Anton
head of design studio
Most apartments, both in secondary residential buildings and in new buildings, have apartments with rectangular living rooms. The design of a living room with a rectangular configuration has a number of features and nuances that must be taken into account when drawing up the project.
The perception of a rectangular living room directly depends on the color palette that will be used in the room. Correctly selected shades will help not only visually adjust the shape of the room, but will also improve its illumination.
Special attention should be paid to the arrangement of furniture, since its attractiveness and the comfortable stay of guests depend on the layout of the room. You should also take a responsible approach to the placement of sockets, the choice of types of lighting, the location of the air conditioner and a number of other issues.
In a design studio in Moscow, trained professionals are ready to develop a design project.
Read more
Sofa seat
in the design of a rectangular living room
You should start designing a rectangular living room with visual planning
. To do this, it is necessary, first of all, to draw a rough floor plan and also arrange the furniture. It is important to observe the dimensions, as this will help you look at the arrangement from the outside. In this case, several planning ideas can be considered at once to select the most suitable one.
When choosing a place for a sofa, you should avoid placing it in a draft.
. It is important that the imaginary line stretched from the window to the door does not intersect the furniture. Otherwise, sitting on the sofa will be uncomfortable.
The location of the sofa in the living room
. The images below show possible options for arranging furniture in a rectangular living room.
1. The most optimal option for positioning the sofa is to place it opposite the TV. Guests and apartment owners will be able to sit comfortably on the sofa and watch an interesting program or movie.
2. A good option for those who like to leave overnight guests. The living room allows you not only to have a pleasant time in a friendly company, but also provides additional sleeping space.
3. A corner sofa will fit perfectly into a rectangular living room and visually make it wider. It is better to install it in the far corner of the room to make the room more spacious.
Bathroom and toilet design
Below we will look at ideas, color schemes and solutions, as well as bathroom finishing options!
Bathroom in minimalist style
Minimalism as a style is ideal for decorating a small bathroom. Its laconic lines and clear geometry allow you to make a small space orderly and stylish. Restrained and contrasting color schemes are most preferable in this case.
Washing machine built into the cabinet
In this bathroom, the owners ditched the tub in favor of a beautiful walk-in shower with a floor drain. The washing machine is built into the cabinet near the sink, with a convenient stone countertop for towels and accessories above it.
Accent wall in bathroom design
This trendy Scandinavian-style bathroom impresses with a ceramic parquet accent wall, a matching wooden vanity and an accent blue mosaic in the mirror area. It looks simply amazing!
Gray and white color scheme for bathroom design
If your bathroom is smaller than you would like, a white and gray color scheme can help you out. By the way, with this approach to design it will be incredibly easy for you to choose decor and accessories.
Built-in washing machine in the bathroom cabinet
Another option for a conveniently built-in washing machine in the bathroom - this time in a large closet - also provides plenty of storage space for textiles, household chemicals and accessories.
Bathroom in minimalist style in gray
Gray, ash and stone color schemes in bathroom design are the absolute trend of the year. You get a fashionable coloring that perfectly matches glossy ceramics, and the ability to use porcelain stoneware (the most fashionable is marbled). And all this with ease and chic and even without the participation of a designer.
Bathroom with shower on 2 square meters
And this is how you can place a toilet, shower and sink in an area of 2 square meters. meter, which is usually provided only to the toilet. If there is no choice, this option is the most rational!
Interior of a small toilet
To decorate the interior of a small toilet room, a spectacular tandem of bright tiles with ornaments for the floor and plain light tiles for the walls is perfect.
And for a more luxurious finish, you need wood-effect decorative panels and marble-effect porcelain tiles, which complement each other perfectly!
Stylish interior design of a toilet with a wall-hung toilet
If your budget allows, consider a wall-hung toilet with a built-in flush and expensive marbled porcelain tiles. Or even slabs of agate, marble, onyx or amethyst for an accent block!
Correct opening of the door in the living room
In or out?
Opening the door in the living room
. The main task of the living room is to distract guests from the front door. To prevent it from attracting unnecessary attention, you can install an invisible door, the design of which does not have platbands. You can also paint it the same color as the walls, and then it will become as invisible as possible.
