Conservatism and antiquity are the two pillars on which the classic English interior rests. The birthplace of a strict, sophisticated and elegant style is Great Britain, 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 old England design, many people imagine an oppressive and gloomy room dominated by dark tones. However, when creating an English interior, you can safely turn to light colors and place bright accents. The choice of color solutions is left to the owners of housing, who must create the most comfortable environment for themselves.
When decorating the walls, you can stop at a solid color, preferring pearl, milky, beige tones. Also, the British like to use wallpapers decorated with small floral patterns, checks or stripes. The original solution is a combination of red, brown and green stripes. Floor coverings should be dark, rich shades of red and brown are welcome. In this case, you can decorate the floor with a carpet in light colors.
It's hard to imagine an English interior without the red color loved by the British. Its shades can be present not only in decoration, but also in furniture, textiles, curtains. The main thing is to opt for muted tones.
Wall decoration
Artificial materials - what 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, wallpaper is also welcome (ready-made, for painting). As already mentioned, the preferred pattern is geometric or floral.
It's great if there is an opportunity to finish the walls with a tree that fits perfectly into this direction. First of all, you should pay attention to this material when it comes to interior design of the cottage. We should also not forget about elegant light baguettes and skirting boards. It is advisable to abandon vinyl stickers and photo wallpapers that can destroy the atmosphere of antiquity.
Floor coverings
English style is associated with elegant parquet flooring. 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. The only important thing is that the flooring is stylized as precious 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 the appropriate color. It will look great tiles stylized as granite, marble, aged wood. Finally, the self-leveling 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 floor coverings made in flashy, defiant tones. Carpets endowed with soft and thick pile are welcome, but you should not use carpet.
Windows and doors
Those people who are attracted to the design in English should forever forget about the popular plastic windows. For this interior direction, wooden euro-windows are relevant. Preference is given to products made of natural wood, high-quality veneer, solid wood are welcome.
When choosing windows and doors, do not get carried away with savings, as the interior in the spirit of old England is traditionally created using products from valuable wood species. Certain requirements are also imposed on the color scheme, it is advisable to make a choice in favor of noble dark shades.
Lighting
It's no secret that design in English is primarily twilight. The central chandelier is an obligatory detail of the interior, but itit is used more as a decoration of the room than as a lighting fixture. Muted, warm 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 house may belong to different collections. However, they should have a common feature, for example, lampshades that are 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 perfectly acceptable to use the overhead light to illuminate the living room, leaving the bedroom as a stronghold of romantic twilight.
Furniture
Embodying the English style in the interior of the apartment, you should prepare for the fact that there should be a lot of furniture. This direction does not like empty spaces; deliberate crampedness is preferred. Another interesting fact is that the British prefer to choose different furniture for rooms, which at first glance may seem incongruous. Bulky leather sofas coexist with elegant banquettes with carved legs.
The table is a piece of furniture for which the inhabitants of the UK have a genuine weakness. The rooms in the house are cluttered with a variety of tables: coffee, coffee, tea. In the bedroom you can not refuse bedside tables, the living room can not be imagined without magazine models. Also actively used are compact products designed to accommodate floor lamps,keys, phones. They are found everywhere from the kitchen to the hallway.
Thinking over the design of the living room in the style described in this article, one should not forget about such a mandatory attribute as a rocking chair. Old-fashioned chests of drawers and secretaries are also actively used, comfortable Chesterfield-type sofas are used. Of all possible materials, wood is the most loved by the British.
Decor elements
What is English interior design when it comes to decor elements? In this case, the rule of excess remains relevant. The style categorically does not welcome the presence of empty shelves, the same applies to horizontal surfaces. Family photos are a detail without which it is impossible to imagine an interior created in the best traditions of old England. Photos of family members decorate the walls, shelves, tables.
Also, the British like to use items related to their own hobbies when decorating the interior. For example, avid travelers decorate their homes with souvenirs purchased in foreign countries. Bulky clocks often act as decorative elements; floor and wall models are used. Mirrors decorated with wooden or gilded frames are welcome.
Ethnic décor elements are widely used as accessories, many of which may seem too exotic for an emphatically strict interior. For example, Chinese porcelain can coexist with African figurines.
Textiles
Creating the interiorpremises, textiles, which are used in large quantities in English design, cannot be ignored. Residents of the UK can opt for plain and inexpressive elements, give preference to bright and colorful products. The choice is made based on which color scheme dominates the room.
Classic curtains for the living room - heavy curtains made of dense fabric. The style does not object to layered designs, but their design should not be overly frivolous. Also, the rooms are filled with decorative pillows, cozy blankets. Tables are often decorated with tablecloths, which in some cases completely hide them.
Cottage decoration
English style is a great choice for private homes, especially when it comes to brick buildings with large windows surrounded by a garden. Thinking through the design of cottages, you can safely focus on the rules outlined above, making small changes. For example, hunting trophies will become a spectacular decoration for the walls of a cottage, you can also use weapons.
The owners of private houses have a huge advantage - the ability to use a real fireplace, which must be accompanied by cozy fireplace chairs. Apartment owners can limit themselves to a false fireplace. White bricks are used to finish a real fireplace, and the use of bog oak boards is not forbidden. An interesting solution - facing the product with tiles, natural stone.
It's great if there is a place in the house for a library, as books -a detail without which it is impossible to imagine an interior decorated in the spirit of old England. Of course, the library should not contain cheap paperback novels. Expensive publications with luxurious design are welcome. Books are not hidden in blind cabinets, but are placed in open shelves. Also, the use of shelves endowed with glass facades is not forbidden.
What else you need to know
Regardless of whether the design of cottages or apartments is created, one must not forget an 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 the house should not have household appliances that create comfort. You just need to properly disguise them.
For example, 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 an English interior, you should not sacrifice your own convenience for the sake of beauty and atmosphere. This approach is not approved by the people of the UK.
