Symphony of white walls with wood: apartment for a family with four children

Year of project implementation: 2020

Authors: Yulia Musina, Alexander Safarov, Alina Shagieva

Shooting: Natalya Gorbunova

Advantages and disadvantages

White is universal - it can be the main, background, complementary and accent color, suitable for ornate rococo, luxurious classics and simple minimalism. It harmoniously combines with any shades, expands the space and serves as an excellent backdrop for a variety of textures and contrasts.

White color has a lot of halftones that you can play with in the interior. It will suit any style and performs a wide variety of tasks: it emphasizes the shape of contrasting silhouettes and complex decorative elements, reveals the complexity of other colors, in addition, it is an excellent connecting element.

The only negative that can be noted is its impracticality, but this drawback is completely offset by modern finishing materials - washable paint, dust-repellent materials. Many people believe that snow-white brings some hospital sterility and lifelessness to the interior, but this does not happen if it is harmoniously diluted with other colors, bright accents and contrasts.

What materials are white swing cabinets made from?

A variety of materials are used in the production of furniture. Each option has its own advantages, characteristics, degree of strength and reliability, maximum possible load, and service life.

The most current raw materials used in the production of white cabinets include:

• Wood. At the first stages, exclusively solid wood was used in the production of white cabinets. But since wood is a very expensive material, the price of furniture made from it is also very high. In addition, wooden cabinets are heavy. But, of course, they are distinguished by a special noble, sophisticated style, appropriateness in any interior and long service life.
• MDF. Furniture made from fibreboards can be called the “golden mean” in terms of price and quality. Thus, a white swing cabinet made of MDF is characterized by many advantages. It can be made in a wide variety of design options, have a long service life and an affordable price.
• Chipboard. Furniture items made from laminated chipboard are popular and are included in the so-called economy segment. Cabinets made of laminated chipboard have an impeccable appearance. They will fit perfectly into the interior of not only apartments, but also private houses. However, it is worth mentioning one of their drawbacks. Transporting such furniture is extremely problematic; it will not last long. If you disassemble the cabinet once, then there is an extremely low probability that you will be able to assemble it again perfectly and without damage.

• Metal.
• Chipboard.
• Plastic.
• Glass.
• Mirrors.

Without a doubt, wood is the most durable material. Furniture made of oak and pine looks very attractive and has a long service life. Its weight is greater than that made from MDF and chipboard. However, if you are planning to purchase a custom-made white swing wardrobe made of wood, then keep in mind that it is not always possible to bleach the wood to the desired shade. As for laminating facade cladding over particle boards, fiber boards and MDF, there are no difficulties with this. A different type of surface can be used: glossy, matte, smooth, embossed, mirror, convex, concave.

To achieve a white surface color use:

• PVC film;
• acrylic;
• special enamel.

Often, in the production of certain models, a combination of several materials is used. For example, it could be a white swing wardrobe with mirrors or with a separate mirror insert, glass doors, plastic handles or other decorative elements. It is often difficult to immediately decide on something specific when purchasing, since there are a lot of options for the materials used, and no special conclusions can be drawn from advertising.

If you have any doubts, remember that wooden models are suitable for the living room, cabinets made of particle boards are suitable for the kitchen, and plastic products are suitable for the bathtub.

Shades

White has a huge number of shades, all of which are actively used by designers to create fashionable and cozy interiors. Let's look at several groups of shades:

• cold shades - snowy, frosty, sterile, porcelain, opal are best suited for creating bold, contrasting interiors in combination with black and its derivatives. Cool tones are very easy to recognize - they give off blue or gray;
• smoky is a mixture of white, gray and a little beige shades. The smoky atmosphere is nobility and peace;
• floral white is a shade of a flower bud, a symbol of purity and freshness. These include numerous warm tones - ivory, milky undertones, the color of baked milk. These combinations are leaders in creating a soft atmosphere in a living room;
• sea ​​shades - pearl (slightly grayish color with a matte sheen) and sea foam (beige-white, lighter than cream);
• linen, coconut, moonlight, white chocolate - warm colors against which any bright accents will acquire the status of conceptual dominant things.