One of the main issues that designers deal with when drawing up a design project is the direction of the opening door. There are no clear rules here, so you should rely on the layout and how the furniture is arranged in the room. Taking these factors into account will help you avoid a number of mistakes during repairs.
It is important that the door does not obstruct passage and access to the closet or dressing room. Often, designers advise moving the doorway to create a seamless composition of the room, and also change the standard door to a folding one.
1. Not a bad option. When opening, the door does not interfere with free passage both into and out of the room, and also does not block the corridor. The only drawback is that when open, the door blocks access to the dressing room or closet.
2. Not the best example. The door takes up a lot of free space when open, as well as a passage. If it is not possible to change the direction of the sash, it is better to replace it with a sliding door or a folding structure.
3. Bad option. It is especially not recommended to use it in narrow corridors. It is better to install a folding or sliding one instead of a classic one.
4. One of the optimal options for door location. When the door is open, it does not obstruct passage into the room. In addition, fire safety requirements are taken into account.
Interior of a two-room apartment in Stalinka
Among the offers in the old housing stock, these are the apartments that are the most spacious. A chic living room with 2 huge windows can easily be converted into two bedrooms. In the large hallway there is room for a spacious linear dressing room. Since there are no load-bearing walls inside the apartment, the owners have a wide choice of styles to use.
TV in the living room
size and location
Placing a TV in the living room
. The diagonal size of the TV determines how complete and attractive the interior of a rectangular living room will be. The larger it is, the better the living room will look. If you place a small TV on a long wall, it will seem empty.
Location
. Basically, the TV is installed on the wall opposite the sofa. This placement option is considered the most logical and optimal, as it provides high-quality viewing. It is noteworthy that for the last few years it has not mattered how far the sofa is from the TV. New generation devices can be installed close to a sofa or armchair.
Cabinet or bracket?
Depends on the preferences of the living room owners. In this case, it is important to make the area with the TV look attractive and neat. Additionally, during installation, it is recommended to provide a cable channel where you can hide wires and sockets for connecting various devices. If you do not take care of this point, the wires will stick out, and this will ruin the entire impression of the living room design.
Height from floor
. The optimal height is 1 m, if we consider the distance from the floor to the middle of the TV screen. This solution will make viewing convenient, since the television panel will be at eye level of the person sitting on the sofa.
Diagonal size
. Of course, the higher the indicator, the better, if possible. Models with a diagonal of 50 inches or more will look attractive. If finances do not allow you to purchase a large TV, you can choose a medium or even small size model. The main thing in this case is to choose the right place and design for it.
Film projector as an alternative
. Not a bad option for those who don't like TVs. However, in this case, you should either paint the walls white and make them as smooth as possible, or purchase a special screen. Additionally, you should take care of choosing a place for the projector itself. The device can be fixed or installed on a special stand during a movie screening.
Techniques for visually expanding space
It’s easy to make a room larger by knowing a few secrets from interior designers:
- Avoid large patterns and prints on the walls, give preference to plain surfaces or small patterns.
- Mirrors add light and expand the space. They can be on the wall or in the form of inserts on furniture.
- Don't overload the room with many small details.
- It is acceptable to use gradient wall painting, which will add brightness to the room. Be careful, this technique can visually overload the room.
- Pay special attention to lighting. If there is not enough natural light, add lamps so that there are no dark areas.
Furniture in the living room
Furniture in the living room
. In the photo, the rectangular-shaped living room is made in soft colors and neoclassical style. An armchair in a bright blue shade acts as a bright accent.
- Armchair.
Usually the chair acts as an accent. Designers choose a special shade or shape for it to distinguish the chair from other pieces of furniture. The selection of a suitable chair should be carried out depending on the habits of the owners of the living room. So, for example, if the customer likes to climb into a chair with his legs up and read books, then he should give preference to large-sized furniture. - TV stand.
If large TV stands used to be popular, today designers are replacing them with small stands, as well as console-type tables. This is explained by the fact that now they do not need to place a player or discs with cassettes. Today, cabinets are used to store various magazines or decorative items. - Coffee table.
