head of design studio
Don't think of white as a blank color, instead think of it as a perfectly blank canvas for your creative ideas and various decorative items. Using white in an apartment interior is an ideal way to create clear and concise lines. The abundance of white will make your room feel brighter and more spacious, even if you only have a small space.
The beauty of white is that it looks great with almost any other color. Designers recommend adding at least one accent color to your living room to help brighten it up a bit. Choose based on your favorite color, consider the mood you want to set in your living room, or a neutral that you won't get tired of. Adding an accent color is the easiest way to break up an all-white room and create a more interesting and vibrant space. The combination of a white living room with bright accents on the shelves and artwork on the walls looks beautiful.
A white room furnished exclusively in one style can end up becoming cold and monotonous. When sticking to a white palette in your apartment design, don’t forget that you can easily combine different styles: from modern to classic.
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Sofa seat
in the design of a white living room
Visual planning
. It is very important to draw up a design project for the living room before starting the renovation. Make a plan for your future living room, because wouldn't it be great if you could see what your design ideas and furniture layout will actually look like before you implement everything? This kind of planning can completely change all your ideas.
A place in a draft is not the best place to place a sofa
. Once you've mapped out your living room, you can trace an imaginary line from window to door. This line will show you where not to place the sofa.
The location of the sofa in the living room
. Next you can see different options for the location of the sofa. Thanks to which you can understand that your task can completely change the place for the sofa in this room.
1. The location of the sofa opposite the TV, diagonally, is considered the best. As if inviting you to relax in front of the TV.
2. If you often receive guests, then place the sofa near the door and you definitely can’t go wrong.
3. If you have chosen a corner sofa for your living room, then you can hardly find a better location for it than the far corner from the door. Thanks to this layout, the room will visually become larger.
Correct opening of the door in the living room
In or out?
Opening the door in the living room
. Not everyone wants the front door to the living room to stand out somehow. In this case, the best solution would be an invisible door without platbands. Paint it the same color as the wall and it will completely blend into the space.
Should the door of the room open inward or outward? There are no clear rules here. This question can be answered correctly only by taking into account the layout of the living room and the arrangement of furniture. The most important thing is that nothing interferes with the door opening and free entry and exit from the living room. Also, the door should not interfere with your access to the closet or wardrobe. In some cases, the best solution is to move the doorway or install a sliding or folding door.
1. Excellent location of the doorway. The picture clearly shows that it does not interfere with entry or exit and does not block the corridor. However, this arrangement also has its drawbacks, for example, an open door touches the closet.
2. Not the best solution. The door interferes with normal passage into the room and takes up free space. In this case, it is best to change the direction of the door, but if this is not possible, then install a folding model or an accordion.
3. Not a very good option. In order for the door to the living room to open, you need to step back, and in an apartment with a narrow corridor this will create unnecessary inconvenience. In this case, it is best to choose a sliding or folding model.
4. A good location of the door, which does not obstruct passage to the room and is considered the most successful from a fire safety point of view.
TV in the living room
size and location
Placing a TV in the living room
. How beautiful it will look in the interior depends on how large the diagonal of the TV is.
Location
. The best solution is to place the TV on the wall opposite the sofa. In this case, it doesn’t really matter what the distance is, because the latest TV models can be placed even close to the sofa.
Cabinet or bracket?
At your request. It is necessary that the wall with the TV look worthy in the interior of the living room. Don't forget about the cable channel that will hide all communications. No wires from sockets for the receiver, set-top box from the TV, or modem should be visible. Exposed wires have a very negative impact on the overall design of the room!
Height from floor
. The best solution is to place the TV 1 m from the floor to the middle of the screen. The fact is that at this level are the eyes of a person sitting opposite the sofa.
Diagonal size
. If you can afford to buy a more expensive TV, then consider buying models from 50 inches. A small screen will look very lonely on a monotonous wall.
Film projector as an alternative
. In addition to a film projector, you'll need a screen if you don't have clean, white walls. The screen can be lowered manually, but a motorized model is also available. For this model, you should think about catering. Don't forget that all wires must be hidden. It is also very important to pay attention to choosing a suitable location for the projector. Decide whether the mount is permanent or removable. The removable mount will be used for viewing purposes only. Don't forget about thick curtains that don't allow light to pass through. Such curtains are necessary to get a high-quality picture.