Pros and cons of wood in the interior

Recently, decorating walls with wood in apartments has been gaining popularity at a frantic pace. This design method gives the living space freshness, comfort and modernity. The advantages also include the following:

• Originality.
• Environmentally friendly material.
• A variety of wood types allows you to choose a color and pattern that suits your interior.
• There are styles that cannot do without this cladding. For example, Provence will not be Provence if wood is not included in the design.
• In a room, if you finish the walls, sound insulation will improve.
• The durability of the finish allows you not to think about updating the renovation.
• Easy to care for. Simply wiping the dust off the panels is enough.
• Thanks to environmentally friendly material, a country house will better retain heat during the cold season.
• You can make wooden walls in your apartment yourself, armed with imagination and carpentry tools.
• The coating can be repainted an unlimited number of times in different colors, which will allow you to change the design.

Functions and meaning

White color is the choice of people who are independent, free and liberated. Having seen the interior of the apartment with a predominance of white, we can safely say that the owner of the apartment is a confident, successful and neat person. After a hard day at work, white will help restore strength, calm down, and relieve stress. It even restores the structure of brain activity.

In color therapy, white has a positive effect on mood. All experiences, anxieties and fears go with him. It stimulates the functioning of the endocrine system and organs of vision. The perception of color also occurs through the skin, so in color therapy it is used to treat certain dermatological diseases.

The fundamental quality of white is equality, since it contains all colors equally. He always inspires - creative people love him. However, if there is a lot of it, negative characteristics can gain strength. Due to its physical properties, white has a unique ability to expand space. A white ceiling in the interior will look higher, the walls will look wider, and the interior elements will appear larger.

White is a good backdrop for bright accents, enhancing them and drawing attention to them. A black table on a white floor will look more impressive and elegant, as will beautiful curtains with large red flowers in a white kitchen. In addition, in interior solutions it is used to neutralize the contrast between two colors. Black-red-white kitchens or black-white-green kitchens are becoming increasingly popular in interiors.

Briefly about the project

The designers had to prepare an apartment interior project for a family of six people - parents and four children. The family lived in Germany for a long time, which could not but affect their preferences in the interior.

The owners really like the simple, clean architecture in old buildings and the minimal number of items. There was a request to make the interior design “white with wood” and select finishes for the floor. Including creating a bathroom design.

There is also a tradition in the family of regularly getting together to watch movies together. Therefore, the authors of the project created a huge common space of the kitchen-living room for a comfortable pastime and reflected the creative preferences of the hostess in the design - they included antique objects and art objects in the design.

White walls and natural wood in the interior

White walls to visually expand the space

The combination of white on the floor and walls

Shower in white

Use in different rooms

White has firmly entered modern interiors. Light colors for the walls in the room:

• visually increase the space;
• combine with any furniture;
• improve room illumination;
• are the best background for decoration.

However, so that snow-white does not seem official and the color of sterility, you should pay attention to the lighting of the room - only bright light in large quantities will give it the opportunity to sparkle in all its splendor. If the room has small windows or simply faces the north side, it is better to opt for shades. Interiors using ivory or beige colors are very cozy and fresh.

In the living room

When choosing white as the main color for decorating a living room, a person wants to get a bright, spacious, light room, the whole atmosphere of which will be conducive to relaxing with the family. For small living rooms and asymmetrical rooms, all shades of this color are practically the only way to smooth out the unevenness of the room.

A white living room can be designed in any stylistic direction - from retro and classic to ultra-technological high-tech. You can change the mood of the living room simply by changing the accents - different decor or textiles will radically transform the interior against a light background. An accent wall made of photo wallpaper would look good here. In the loft there is a white brick wall in a light interior or a brown one. A floor made of dark wood or a floor covering that imitates it would be ideally harmonious for creating the interior of a white room.

To diversify the color palette of a snow-white living room, you can choose one or two bright colors. Any color will go with white: from orange to turquoise. The role of color contrast can be played by bright furniture upholstery, carpeting, curtains, lampshades or paintings.

