Conservatism and antiquity are two pillars on which the classic English interior rests. The homeland of a strict, sophisticated and elegant style is the United Kingdom, whose eventful centuries-old history is reflected in its features. The design is attractive in that it is equally easy to implement in a small apartment and a spacious cottage, without significant material costs. So what is this direction?
English interior: colors
When it comes to design in the spirit of old England, many people imagine an oppressive and gloomy room, dominated by dark colors. However, creating an English interior, you can safely turn to the light palette, to place bright accents. The choice of color solutions is left to the homeowners, who must create the most comfortable environment for themselves.
Decorating the walls, you can stay at the same color, preferring pearl, milky, beige tones. The British also like to use wallpaper decorated with small floral patterns, a cage or strip. The original solution is a combination of red, brown and green stripes. Flooring should be dark; saturated shades of red and brown are welcome. At the same time, you can decorate the floor with a carpet in bright colors.
It is difficult to imagine the English interior without the red color, beloved by the British. Its shades can be present not only in decoration, but also in furniture, textiles, curtains. The main thing is to choose muted tones.
Wall decoration
Artificial materials are something that should not be used when creating an English interior. As you know, the history of style began many centuries ago, when plastic and linoleum did not yet exist. To decorate the walls, you can use ordinary paint, wallpapers are also welcome (ready-made, for painting). As already mentioned, the preferred ornament is geometric or floral.
It’s great if there is an opportunity to decorate the walls with wood, which fits perfectly in this direction. First of all, you should pay attention to this material, if we are talking about the interior design of the cottage. We must not forget about elegant light baguettes and baseboards. It is advisable to abandon vinyl stickers and photo wallpapers that can destroy the atmosphere of antiquity.
Floor coverings
The English style for many is associated with elegant parquet that adorns the floor. Indeed, this material will be an excellent solution for such an interior. If desired, parquet can be abandoned in favor of a massive parquet board or laminate. It is only important that the flooring is styled with valuable wood.
If we are talking about rooms with high humidity, tiles are used instead of parquet. It is desirable that this product imitates the natural texture, has an appropriate color. Tiles stylized as granite, marble, aged wood will look wonderful. Finally, the bulk floor is relevant, the colors and texture of which are as close as possible to natural ones.
Of course, the English style does not like materials such as linoleum. It is also worth refraining from flooring made in flashy, defiant tones. Carpets endowed with a soft and thick pile are welcome, however, do not use a carpet.
Windows and doors
Those people who are attracted by the design in English should forget about the popular plastic windows forever. For this interior area, wooden euro-windows are relevant. Preference is given to products made from natural wood, high-quality veneer and solid wood are welcome.
Choosing windows and doors, you should not get carried away with savings, as the interior in the spirit of old England is traditionally created with the help of products made of valuable wood species. Certain requirements are imposed on the color scheme, it is advisable to make a choice in favor of noble dark shades.
Lighting
It's no secret that the design in English is primarily twilight. The central chandelier is an obligatory detail of the interior, however it is used more as a decoration of a room than as a lighting fixture. The muffled, enveloping light is provided by floor lamps and sconces, and wall lamps are also welcome.
It is interesting that the lighting fixtures chosen for an apartment or a house can belong to different collections. However, they should have a common feature, for example, lampshades similar in terms of material, color or pattern. Of course, it is not at all necessary that the mysterious twilight reigned in all rooms. It is quite acceptable to use the upper light to illuminate the living room, leaving a stronghold of the romantic twilight bedroom.
Furniture
Embodying the English style in the interior of the apartment, it is worth preparing for the fact that there should be a lot of furniture. This direction does not like empty spaces; deliberate crowding is preferred. Another interesting fact - the British prefer to choose different furniture for the rooms, which at first glance may seem incompatible. Bulky leather sofas comfortably side by side with elegant banquets with carved legs.
The table is a piece of furniture to which the inhabitants of Great Britain have a genuine weakness. The rooms in the house are cluttered with a variety of tables: coffee, coffee, tea. One cannot refuse bedside tables in a bedroom; a drawing room cannot be imagined without magazine models. Compact products designed to accommodate floor lamps, keys, phones are also actively used. They are found everywhere, from the kitchen to the hallway.
Thinking over the design of the living room in the style that is described in this article, one should not forget about such a mandatory attribute as a rocking chair. Old-fashioned dressers and secretaries are also actively used, comfortable sofas such as Chesterfield are used. Of all the possible materials, the most beloved by the British is wood.
Decor Elements
What is an interior design in English when it comes to decorative elements? In this case, the excess rule is still valid. Style categorically does not welcome the presence of empty shelves, the same applies to horizontal surfaces. Family photographs are a detail without which it is impossible to imagine an interior created in the best traditions of old England. Photos of family members adorn the walls, shelves, tables.
The British also like to use objects related to their own hobbies when decorating the interior. For example, avid travelers decorate the house with souvenirs purchased in foreign countries. Bulky watches often also play the role of decor elements; floor and wall models are used. Mirrors decorated with wooden or gilded frames are welcome.
As accessories, ethnic elements of decor are actively used, many of which may seem too exotic for an emphasized strict interior. For example, Chinese porcelain can be adjacent to African figurines.
Textile
Creating the interior of the room, one can not ignore the textiles, which are used in large quantities in the English design. Residents of the UK can opt for plain and expressionless elements, give preference to bright and colorful products. The choice is based on which color scheme dominates the room.
Classic curtains for the living room - heavy curtains made of thick fabric. The style does not mind multi-layer structures, but their design should not be too frivolous. Also, the rooms are filled with decorative pillows, cozy rugs. Tables are often decorated with tablecloths, which in some cases completely hide them.
Cottage decoration
The English style is a wonderful choice for private houses, especially when it comes to brick buildings with large windows surrounded by a garden. Thinking over the design of cottages, you can safely focus on the rules outlined above, making small changes. For example, hunting trophies will be a spectacular decoration for the walls of the cottage, you can also use weapons.
Owners of private houses have a huge advantage - the ability to use a real fireplace, to which cozy fireplace chairs must be attached. Owners of apartments can be limited to a false fireplace. White bricks are used to decorate a real fireplace; the use of bog oak boards is also not forbidden. An interesting solution is facing the product with tiles, natural stone.
It is wonderful if there is a place for a library in the house, since books are a detail without which it is impossible to imagine an interior designed in the spirit of old England. Of course, the library should not contain cheap novels made in paper binding. Expensive editions with a luxurious design are welcome. Books are not hidden in blankets, but are placed in open shelves. Also, the use of shelves endowed with glass facades is not forbidden .
What else do you need to know
Regardless of whether the design of cottages or apartments is being created, one must not forget the important rule. The style, which originated many centuries ago in England, does not tolerate the presence of modern technology. Of course, this does not mean that there should be no household appliances in the house with which comfort is created. It is only necessary to properly disguise them.
For example, the electronics in the living room can be hidden with the help of special furniture made of wood, equipped with sliding doors. The kitchen uses stylized facades. However, being carried away by the creation of the English interior, you should not sacrifice your own convenience for the sake of beauty and atmosphere. This approach is not approved by residents of the UK.