An important item for a cozy interior. It is worth noting that today they produce tables that can be transformed into large-sized tables for entertaining guests. However, you will have to try to find a suitable copy. It is customary to place magazines, notebooks or dishes on such tables when it comes to receiving guests. - Side tables.
In a rectangular living room, you can find room for a side table if you can't use a full-size coffee table. Today, manufacturers produce a large number of original models that can act as an accent in the living room. - Rack.
A useful type of furniture in which you can store not only decorative items, but also books or dishes. In this case, the rack can act as a partition to separate the kitchen and dining areas. Great for one or two bedroom apartments. - Additional storage cabinet.
This type of furniture can be installed in two-room or three-room apartments, if the ceilings allow. In this case, the sofa is placed in the center of the room, and the wardrobe is placed along one of the walls. The closet usually houses bed linen, dishes, books and other items. - Fireplace.
We are talking about electric models, and not those in which you need to light the fire yourself. At the same time, in some models, manufacturers provide a heated air humidification function, so such devices can be beneficial. Fireplace portals are made in different styles, so choosing a suitable option that will match the chosen interior design of the living room is not difficult. Special attention should be paid to the size of the fireplace. An incorrectly selected height can ruin the overall impression of the apartment design.
Cabinet fillings
The “insides” of a cabinet depend on its functional use. A living room with a linen closet is the most common use of the room. This type of cabinet provides a larger number of shelves and convenient organizers.
If the apartment does not have a dressing room, then there is a need for appropriate places to store clothes. A living room with a wardrobe, with rational use of furniture, can also be neat and uncluttered. It is convenient to make the doors of such a cabinet mirrored. It is necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness and freshness of clothing to prevent foreign odors and the appearance of moths.
Often the living room is combined with the dining room. A living room with a cupboard for dishes looks very impressive, especially since housewives strive to fill the cupboard with beautiful, expensive, and not everyday dishes.
Of course, such a functional division is rather conditional. Most often, the closet in the living room is universal. Having replaced the Soviet walls, the spacious closet in the living room holds a huge number of a wide variety of household items.
Kitchen + living room
Recently, more and more often, designers have resorted to combining the kitchen and living area, separating them with small partitions. As a result, two rooms become one, but of a larger area. This solution has a number of advantages that are worth considering in more detail.
Kitchen-living room design
. The photo shows an excellent design project with a combined kitchen and living room. It is worth noting that the interior of the apartment includes several bright accents. These are chairs, pillows, lamps.
Combining the kitchen with the living room has several advantages. The main thing is to increase the amount of light entering the room. By removing the partition, it is possible to create two windows, which makes the space feel fresher and more breathable. This solution eliminates the need to install a huge number of lamps, which significantly saves energy costs.
The second advantage is the possibility of organizing a full-fledged dining area. When choosing a table in this case, it is recommended to give preference to models that can accommodate 5 or more people. Each person should have at least 70 cm of table space.
The third plus is the variety of living room design options. Increasing the area makes it possible to implement design projects that are not suitable for small rooms. In addition, it becomes possible to use additional furniture or decorative items.
Ideas for the kitchen-living room
How to arrange furniture?
The main objective of the design of a small living room is to visually expand the space. Therefore, you should not furnish it with massive furniture, but rely on compact options.
When choosing furniture for your living room, listen to several recommendations:
- furniture should not look large and take up space too much;
- light shades will make it lighter;
- adhere to the correct geometric shapes;
- diversify the light background of upholstered furniture with bright decorative pillows.
A good option for a small room is to use furniture that can be easily transformed. For example, a sofa bed or a sofa with poufs, which can be assembled into a corner or placed around a small table for tea drinking with friends.
Bedroom + living room
This option is suitable for one-room or two-room apartments, so it is considered not as common as the first. For a large family, such an organization of living space will not be suitable, since family members will feel uncomfortable in such a room.
Young families of two people, as well as those who are used to living alone, resort to combining a bedroom with a living room. This option will also allow you to increase the amount of light entering the room, making it more spacious and functional.
