. Therefore, before implementing the style in an apartment, it is recommended to pay attention to the following qualities of the direction:
- Ease of styling.
Even in a room decorated in subdued colors, you can create a London style using themed textiles and decor.
- Versatility.
In the hallway, this style creates a restrained design, in the bedroom it emphasizes the harmony of the atmosphere and comfort, in the living room it highlights the London elegance of the spacious hall.
- Possibility of implementing “easy” and “rough” directions.
Light colors, cute decor and textiles will create a light interior that will help household members spend every day in the world of amazing London. By using dark finishing tones (including gray brick on one of the walls) and a small number of accents, you can create a restrained design that promotes calm and prudence of the owners.
Living room in English style: existing design subtypes
An English style home is an elegant home full of harmony and beautiful details. The simplicity of the arrangement gives the impression of a significant aesthetic that is timeless. And although the English style interior is a mixture of different styles, some elements are constant: lamps, fabrics, flowers, trinkets and chic furniture.
In the living room, which is decorated in English style, a big role is played by the combination of old things, most often souvenirs and antique items, with modern ones. It could even be a plasma TV placed next to an old-fashioned vase. Thanks to this procedure, a friendly and warm atmosphere will appear in the living room, which further promotes relaxation. The English style allows a lot of room for maneuver, but do not forget to overdo it with the number of items.
The English style is, first of all, very cozy. The richness of designs and colors creates a warm climate. In fact, this area of interior design has many faces.
There are three varieties of English style:
- rustic;
- industrial;
- colonial.
Country English or "cottage" style is traditional, idyllic and romantic. The interiors are bright and friendly. They are dominated by wooden elements made of leather or various types of fabric. There may be paintings depicting nature on the walls. Flower vases are also a must. Decorative pillows can be placed on the chairs. The main element of the composition is the fireplace.
Industrial English style is associated with large spaces, especially lofts. Characterized by rigor and minimalism, neutral colors. Metal, concrete and brick can be combined with glass, wood and plastic.
Colonial English interiors combine massive furniture made of exotic wood, decorated with oriental details.
Colors used
The rather unusual London style can include both neutral and bright colors. Thanks to this combination, it stands out, includes catchy accents and at the same time creates neat transitions between different parts of the room. The colors used for this direction include:
- red: it is impossible to imagine the views of London without bright buses and telephone booths, so it is the red color that will become the accent color in the range of the style in question;
- gray (or a combination of black and white for wall decoration): cloudy weather in London is transferred into the interior through the use of such colors;
- white: helps to dilute dark and bright colors, allows you to visually make the created design “lighter”;
- blue: is one of the colors of the British flag, so it can be used as inclusions (decor, textiles), it additionally sets off the red color;
- light brown: an acceptable color that allows you to “soften” the harsh red-gray range.
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Boy's room in classic style
Often, when looking at photographs of boys' rooms, you can notice funny elements (toys, cartoon characters), but this is suitable for all children. In this article we have collected a photo selection of children's rooms for boys with a classic, strict, but at the same time stylish design.
Electric fireplace is an ideal solution for small apartments
There is probably not a single person who would not dream of sitting by the fireplace on a cold autumn or winter evening, admiring the burning flame, relaxing and warming up. But a real fireplace is a serious structure that requires special technical conditions and often redevelopment of the room, not to mention the considerable area it occupies. Therefore, electric fireplaces are ideal for owners of small apartments. Modern materials and technologies allow manufacturers to achieve almost maximum similarity of electric fireplaces with real wood-burning fireplaces. Our photo selection is proof of this.
Harmony of color and space: white color in the interior of a modern kitchen
Snow-white rooms in country houses and apartments became popular in Europe and America, and then in our countries. The classic white color is considered to be the basis of a Scandinavian interior, but this color is so universal that it can be used to create absolutely any style. Initially, interior design in white colors was the prerogative of the elite and aristocrats. And in our time, this color is associated with luxury, elegance, good taste and chic.