TV in the living room
What materials are white classic furniture made from?
When choosing classic white furniture, you must decide not only on the model and shade, but also on the materials of the product - natural wood has long been recognized as the best.
Solid wood furniture is considered the most elite. The quality of the product depends on the technology of wood drying and storage. Ignoring or violating technology often leads to the fact that during use the furniture shrinks and cracks form in it. Furniture made from hardwood (oak, beech, ash, walnut, cherry) is considered the highest quality. These products are very strong and durable.
When choosing a certain type of wooden furniture, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the type of wood. For example, pine is soft in its properties, so furniture with load-bearing structures made of pine is unlikely to please you with its durability. Most tree species do not respond well to high humidity and temperature changes. Such furniture is not suitable for furnishing kitchens or bathrooms.
There are laminated and solid types of solid wood, which differ in that laminated models contain an adhesive. In terms of external and operational features, these two types do not differ, but white classic solid wood furniture is considered more elite and costs more.
In modern furniture production, more affordable and lower quality materials are widely used, such as chipboard, MDF, and fiberboard. Metals, polymers, glass, etc. can also be used. But with all this diversity, it is natural wood that has the highest quality indicators.
Furniture in the living room
Furniture in the living room
. This calm neoclassical interior design uses a blue armchair as an accent color. Note that this is a very soft and comfortable accent.
- Armchair.
Due to the fact that the color and shape of the chair almost always look a little different than the rest of the furniture in the room, it is often used as a color accent. To avoid making a mistake when choosing a chair, consider your habits. If you like to climb up and spend time reading a book, then you will be most comfortable in a chair with dimensions of 90x90. And if you just need a comfortable chair to sit on, then choose a model with an 80x80 seat, as well as a large back and comfortable armrests. - TV stand.
Large TV stands were once very popular, but today there is no need for such models. After all, you no longer need to store discs, cassettes and a DVD player in them. Today, narrow miniature models or console tables are relevant. - Coffee table.
Thanks to this piece of furniture you can create a cozy atmosphere in your living room. For especially hospitable hosts, there are folding models that turn into spacious tables. However, it is very difficult to find such specimens, and their price will be rather high. - Side tables.
The size of the room does not always allow you to choose a full-size coffee table. However, for such cases, there are convenient and universal add-on models. Such models do not take up much space and are convenient to rearrange. You can always find unusual design options and turn an ordinary side table into the centerpiece of your living room. - Rack.
One of the most useful pieces of furniture. Let's start with the fact that the rack allows you to place various items. It can also be used as a neat through partition for zoning space. Such a partition does not take away light and does not take up much space. It will be especially useful in small apartments. - Additional storage cabinet.
If you have a rather large living room, then you can use the following furniture arrangement: place the sofa in the middle of the room to find free space for the closet. Then you don't have to decide - a large storage space or a comfortable sofa. Consider the apartment plan in detail and use all available storage space; houses almost always have problems with organizing space. - Fireplace.
Below we will talk about electric fireplaces. Many fireplaces have features such as a humidifier and heating. Such electric fireplaces will be especially useful. Fireplace portals can be designed in different stylistic directions. If the fireplace you choose does not fit the overall style of the living room, then the overall impression of the entire room may suffer greatly. When choosing a fireplace, it is very important not to overdo it with creativity. It is also very important to keep the sizes consistent. If you have large walls with high ceilings, you need a matching fireplace. If you choose a model with a small portal, it will look awkward and lonely.
Kitchen-living room
Today, many people are increasingly removing the wall between the living room and the kitchen. This is especially true for small rooms. This creates a spacious and bright room. However, such a solution will not be appropriate in all cases. Today this option has more and more fans, which is why we will discuss it in more detail.
Kitchen-living room design
. It is not at all necessary to stop at one bright accent, because there can be several of them.
A combined kitchen and living room automatically provides a bright and spacious space with at least two windows. This combination fills the room with air and light. Also, another advantage of this solution is the large dining area, which not every kitchen has. By the way, when choosing a dining table, it is very important to take into account each family member; you need to allocate approximately 70 cm for one.
