Furnishing features
Furniture in the interior of the living room in the style of minimalism, as in the photo, should be small, only the actual necessary is selected. The main requirements for it are: simplicity and functionality.
Soft furniture
The main piece of furniture in the living room is the sofa. It should be of a strict rectangular shape with a wide back and monochromatic upholstery. Armrests should also be wide and rectangular, and some sofa models may not be available. Corner sofa models are very popular.
If space permits, a couple of armchairs or poufs are installed in the living room. They can be one set with a sofa or be radically different in design.
Storage space
In the living room you can put a large, wall-to-wall wardrobe. If its doors are completely mirrored, it will also serve as an excellent decorative element. A mirrored surface that reflects light will visually make the room more voluminous and brighter.
For storing books and some decorative elements, you can install open shelves or wall shelves. Fully packed shelves look unaesthetic, so it is recommended to leave them half empty. It is not uncommon in rooms of a minimalist style to install modular walls. They must necessarily have even, smooth, monochromatic and completely deaf facades. There should be no gilding, carving, painting and other decorations. Hanging lockers of the module can be positioned both symmetrically and without observing symmetry.
In the style of minimalism, built-in and transformable furniture is very popular. So behind the doors of cabinets and bedside tables, a bed and a computer table can be hidden, a sofa can be folded out, forming a sleeping place and additionally have a compartment for bed linen and etc.
Coffee table
A table for tea and fresh press, like the rest of minimalist furniture, should be low and rectangular. It can be made from:
- Light or dark wood: wooden furniture looks solid;
- Glass: a transparent surface allows light to pass through itself, so such furniture seems light, airy.
Under the facades of furniture, electrical appliances should be hidden, for example, an air conditioner, wires that stretch from them.
Curtains for the living room in the style of minimalism
An important rule is not to knock out curtain models that have flashy, bright colors and ornaments. Apply this nuance to tulle, curtains and any elements of window decoration.
You can add some embellishments, but they shouldn't be a distraction.
Roman or roller blinds made of natural materials like linen or bamboo are suitable for this design. Products will add life to the room. Models of Japanese curtains are often used. They are made of fine fabric and profile. The product rarely comes with a pattern.
Choose a color scheme based on the overall interior. This style suggests a contrast between light and dark shades. Combine dark curtains with light, beige tulle. The main thing is that any drawings and ornaments are absent. The gray scale is also suitable.
A black accent wall in the interior of a white living room perfectly complements the interior
Design project of a living room in the style of minimalism
The design of the living room is made in bright colors in the style of minimalism.
Features of minimalism in the interior
Minimalism was formed under the unconditional influence of Japanese culture and philosophy. Europe discovered oriental customs after World War II, and was no longer able to say goodbye to them.Architects, designers and artists have long been tired of pompous classics and happily picked up new trends. There are still no single canons for minimalism, because for all its laconicism it is very diverse. Even now, several trends can be distinguished - Japanese, Scandinavian, high-tech or environmentally friendly. And most often they are intertwined with each other, keeping the general outlines.
Minimalism is always the simplicity of structures, shapes, materials, textures and absolutely everything that you use in the interior.
It is dominated by clear geometric lines - it doesn't matter if they are angular or rounded. There is no room for unnecessary embellishments, décor and endless cute but useless trinkets. Symmetry in minimalism is an optional matter of mood and personal preference.
Functional zoning and combining rooms for the sake of increasing space is more common. Such living rooms are not cluttered with furniture - they contain only the basic and most necessary things.
Laconic decoration of the living room
Natural materials or their high-quality imitations are used to decorate the walls, floor and ceiling in minimalist living rooms.
Floor
As a floor covering, you can choose one of the following materials:
- Laminate. You can choose dark wenge-colored boards or bright white with imitation of tiles. Laminate can imitate the surfaces of natural wood or stone. Unlike natural materials, laminate flooring is easy to maintain.
- Porcelain stoneware is a natural material that is practical and pleasant to the touch. It is not afraid of water, aggressive cleaning agents, it can imitate wood and stone surfaces. On the living room floor, you can install matte and rough to the touch porcelain stoneware or polished glossy.
- Linoleum. This material is inexpensive and durable. The most popular types of linoleum are wood or tile imitations.
- Carpet-mat is a lint-free covering made of natural plant fibers: jute, flax, reed, etc. The mats are hypoallergenic, resistant to wear, easy to clean, provide a high degree of sound and heat insulation, do not attract dust.
- Parquet board. Eco-friendly, expensive and luxurious looking material. For the minimalism style, you can choose a board of both the color of dark wood, and light or bleached. The patterns do not fit into the interior of minimalism, therefore, it is not recommended to lay artistic parquet.