Spectacular interiors in wenge color
In Germany, England and Italy, this African tropical tree is called wenge. Wenge is very popular due to its valuable wood. In other countries, this tree is better known as Congolese rosewood, African rosewood, bokonge, awong. Thanks to its dark, very beautiful and very dense wood, wenge is widely used in the manufacture of guitar fingerboards, knife handles, and billiard cues. Wenge veneer is used as a decorative covering for furniture and doors. Not everyone can afford to use real wenge wood in their interiors. More often they talk about the rich, dark brown color of wenge. We invite you to look at a photo selection of interiors of various rooms where wenge color is used - bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, home theaters, dressing rooms, etc.
Bathroom design with shower
The climate is getting hotter every year, the hot summer air, the stuffiness of big cities - all this makes modern showers indispensable in our everyday life. And the use of shower stalls is economically and environmentally more profitable, since water consumption is less. You can easily purchase them; any construction supermarket offers a wide selection of shower stalls of various designs and designs. But here everyone is faced with a problem - how to fit a shower stall into the interior of the bathroom. We invite you to look at a photo selection in which you will find the answer to this question.
Furniture Features
You can choose furniture for the London style according to two main criteria: restraint or theme. The first option involves installing light furniture in a bright themed interior. This combination allows you not to overload the overall look, but to achieve its simple stylization. If desired, light furniture can be supplemented with bright bedspreads and sofa cushions. As for light shelves, cabinets and tables, they can be decorated with various thematic figurines. The second method of choosing furniture is based on the search for extraordinary models that will help stylize a room with a monochromatic, discreet finish. For example, in the living room or bedroom you can install a bookcase designed to look like a telephone booth. In a child’s room, it is permissible to install a bed stylized as a red bus. But there should be no more than two such bright unusual products in any room: otherwise the interior will be overloaded with stylized objects.
Materials and finishing
Interior design in the English style begins with the renovation of the room:
Ceiling
At the beginning of the 18th century, white surfaces with moldings and stucco were considered traditional. With the development of colonization, beam structures came into fashion, adding dynamics and volume to high ceilings in private mansions.
Walls
There are several ways to decorate walls in English style:
- Tree. Wood panels with symmetrical moldings are a classic, often used in living rooms or offices.
- Wallpaper. Definitely with a pattern: flowers, checkered, striped, flowered.
- Dye. Both plaster and wood are painted in a single deep shade. Options can be combined: for example, use wood below, bright wallpaper on top.
In the photo the walls are decorated with wooden panels
Floor
When decorating living spaces in the English style, choose natural parquet or parquet boards. Tiles (usually black and white) are acceptable in kitchens and bathrooms.
Windows and doors
Interior doors and, especially, entrance doors are massive, preferably made of natural wood or veneered. The design is classic. From strict straight forms with glass, to smooth ones with panels, rosettes, capitals. Color: dark wood or plain white.
The windows are often white, large, and simple rectangular in shape. Less often - arched.
London style cuisine
Since the kitchen focuses on functionality, and the furnishings often consist of a kitchen corner, dining table and chairs, London influences can be seen here primarily in the decoration of the walls. Wallpaper with images of Big Ben, telephone booths, newspapers, London streets and squares would be appropriate. The dining area can be highlighted with an image of the British flag.
If you are closer to classic rather than modern London, then you can use the theme of the English tea ceremony in your design, furnishing everything with porcelain saucers and tea pairs.
Living room design
In spacious living rooms, it would be appropriate to use dark finishes. So, the main colors of the walls can be coffee brown or blue. One wall can be made of brick (in a dark gray or red-brown color scheme). A dark floor covering will also help complement this finish. The furniture itself should be chosen in neutral colors. White and light gray sofas, ottomans or armchairs will look good in a dark living room. It is recommended to choose a coffee table for the sitting area in a dark brown color. For a small room, it is better to choose a light blue finish with stylization of one wall: photo wallpaper with views of old city streets in a light gray color scheme. Installing a white sofa (with themed cushions) and a small light shelving unit with themed figurines will help to properly arrange such a room. If the room is decorated in a light manner, the seating area can be located along a stylized wall or in the center of the room. In dark rooms, it is better to place the sofa opposite a stylized wall.
American-style apartment interior
Kitchen
The kitchen is made in light shades, porcelain stoneware finishes like parquet, paint, panels, tiles. The set in American interiors is most often matte, straight or L-shaped.