In the kitchen and dining room

The white kitchen is practically the embodiment of the perfection of harmony. White color is ideal for the kitchen. It combines rigor, accuracy and restraint. Color partners will help to slightly enliven the immaculate interior. Since it goes perfectly with literally all colors and shades, you can choose your color preferences according to your desires.

Want speakers? Red facades will add expression. Do you miss techno? Gray countertops and a stainless steel kitchen splashback will remind you of the world of technological discoveries. Does your soul crave peace and comfort? Green upholstery on the chairs and green throws combined with a short kitchen curtain will make the interior warm and natural.

Of course, one cannot say nothing about the unconditional hit of recent years - the black and white kitchen. This is the choice of calm and balanced people. Black glossy facades, snow-white stretch ceilings, geometric two-color patterns on textiles and decor are an excellent choice for modern interiors.

In the bedroom

The white bedroom is filled with light and space. It can be embodied in any style: from rustic Provence to Japanese laconicism, from thoughtful shabby chic to rough loft. By combining numerous shades of white you can avoid the feeling of oversaturation.

For a comfortable perception of a monochrome bedroom, you can introduce warm shades into the interior - for example, a wooden floor. Wood looks great in combination with white and gives the room a certain geometric outline. If you increase the amount of wood in the interior: put a wooden bedside table, bench, table or chairs, then the style will smoothly flow into country or Provence. Add indoor flowers to the walls and windowsill, curtains with a small floral print, a picture with lavender fields - and enjoy the simplicity of country music.

Wallpaper with two different textures will help to revive the interior. Wallpaper with a soft pattern, embossing or print can be used on one wall at the head of the bed. The bedroom interior will be more harmonious if the texture or shade of the accent wall can be used in other decorative items.

In the nursery

The use of white as a dominant color in a nursery is considered inappropriate by child psychologists. It is believed that a child develops better and faster if he is surrounded by a variety of bright colors. A light background of some white shade will look good - it will create a feeling of freedom and freshness in the nursery, but it will definitely have to be diluted with bright furniture, warm floors, and practical colored carpeting.

In the hallway and corridor

The hallway is traditionally considered in our country to be a place even dirtier than the kitchen. Therefore, few people would agree to have a white corridor - a source of headache for any housewife. Still, this color is worth paying attention to if the hallway is very small. The combination of light walls, a glossy ceiling, a mirror on a light wardrobe and good lighting will help visually expand a small corridor and give it a feeling of spaciousness.

In the hallway you can also create an interior with additional colors to suit any style. The combination of white and black is usual for minimalism, brown and green for natural eco-style, acidic shades will help bring cheeky pop art into your hallway. Combinations of white/beige, gray, and wood will simply look stylish.

In the bathroom

White itself is the color of purity and freshness, so it will come in handy in the bathroom. Combinations with other colors look great in bathrooms - for example, the traditional blue and white sea combination. If the white and blue bathroom seems a little cold, you can replace the blue color with warm beige, coffee, cream, etc. You can dilute the color with mosaics or colored panels.

If you don’t want to separate the colors with inserts of other colors, you can focus on the features of the texture. Finishing stores widely offer lines of glazed tiles or tiles that imitate any texture, including wood and stone.

Design options for the facade of a white swing wardrobe

Today, a large number of materials with various performance properties are used to decorate the facades of white swing cabinets. Let's talk in more detail about the most common ones:

• Hinged cabinets with solid fronts. Thanks to them, they manage to hide what is inside, which is why this option is ideal for solving storage problems. A model with blind doors is usually installed in bedrooms, hallways and children's rooms. To make the design look more original, varnish coatings, pigments with a matte effect, and decoration with overlay panels are used.
• Models with glass doors without frame. The glass used in such products can be completely transparent or translucent, colored, matte, with or without sandblasting print. You will choose the most suitable option for any room interior. Such facades look especially impressive in small spaces. Visually they seem light and not massive.
• Designs with glass doors in a wooden frame. This option refers to the classic method of decorating the facade of a white hinged cabinet with shelves, which harmoniously fits into the interior of living rooms, offices, and libraries.
• Photo printing - despite the misconception about the fragility of fashion for photo printing, we can safely say that such facades are still relevant.