White ceiling and walls in alliance with dark floors - classic living room in the style of "minimalism"
Light floors look very good against a dark accent wall
Walls
The vertical surfaces of the living room in the style of minimalism should be monolithic and monolithic. You can decorate the walls using the following materials:
- Brick. Such decoration looks bold, dynamic, evokes associations with industrialism and loft style. The entire interior is rarely finished with bricks, usually one of the walls is allocated to them, creating an interesting contrast. A wall with brickwork can be painted in any color: red, chocolate, gray, white, etc. Brick is a heavy material that takes up a lot of space, therefore, materials that imitate brickwork are usually used for interior decoration: plastic panels, wallpaper, tiles, decorative plaster.
- Decorative plaster. With its help, you can create a unique wall design. It is easy to apply, resistant to moisture and dirt, retains heat and provides a high level of sound insulation.
- Concrete. It is a cheap, eco-friendly, heat-resistant and breathable material that can be used to create a simple and uncomplicated decor. Owners of apartments in new buildings can get such decoration for free. The rest will have to concrete the walls or use materials that imitate concrete.
- Wallpaper. You can use regular paper, vinyl, non-woven or liquid wallpaper. They should be solid, as in the photo below.
- Wooden panels.They look expensive, cozy, aesthetically beautiful. Wooden panels can cover the entire wall or only part of it, usually the bottom one.
Decorative plaster for concrete is the peak of this season!
Ceiling
To decorate the ceiling in the style of minimalism, use one of three options:
- Plaster, whitewash, painting. It is inexpensive, easy to do on your own. The main problem is to make the ceiling surface perfectly flat.
- Stretch ceiling is a reliable, durable and beautiful option that does not require preliminary leveling of the ceiling. It is installed by professionals. Both matte and glossy ceilings will look beautiful in the interior. Glossy ceilings are great for small living rooms. They visually make the room look bigger.
- Suspended ceiling. It is made of plasterboard - a cheap material with which you can achieve an even ceiling.
The value of finishing in a minimalist living room
With standard repairs, they strive to achieve smooth surfaces, without seams. For minimalism, this is not a key rule. Finish the walls with stone, mirror tiles are suitable for the floor
It is important that the picture is complete and uniform.
Concentrate not on flat surfaces, but on overall harmony. Furniture and interior items are used in minimal quantities. Therefore, surface finishing becomes key.
Pay attention to the color palette, textures and designs. This will create an overall correct impression of the space.
Minimalism style is gaining more and more popularity
The minimum number of things in the room is the main thing in minimalism.
Light shades perfectly emphasize the style of minimalism
Materials (edit)
Decorating a living room in a minimalistic manner may seem economical only at first glance. When implementing this style, the main emphasis is placed not only on the appearance of the decoration, but also on the quality of the materials that create its picture. And the real price of sq. m of such building materials is usually significantly different from the market average.
Natural wood is the main source of inspiration for the minimalist designer. Not only floors and furniture can be made of wood, but also decorative panels on the wall, behind which it is convenient to hide wires.
The abundance of stone, glass, glossy and polished surfaces create the very halo of luxurious simplicity inherent in a minimalist flow. This atmosphere can be supplemented by introducing brickwork, simple metal structures, smooth cement surfaces, porcelain stoneware and discreet carpet into the interior.
Gender: discreet nobility
For finishing the floors in the living room, practical materials of deep dark shades are most often used. The optimal solution would be a plain floor covering made of wood or other analogs imitating it. Porcelain stoneware decorated with a laconic carpet in the classic style looks especially exquisite.
The floors can also be made in light colors, in harmony with other decoration of the room.
But an important rule should be observed: the color of the floors must necessarily be darker and richer than the color palette of furniture sets.
Also, when shaping the interior in the spirit of minimalism, it is permissible to use a simple and non-pretentious linoleum, dark parquet board or laminate and carpet, which is less practical and easy to clean, but has high aesthetic qualities and a tactilely pleasant surface.
Walls: monochrome
Light walls, devoid of non-functional decor, serve as a perfect backdrop for the minimalistic composition of the living room. When decorating them, you can use a wide variety of materials that will be able to emphasize the atmosphere of severity and restraint:
- wallpaper suitable for subsequent painting;
- brickwork;
- decorative plaster;
- inserts in the form of panels made of wood or bamboo;
- smooth concrete.
By installing panels from other materials, you can effectively divide the room into functional zones. This technique is especially relevant for small living rooms in "Khrushchevs", in which, after redevelopment, the hall is often combined with the kitchen. It is also possible to distinguish between the two areas with a bar counter, in which it is customary to mount glass holders and additional lighting.