The photo shows a corner kitchen in an American-style apartment in a stylish gray and white color with a black countertop and a tiled apron laid out in a herringbone pattern.
Living room
The living room serves as a place for loud meetings; there is a large sofa, 2-4 armchairs, a coffee table, and a chest of drawers. The American living room interior is made in light colors; neutral wallpaper, laminate flooring, and a white ceiling are suitable for decoration.
For effect, furniture upholstery can be bright. The windows are not covered with curtains, revealing a large wooden frame, or they make do with straight curtains or Roman blinds.
The photo shows the interior of a small living room in light colors with a large floor lamp, carpet and niche shelves.
Bedroom
A bedroom in an American interior combines comfort and practicality. The furniture is made of dark wood, and the decoration and decor are selected in light colors.
The bed should be of a high classic shape, and there must be bedside tables and a chest of drawers. Wood or carpet is suitable for the floor. For decoration, panels with patterns and paintings, a triptych, a floor lamp, and fresh flowers are suitable.
Children's
An American-style children's room is distinguished by the arrangement of furniture not close to the wall, but in the center; shelving, high chests of drawers and shelves are located along the walls.
The furniture is selected in the English classic style with regular forms and functional rigor. The decor includes posters, stickers, and many spotlights.
For wall decoration, choose paper wallpaper of a plain or floral design in pink, gray, or blue.
Bathroom
The bathroom is paneled, decorated with mosaics and light paint.
The space is used rationally, so a shower stall is installed; a bathtub is suitable for medium-sized combined bathrooms. The decor includes towel holders, a mirror, lamps above it, simple faucets, flowers, glass jars.
London style bedroom
When decorating an adult bedroom in London style, it is recommended to use gray as the main colors. To style the room, you can paste a photo wallpaper with a view of the entrance to the London Underground and a telephone booth on one of the walls. Bed linen and bedspreads of a similar design or curtains with photo printing will help complement this finish. The rest of the textiles should have a light red or blue color. For a teenage bedroom, you should choose a light gray or light coffee color as the base. An original design solution would be to decorate one wall as a brick. In a teenage guy's room, you can install a small bed with a British flag-shaped bedspread. And also hang up several posters with views of London. For a girl’s bedroom, it is recommended to choose lighter and more discreet bed textiles – with light gray views of London and red buses. If desired, a light red or light blue sofa can be placed separately in the youth room to organize a relaxation area.
Varieties of style
American interior can be divided into subcategories according to style features that have developed due to geographical features.
American classic
American classics in the interior came along with the migration of Old England and the aristocracy. What is important is the pairing of furniture, symmetry, light decoration, white fireplace, spacious armchairs, classic curtains. The lighting is divided into zones and turned on as needed.
The photo shows a classic example of an American interior in a private house with niches, an abundance of lamps, glass and furniture in the English style.
American neoclassical style
It combines simplicity and sophistication; it is permissible to use a false fireplace, plastic panels, and mixed textiles. The flexibility of the neoclassical style in American interiors makes it possible to combine modern advances in construction and technology along with classical interior rules.
Modern American style
Combines classic furniture arrangement, local lighting with a modern form of furniture, loft lamps, bright and dark finishes along with exotic figurines, vases, paintings and interior items.
American country style
American country style is the basis of a rustic interior; it is characterized by wooden floors, walls, ceilings that are varnished or painted, beamed ceilings, plain walls or a floral pattern on the wallpaper. A mandatory attribute is a fireplace in the living room and a leather sofa.
Nursery decor ideas
The use of a simplified color scheme will help to eliminate the excessive harshness of the created design in a children's room. So, the main color can be light gray, white, light coffee or light blue (for a girl’s bedroom – very light red). Curtains in such rooms should be as simple as possible: flat, floor-length canvases with a pale blue or pale red color are suitable. Installed furniture can be bright. A red bunk bed, stylized as a bus, would look good in such a room. But in the study area it is recommended to install a light coffee or light gray desk and a bookcase (or shelves). The play area can be complemented by a rug matched to the color of the curtains or a rug with the British flag and similar (or plain) decorative pillows.