In this case, they prefer to separate both zones with a shelving unit. It will help preserve natural light and provide space for storing various small items.
Bedroom design with living room
. The image shows a good example of a bedroom-living room design project, completed in our design studio in Moscow.
Tips for renovating your living room
- When creating a design project, choose the nominal center of the room, around which furniture, carpets and textiles are located. It can be either a TV or a fireplace.
- Stick to one style, so the design will turn out neat and correct.
- You should not burden the room with a lot of furniture.
- Shelves and walls should be comfortable and spacious, so carefully consider the storage system.
Paintings and photographs will add a special highlight to the finished room.
Living room + office
In many apartments it is not possible to allocate a separate room for an office. However, if necessary, you can organize a workspace in a rectangular living room. Depending on the frequency of use of such a corner, the size and position of the desktop are selected.
Living room design
. In the project shown in the image, the desktop and shelves are almost invisible due to the fact that they are made in the same color scheme as the wall. The chair, on the contrary, acts as a bright accent of the room.
Experienced designers of our studio highlight the three most optimal options for placing a computer desk in a rectangular living room.
1. Table at the end of the room. This option is suitable for those who rarely work at home and are not used to spending a lot of time at a computer desk. With this placement, the table is made invisible by choosing the same shade as the walls.
2. Table by the window. Suitable for those who like to work at home. The advantage of the table is that it allows you to use the window sill area. In addition, you can extend the table to each wall, which will further increase your work space.
3. Table in the closet. A good option for those who like to save space in the living room. In addition, this arrangement eliminates the need to tidy up the table when guests arrive. You can simply hide it in a closet.
Desk in the interior
Ceiling finishing
You can choose any convenient ceiling finishing option, which is presented in several types.
- Wallpapering. This is the simplest and most economical way to finish the ceiling;
- Painting the ceiling. This option is fast and convenient, moreover, it is environmentally friendly and very simple to implement;
- Dropped ceilings. They are presented in a rich variety, but are quite difficult to install;
- Plasterboard ceilings;
The most popular type of ceiling finishing is the use of suspended ceilings made of PVC fabric.
Air conditioner
in a rectangular living room
Many customers, when ordering a project, ask to take into account the installation of an air conditioner in the living room. Designers approach this problem responsibly, since incorrect placement of a block can lead to dire consequences.
The main rule to consider when installing an air conditioner in the living room is to ensure that the cooled air does not blow on people sitting at the table or on the sofa. If you do not take this prohibition into account, it will be uncomfortable to be in the room.
In addition, it is worth considering the location of the indoor unit. If the installation is carried out far from the window, then it will be necessary to damage the wall to lay utilities.
Air conditioner indoor unit
is considered not the most attractive detail in interior design. Therefore, specialists often try to disguise it so that it does not draw attention to itself.
There are three common options for placing an air conditioner.
1. The most optimal placement option is above the door. The block does not attract attention. However, in this case, the possibility of installation depends on the height of the doorway and ceilings in the apartment.
2. A location near a window is also considered a good option. It is especially suitable for those who are financially limited and cannot afford to drill walls for communications.
3. This is not a good option, since the flow of cold air will flow onto those sitting on the sofa. Such placement will lead to frequent illness and reluctance to be in the living room. It's unlikely that anyone needs this.
Renovation: Beginning
Before starting all the main work, it is necessary to prepare all surfaces for processing. It is important to clean the walls and ceiling of the old coating; this must be done efficiently so that the new paint or wallpaper fits perfectly.
If you plan to sheathe the walls with plasterboard, then there is no need to waste time and clean the walls that will be underneath;
Once the walls and ceiling are cleaned, it is important to tackle the electrical wiring.
- It is necessary to immediately determine the places where the lamps and sockets will be located. The safety of all residents depends on electrical wiring, so it is necessary to involve specialists in its implementation. The wires must be hidden in the walls, then the walls are re-plastered;
- An important stage in wall treatment is puttying and stripping. The putty is applied after the walls are plastered; it is the final layer, after which the walls are cleaned with sandpaper.