It is important not to make a mistake when deciding which design to choose. Remember that you and your family may become bored with it after a while.

Use in different stylistic directions

All shades of white in the interior were popularized by America and Europe in the 20s and 30s. In that era, this color was a symbol of aristocracy and prosperity, a sign of luxury and wealth. In the emerging minimalist interiors of the 60s, it was used in a different capacity - emphasizing the laconicism and functionality of spacious spaces in rooms with a minimum amount of furniture. This color is an expression of comfort and naturalness.

Scandinavian style is unthinkable without white. Coming from cold Scandinavia, where there is night more often than day, Scandinavian style carries light shades like a dream of light.

Minimalism is the aesthetics of laconic contrast with black. Straight strict lines, a minimum of decor, a minimum of design - white perfectly copes with the tasks assigned to it.

White copes well with the role of forming a single space in modernity. In this direction it is necessary to combine several dynamic, deep, saturated colors, and without it it can be difficult to do this.

White will be the ideal backdrop for modern contemporary art. Cheerful, without strict restrictions and rules, contemporary music burst into our lives just a few years ago. Elements of all styles are perfectly combined here and only harmony, comfort and functionality are important.

White will soften the realm of metal and glass in high-tech and industrial. Light blinds and decorative elements will bring comfort to the technical style.

Types of designs

Cabinets are used in rooms for various purposes and for different purposes, so they differ in shape, size, and opening methods. One of the criteria is the type of installation, it affects the design of the product. So, a free-standing wardrobe can be placed anywhere in the room. This is an independent structure, the body of which consists of three walls, an upper and lower cover and doors. This model can be easily rearranged or taken out of the room. Such manipulations are impossible with the built-in variety, since the role of the side walls is played by the walls of the room. Often the location of the wardrobe is a niche. In any case, it is impossible to transfer such a model. A separate group includes partially built-in cabinets, which have only some body elements.

Tips for choosing and placing a narrow cabinet, the advantages of furniture

By purpose

Cabinets differ in purpose. This criterion is taken into account when purchasing furniture for a particular room.

1. Clothes room - designed for storing clothes; it can have a hinged or sliding system for opening the doors. The interior is equipped with shelves and rods.
2. A wardrobe is another clothing storage system that differs from a wardrobe in its greater capacity and variety of internal equipment. In addition to the usual shelves, the design is equipped with a built-in chest of drawers, a shoe rack, all kinds of containers, baskets, organizers, hooks, and holders.
3. Linen furniture is a low cabinet with drawers, otherwise called a chest of drawers.
4. Utensils - open or closed, included in the kitchen set. An elegant cabinet on legs with glass doors is installed in the dining room or living room - this model is called a showcase.
5. Bookcase (rack) - can be through or with a back wall. It can also be used to store toys in the nursery or small items in the living room.
6. Pencil case - used for dishes, tools or detergents. It has a small width. It is often installed in the hallway or bathroom.

Compared to conventional hinged models, the white sliding wardrobe is durable and reliable: the furniture facades will never warp, and the hinges will not sag.

Dressing Room Book Chest of Drawers Pencil Case Wardrobe

By shape

Depending on the area and layout of the room, choose the shape of the cabinet: straight, angular or radius.

The filling of a white cabinet can be anything - the options are limited only by the designer’s imagination.

L-shaped Diagonal

Straight

Five-walled

Radial

By size

When choosing what the cabinet design should be, take into account the parameters of the room. When taking measurements, they take into account not only the width, height, and length of the installation site, but also the location of door and window openings, window sills, heating radiators, switches, and sockets. The presence of baseboards, gaps, and unevenness are also taken into account. Only then can the appropriate type of structure be determined. It can be low or built up to the ceiling.

