Today, owners of square meters, when starting interior design, prefer that everything in the apartment (house) be as comfortable and functional as possible. But not everyone is satisfied with laconic settings.
There are still quite a lot of fans of luxury and classics. Their attention is often attracted, for example, by a living room or bedroom in the English style, because the English style harmoniously retained the strict Gregorianism, which can be found in every medieval castle, and the simple, kind, friendly Victorianism, which was chosen for the design of almost every English village house . Therefore, this style successfully combined the features of luxury, simplicity and convenience.
Who should pay attention to the design style of old, classic Britain? Owners of a small number of squares, because classic English houses were never large, but rather, on the contrary, compact and small-sized. The classic aristocracy of this style, combined with coziness and comfort, is perfect for those who are forever in love with interior classics.
Passionate collectors and book lovers should also pay attention to this style: the English interior includes a huge number of accessories, souvenirs, decorative items, family heirlooms and extensive bookshelves.
On a note! The interior of such a room is not suitable for those who are in love with minimalism and adore empty space.
A Victorian bedroom should have a lot of massive, solid furniture that occupies almost the entire room.
Basic principles of decorating a bedroom in the English style, advantages and disadvantages
Arranging an apartment is a necessary process. When choosing a design, you should primarily be guided by the preferences of the owners. You can decorate a sleeping area in the English spirit even in an ordinary apartment. With the right approach, this does not require a huge area. After all, the British, along with luxury, value restraint and conciseness.
The English style began to emerge in the 17th century - this was the period when Britain was the strongest country in the world. Colonial countries contributed to shaping the taste of the inhabitants of Foggy Albion. That is why, along with European severity, it contains oriental motifs.
Lovers of classics and conservatives will like the English style
Some of the basic principles of design are symmetry, strict zoning of the room, natural materials (in particular wood), dim, subdued lighting, and calm tones. In ancient castles, small rooms prevailed, which were easier to heat. Therefore, English-style bedrooms can be made in apartment buildings, where small areas of rooms are often found.
The British buy furniture to last. This means that it must be made of high-quality materials; interior items are passed on from generation to generation. A massive bed made of solid wood or modern analogues is placed in the center of the room along the largest wall. Next to it are bedside tables.
A very popular solution for an English-style bedroom is the presence of a fireplace, real or false. Classic armchairs most often stand next to it. The walls are decorated with stucco or its equivalent, and there may also be a tartan or floral print. The interior is dominated by brown color with dark green or burgundy accents.
The advantages of such a relaxation area include elegance, furniture arrangement strictly thought out with British scrupulousness, good quality and luxury.
For lovers of a modern interior made in a minimalist style, this arrangement is not suitable. There is no place for clearly allocated free space and relevant functionality.
Necessary interior elements
For any bedroom, the main attribute is the bed. In the English style, it should be as large and tall as possible. Subdued light is provided by bedside or wall lamps. A sign of British classics is the fireplace. In a private house where it is possible to make a chimney, it can be real. In this case, it is necessary to prepare a place to store a small amount of logs.
In the English style, a sense of proportion is observed
Today it is possible to install an electric fireplace that is absolutely similar to the original. In the winter season, electrical equipment will warm the owners on cold evenings. To do this, there are two cozy armchairs nearby.
To create an ambience without heating functions, you can create a false panel on the wall, reminiscent of an English fireplace. Small figurines and a large carpet on the floor will be a reminder of eastern countries.
Characteristic stylistic features of the English direction
“The decor of a room in the English style is devoid of the primness, restraint and conservatism inherent in the nation”
In order to understand the intricacies of English interiors, you must at least realize that this style is a hodgepodge. The fact is that during the formation of the movement, England was a colonial empire and did not hesitate to enrich its culture with traditions inherent in other nations.
Cultural exchange was most reflected in the decoration of residential buildings. The decor of the room in the English style is devoid of the stiffness, restraint and conservatism inherent in the nation. The British were the first to risk combining the incongruous in a setting, and it should be noted that they succeeded. What are considered typically English interior features today?
Decor details from ancient architecture
This means:
1. Arches.
2. Columns.
3. Curbs.
4. Pilasters.
If the direction gravitates towards the Victorian period, a lot of signs of classicism, nurtured on the architectural and cultural canons of ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, will appear in the interiors.
Elements of antiquity in an English-style interior
Symmetry
A room in the English style attracts with the absence of broken lines, the simplicity and elegance of the shapes of furnishings characteristic of the Georgian era.
English style is distinguished by the absence of broken lines
Eclecticism
It manifests itself in a mixture of heterogeneous stylistic trends. Best observed in decor. A feature characteristic of Victorian interiors.
Eclecticism in modern English interior style
Furnishing density
English interiors always have a lot of furniture. It seems that all the items were squeezed in here with all their might, however, there is no piling effect.
Dense furniture without cluttering effect
Layout feature
In the English style, rooms are divided by functionality. Living room, dining room and library - the rooms are always different and certainly available in the house.
The library is an essential part of the English-style interior
Abundance of textiles
The presence of English style in the interior is revealed by a huge number of accessories made from fabrics, including textile upholstery of the walls. The traditional material for this trend is chins - thick cotton with a floral print.
Textiles in English style
Expensive materials
Furniture and interior decoration are made only from valuable wood: oak, walnut and redwood. Carved decorations are often used.
Furniture made from valuable wood species is an integral part of the interior
Window
Vertically elongated structures with a lift-and-slide opening method.