- Do not forget to prime the surface, since it is the primer that makes the surface more durable and ready for further processing;
Only after all this work has been completed, it is necessary to begin finishing.
Sockets
rectangle shape in the living room
When performing visual planning for a rectangular living room, you should also draw up a plan for outlets, where you need to take into account their location. The maximum number of sockets for a given room should not exceed 15 pieces. This is quite enough to connect basic electrical devices, as well as to additionally provide electricity to temporary equipment.
When choosing the location of outlets, you should pay attention to where the TV or projects will be located. Additionally, it is recommended to provide for the laying of cables and ducts in which the wires will be hidden.
Floor decoration
If there is an opportunity to refuse carpeting in a small living room, then it is better to do so. A rug on the floor can break up the space and create a cluttered appearance.
It's better to do without carpeting
If a carpet is necessary, then it is recommended to try to decorate the interior based on simple rectangular models. A rectangle can harmonize the space and give it the correct shape.
Advice It is better to give preference to a single-color coating or one that has a smooth transition from dark to lighter tones.
Lighting
in a rectangular living room
Another important issue that should be resolved responsibly. The type of lighting determines the coziness and comfortable stay in the living room. The most important rule: there should be a lot of light, and it should be different. However, this does not mean that you need to hang as many lamps around the room as possible. If there are too many of them, it will negatively affect the interior design.
Living room lighting
. The image shows a living room decorated in a modern loft style, a prominent example of which is a brick wall. It was possible to emphasize the advantages of the style with the help of minimalist lamps.
Lamps
- one of the main parts of the decor, so it is important that they are combined with the chosen style of the room. Today, many people use lamps of different shapes and sizes, while adhering to the same style. This solution allows you to create an unusual, but at the same time cozy design.
overhead light
- key type of living room lighting. It includes working light created by spotlights and a chandelier. It is worth noting that the latter can act not only as a lighting device, but also as a decorative item.
Toward the local light
include various medium-sized lamps, floor lamps and sconces. However, the latter are more suitable for decorating bedrooms, so they are rarely used in living rooms. Mostly designers prefer to install lamps.
Intimate light
presented with candles and garlands. Interior garlands differ from holiday ones in that they burn with an even light. Usually it is warm white or cool blue. This type of lighting can be used as a night light if one of the guests prefers to sleep with light.
Candles
. When choosing candles, preference should be given to multi-sized, but single-color products of large sizes. The best option would be white thick candles. They are not used very often; they are mainly purchased as decorative elements.
Zoning
. Lamps can be used to zone space. This is especially true if the combination of two premises is planned. For example, you can place an installation of lamps above the dining table, thus designating a place for eating. Special attention should be paid to the work area. In this case, you should definitely provide a lamp in the space above the table to make it comfortable to work. If during the daytime there is enough light from the window, then at night the workplace should be illuminated by an additional light source.
Color solutions
The choice of color for the living room depends on the location of the windows and the sufficiency of natural light. Southern rooms can be “cooled down” a little and refreshed with cool shades, while northern rooms need warm colors.
Small rooms need to be made visually more spacious. Therefore, most often light colors are used here, which do a good job of expanding the space. A pastel, beige finishing palette combined with light furniture and glass accessories makes the living room light and bright.
Dark colors, on the contrary, visually conceal an already small space and make it gloomy. Designers advise abandoning such colors to make the living room interior more pleasant and comfortable to be in.
It is possible to add bright details in the living room that will look harmonious with the overall appearance of the room. This could be an accent wall, furniture, carpet or other decor that will stand out from the general background. But you should not use this technique for a large number of elements, otherwise the interior will seem overloaded with colors.
Wallpaper plays an important role in the color of a small living room; read about the latest trends and new products this year here -
Modern style in the living room
Modern style has many advantages, which is why it is popular among interior designers. It is interesting and looks great even in small spaces. The distinctive features of modern style are simplicity and functionality.
Almost any room can be decorated in a modern style, and the living room is no exception. Many design projects are made in this style, and customers are satisfied with the results. The simplicity of modern style allows you to get rid of unnecessary burden on the room and at the same time achieve completeness of the composition.