Ideas for the kitchen-living room
White classic kitchen furniture
For the kitchen, also choose furniture made from natural wood. To decorate the facades of the set, light colors (enamel) are suitable, but if desired, you can preserve the natural texture of the wood by covering the surface with only varnish. Additionally, you can add gold or contrasting dark shades. It is better to place the decor symmetrically.
There should be no low sofas or stools in the kitchen design interior. White classic seating furniture is high chairs with carved decor and soft upholstery. They may have armrests.
Place a properly shaped table in the middle of the kitchen. It can be a square, circle, rectangle or oval. Choose products with a smooth surface. In the classic design, tables are not covered with tablecloths.
Bedroom-living room
It is not always possible to find a living room combined with a bedroom. For large families, this option is unlikely to be relevant. But young owners of small apartments have something to think about. In order to zone a room and highlight the living and sleeping areas, a regular shelving unit is suitable. The shelving will not take away natural light and will provide additional storage space.
Bedroom design with living room
. Excellent layout of a combined bedroom with a living room for a one-room apartment.
White classic bedroom furniture
As a standard, there is a bed in the central part of the room. For a classic interior, a model with a carved headboard, leather or velvet upholstery is suitable. Forged and gilded elements look good.
To separate the sleeping area from the rest of the room, you can use a canopy (thin translucent fabric) or curtains. This design will add a touch of romance to the interior. The canopy is perfect for spacious, bright bedrooms.
Complete the interior with bedside tables, a chest of drawers, a dressing table, a mirror, and ottomans with velvet trim. All white classic furniture should be in harmony with each other and with the overall style of the room. If you choose a room closet, make sure that the product meets these requirements. The best option would be an old-fashioned swing wardrobe. Sliding wardrobes should also fit into the style concept, so choose products made of opaque glass with a classic pattern.
Antiques will perfectly complement the classic atmosphere, but you will need to put their appearance in order.
Living room-office
If you have a modest-sized apartment, then you probably know how difficult it is to find a decent place for your desk. Often the desk in such apartments is located in the living room or bedroom. When choosing its location and size for a one-room or two-room apartment, you should proceed from how often you will use it. If you have a laptop, then just choose a table with a width of 50-60 cm, and if you have a desktop computer, then choose a model with a tabletop of at least 70 cm.
Living room design
. This project shows how we used color to make wall shelves almost invisible. And the bright upholstery of the chair made an ordinary chair an accent spot in the soft pastel living room.
I present to your attention several convenient layouts with a work area in the living room.
1. Place the desktop in the far corner of the room. Not a bad solution if you don’t constantly need to be at your desk. To enclose the room, we recommend using a shelving unit or a decorative screen.
2. Spacious workplace near the window. This arrangement is perfect for people working from home. A desktop with an extended window sill is a good option for placing a desktop computer. And for elongated rooms there is another advantage of this option - the room will visually become wider.
3. Workplace hidden in a closet. A great solution to hide a desk with creative clutter. After work, you can immediately clean your workplace.
Desk in the interior
Air conditioner
in the living room white room
When choosing a place to place the air conditioner, it is very important to take into account where the flow of cooled air coming from it will be directed. It should not get on people sitting at a table or on a sofa. However, keep in mind that how far you place the indoor air conditioner unit from the window will determine how much it will cost you to install it. If you have to increase the price for installation, the price of the installation will rise noticeably.
Air conditioner indoor unit
- not the most attractive detail in the interior and you always want to disguise it somehow so that it is not too noticeable. A white block on a white wall is easier to hide. :).
We propose to consider the three most common options for the location of the air conditioner.
1. The indoor unit fits well above the door - excellent placement of the air conditioner!
2. The location of the air conditioner is close to the window. This option is especially good for those who want to save on a strobe for air conditioner communications.
3. Poor location of the indoor unit. Cold air from the air conditioner blows onto the sofa and the people sitting there.
What's good about a white living room?
- This color is a great backdrop for any accessory or accent, as it highlights and highlights every detail.
- White goes with all colors or shades, so choosing a “companion” color for it will not be difficult.
- We offer a wide range of finishing materials and furniture in shades of white.
- This color is used in almost all interior styles, from antique to futurism.
- White visually increases the space of the hall, raises the ceilings and increases illumination. And all thanks to good reflectivity.