Secrets of perfect closet order, useful tips and life hacks

One of the important parameters of a cabinet is its depth. The optimal value is 600 mm, the minimum is 300 mm. There are standard requirements that affect the safety of the structure:

1. The width of the horizontal shelf cannot be less than 400 mm and more than 1000 mm.
2. The rod should not be longer than 900 mm.
3. If the width of the drawer is more than 600 mm, it is recommended to replace fiberboard with chipboard to make its bottom.

When developing a sketch of a cabinet that will be made to order, ergonomic indicators must be taken into account: the design must be easy to use and also safe.

The versatility of white in combination with others

It is impossible to suspect white color of any color preferences. It goes equally well with all colors and shades. Moreover, it has the ability to enhance brightness:

• with black is a classic of contrasts, which sometimes needs accent dilution. In almost 90% of interiors, white in this combination plays the role of a background;

• with gray is the calling card of techno. Metallic gray, steel gray, graphite gray - almost all shades of gray in combination with snow-white - the new aristocracy of modern fashion. White color with light gray forms a soft combination, and with rich gray tones - options of varying degrees of contrast.

• Black, white and gray interiors are common in minimalism; you can also find these top three in the Scandinavian style;

• tandem with red is a catchy, bold and effective combination that will be appropriate in both the living room and the kitchen. Deep rich red (dark cherry, burgundy) in this tandem will be good for classics, oriental style, and catchy modern.

• A duet with blue looks catchy and festive, and with rich blue it looks solemn and strict. Adherents of Scandinavian and Mediterranean interiors love such combinations; they are also found in classics;

• white is the best pair for brown. When creating a white and brown interior, you need to take into account that real white looks harmonious only with cold shades of brown. And warm brown goes optimally with milky or sheep's wool;

• with green - a source of cheerfulness and optimism. White with light green shades will make a great design for Provence and country, and a combination with rich green will look good in classic and oriental interiors.

How to care for a white glossy swing wardrobe

It may seem that the white glossy surface is too susceptible to the formation of dust and dirt. In fact, if a slight dusty deposit appears on the shelves, it will not be too noticeable, as, for example, in the case of wenge-colored furniture. However, you still shouldn’t be careless with white furniture. Its surface should be regularly cleaned of dirt, and then it will delight you with its ideal appearance for a long time.

Most often, a wardrobe with a matte white finish is placed in the bedroom. This option is one of the most practical; it is characterized by maximum resistance to dirt. However, we emphasize that today glossy cabinets are still considered more stylish. They are more demanding to care for, which is why it is worth taking a few tips on board.

Do not forget that the properties of a white swing wardrobe, such as its durability, functionality and practicality, largely depend on the quality of the hinges and their operating mechanism. If they are made from reliable materials, your furniture will function flawlessly. Thus, when buying a cabinet with hinged fronts, be sure to find out what kind of fittings are in it, how high quality and durable they are.

Bright accents

The design style of any room, made in white tones, dictates its accent preferences. In the kitchen, a rich monochrome will be diluted by a curtain on the window or blinds that echo the color of the skin. A contrasting wall with photo wallpaper or carpet will look good in the living room. In the bedroom, bed textiles with drapes or curtains can act as a duet with it. In bright modern and contemporary interiors, the participation of two additional colors is acceptable.

Shape and style

It is up to the owners to decide which white wardrobe will be in the hallway, living room or office: some will want to emphasize the minimalist interior with strict forms and impressive height, others expect to add coziness by equipping the bedroom with a carved wardrobe on legs with an abundance of decorative elements. The shape and stylistic decision of a piece of furniture is determined by the taste of the home owners, as well as the functionality of the cabinet itself.

It is believed that white color is inherent in the Scandinavian style and minimalism - where monochrome looks most organic. The shape of the furniture has a minimum of bends and elaborate details, straight lines are preferred - the photo will help you decide on the most advantageous option.

In the styles of classicism, baroque, and shabby chic, a white cabinet, on the contrary, stands out for its decorative elements: carved doors and legs, moldings, glass and mirror inserts, and unusual handles. At the same time, the lines are not necessarily rounded or softened - the abundance of decor is balanced by the right angles of the base of the structure.