Modern living room design
. Modern style often uses geometric lines and patterns. You can see this in the image.
Signs of style
. Modern style loves simplicity, so popular shades are white, black, beige and gray. Also, bright accents are used in the interior to make it more attractive and rich. Decorating rooms in a modern style allows you to use posters or paintings as bright accents.
Many modern living rooms
The best finishing materials
DIY repairs are a long and tedious process, but the results are worth all the effort. To decorate a living room, it is important to choose the right finishing materials that have proven themselves in the market.
- Wallpaper is a traditional solution for wall decoration. The modern market offers a huge selection of wallpaper for every taste; they come in many varieties and are easy to install.
- Painting walls is a classic type of finishing that allows you to save money and create a durable coating in any shade.
- Decorative plaster - this type of finishing hides uneven walls and is very durable.
- Drywall allows you to create perfectly smooth walls, but at the same time, it reduces the usable area of the room.
- Laminate - it is used for wall decoration, it has an excellent appearance and allows you to create a stylish interior.
Neoclassical style in the living room
A style that is popular with our customers. Neoclassicism is one of the varieties of modern style, the difference of which is the presence of intricate lamps and moldings on the walls.
Living room in neoclassical style
. Pillows of different sizes will be an excellent decoration for classic and modern style. In addition, they can act as a bright accent in interior design.
Signs of style
. This style combines the features of two styles. From the classics, he took symmetry in the arrangement of furniture and accessories, as well as complex furniture facades. From the modern style he inherited simple geometric shapes and functionality. At the same time, this combination does not repel, on the contrary, it attracts attention.
Living rooms in neoclassical style
Decor
in the interior of a two-bedroom living room
Living room decoration
. In any decoration, consistency of items is important. Furniture facades and curtains, carpet patterns and vases, lamps and paintings - everything should be in the same style.
Decor
. Decorative elements include not only vases and candles. These are carpets, curtains, rugs, paintings. Even indoor plants are part of the decor. In short, this is the interior itself, which means that its choice must be taken extremely seriously.
Textile
. Decorative pillows, an elegantly and seemingly carelessly thrown blanket, curtains and carpet - all these textiles should be combined in style and color. Otherwise, it will create a feeling of randomness of objects.
Accessories
. The same applies to all kinds of figurines, vases and various souvenirs. It must be remembered that they play the role of accents, which means there cannot be many of them. It is best to think through each item, its color and location in advance.
Plants
. Indoor plants are good in sizes larger than 50 cm, that is, quite large, there should not be too many of them either. Important addition: no flowers in colorful pots on the windowsill!
Paintings, photos, posters
. Each of these items should be considered as an art object, that is, any image on the wall should not be random or thoughtless. Landscapes and still lifes are appropriate in classic design. If we are talking about modern style, it is good when posters or paintings are large. For an apartment, the most optimal formats are A1 and A2 (A3 minimum). The exception is compositions of black and white photos in thin frames - different sizes are acceptable there.
10 Living Room Decor Tips
Other living room styles
Scandinavian style
Fusion
Loft
Colors
Beige color in rectangular living room design
When decorating rectangular living rooms, designers often use beige colors. There are many examples of original design projects made in a similar color scheme. At the same time, beige is actively used in various styles. It can be found in rooms designed in modern style, as well as in classical styles.
Beige visually expands the space
. The pleasant feature of this shade makes it popular in one-room and two-room apartments. Beige is rarely used in three-ruble apartments, since in such apartments there is no need to expand anything. The correct use of beige shades can visually expand the room, and as a result, from a rectangular living room you will be able to get a square, wide room.
Compatibility
. Beige looks great in combination with almost any shade, regardless of whether they belong to a cold or warm color scheme. Thus, this opens up wide scope for the imagination of designers, allowing you to create several design options for the guest room.
Create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort
. Beige is a warm color. Therefore, it will help make the living room cozy, able to lift your spirits and help you relax after a hard day.
