English style is special. The English-style living room combines the Puritan restraint of the Georgian style and the ordered chaos of Victorian, creating a new unusual but beautiful design. The classic English interior design is chosen to emphasize the aristocracy, taste and prosperity of those who choose it for their home. And nowhere but the living room, his discreet luxury will be so appropriate.
There are several basic rules that you must adhere to when designing a living room in a similar style:
- Finishing from natural wood or its imitation. It is best to choose noble species of wood, such as walnut, mahogany or bog oak;
- All that can be attributed to the family: photographs, commemorative trinkets, family heirlooms, and even a coat of arms with a motto. Family in England is not an empty phrase, because such things are an integral part of design;
- The combination of rich palette and rich decoration of Victorian style with strict, straight lines and antique architecture of Georgian design;
- Luxuries.
This style looks at the same time restrained, bright and expensive, and, like any other, has its pros and cons. Among the advantages, the following can be distinguished.
- Classic is always in fashion. English design will always be relevant and will not lose its position over time. Time will only give it an extra charm;
- In addition to the fact that such a room looks expensive, it really requires serious investment in decoration. Thus, a room in the English style can become not only a matter of pride, but also an investment in real estate, on a rainy day.
The main disadvantage is, of course, the price. To properly equip a room in the right style, you have to fork out. For small apartments, this style is suitable, but will have its limitations. It is very important to maintain a balance between the two styles, otherwise it will turn out not a beautiful cozy room, but something completely unimaginably chaotic.
For whom such a style is suitable: discreet collectors who prefer to collect books or antiques, lovers of classics in design and furniture, and just those who do not have such a large housing.
Interior colors
Content
In old England they preferred dense, dim, dim lights. Of course, the colors of natural wood. Traditionally, in the interior you can find beige and brown tones, red, green, soft orange. A little later, lighter and colder tones appeared in the interior: blue, peach, light pink, purple, but in their muted form. The colors are saturated, but not bright.
Necessary elements of the interior
Living room made of wood
The peculiarity of the English style is that there is as much furniture in the room as can be accommodated. In the case of a living room made of wood, these are wooden tables, chairs, shelves, cabinets, shelves with photographs and any other interior trifles.
English living room with fireplace
For a traditional English living room, a fireplace is an obligatory attribute, and not just a piece of decor. The presence of fire in the hearth is a cosiness, therefore the situation should be appropriate: a sofa, several armchairs, various soft benches and poufs, elegant little tables.
Due to the abundance of furniture, sometimes a room begins to seem small. For visual expansion, you can use a large mirror by hanging it in front of the window.
Proper lighting
The essence of design is in its comfort and a touch of old-fashioned, so the light in the room should be distributed evenly and not hit the eyes, remaining soft. A central classical chandelier with numerous pendants on the ceiling is required, but other numerous light sources are also used: floor lamps, night lamps, sconces, table lamps, old night lamps.
Finishing Choice
For the English style, natural materials are recommended. They will be more in style and better combined with furniture. You can choose the imitation finish (wood), but the view will not be so beautiful.
What should be the floor and ceiling
The classic option in the case of the floor is wood typesetting, but it is very expensive. Therefore, it can be replaced with a laminate decorated with noble wood species - the same bog oak, for example. And for comfort - fluffy carpets with floral patterns or geometric ornaments.
The ceiling is plain, white or light beige. A lot of it is decorated: stepped ceiling cornices and stucco rosettes for a chandelier, for example, have become almost an obligatory attribute of the English style. A common option is stylized caissons - recesses in a square or rectangular ceiling - as a result, beams seem to cross the ceiling. Beams and stucco are often painted a tone brighter than the ceiling to give them an extra accent.
We make walls
Walls can be decorated in different ways. In the English room, they can be simply painted in the same color. May be coated with textured plaster. Covered with tapestry. Taped with wallpaper. Wood paneling fully and partially. The pattern on the walls should not be flashy and bright, this is the main condition, and the pattern itself can be chosen to your liking: heraldic monograms and coats of arms, a floral pattern, geometric ornament or simple vertical stripes. Walls are often decorated with stucco or overhead elements: moldings, pilasters, etc.
Fireplace
The center of the living room is a fireplace.Regardless of its decor (masonry or brickwork, wood panels, imitation of natural material), a shelf above the fireplace is required. Here's what to put on it - a matter of taste: family photos, antique candlesticks. Only one detail is missing - the fireplace grill. If you can’t install a real fireplace, you can choose an electric one with the same additions to the decor.
Furniture in the English room
As they used an array of wood and expensive fabrics in the 18th century, they continue to use it. In the modern English living room, antique furniture is the ideal option, if it doesn’t work out - antique or just furniture in the right style.
Cushioned furniture
The best choice is a soft comfortable sofa, voluminous armchairs, elegant banquets and small soft padded stools. Upholstery fabric is better velor, tapestry or velvet. An alternative to tissue may be leather.
Wooden furniture is preferable to choose old or decorated with carvings.
Coffee table
Another centerpiece of the room is a small coffee table. A low comfortable table made of the same wood type as the rest of the furniture in the room is an obligatory attribute of the notorious tea at five o’clock, and not only - it is suitable for any evening pastime. Alone or with the whole family, or a group of friends will meet - it does not matter. Newspapers, tea, board games, and just put the phone on the table to free your hands.
Other
Since there is a lot of furniture in the room, it can be completely different. Massive wardrobes and light shelves, cabinets and racks on which there are lamps or luxury goods - almost anything. Only to be combined with the overall design of the room.
Decor
A few words about what will help reduce the overall rigor of the style and add a little softness and color to it:
- The English living room is characterized by complex, long heavy curtains with numerous decorations (brushes, lambrequins) made of expensive fabric.
- Many sofa cushions in different colors and sizes.
- Various statuettes, decorative dishes, tapestries and framed paintings, various antiques, collections of stamps or insects, watches, candlesticks and mirrors. You can walk around flea markets, many of these things can be found there for nothing.
- Living plants in the room will only be out of place, making the living room more comfortable and lighter. Not to mention the health benefits. Flowers with large leaves, straight stems and lush flowers, such as palm trees or orchids, are best suited.
Photo gallery
As you can see in various photos of the interior of the living room in the English style, there can be many options for decorating the room. A properly designed design will help to have a good time alone with yourself or friends and will become a real fortress where you can hide from world problems.
VIDEO: English style in the interior of the living room.