Main features of country music
At its core, the country style seems to return the modern person, loaded with a huge amount of information and high speeds, to the original origins, to a measured lifestyle, to calmness and tranquility.
Country style living room
Premises decorated in this style are distinguished by simplicity and comfort. It is pleasant to relax in them with family and friends. There are several country styles that have slightly different finishes due to their geographic location. For example, French Provence loves white plastered walls, while American ranches are often decorated with wood. This is more the style of tough cowboys and farmers.
Living room design French Provence
American ranch style living room
But there are features that unite all trends, from Russian country to English shabby chic:
- Natural materials are chosen to decorate the living room. The priority is wood, stone, forged elements, fabrics and fur.
- The decoration has a touch of antiquity, often these are specially aged and rough surfaces, furniture imitating antiques, fabrics with a touch of fading and fading. Ethnic things also fit well into the interior, for example, Indian woven tablecloths, Russian handmade rugs, French lace.
- The color palette is simple and consists of natural natural tones. These are various shades of wood, including bleached surfaces. For Scandinavian and French country, white and blue colors are preferable, with the addition of purple and yellow details. English shabby chic is an incredible delicacy of pastel colors, and rich colors of ocher and brick are more suitable for the decor of an American ranch.
- There are many handmade items in the living room interior. These are not only tablecloths and rugs, they can also be forged shelves and bookcases, wicker chairs and baskets, knitted napkins and pillows. Country style is also characterized by the presence of small decorative elements: vases, figurines, photographs in frames, and more.
Country style in living room design
Country style in the interior of the apartment
Remember! When decorating a living room in a country style, you need to exclude all modern technological solutions. Do not use new materials, such as plastic panels or vinyl ceilings, which will clearly emphasize modernity.
Selection of materials
Brief contents of the article:
For flooring in a country style living room interior, preference is given to wood. In this case, the boards can be roughly processed and not have any sanding as such.
An excellent alternative would be a laminate that imitates planed boards. This style is characterized by the use of natural stone as flooring.
You can also use artificial stone, the choice of which depends on the load to be placed on it.
The walls can be covered with wallpaper, provided they are smooth or thoroughly whitened. Decorative stone finishing is welcome.
Looks great on vertical fabric surfaces with geometric stripes or vegetation. A combination of different materials is acceptable.
The ceiling, as a rule, has a light, bleached color. However, the most daring designers suggest covering them with wallpaper similar to that on the walls.
Finishing the ceiling with wooden beams is quite common. A room designed in one tone, in which the emphasis is placed on the brutal ceiling, looks good.
Walls
As already noted, country music prefers simplicity and those materials for decoration that are available in the area. For example, in French Provence, walls are painted with rough white plaster. The more advantageous the delicate finish in elements and textiles looks.
For walls it is customary to use the following design:
- finishing with wooden boards or panels imitating wood;
- wallpapering with striped or checkered patterns, less often with floral patterns;
- the use of decorative plaster, and you can add the effect of a cracked surface;
- stone or brickwork, in some cases it is combined with plastered areas;
- covering wall panels with special fabric with floral patterns.
There is no need to strive to perfectly align the side surfaces of the room; rustic style involves rough processing of the walls.
Ceiling
Conventional materials are used to decorate the ceiling. It serves only as a background for the interior and should not take a lot of attention. There are several design options that will fit perfectly into a country style living room:
- Wooden ceiling. Cozy, cute and like a veranda in a private house. In city apartments, this option is almost never found. We must remember that this design is not suitable for a living room with low ceilings, since wood visually reduces the height of the room. Certain country trends, for example, Provence, are also characterized by the presence of ceiling cross beams, which are made of wood or modern materials of polystyrene and polyurethane.
- Whitewash. The beauty of this material is that the texture of the ceiling can be rough, rough and uneven in appearance. Even cracks that appear will fit perfectly into the style of a country house.
- A combination of wood and whitewash. A freshly whitewashed surface with wooden beams will create a feeling of a lived-in and cozy interior. Often, cross beams are treated with stain or painted in shades that match the main tone of the living room. They look great in combination with furniture that has forged elements.
Wall decoration
When thinking about the appearance of the walls, you must remember that after decoration they should be light and warm, creating a real summer mood inside the room.
You can use the simplest wallpaper that has a colorful and cheerful pattern; checks and stripes are also acceptable.
Advice! For country style, you can use fabric wallpaper with plant prints, vertical or horizontal stripes.
In country music, a combination of several types of wall coverings is acceptable. For example, the lower part of the surface can be decorated with decorative panels, and the upper part can be covered with bright and beautiful wallpaper.
When organizing the floor in the living room, you can use one of the following options: make a plank floor, cover it with ceramic tiles, or use decorative stone.
Advice! For a classic country version, antique homemade rugs laid out on the floor are suitable.