Beige color in the living room
. Beige is mainly used when decorating rooms in a classic style. However, cool shades can be used in modern interiors. This design makes the room more laconic and at the same time comfortable to stay. Beige has a beneficial effect on the psyche, calming and setting you in a positive mood.
A selection of beige living rooms
Gray color in the interior of a rectangular living room
Gray color in the living room
. The photo shows a design project made in gray. This design makes the room calm.
It is not advisable to use black shades in living room design, as the room can become gloomy and inhospitable. Excessive consumption of white will also not lead to anything good. Rooms decorated exclusively in white or black shades become unattractive.
It is recommended to dilute the decoration of the room with bright colors, placing emphasis on them. However, you should use no more than 3 basic shades.
A selection of gray living rooms
Wall decoration: manipulations with prints and shades
One of the most popular ways to decorate walls is wallpapering. To create a successful interior, designers give preference to light colors. Pastel colors will create the effect of free space, spaciousness, and light.
Most often, walls are covered with wallpaper.
Prints
Prints for the living room should be chosen small, not in flashy colors, but with a laconic design. It is not advisable to introduce large bright elements into the interior, not only when decorating walls, but as accessories. A large pattern on the walls will create the impression of a small, cramped space.
Advice For a small room, it is important not to overload it with details, including drawings and details. In order for the space to be harmonious, it is advisable not to use prints en masse. If the wallpaper is chosen in a small pattern, then it is better to choose plain curtains, as well as upholstery. And vice versa.
It’s better not to choose wallpaper with large patterns
Colors
A light shade that dominates the living room may look boring and uninteresting. It is necessary to dilute such a “bland” interior with unusual decor and the use of original solutions. Several colors in the design of a room will help create a dynamic atmosphere and even improve well-being.
When using multiple shades, try to limit the number to five. A good option is to use gradient coloring.
Light wallpaper can look boring
Pastel shades have many tones and undertones. Choosing the most suitable one for the living room should be based on the concept of the room itself, the brightness of the lighting and the objects present in the room.
Warm shades with a yellowish tint have a calming effect on the nervous system and look neutral. They allow you to create a versatile backdrop in your living room.
Cool shades, combined with warm ones, can be used in small rooms without the danger of making them uncomfortable and cold. Warm and cool colors when combined with white allow you to create a bright, comfortable room for living. White can be introduced as an accent.
Dominant white color
Cool shades include:
- lilac;
- grey;
- mint;
- blue.
Cool interior colors
Warm tones include the following:
- golden;
- sand;
- ocher;
- pink;
- beige;
- peach, etc.
Classic color combination
Tip For rooms facing north, it is better to choose warm colors as the predominant ones. For sunny windows, you can pay attention to a cool color scheme, which “quenches” a large amount of sunlight.
Recommendations for decorating a living room
Practical tips:
- Light colors will visually expand the room.
- A print with a horizontal pattern visually “lowers” the ceiling.
- Bright shades can be used as companion colors when placing accents.
- If there are pets, it is better to choose wallpaper with a small print (for example, with a spray effect), as well as a textured top layer. This approach will allow you to hide minor damage caused by animals.
- A vertical strip or other pattern going from bottom to top visually increases the height of the ceiling, but can hide the area.
Light colors will visually expand the room
Other colors
In the living room design
White color in the living room
Blue color in the living room
Dark living room design
I also recommend ideas
Living room design in a panel house
Design of an ordinary living room
New hall design 2021
Looking at photos of the interior design of a living room in an apartment is not enough; you need to understand some modern trends. Although they have all been used before, today the trends have taken on a new life. It all depends on the characteristics of the room: even budget interior options for a living room in an apartment can be stylish if you use the techniques described below.
Combined living room with bedroom
This option is suitable both for a small room in an apartment and for situations where there is only one room and you need to fit everything correctly so that there is both a place to sleep and an area for receiving guests. Modern ways to solve this issue are as follows:
- Liftable bed. This is a design that, when folded, is a small-depth cabinet or even a whole complex with a sofa and a hanging shelf. In fact, this is an ideal system for one room, allowing you to place even a double bed, occupying about 1 sq.m. space. At night, the structure is simply lowered, and bed linen also fits inside. Due to the variety of models, it will not be difficult to choose furniture to suit any interior style.
