European style in the interior

European style in the interior is "on the sidelines" in comparison with minimalism and modernism, classicism and other familiar formats. However, such a design of a house and a modern cottage, kitchen and bathroom, bedroom and other rooms can provide a brilliant result - if only you approach the matter thoughtfully and deliberately. The logical completion of the interior can be European-style sofas, lighting fixtures, decorative elements - and all this needs to be dealt with separately.

A conversation about the European style in the design of apartments and other dwellings should start with the fact that it is very flexible. This design format has undergone a significant transformation over the past decades, you can take any of its variants as a basis. There are no strict requirements, for example, regarding the amount of decor used.

And yet there are typical features of projects of modern European-style cottages, which are embodied in most cases, namely:

• open plan layout (up to studio apartments inclusive);
• maximum expansion of space - both by visual and technical means (including by equipping with large panoramic windows);
• the opposite trend that has emerged in recent years - a rollback towards greater solitude and isolation of space;
• increased comfort (again, adaptable to individual requirements);
• minimalistic execution;
• restraint and composure (refusal from flashy colors);
• lightness and freshness of filling the space.

But one must understand that it is impossible to characterize the interior in isolation from the appearance of the dwelling and its arrangement, because they are completely clearly connected, purely logically. A private country house in a European style is usually created from wooden materials. They are practical, environmentally friendly, and provide a comfortable indoor environment. For the most part, one-story buildings with a flat roof are used - the race of pathos, forcing the construction of two-story and three-story houses, do not fit into the European style, and modern technologies make it possible to ensure reliable operation of a flat roof in all weather conditions.

Within the limits of what has been described, you can even go for rather radical experiments. But in any case, the design must be carefully thought out - otherwise it is no longer a European approach. It is quite possible to take as a basis the Spanish or French, German or Northern European, Italian or even Balkan flavor.

It is worth paying attention to the following characteristic points:

• combining kitchens with dining rooms, dining rooms with living rooms, halls with living rooms;
• visual interior zoning;
• clear functionality of all items;
• using only ecologically perfect solutions;
• the critical importance of competent backlighting.

You can cover the walls in European style with wallpaper or other finishing materials. But this is not the main thing, but the main thing is to combine various textures. By selecting them, they achieve harmony with furniture and other elements that fill the room. It is quite possible to paint one wall as brightly as possible, and the remaining ones can be decorated concisely, using extraordinary ornaments and drawings.

When decorating a room inside, you need to pay attention to the flooring. Tiles and hardwood floors are good options. In some cases, natural wood or its imitation is used. Regardless of the material, the floor should be darker than the vertical surfaces - with the difference reaching several shades. The European style of decoration is compatible with a variety of carpets - from ordinary knitted fabrics to modifications with a high pile.

You can decorate the upper part of the room in a European style in a variety of ways. The most conservative approach is to use wooden beams. This solution is also optimal for creating a "Mediterranean" or "Provencal" room - and the general similarity is undeniable. But in a more modern version, it would be more correct to use multi-level ceilings and other high-tech solutions. Of course, the selection of a specific option is focused primarily on convenience and elegance, between which a balance must be struck.

When decorating various rooms in a European style, the most comfortable furniture is used. But there is an important nuance - it is undesirable to use full-fledged headsets. Much better correspond to the canons of this style, heterogeneous compositions, in which each item was chosen separately. Everywhere it is required to create the feeling of a well-developed, habitable space. When selecting the same sofas or chairs, it is required to evaluate how comfortable it will be to sit, lie, rise, and whether it is possible to feel pleasant relaxation.

Legged armchairs should be almost everywhere. Not necessarily classic models with a high quilted back - more modern, with a rectilinear and rounded shape, also fit into the canon. When decorating the hall, it is necessary to place a dressing table in the middle of the composition. It is appropriate to surround it with a sofa group, armchairs. The use of poufs is encouraged. Upholstered furniture in the hall should not be pressed against walls and windows. Any corner must be completely free access. The most important motive in the design of this room is the maximum comfort.

Separately, it is worth talking about the design of the toilet and the area with a bath - both in a separate form and in the format of a combined bathroom. Maximum openness is encouraged, even using the shower stall on the same level with the rest of the floor. The fashionable solution now in Europe is the maximum use of glass. Instead of a massive shower stall, compact corners are increasingly used. It is allowed to use doors with both external and internal opening. Maximum attention is paid to the mood of relaxation and harmonious appearance when decorating the room. Ceramics, stone and wood are also actively used.

When decorating bedrooms, they also focus on maximum rest and relaxation. The use of calm colors and floor parquet is encouraged. Felt upholstery can be a very good solution. Furniture is most often made of solid wood, and lighting fixtures should be equipped with silk shades. Do not get too carried away with vases, paintings, mirrors.

The kitchen is decorated taking into account the rules of visual zoning. Whether to combine it with the dining area or not is up to you to decide.The dining group consists of half-chairs, not simple chairs. The set should be equipped with monolithic or paneled doors. The use of chandeliers hanging directly above the table is encouraged. Of course, the hallway can also be decorated in a European style. It should be aesthetic, elegant and free from any frills. A shelf for small items must be mounted.

You will definitely need to use several groups of lamps, which are located in different places. It is usually customary to distinguish types such as:

• daytime;
• front door;
• evening;
• lighting used for work.

In some cases, lighting is mounted behind the ceiling cornices. However, the most typical solution is a combination of the following elements:

• ceiling chandelier;
• sconces for focusing attention on individual parts and zones;
• floor lamps (for reading, writing and other work in the dark);
• table lamps (they must have large lampshades).

For more romantic lighting, fireplaces are used. Not only ceilings, but also openings of windows and doors are equipped with point light sources. The use of wall luminaires is recommended, which should provide at least 80% of the total brightness.

The living room and bedroom are equipped with main central chandeliers. They are not so much light sources as decorative objects. Small ceiling chandeliers are placed in the kitchen; several of these lamps will help extend the space in length. It is advisable to decorate cabinets and shelves with LED strips. When choosing them, the aesthetic effect must be taken into account.

The European interior is always restrained. Colors are used in clearly designated areas. Its splitting due to the ornament is impractical. The use of three main colors is typical. Sometimes a fourth tone is introduced, but only combined with the main colors.

Classic European style involves the use of pastel colors. Even the focus on muted accents is quite justified - after all, there can be a lot of such accents, and it is easy to create an original composition. Dark colored furniture with sophisticated upholstery color combinations is recommended. At the same time, light walls will create complete harmony.

Even the texture of the finishing materials itself should be a full-fledged part of the composition. It is undesirable to overload the situation with details. They use either time-tested objects created by popular designers, or the most necessary things in standard forms. All decorative elements must be functional. It is possible to create a cozy atmosphere only with the skillful use of curtains.

The English version of the style implies a certain stiffness, but a clear elegance must be traced. The Italian type will be livelier and richer in color. P \ It welcomes flowing fabrics covered with floral ornaments, linen fabrics. Scandinavian curtains should be visually restrained. They are usually white in color and performed in classic forms.

• This photo shows an unusually charming and cozy environment. The well-chosen combination of dark tones and light areas guarantees an attractive room. Even the abundance of decorative items and furniture does not create a sense of any kind of visual overload - on the contrary, everything is completely appropriate.

• But the European living room can be created differently. - using multi-level ceilings illuminated along the perimeter, original pieces of furniture.Wide space and a relatively small number of decor items also fit well into this style.

In the next video, you can take a look at the European design of a small studio apartment in Germany.