Huge windows are the hallmark of the minimalistic trend in the interior. If possible, enlarge the window openings if the original dimensions do not correspond to the style norms
When choosing metal-plastic structures, you should not focus on boring classic white windows. Profile manufacturers offer a wide range of interesting colors that imitate wood and natural stone
Ceiling decoration
An ideal option for decorating ceilings in a living room design in the spirit of minimalism is the installation of suspended and tension structures. Usually, the choice of a designer falls on light monochromatic canvases, but an interior solution in deep dark colors is also acceptable.
The ceiling can be decorated with drawings, however, their selection should be taken with special responsibility:
- images should not cover the entire ceiling surface, but be located only above specifically designated functional areas in the living room;
- bright ornaments are unacceptable; strict monochrome prints are characteristic of minimalism.
French and false ceilings can be multi-level. Cascades allow you to equip the surface with additional spotlights, increasing the lighting intensity of the room. But ceiling structures don't have to be complicated and ornate: focus on strict lines and simple geometric shapes.
Distinctive features of modern style
The modern design of the living room assumes much more freedom and variety than decoration in any other stylistic direction. However, even here there are a number of rules that must be followed.
To create a comfortable space, you need to pay attention to the following characteristic features of modern style:
Abundance of free space. If the room is quite large, this is not difficult to achieve - just zoning it. An option with a combination of a living room and a kitchen is also recommended. But, if the floor area of the hall is modest, then to create the most open space you will have to make a lot of effort, because you will need to apply various tricks and techniques that contribute to the visual expansion of the area.
Conciseness, restraint, minimalism. There is no bright, artsy decor, patterned wallpaper and elaborately decorated furniture. The modern trend gives preference to massive forms and a minimum number of accessories.
Emphasis on unusual shapes and textures. This is reflected both in the decorative elements used and in the furniture.
A combination of interesting and complex tones. White, red, black are classics. You will not surprise her
Shades of raspberry, chocolate, olives, terracotta, ivory will certainly attract the attention of guests.
Non-standard zoning. To highlight in the living room areas with different functionality, you can use a different color finish or different lighting
The rest of the techniques are appropriate only when combining a room with a kitchen.
The presence of a semantic center. The semantic center is understood as the place in the hall where the main piece of furniture is installed. A soft group with a TV, a fireplace, a dining table (when combining the kitchen and living space) can become a key object.
Color solutions
A minimalist interior means the use of restrained colors.
White
This is the default for this style. White color has different shades - cream or snow. If there is little light in the room, you should choose warm colors. They will warm you up and improve your mood.
Brown
When choosing dark shades, brown is used to decorate a minimalist interior. Wood is made in this range. It is often used to decorate walls or floors. In high rooms with a large area, it is permissible to use glossy ceilings in a chocolate palette.
Green
This tone is used to decorate a minimalist room in an eco-style. Bright herbal shades are perfect for accents. Laconic olive or mint tones can be used as a base. Indoor plants are suitable as decorative elements. They should be planted in rough concrete tubs.
Yellow
If you want to decorate a room in rich colors, you should give preference to yellow. At the same time, designers prefer to choose muted shades - cream or sand. They will organically complement the interior. As a result, it will be possible to get a sunny living room that will improve your mood even in gloomy weather.
This natural hue can be used as a background. It is matched with a brown finish.
Brick
This color is rarely the main color. Usually, a brick shade is used as a decoration. Often in minimalist living rooms there are elements made of real bricks.
Ashen
It is a neutral shade with a grayish undertone. It looks laconic and restrained. It is permissible to use it as a basis, combining with dark details.
Sand
This color is often used for room design. This shade is suitable for walls or floors. Furniture or other interior items are made in this palette.
The subtleties of organizing lighting
The minimalist style means lots of daylight. If the room is dark, it should be decorated in a white palette or choose suitable lighting sources. It is not recommended to use curtains. They block the light and overload the space. It is recommended to close windows with roman blinds. Functional blinds will be an equally good option.
Large shades or voluminous chandeliers do not fit into the minimalism style. In this case, it is permissible to use spotlights. Hidden highlights look good. Illumination of furniture from below looks great. It creates the illusion of weightlessness.
Side lighting is often used for such an interior. It is very convenient. It does not overload the space.
Halogen lamps
Often halogen lamps are used for interior decoration. This is a modern version that looks very impressive.
LED lamp
It is quite permissible to fit LED lighting sources into the interior. They help create a modern space.
What is minimalism in the interior
Minimalism in interior design is a style that requires spacious rooms with a minimum of furniture and details, its main element being an emphasis on shape, color and texture. The layout does not imply division into rooms: furniture, fabrics or glass partitions act as dividers.
The basic principles of minimalism are precision, simplicity, conciseness and perfect interaction of a small number of interior items, as well as:
- sharp lines;
- smooth surfaces;
- low furniture;
- pastel shades.