When creating a discreet design, you can install a small wardrobe with a themed photo print in the child’s room.
Furniture and indoor lighting
If we look at the interior of the living room in the photo, then in England it is characterized by the use of powerful, massive furniture made of solid wood. So, for example, it could be a bookcase that would look great in combination with a fireplace. The doors of such a cabinet should be glass so that guests can appreciate the literary taste of the owner. Similar cabinets can contain dishes and various accessories for entertaining guests, for example, tablecloths, napkins and similar textiles.
If we look at the interior of the living room in the photo, then in England it is characterized by the use of powerful, massive furniture made of solid wood
Other mandatory attributes of the room being described include a large dining table. It should be massive and have carved figured legs. The ensemble will include chairs with fabric upholstery and a carved high back.
As for lighting, the English living room interior has one that completely depends on the fireplace. It is the main source of light in the room. At the same time, it can be perfectly complemented by small lamps. So, these could be candelabra, or sources of diffused light, or floor lamps.
Along with the fireplace, the center of the living room is a chandelier, massive and expensive. It should illuminate the entire living room and can have several tiers. It is suspended on a chain, so the room where it will be located must have the technical ability to install it.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the use of curtains in the design of a living room in the English style. They are usually tapestries and have a lot of weight. In general, this fabric is a characteristic element of the design of British premises. Such curtains are used in conjunction with composite curtains, which makes it possible to bring to life the English principle “My home is my castle.”
It is worth noting that English living rooms usually occupy a large area, so in an ordinary standard apartment you are unlikely to be able to decorate such a room
It is worth noting that English living rooms usually occupy a large area, so in an ordinary standard apartment you are unlikely to be able to decorate such a room. In extreme cases, you will have to deal with redevelopment and combining several rooms. So, for example, there is the option of combining a living room with a corridor or a bathroom, but in this case you will have to demolish the internal walls and partitions in the apartment.
The role of textiles in the design of rooms
Since textiles in a room decorated in London style can become a key element, special attention should be paid to its choice. If a restrained color scheme is used in the room, then curtains and bedspreads with photo printing will help to carry out competent styling. For example, these could be long curtains printed with the streets of London, Big Ben, or bright red buses. A flag blanket on a bed or sofa will also be an appropriate accent to the overall interior. If desired, you can choose a neutral blanket for the sleeping bed and put several themed sofa cushions (with British flags, Big Ben, buses). If the room has colorful pictures on the wallpaper, then the optimal solution would be to choose plain textiles in light gray, light red or light blue tones.
Original, dual, atypical
The London style of decor did not appear today. The style was formed over the years and even centuries. It was influenced by creative people, politicians, and the royal court. All this has led to the fact that interior design using true London style is always:
- uniqueness,
- originality,
- independence,
- thoroughness.
Today we can distinguish two main directions: Victorian and modern. When deciding to create a modern London style in a room, it is worth remembering that this is the use of patriotic elements of another country, another culture. Their set was formed in the middle of the last century.
Accessories and decor
In order for not only the design, but also the furnishings themselves to be appropriate in a catchy style, it is recommended to use a minimum number of elements as decor. The following items will complement the interior well:
- map of London;
- retro posters (with Big Ben, English buses, telephone booths);
- wall clock with the British flag (they should be placed on a plain light wall);
- figurines (thematic products are suitable: miniature Big Ben, bus).
Bright posters, maps or clocks are recommended to be used to stylize rooms in which subdued tones predominate. For an interior with bright decoration, you should choose small thematic figurines. Also appropriate in any of the described design options would be live plants in light gray or light brown pots.
Curtains are the central element of the interior
The London format is also classic and respectable. Graceful and elegant interior elements help to emphasize it. You can make London curtains with your own hands; they were used to decorate British palaces back in the 18th century.
Related article: Art Nouveau style: elements and details (+50 photos)
Such curtains can be bought, but if you cannot find the ideal option for your interior, there is always the opportunity to sew them from existing materials. The design is not that complicated, and if you have any difficulties, you can always watch lessons on how to make such a product.