Light cabinets will easily fit into any ethnic style, except, perhaps, oriental. The restraint and weightlessness of the Japanese style will be emphasized by a low piece of furniture with a minimum of decor; in the African style, a tall and narrow white cabinet, on the contrary, can become the center of a compositional solution, and neither painting, nor mosaic inserts, nor vinyl stickers are prohibited. Design options for other styles can be seen in more detail in the photo.

White brick wall

A white brick wall is traditionally an element of the design of industrial styles - loft, industrial, but this does not limit its scope. In the kitchen, a brick wall above the work area can perfectly coexist with rustic and even romantic styles. In the room, white brick framing the doorway and fireplace will be the final element of the classic, Victorian and even chalet style in combination with logs and beams.

White tones in the decor of the bedroom, office and living room

Contrary to popular belief, furniture upholstered in white fabric does not need to be cleaned more often than interior items of a different color. Particular attention should be paid to the type of textile.

For the office, choose artificial suede or leather. Cotton fabric can be a good alternative. The listed materials are highly wear-resistant, so they are also used when upholstering furniture in the living room. More delicate fabrics are selected for the bedroom.

• Thanks to the predominance of white color, the living room will become more spacious. It is desirable that the windows be large.
• This will solve the lighting problem. White furniture will look good against a dark wall and brickwork.
• A snow-white bedroom will bring peace. Relaxing in a room decorated in a similar style will relieve fatigue after a hard day and prevent apathy.
• White color neutralizes bad emotions, helps to relax, and promotes good sleep.

The main types of design in the interior of a wooden apartment

Wood will always be an ideal material for finishing a room. With the help of wooden walls in your apartment you can create an ambiance from discreet minimalism to rich and noble art deco.

It is important to remember that natural wood should be treated with oils and varnish to avoid mold.

Below are various styles in which the use of textured cladding is allowed.

Classic design

The most popular interior decor. The classic style presupposes laconicism, but at the same time rigor in everything: high ceilings, monumental furniture, the presence of natural and light materials for finishing walls, ceilings, and floors. Therefore, this is the most ideal option that will create an antique and luxurious atmosphere in the house. The hallway with oak panels on the walls looks very good.

Wood wall decoration in classic style.

High-tech style

High-tech loves combining wood, stone and glass. Especially if the wood is of a cold shade. Moreover, in this style, any room can be decorated with wood. But it is worth remembering that high-tech implies the use of wooden material as an addition.

Photos of interiors decorated with wood

What is the main problem for a person who decides to use wood for interior decoration? Lack of visual information. Sounds strange, doesn't it? Just type in the phrase “wooden house interior, photo” in any Internet search engine and you will see hundreds of beautiful pictures. The problem is that, for the most part, these are staged photos for design and interiors magazines. Photorealistic renderings of foreign projects. Or photos of luxury mansions that cost several million dollars.

As a result, the average developer or self-builder does not know what a wooden interior will look like in an ordinary country house. How expensive it is. And is it possible to decorate a room with wood with your own hands, so that you don’t regret the effort and money spent later?

My husband and I want to decorate rooms in a country house in a modern style. The idea is to use wood for wall decoration. The husband doubts. He suggests focusing only on wooden furniture, or showing him real, rather than “pictorial” photos of wooden interiors. If anyone has used natural wood, panels, or parquet boards for interior decoration, please share the photo! Thank you in advance!

FORUMHOUSE users gladly responded to akvitty’s request. Let's go!

Here is a photo of one of my projects. Used: boiserie - decorative wood panels, veneer.

Important! Not every room can be taken and covered with boards.

I finished the kitchen with wood. The work area is tiles. The dining room is wood.

Flat radiators go better with imitation timber.

In the living room, the wood is painted milky white. In the middle there will be a brick wall and a cast iron stove installed.

My whole house is decorated with wood and some stone.

Attic decorated with wood.

A combination of wood and stone.

Elements of wooden finishing.

Imitation timber mounted on a brick wall.