Minimalism or classic: which interior to choose for the “eternal” one
Minimalism or classic: which interior to choose for the “eternal” one. The most important thing in an interior that will be relevant for many years is neutral colors, minimum of bright details, prints, and drawings. If possible, choose natural materials. Bright walls would force you to get apartment repainted in a couple of years, printed textiles will get bored or go out of fashion, but simple muted colors will last a long time. If you want color accents, you can add them in the form of paintings or reproductions, which, if desired, can be easily changed. The interior itself should be as versatile as possible.
And then decide which style is closer to you – modern or classic. In these areas, two trends can be distinguished that are relevant in recent decades and with a high degree of probability will not soon become obsolete. This is minimalism and neoclassicism – the latter is also called American classics.
Minimalism: simplicity for centuries.
The main principles of minimalism are laconic strict geometric shapes, smooth surfaces, no patterns, a minimum of textures, large accessories and large decor.
Many believe that minimalism automatically means white walls and a lack of decor, but this is not so. Minimalism does not like the abundance of bright colors, it is better to choose pastel shades, but making one or two bright accents is acceptable. For example, hang a large abstract picture in the living room or put a bright armchair. If you want to make an accent wall, it should be only one – and always without inserts, crushing, prints, mirrors or contrasts, just a pure deep color.
Floor should be chosen in calm shades. Minimalism is categorical: either very light (bleached oak, maple, ash), or very dark (wenge, teak, ebony). Walnut, strips, original tiles will not work. In the rooms, parquet or laminate under a tree will look best, and in the hallway, in the kitchen and bathrooms, you can choose large-format tiles or porcelain tiles with a minimum size of 60 by 60 cm. Now there are plates with a size of 150 by 300 cm, which perfectly fit into a minimalist interior.
Doors in a minimalist interior should be smooth, without any panels, inserts or stained glass windows. In the kitchen, it is better to forget about panels too: it is better to choose furniture with smooth facades. They can be matte or glossy, plain or wood look. If you choose a tree, give preference to either white or very dark. But more classic shades, for example, walnut, are best left for other interiors, they are not suitable for minimalism. It is advisable to choose an apron for the kitchen without drawings and make it to match the countertop.
Do not forget the basic principle of combining wood – by the way, it is important not only in minimalism. In one interior there can be only two shades of wood. If your apartment has the floor color of bleached oak and wenge doors, then, for example, kitchen furniture you need to make one of these colors – or choose not a tree, but plain facades.
Minimalism does not like pettiness. Furniture items should be as small as possible, and it is advisable to choose large pieces. For example, in the living room – one large sofa and a maximum of a pair of armchairs, and not a lot of small ottomans and places for sitting. There is one large carpet on the floor. To decorate, place one large vase, hang one large picture above the sofa. Under the TV – a long simple stand, without shelves or add-ons. And if you want to have any shelves, then it is advisable to leave one, also large and long.
The furniture in the style of minimalism is plain, without prints and patterns. Curtains also choose plain, made from simple materials. You can even take Japanese panels – or do without curtains at all, in minimalism this is permissible.
It is advisable to do without chandeliers or suspensions – it is best to make built-in or track lighting, you can locate the built-in lights in a precise manner. If you still want to hang the chandelier, it should be concise, without details and decorations. It is better to choose light material: nickel or chrome, but dark metal is also acceptable. But gold or silver in a minimalist interior definitely will not fit.
In general, if you make a minimalistic interior, it will enjoy you a long time: you definitely won’t get tired and will not go out of fashion in the next few decades.
Neoclassicism: all the best from the classics.
The so-called American classics absorbed all the most popular, beautiful and interesting tricks of the classical styles. At the same time, it is somewhat close to minimalism: bright colors are also not used in such interiors, and this ensures universality and durability. Neoclassic does not like monograms, drawings, an abundance of textures and various inserts.
Walls in neoclassical interiors are usually white or gray or in pastel colors. The doors are always white paneled, but the main thing is not to overdo it and not go into specific styles like art deco or baroque: no patina, stained glass or crystal inserts. A white high plinth and a wide white ceiling cornice are required. Make the ceiling smooth too: decor from moldings is, of course, permissible, but it will affect the longevity of your repair – after a while, you will want to change such an interior.
The kitchen is, of course, a classic. Furniture should be white or gray, doors with panels. For a countertop and an apron, it is ideal to choose marble – this is a very relevant combination that will not lose its attractiveness after many years.
In the living room you can put classic upholstered furniture, for example, a pair of armchairs and a large straight sofa with smooth armrests in a classic shape. The main thing is that the furniture should have a calm color – gray, beige, brown. The same principle should be followed when choosing other items: the absence of prints, a minimum of decor, only a classic. If you want to add bright colors – red, green, blue, purple – choose the right picture. Another way is to choose furniture that is very light or, conversely, a very dark color. For example, to add blue shades to the living room, you can choose a sofa in soft blue or deep saturated blue.
Chandeliers should be classic, with shades or candles, but again without monograms. The metal in the fixtures or the interior is ideal yellowish – gold, bronze, brass. Ferrous metal, nickel and chrome are also acceptable.
The classic interior, made in neoclassical style, will serve you for many years. If possible, choose natural materials, then it will not even have to be updated a bit.