A curtain is a single piece of fabric or several pieces sewn exactly according to the pattern. When lifted, it folds into lush folds, creating a unique impression of elegance and luxury. When unraveled, the curtains look quite restrained, but when assembled, as they are most often used, they add that truly British touch to the interior.
The canvas should be perfectly smooth and solid, and on its front side, when assembled, lush, overlapping folds will form. To do this, a series of rings with a cord passing through them are made on the back side of the product. All cords are connected into a common cord attached at the bottom. When you pull it, the curtain rises, forming a cascade of semicircular folds.
Interior combination rules
This look is ideal for an English-style interior, especially if you choose the right pattern, shade of fabric or combination thereof.
Combinations of colors or patterns can be as follows:
- Tartan and plain fabric;
- Alternating vertical stripes - one wide, one narrow;
- Vertical stripes and floral patterns;
- Pattern with large and small flowers.
English style looks great in the interior of any room - living room, bedroom, office. And heavy luxurious curtains, matching the palette with the upholstery of the sofa or wallpaper, will add royal dignity and monumentality to the overall look.
Several videos on the topic:
Design of a small London apartment
This small apartment is located in an elite area of London, in a Victorian-style house. The main feature of this apartment are the three large French windows. Most of the apartment with an area of 49 sq.m. occupies a living room with a huge sofa. Everything else had to make room a little. The kitchen is slightly raised onto a podium. Under the podium there is a small storage room with a washing machine. We had to install special shelves above the bathroom to store things.
Design of a small London apartment
The main highlight of this apartment is the kitchen, raised by 1.5 meters. The designer separated it from the living room, but at the same time did not violate the integrity of the common space. Thanks to the French windows, the kitchen is illuminated with natural light. In order not to disrupt the integrity of the space, a minimum of materials and colors are used in the interior. The kitchen is separated from the living room quite conventionally. The role of the border is played by a transparent tabletop, which does not clutter up the kitchen design and also serves as a bar counter.
Raised kitchen interior
The living-dining room looks very elegant and formal. The staircase, which has no railings and is finished in oak, is a real decoration of the apartment. A comfortable and large corner sofa fits perfectly into the living room.
Dining room interior
In a small bathroom, the designer was given the opportunity to place a normal-sized bathtub, sink and toilet. Small blue mosaics were used to decorate the walls in the bathroom. As a sink, the designer used an ordinary cooking basin mounted on a tile base.
Bathroom interior
The bedroom in the apartment is very compact. The door and headboard of the bed are finished in solid oak. This makes the bedroom cozy and warm. If the door is closed, then it is part of the wall; when open, the door frames the bed.
Bedroom interior
Apartments with a small area are characterized by minimal finishing. All cabinets and storage drawers do not have handles, but open with a gentle push.
Main attribution of London style
To achieve real success, it is enough to know what subtleties will highlight and highlight the London style in the room. These include:
- Mandatory presence of red tones. Moreover, the color should be as bright as possible. This could be curtains or a closet. You can add several decoration items that will be red. To achieve greater effect, they can be dispersed throughout the room. It would be a good idea to buy a small mock-up of a typical English telephone booth, which will immediately let your guests know what exactly you have created.
- Brickwork is also considered a familiar attribute of London style. If the walls in the house are plastered, then it will be very easy to reveal a rough diamond. It will be enough to remove the layer of finishing material and cover the brickwork with varnish or brown paint. This will not only protect the long-term bricks, but will also show sophistication in the room. If the walls are concrete, then you need to improvise and buy ready-made floor-to-ceiling canvases that imitate brickwork. They are simply mounted to the wall using liquid nails, and the room immediately takes on a sophisticated style.
- And of course, the typical English paraphernalia in the form of a red and white flag on a dark blue background. Here you can experiment at your own discretion. Some people specially order trunks for the floor in order to express their idea as much as possible. Others prefer to limit their imagination to themed pillow covers. And someone decorates a coffee table in the color of the English flag. But excessive use of this image can harm the interior, so the main thing is not to overdo it.
All this is not so difficult to obtain, and it does not require a huge financial outlay from a person. This is a list of possible options. Of course, each person can come up with their own interior models, which, in their opinion, will look as sophisticated as possible against the general background.