The ceiling in this style can be covered with natural wooden paneling or painted with white paint. Wooden ceiling beams can be used as an additional decorative element on such a ceiling.
Floor
To create an antique interior, floors made of natural wood or dark stone are required. Used frequently:
- tongue and groove board;
- parquet board;
- solid wood boards, an expensive but environmentally friendly option;
- laminate in light and dark tones;
For living rooms in country houses, decorative stone or a more economical option - large ceramic tiles, similar in color to the rest of the decoration, are also suitable.
Country style living room furniture
Naturally, a simple style is characterized by the presence of furniture made from natural materials; preference is often given to options with artificially aged facades. Wooden elements of the table and chairs go well with forged legs. And in upholstered furniture it is not necessary to choose a single style for the sofa and armchairs. On the contrary, options that are different in shape and finish will make the atmosphere in the living room relaxed and free. Often, it is in country music that the lack of unity plays a dominant role and helps to form the main principle of the interior - beauty in simplicity.
For country houses and dachas, you can choose furniture that is clumsy and rough, without any frills. Wicker elements will also fit well into the interior. Instead of a modern wall, dressers, cabinets, and chests are purchased. The color of the upholstery of sofas and armchairs depends on the geographical location. Thus, French Provence and English shabby chic prefer light fabrics with delicate floral prints, while American ranch upholstery is in brighter and richer colors: red, blue, brick or made of genuine leather.
Classic country design is characterized by the presence of unvarnished and unpainted surfaces. The furniture in the living room is arranged in small groups throughout the area, a little chaotically. There are no strict rules for arranging tables and sofas. The optimal furniture set for a country style living room consists of the following elements:
- sideboard;
- chest of drawers;
- massive buffet;
- upholstered furniture;
- shelves, shelves, tables.
Color spectrum
You need to choose the color scheme first, because this is the basis. In the Country style, natural, not flashy shades are used to the maximum. The most popular shade is woody, and in any variation. You can use light and dark types of wood, options with patina, gilding, varnish and stain.
Quite often, soft light blue shades are used in Country style. They may be mixed with gray color. Green shades are used according to the same principle - it is advisable to choose the most softened tones. For example, olive color will fit perfectly into the living room when the rich color of green grass is too catchy.
More: Ideas of bionics in the interior of the living room - imitation of natural objects
White and gray colors can also be used in Country style, and they can be the main ones. Also very often they use non-pure shades. For example, variations of very light gray look great in the interior.
They need to be diluted with bright contrasts. But you cannot use dark gray in large quantities, and it is also not advisable to use black at all.
You can use beige shades as a base. They pair well with natural wood and can be highlighted with blue or green accents. Beige shades should preferably be warm, since cold colors do not contribute to creating a Country atmosphere.
Particular attention should be paid to color accents; they can be used in this design concept. It is important to consider that all bright colors for highlighting and decoration should be natural. Colors and shades from red, yellow and orange are perfect. For example, textiles or decor can be made in such colors. The main thing is to select them so that they are combined with the main color scheme.
Lighting
Country style is formed by combining many details. And the desired atmosphere of the living room can depend on the right lighting. With the help of lamps, a bright and comfortable space is created that will convey a feeling of confidence and calm.
When buying chandeliers and lamps, it is worth knowing that wooden surfaces, of which there are so many in country style, can absorb light rays. Therefore, it is more convenient to choose devices with low heat transfer and high power. LED and fluorescent lamps with energy-saving functions are perfect for these requirements.
Several types of lighting will be appropriate:
- If the living room is large, there should be a main light source. This could be a central chandelier or a lamp made of brass or wrought iron. A device made of brushed gold will also fit perfectly. An imitation of a candelabra with lamps in the form of candles would be appropriate.
- Other areas of the living room, especially those combined with the kitchen, can be illuminated using diffused light sources - wall sconces or floor lamps. Rough lamps, shaped like lanterns, or lamps with beautiful fabric lampshades are also suitable.
Materials for decoration
A country living room is quite acceptable for city apartments. Country tunes you to peace and relaxation; it is characterized by sophistication, smoothly turning into elegance.
A country style living room will not require significant material costs. The walls can be painted with matte paint or wallpapered.
Advice! If you decide to use country wallpaper in your living room, then choose smooth canvases.
Natural boards or laminate are suitable for flooring. An additional element of floor decoration is a bright carpet with original patterns.
Attention! For a rustic style, contrasts are not allowed; the atmosphere should be calm and measured.
In the proposed video fragment you can find answers to questions related to arranging a country-style living room in your apartment, see original photographs
Among the color shades suitable for country, we note warm tones. You can dilute the neutral background with variegated colors used in textiles. Among the fabrics selected for this style direction, interior professionals recommend paying special attention to linen and cotton.