- Sofa bed. A more affordable and widespread solution, which, through the use of modern folding technologies, has become more convenient in terms of sleep. When choosing, you should give preference to sofas that will be comfortable to sleep on. Modifications with orthopedic mattresses are especially good in this regard; they are not inferior to ordinary beds in terms of comfort. At the same time, the aesthetic component of the folded sofa is also important: it should fit perfectly into the decor and not clutter up the space.
- Hanging bed. If the height allows, which is most often the case in old houses, you can install the structure under the ceiling. Then you will get an ideal sleeping place that does not take up a centimeter of floor space. And under it you can equip a work area or place a sofa. Most often, the frame is made of metal for a specific project, which increases costs.
- If there is a niche in the room (which often happened in so-called one-and-a-half apartments), it is best to place the sleeping area there. And if the room is long and narrow, you can fence off a niche to simply hide the sleeping area from prying eyes.
- Partitions are widely used, but not permanent ones, as was the case before, but mobile or sliding ones - made of unbreakable glass or polymer materials. They clearly delimit the space, but at the same time almost do not impair natural lighting.
By the way!
You can delimit space through lighting, different floor coverings, multi-level ceilings or even floors.
Hall with balcony
In this case, everything depends on the characteristics of the room and the scale of the alteration. There can be quite a lot of solutions; among the current trends we can highlight the following for an apartment with a balcony:
- If doors and windows remain, it is worth using the largest possible frames without partitions so that natural light enters the room without obstacles. In this case, you should use only light curtains, which serve more as decoration.
- When it is possible to completely remove the partition, be sure to insulate the balcony or loggia. The opening can be left rectangular or designed as an arch of an unusual shape.
- If there is a part of the wall left under the window, it is easiest to install a tabletop on it or arrange a bar counter. You can also use other options - space for decoration, installation of a large aquarium, etc.
- You can make a separate work area if necessary. A small table and chair will fit perfectly and will not take up space in the main area.
You can install a sliding transparent partition instead of a wall. This is a modern option that significantly improves illumination and allows you to decorate the balcony if necessary.
Hall design 20 sq. m.
The interior of the hall in an apartment of 20 square meters. m can be considered standard: approximately this area is found most often. This is an average footage that has its own characteristics that need to be taken into account when choosing a design:
- Room shape. If it is square, there are much more possibilities than a rectangular room in an apartment, especially if it is elongated. A good option is slight asymmetry, for example, 4x5 m. You need to select examples specifically for the configuration of your room.
- It is best to place furniture closer to the walls, leaving space in the middle free. This makes the room much more comfortable and allows it to be uncluttered.
- It is important to provide high-quality artificial lighting with different light sources in order to change the background if necessary and create either a calm, cozy environment or abundantly illuminate the area when receiving guests.
- You should not use massive furniture; fairly compact elements with clear shapes are more suitable.
- Modern design styles are more suitable; for classics this space is not enough.
- It is worth making a multi-level ceiling only if its height is more than 260 cm. However, it is better not to make the structure too complex and heavy.
By the way!
To gain some more space, you should remove the doors and leave an opening or create an arch.
Hall design 18 sq. m.
This option is less preferable because space is limited, so you need to use all available means to compensate for the small area. There are several recommendations:
- First of all, you need to think through the functionality of the room in order to clearly understand what zones will be required and how much furniture needs to be placed. Based on this, select successful arrangements.
- The most suitable styles are those that involve a minimum of decor and decorations - minimalism, modern or Scandinavian style. Such solutions look much better in a small living room.
- It is worth using multifunctional furniture to save space: transformable sofas, folding tables, etc.
- Open shelving and hanging shelves are good for saving space. If possible, it is better to store everything you need for receiving guests in another room.
- It is advisable to use light colors and furniture of a similar shade so that it dissolves against the general background. This will visually increase the space.
By the way!
It is important to consider how the hall will be primarily used. If guests come often, you need a table of a suitable size and enough chairs. For family gatherings, a comfortable sofa and a large TV will be more important.