- Dark furniture looks great in a white living room, especially with a clearly defined material pattern. Other contrasting decorative elements will also attract special attention: photos in black frames or a zebra-patterned rug.
- This color is so popular that the interior of the hall will be fashionable for at least the next five to six years, which will allow you to save on new renovations.
Just keep in mind that a room in white shades requires careful handling of finishing materials, furniture upholstery and textiles.
Lighting
in a white living room
This issue needs to be given special attention. After all, it is the lighting sources that will determine how cozy and comfortable the room will be. Think about several different lighting sources at once.
Living room lighting
. Minimalistic lamps harmonize with the brick wall. They are all in the same loft style, although from different collections.
Lamps
- are part of the decor and should look harmonious with the overall interior of the living room. Today it is very fashionable to use several lamps from different collections in one room, but in the same style. It is desirable that the living room have local, main and intimate light. Don't forget that as the lighting changes, the atmosphere of the room also changes.
overhead light
- is the main type of lighting. This includes a task light and chandelier. By working light we mean spotlights. Note that often a chandelier is used not to provide bright lighting, but as a decoration for the living room.
Toward the local light
include various sconces, table lamps and floor lamps. However, as for sconces, everything is a little more complicated here, because finding a suitable model for a modern interior will be very difficult. As an alternative, it is best to use stylish lamps.
Intimate light
- this includes garlands and candles. Interior garlands mean those that shine with a warm, even light. With their help you can make your living room more comfortable. Also, such garlands are considered an excellent alternative to a night light.
Candles
. Here we will talk about choosing candles. Light candles with a matte or rough surface will best fit into a living room interior in white colors.
Zoning
. To visually divide the space in a combined room, you can use lamps. In the living room combined with the kitchen, it is necessary to provide working lighting in the cooking area and several pendant models above the dining area or bar counter. Also, don’t forget about the living area, which should have main and local light. Place cozy lamps behind the sofa and a beautiful floor lamp near the chair.
How to choose white classic furniture
When buying white furniture in a classic style for your home, rely on your own feelings. She should not only be beautiful in appearance, but also bring you only positive emotions.
In modern stores you can find many models of furniture in completely different colors. These are matte, cocktail-milk, fresh frosty, warm pastel shades. Each color gives us certain emotions and conveys its mood. Choose furniture that you will be pleased to see every day.
White furniture can play the main accent role, or it can be an addition to the overall decor in the room, emphasizing other interior elements. It is worth focusing on white objects if you have a small room. White color will make the room visually more voluminous, adding brightness and radiance to it. In large rooms, white furniture becomes one with the exterior decoration and accessories, if they are also made in light colors.
When buying white classic furniture for your interior, look at what materials the product is made from. Many modern materials can be toxic and hazardous to health.
It is also important to correctly determine the size of future furniture. It should clearly fit into the size of the room or the area that you have allocated for it. Be careful with massive furnishings, as they can visually shrink a small space. In a large room, on the contrary, small objects will look unfavorable.
Modern style in the living room
Modern style is interesting and multifaceted. It will look appropriate even in small rooms. It can be described in two words – conciseness and simplicity. This style is incredibly functional and beautiful.
Modern living room design
. Modern style is characterized by clear geometric lines and patterns.
Signs of style
. The main colors in modern interior style are considered to be gray, white, beige and black. To prevent the interior from becoming boring, use bright accents. Large paintings and posters will be especially relevant in this style. Please note that you should not overdo it with decorative items. They should be in moderation and combined with the overall style of the room. Furniture should be chosen that is comfortable and practical. Stick to minimalism and you can't go wrong.
Many modern living rooms
The benefits of white
White color, basic in interior design. Designers from many countries use it to create unusual interiors. It has a number of advantages over other colors:
- visually expands spaces;
- helps hide design flaws;
- makes spacious rooms holistic, giving them harmony;
- goes well with any colors and shades.
Neoclassical style in the living room
Our clients love to choose delicate neoclassicism to decorate their living room. This style cannot be described in a few words. Simply put, this is a well-known classic with a modern twist. "Carriage screed", intricate lighting fixtures, wall moldings and watercolor shades sum up the neoclassical style.
Living room in neoclassical style
. Decorative pillows of different sizes in the overall color scheme of the living room in white colors will always look good and stylish.