It is about removing all the useless things, old home furniture and decorating rooms with modern ones. For an extreme minimalist style, people can only leave a few home furnishings and accents. For other projects, minimalist style means getting rid of unnecessary items to create beautiful, simple, functional apartments with essential items.
Minimalism in perfection, or TOP-7 basic rules for decorating a living room
A minimalist living room created by your own hands or by the hands of an experienced designer must comply with the basic rules.Only in this way will harmony reign in the room and the very concept that requires the full commitment of all available items to serve a person, good mood, light energy - and nothing else will prevail. Simple rules - and you understand that minimalism in the living room will look equally luxurious on large spaces of loft interiors and on a small territory of a studio apartment.
Minimalism in embodiment is:
- Solid, reliable, practical furniture and other interior items and household appliances necessary in the living room. Nothing superfluous, useless, cluttering up the space just like that, without a specific purpose and benefit;
- Strict order, proportionality, clear lines and shapes. Lack of decor is the main rule of style, so we say "no" not only to textured surfaces, patterns and ornate forms, but also to challenging elements;
- Space zoning. This is the territory of work, this is the tea drinking zone, this is the place for receiving guests. Zoning can be done with finishing materials; the use of mono-colored glass or wood partitions is the very thing;
- An atmosphere of freedom, spaciousness, a sense of flight and volumetric depth. Despite the fact that such a design implies a minimum number of pieces of furniture and others on the territory of the living room, a single stylistic concept should be traced in every stroke and detail;
- Maximum light - natural or artificial, panoramic glazing, false windows. This is difficult to achieve on your own, as the decision is part of a significant overhaul project. However, by combining the living room with the kitchen, hallway or even part of the room, you will only benefit! Shading windows - using blinds, drapes, curtains, curtains and curtains should be avoided;
- Colour. Minimalism is characterized by the use of several leading shades and a couple of those that will create play and mood, contrasting, but not provocative. Therefore, it is best to decorate the room in turquoise or beige, milky or white, ash or cream, and create accents with black, chocolate, pistachio or terracotta;
- A minimum of decorative elements, respectively, "no" to fur and a lot of textiles, shelves with knickknacks and accessories, handicrafts. A couple of details in the form of paired decorative vases or a fireplace - and the minimalism style is embodied!
Lighting and illumination
Any minimalism should have a lot of light - both natural and artificial. For functionality, use zone lighting, multi-level systems, separate switches and a dimmer. This is almost the only aspect in which minimalism gravitates towards complex solutions.
Chandelier and lamps
There are no classic chandeliers with pendants in minimalistic living rooms as a species. Sometimes a series of pendant lights or whole structures on rails are used - mainly for zoning. For example, three small metal shades of different heights above the bar counter. The classic solution is spotlights along the perimeter or along the walls. If you pull them out in parallel rows, it will visually push the opposite walls apart. A zonal installation allows you to abandon sconces, floor lamps and even table lamps.
Decorative lighting
The best decorations in a minimalist interior are always functional - like decorative lighting. LED strip can be used to decorate "floating" ceilings, plasterboard structures, a niche with a TV, shelves, open shelves, a sofa, a podium - whatever you want. And if you take LEDs with different modes and colors, it will also help create a festive mood with just one button.
Colors
The minimalist design is hostage to the monochrome palette, which makes it discreet but not boring at all. The ability to delicately combine harmonious colors allows the designer to create interior concepts that are modern and acceptable for any room.The hall is usually one of the largest rooms in the apartment, for which light shades are suitable. To recreate the atmosphere of minimalism in the interior of the living room, it is appropriate to use one of several colors characteristic of the style:
- White;
- ash gray;
- steel;
- cream;
- light brick or pastel ocher;
- beige or sand.
Dark tones should not be avoided: sophisticated graphite, soft browns and blues-blacks are great tools for creating the right accents.
It is only important to follow the principles of brevity and rigor, without turning the decoration into a rippling canvas, in which different colors compete to dominate each other.
How to choose furniture
Laconic facades, glossy textures, metal details are suitable for this style. Glass shelves and doors look great. It is also permissible to use a tree. It can be polished or varnished.
In rare cases, glossy plastic is used. It is also permissible to use wood imitation. Window sills are made of artificial stone. Countertops are made of the same material.
Particular attention should be paid to the choice of upholstered furniture. Its shape must match the space.
Clear designs will be an excellent solution. They should be rectangular. Shapeless or streamlined objects in this case will look out of place.
Multi-tiered structures, built-in boxes and other useful items are very popular. The bases of armchairs or sofas can be easily transformed into wardrobes. It is permissible to make a table from a wooden panel. Wide armrests are also suitable for this.