Combining the most interesting and vibrant traditions of the Mediterranean, the Italian style in the interior is a harmonious fusion of luxury and simplicity, antiquity and country, conciseness and practicality. It favorably combines the best qualities to create a cozy, comfortable and visually attractive home. The interior turns out to be expressive and warm, with the help of this style you can easily fill your home with southern flavor, which is sometimes very lacking in our northern latitudes.
What is Italian style? Main features and highlights
Having looked at the photos of such interiors, we can distinguish two main qualities - versatility and richness. The Italian style in the interior is contrasting or calm, made in pastel colors. The most common design inTuscan spirit involves the use of natural colors, close to earthy shades.
In general, this style includes many elements that can most fully and colorfully tell about the history of Italy, the culture and rhythm of the country's life. Over time, solutions for this interior have changed a lot, which allowed it to become more diverse and versatile. However, the main features that make it clear that this is the Italian style have been preserved.
- Use of natural materials. At the beginning of the twentieth century, when there was not enough space in Italian cities to build new houses, people moved to the suburbs. In this regard, the modern Italian style in the interior contains rustic motifs and is characterized by the use of predominantly natural materials. As a rule, these are ceramics, stone, wood and clay.
- Decorative component in the decoration. Italian painting is known all over the world, so it has found its place in the traditional interior style of the Mediterranean. Frescoes, paintings and sculptures are used to decorate houses. Often, a panel made in the spirit of the old masters acts as decorative elements. In the interior design you can see beautiful stained-glass windows and glass mosaics. Stucco, columns and pilasters fit perfectly into the interior.
- Symmetry. In the Italian style, everything should be "smooth", so the correct lines with a soft transition are used. Shading should also not be too dramatic.
- No wallpaper. Such material is never used for decorationwalls - only paint or textured plaster.
- Warm colors. The Italian style is characterized by the use of shades of green, earth, sun, sea and sky.
- Plenty of accessories. Décor and other small details have a special place in the Italian style.
The color scheme used in interior design in Italian style
This country is rich in colors: rich greens, sea blue, flowering plants, juicy citruses. Therefore, the Italians do not need to use bright colors for home decoration. On the contrary, I want a calm, peaceful atmosphere. Pastel colors are preferred, creating a somewhat authentic, discreet interior, contrasting with the brightness of the surrounding nature.
In modern Italian style, the background color should become a kind of blank for furniture and decor. You should pay attention to soft and light shades of white, peach, pink, orange, and for furniture and accessories - terracotta and golden ocher. The same goes for color accents - they should not stand out significantly, differing greatly from the background. It is recommended to select a small number of basic shades and avoid abrupt transitions.
Italian wall coverings and textures
Decorative plaster or paint is used. The photos of the Italian style in the interior presented in the article show that painted in neutral colors or simply plastered walls become an ideal basis for creativity, that is, such optionsallow you to highlight furniture and decor, presenting it in a favorable light. Some projects do use wallpaper. If such an option was chosen, then it is necessary to buy plain canvases. If there is a drawing, then it should be discreet, faded.
The texture deserves special attention, which can enhance the softness or coldness of the selected shades. For example, terracotta is most often used in textile elements, as well as knitted panels.
As for the design of the walls in the bathroom and the backsplash in the kitchen, you can use stone, marble, ceramic or granite tiles. It is undesirable to resort to imitation - only natural materials. Tiles with a small pattern, as well as mosaics with artificial cracks and chips, are ideal for a kitchen apron.
Italian floor and ceiling decoration
Here, as with the walls, the use of natural materials is required. The ceilings in the interior in the Italian style, as a rule, are simply plastered and painted white. If they are high, wooden beams or fine wood panels can be used. Along with ceiling plinths, stucco molding is often used.
The floor, depending on the type of room, is laid out with parquet, stone, marble or granite tiles. It is possible (and even necessary) to lay a carpet that will be combined in color and texture with the surrounding space.
Selection of furniture, lighting, textiles and decorative elements
All this can be called the basis,on which the Italian style is based. The furniture is selected elegant and luxurious, made mainly of dark woods. The design uses subtle patterns and swirls, as well as various textures. Meanwhile, the forms should be simple, the lines clear and symmetrical. For the interior of an Italian-style apartment (in particular, this applies to the living room and kitchen), it is advisable to choose open or glazed cabinets and sideboards, where you can demonstrate a variety of decorative elements, dishes.
Coarse fabrics are selected for the upholstery of sofas, armchairs, chairs and headboards. Textiles can be in light colors or colorful, playing the role of a color accent. However, it is worth remembering that sharp transitions in shades should not be allowed.
The key point is the selection of lighting devices. Soft and warm tones on the walls can be emphasized favorably with lamps with diffused light. Approximately 5 lamps are selected, which are placed around the perimeter of the room. They will act as the base lighting. The ceiling chandelier may be missing, as it is not an important element. Moreover, in the Italian style there is such a pattern as the darkening of the center of the room, which creates the illusion of natural light coming through from different parts of the room. If you still need a chandelier, you can pick it up based on the atmosphere formed in the room. It can be a luxurious lamp with crystal or simple but stylish, with forging elements.
The last important element in the interior of an Italian-style home is decor. Decorations help here.make the environment complete and more attractive. When choosing a decor, it is very important to consider the following qualities of jewelry:
- luxury, elegance;
- combination of several shades;
- naturalness.
Italian style is characterized by the use of large decorative elements, so do not be afraid of large floor vases, paintings framed in elegant wooden frames. As for the images, most often they show landscapes of Italian gardens, olive groves and vineyards. Still lifes are good. Small accessories should not be too much. They are designed to support the stylistic direction. It is important that the small decor is fully consistent with the spirit of Italy.
Italian living room decor examples
This room is the main one in the house. Therefore, when decorating an Italian-style living room interior, you must adhere to some strict rules:
- furniture - classic shape with soft transitions and curves (antique is perfect);
- walls - painted in light shades, decorated with paintings and mirrors;
- floor - marble or parquet is usually laid, and a carpet must be laid in the center;
- lighting - devices stylized as medieval lamps.
The living room should look rich, for which an abundance of stucco and columns, moldings and porticos made of marble or stone, aged works of art are used here. Windows should be large and let in a lotlight, and interior arches are preferred to doors.
Italian style in the interior of the kitchen
It is recommended to choose a set with open shelves, racks on which dishes and a few accessories will be clearly visible. From the decor, wicker baskets, bouquets of dried herbs, clay products and paintings with simple landscapes are preferred.
Italian style bedroom
This room is decorated with natural materials and soft touch textiles such as satin, velvet and silk. It is allowed to decorate them with graceful patterns. The centerpiece is a luxurious bed. There should be a lot of textiles in the bedroom, which will set the tone for the whole room and make it incredibly cozy, inviting for relaxation and a pleasant sleep.
Italian style bathroom example
The bathroom performs exclusively its main role. That is, only the necessary items should be present in the bathroom: a bathtub, a sink, a toilet, several cabinets and mirrors, a pleasant decor that matches the purpose of the room. It is recommended to purchase antique-style copper taps. A bath is placed in the center of the room, and the toilet and sink should follow its outlines. All plumbing fixtures are eggshell colored.
If you have any questions regarding Italian style interior design, you can get answers by looking atvideo.