Signs of style
. Neoclassical and classical style adheres to symmetry in the arrangement of furniture and various decorative items. In a neoclassical interior, complex furniture facades, wall moldings, stucco molding, draped curtains and curtains will be relevant.
Living rooms in neoclassical style
Rules for decorating a white interior
Creating a white living room interior has its own rules; guided by them, you can decorate a beautiful, functional room.
In spacious rooms it is worth using a cream shade of color. The room will be filled with a pleasant glow of warm light. This tone goes well with shades of beige.
It is advisable to paint small rooms in pure white, otherwise the charm of the living room will be lost, it will look untidy, even dirty in the shaded corners of the room. Cool, slightly blue tones are combined with gray and steel shades.
Decorative elements, in the form of paintings, floor vases or ornamental plants, are best placed in well-lit parts of the room. White walls focus attention on these items.
Other living room styles
Scandinavian style
Fusion
Loft
Decoration Materials
Once in a house or apartment, the first room your guests and family may encounter is your living room. This is the room where you hold all your family gatherings or entertain guests or relax on the sofa while watching TV, which is why the way you design and decorate your living room is of utmost importance. When choosing materials for your living room, do not neglect an important aspect to consider when designing your living space, this aspect is durability. Spend a little more on higher-quality finishing materials so that your living room does not require constant renovation, and also follow the advice of designers or contact a design studio in Moscow.
10 tips for decorating your living room
Materials for creating an apartment design with white walls
Wallpaper
A few years ago, creating an apartment design with white walls was not difficult, but bringing it to life is already problematic due to the lack of necessary materials. Today this problem does not exist. Let's talk about what materials are used for finishing and decorating apartments with white walls.
- Wallpaper. Ecological, natural. There are single-layer (simplex) and double-layer (duplex).
- Non-woven wallpaper. It is based on cellulose and synthetic fiber. The figure is three-dimensional.
- Vinyl wallpapers. Otherwise, they are called paintable wallpaper. Synthetic base.
- Metal wallpaper. They consist of a base and a film layer. The film performs two tasks: it dampens radiation from electrical appliances and power lines, and also visually increases the area of the room.
- Fiberglass wallpaper. Particularly wear-resistant, resistant to multiple paints.
- Textile wallpaper. They consist of two layers: paper and fabric, linen or cotton.
Decorative plaster
The design of an apartment with white walls often involves the use of decorative plaster. This finishing material looks stylish and modern, and in addition has a number of undeniable functional advantages:
- can be used to level the wall after initial finishing;
- plaster plays the role of an insulator and soundproofer;
- special plaster protects walls from fungus and mold;
- It is easy to repair a plastered wall with your own hands if the coating is damaged.
When decorating an apartment with white walls, experts use decorative plaster. There are several varieties.
- Structured plaster. Used to create volume. Plastic. If desired, you can choose plaster that imitates natural materials.
- Structural plaster. After drying, “antique” plaster forms pores, unevenness and roughness.
- Bayramik. Plaster with the addition of marble chips. Long service life and high quality.
- Venetian plaster. It can make any apartment project with white walls unique.
- Liquid wallpaper. An easy to apply material that even a non-professional can handle.
Tile
This finishing material is traditionally used in wet areas of a house or apartment, for example, in the kitchen or bathroom. The choice of tiles today is unlimited; you can buy both economy and premium class materials. Different types of tiles differ in quality and number of pieces per square meter of surface. When choosing tiles, remember:
- for rooms less than four square meters it is better to choose light shades;
- high-quality tiles are smooth, proportional, with clear edges;
- glue must be selected for each specific type of tile.
Drywall
Drywall is a material for rough finishing of premises. The design of apartments with white walls begins with leveling the walls with plasterboard, which has a number of advantages:
- minimum effort during work and excellent results;
- fast production of frames, simple operating technology;
- drywall allows you to hide communications - pipes, cables;
- you can work with drywall yourself, saving the labor costs of the construction finishing team;
- It’s not difficult to make decorative elements from plasterboard with your own hands.
In the design of apartments with white walls, one of the following types of plasterboard can be used:
- Ordinary. Suitable for finishing living rooms, bedrooms, children's and other dry heated rooms.