In the interior world, stripes and checks are considered a classic version of country. Professionals recommend using such designs in accessories purchased for a country-style living room.
Country decorative elements
A country style living room has many decorative elements. Often these items are so-called handmade, that is, made with your own hands.
There are a lot of textiles in the living room, which give the room coziness and homely charm. These are beautiful curtains that match the style with rugs or runners, pillows, tablecloths, and napkins. Things from grandma's chest, woven or knitted by hand, will also fit perfectly here.
There are many pleasant decorative little things placed on the shelves, tables, and bedside tables: figurines, vases, antique dolls, candles and frames with portraits. The walls are decorated with small paintings in a simple style, photographs, and embroideries. For an American ranch, animal horns or natural skins are suitable. A very interesting combination of fresh flowers in pots and many floral motifs on curtains and upholstery are characteristic of Provence and shabby chic. All decorative decorations in the living room must be original and unique.
Style directions
Each country has its own motives. The living room in the Provence country style has blue shades. Because of this combination, many people confuse the described style with the Mediterranean.
It also has an advantage in walls with roughness and unevenness. As a rule, a slight contrast is created by a darker ceiling. Preference is given to blue, white, beige, terracotta shade.
In Northern Europe, a distinctive feature is the abundance of light. In Swedish and Norwegian country-style houses, you are unlikely to find small windows or openings with dark curtains, plus a minimum of accessories.
The American “ranch” country style is characterized by furniture that contains bronze, brass, and heavy metals. She is massive and heavy.
At the same time, the theme of the style is not lost due to harmoniously selected attributes. The floors are covered with animal skins. They use lamps in the form of horns. It would be useful to complement the interior with Indian motifs.
Despite the stiffness of the inhabitants of Foggy Albion, the British simply adore this style. The image of small flowers on furniture upholstery is almost the main condition for creating a country style in an English theme.
Bookcase with many books, chests of drawers finished with patina, fireplace as a central element. Preference is given to green, brown, white and yellow shades.
A country-style living room, the various interiors of which can be seen in the photo, is always a special place that can convey all the taste preferences, character and even the mood of the owners.
Several country movements
Depending on the geographical location, country style is divided into several movements. And although there are slight differences in each of them, the main thing in all directions is home comfort with a touch of local flavor.
American ranch
The color palette of the living room in the style of an American ranch has natural shades: brown, copper, yellow, gray. Because in such a room there is a lot of wood, it is present on the walls, floor, and ceiling. Solid wood furniture also competes with finishing, serious and brutal with details made of bronze or brass. The upholstery of the sofas uses real leather and good quality textiles in calm shades. The floor can be decorated not only with carpets, but also with natural animal skins. Individual Indian motifs also fit well into such a living room: patchwork blankets, woven rugs, masks hung on the walls. Decorations include figurines made of clay or wood, animal horns, and cowboy hats.
Manor in old England or shabby chic
The English style living room is full of romance and elegance. The main focus here is on comfort and a variety of colors. Bouquets should bloom everywhere: on furniture upholstery, bedspreads, wallpaper. This feast of flora is complemented by pots of natural plants. The furniture for such a living room is chosen predominantly light, often white, taken from grandmother’s storerooms or specially aged. One of the required elements is a bookcase, where there are many books on open shelves. Bridge tables are welcome.
Swedish house
In this country theme, it is distinguished by an abundance of light and air. The walls of the living room are decorated with pastel colors, and the floors should be made of simple unpainted boards. Natural materials are used for furniture, usually tinted wood. Handmade rugs and simple covers in white and blue tones are the main textile elements. A prerequisite for the living room is the absence of exquisite details. The utensils are made of copper, and pictures of village life are hung on the walls.
Provence from the French countryside
Provence style has simple lines and natural simplicity. Walls finished with rough plaster or light wood paneling are combined with unpainted floors. The ceiling is decorated with beams made of natural solid wood or a material that imitates it. For furniture, it is desirable to have a massive sideboard, an oval table, and wicker chairs. Wrought iron products also fit well: shelves, bookcases, chair backs. The furniture's upholstery and other textiles are full of light and sun, like the fields of southern France, where this rustic style originated.
There are other country movements. For example, the German prefers heavier furniture made from natural materials, antique lamps, and dishes from grandma's cabinets. The Greek style is characterized by whitewashed walls and brightly colored doors and frames. There is little furniture in such a living room, and it is usually rough and massive. Russian country is a hut with a mandatory stove, buffets with painted facades and natural fabrics such as linen and chintz.
Whatever country style the living room is decorated in, its main feature will remain simplicity and comfort. In a city apartment, this style will make the dream of a house in the village come true, and in a country cottage it will create a nice and comfortable atmosphere. You will want to visit such a living room often and relax your soul from the busy world, meet with family and friends.