- Moisture resistant. They are used for covering rooms with high humidity - kitchens, bathrooms.
- Fire resistant. For rooms with increased fire hazard.
Wall panels
Wall panels: can be made from synthetic or natural raw materials. The undeniable advantage of wall panels is a large selection of colors and textures. Like tiles, they differ in the number of parts per square meter of area and, in addition, in the material.
- Natural wood. Wood finishes never go out of style. A room design with white walls and a wooden wall looks elegant, luxurious, and cozy.
- Chipboard. Most often used for finishing corridors. The main advantage is their relatively low price, and they are also easy to use.
- Fiberboard is suitable for use in dry conditions and comes in a wide range of colours.
- MDF is suitable for any environment, insulates sound well and retains heat.
- PVC panels. Made from synthetic materials, thanks to which they are durable and resistant to moisture.
- Cup. They are not suitable for finishing walls; partitions are erected on them.
- Plaster vinyl. The base is plasterboard, the outer layer is plain vinyl or vinyl with a pattern. Suitable for studio decoration.
Decorative rock
Initially, decorative stone was used for exterior decoration of houses, but recently it is increasingly used indoors, including when decorating apartments with white walls. When using stone, the main rule is not to overdo it, so that the room does not become cold and uncomfortable.
The advantages of artificial stone include its durability, strength, resistance to moisture and heat, ease of maintenance, and ease of processing the material at the installation stage. Combines perfectly with other finishing materials such as plaster and wallpaper. In case of mechanical damage, one part can be easily replaced with a similar one.
Painting
Using paint in the design of apartments with white walls is the cheapest renovation option. The paint is easily applied to any surface, so anyone can make repairs with their own hands. All paints are divided into several types:
- based on drying oil (oil) - drying oil is used in breeding. The paint has a specific smell; a respirator must be used when working. Disadvantages: long drying time;
- based on paints (enamel) - diluted with special means. Dries relatively quickly - about 4 hours;
- based on aqueous solutions of polymers (adhesive);
- based on aqueous polymer dispersions (water-based). Quick-drying paints do not cause allergic reactions and have an almost unlimited range of colors due to the possibility of using dyes.
Disadvantages of paint include the formation of drops during operation. Therefore, before work, it is necessary to prepare both the walls and the room as a whole: remove furniture or cover it with film/cloth, lay the floor. The walls also need to be treated before painting, and the technology depends on how long the house has been in use:
- in a new house, before painting, the walls are puttied, treated with sandpaper and coated with a primer;
- in an old house, the walls are cleared of previous finishing, washed, puttied, sanded and primed.
Painting the walls of your apartment is the easiest way to change the design and style of your rooms in the shortest possible time.
Decor
If you have a white living room with neutral pieces of furniture, choose at least one décor item that will give the space a pop of energy. Anything will go with the white living room style, it can be a bright piece of art on the wall or a bright rug on the floor. You can also always change your living room decor at different times of the year and find suitable decor items for different holidays and seasons. Most likely, you and your household spend a lot of time in the living room, which is why do not forget about the importance of physical and visual comfort.
10 Living Room Decor Tips
Ceiling
By default, the ceiling always remains assumed to be white. But this is not a rule; in the modern world, its color may well become gray, beige, blue or even black. If the task is to bring dramatic changes to the interior, then changing the color of the ceiling is the best way to achieve this.
You just have to adhere to the stylistic rules. For example, in the loft style - a gray ceiling and one gray wall - it looks very impressive. But such a solution is not suitable for example for classics.
Wooden elements go perfectly with white walls. For example, the Provence style is characterized by the presence of interfloor ceilings, and along with them the ceiling can be decorated to look like wood.
Coffered ceilings look luxurious in the interior - a high-quality, noble solution.
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White color in living room design
White living room design 18 sq m
Floor
Some home owners want light-colored carpeting. In recent years, glossy finishes have gained popularity. The advantage of gloss is that the space visually expands, but the disadvantage is the additional load during cleaning. Dirt and dust are visible on light shades, but the glossy surface reflects all prints - from animal paws to barefoot prints.
White tiles as a covering are not so common. But it keeps you cool all year round, so you can’t do without carpeting. The ideal combination is the dark color of the flooring with the light colors of the room. You can see a photo of the white living room below