Traditional windows for English interiors
Unacceptable and not recommended parts
For the classic English style, steel decorative elements or furniture are unacceptable. The popular black and white color scheme also cannot be present in such a bedroom. It is not recommended to use multifunctional ultra-modern furniture and modern technology. If it is necessary to place it, it is disguised as antique. Regularity and peace are what its owner should feel in the bedroom.
Such a room cannot contain details that clearly characterize a different style or another era. For example, a Russian stove in an English interior will look ridiculous.
Background color scheme and interior accents
In the English style it is better to use dark furniture that contrasts with light walls
Despite the apparent conservatism, the color scheme in each individual English bedroom can be very different. A classic is the dark brown wood color scheme, which is combined with thick green or rich burgundy color. The third tone should be a light color. Such a deep, dark palette adds history and mystery to the room.
There are rooms made in light colors, with brown or beige only highlighting some accents. The main requirement is the naturalness of the palette and the absence of bright flashy tones. After all, the English style was formed during the period when natural, unpainted furniture and fittings were used. The combination of British severity and oriental splendor is what you should get when combining different shades.
Please also pay attention to the material on the principles of designing a bedroom in a classic style:.
Color spectrum
English design is characterized by a combination of aristocracy, conciseness and homely warmth. Here, restrained colors can be combined with floral patterns, and bright colors can be used for accents.
It is important to maintain color balance. If the walls have rich colors, then the set should be selected in a calmer range. The ceiling, door, windows, and baseboards are usually used in white colors.
When decorating a bedroom with windows facing north, you should choose warm shades. Golden, yellow, brown are best suited. In the case of southern windows, the use of cool colors is regulated - azure, green, blue.
It must be remembered that the bedroom is used for rest and relaxation, so overly flashy and saturated colors are unacceptable here. The colors used should not excite or cause aggression. Everything should be harmonious.
Selection of finishing materials
When creating an English interior, it is necessary to take into account the combination of colors, texture of the floor, walls, ceiling and other elements.
Floor covering
Parquet or laminate with a wood pattern is used as flooring. In a small room it is laid diagonally - in this case the room will visually become larger.
Rich decoration is something that is undoubtedly present in the English style
A mandatory attribute is a carpet with a dim oriental pattern. It will add coziness to the bedroom.
When decorating a bedroom in the English style, wooden panels are often used to decorate the walls or ceiling.
As an alternative, a light, plain carpet is often used. It is more difficult to care for, but such a floor will provide constant warmth and save you from hypothermia during the cold season. You can also lay a small rug on top of the carpet.
Wall decoration
You can guess the English interior by the massive furniture and floral wallpaper.
The walls in the English bedroom emphasize luxury and sophistication. To decorate them, expensive fabric wallpaper or silk-screen printing with a pattern or floral print is often used. Often the surface is decorated with moldings reminiscent of antique stucco or wooden panels.
The strict interior of a bedroom in the English style should be elegant
In recent years, the English style has begun to adapt to modern trends. Walls painted in a single color are rare. At the same time, they emphasize rare furniture and other interior details. The color is still done in calm tones.
Ceiling finishing
The ceiling is usually made in a plain white palette. It balances the excess of luxury in the interior. At the joints with the walls, a ceiling plinth or baguette is attached.
The white ceiling of the bedroom can be decorated with borders or moldings
Depending on the area of the bedroom, it can be of moderate size or, like other decorative elements, have voluminous shapes reminiscent of antique stucco.
Wooden beams on the ceiling are painted to match the furniture or other accessories
Another classic option is a ceiling covered with wooden boards. The effect of a medieval castle is created.
Basic requirements for materials and shape of doors and windows
The English style is characterized by symmetry. If there are several windows or doors in the bedroom, they should be decorated the same way. The British do not accept plastic structures. Therefore, windows must be made of wood.
The doors of an English-style bedroom window should not slide apart, but swing open
However, today you can find an alternative to natural material. The frames are equipped with ornaments - decorative strips, which are most often glued to the inside of the glass surface.
Doors are made from solid beech or oak. Moldings along the perimeter emphasize the respectability and overall style of the room. In a light interior, a white painted coating is allowed.
Details of the device and decoration of the fireplace
It is not possible to install a real fireplace that runs on wood in every private home. You can’t dream of such an interior element in an apartment. The electric fireplace was an excellent replacement. It has an identical appearance, from which comes heat, and in some cases, the sounds of burning logs.
Interior items in the English style should have a history and belong to more than one generation of the family
An imitation of a mandatory attribute of the English style is also used. Such a volumetric part is made of plasterboard, on top of which finishing materials are glued - brickwork, stucco, and so on.
Decorating principles
Despite the passage of time, the sophistication inherent in English decor retains its value. Let's figure out how to properly create a bedroom interior in an authentic English style.
Natural materials will help create true English design. Wood is the most popular.
Parquet flooring or floors made of boards made from elite types of wood, wooden furniture, wall panels made from similar raw materials are a characteristic feature of such interiors.
Window openings can also be decorated with wood, and traditional English design without massive oak door panels is generally difficult to imagine.
Various materials are used to decorate the ceiling. The finishing is selected in accordance with the size of the room and the wishes of the residents.
The ceiling can be painted white and decorated with a massive stepped cornice.
The central part is often decorated with a convex rosette of a strict configuration. This finish looks great in a small bedroom or in a discreetly furnished room.
Multi-level ceiling structures, equipped with lighting, stucco molding and paintings look great in large rooms with Victorian design. Wooden floors will fit perfectly into the interior of a room with high ceilings.
The walls in such interiors are usually painted, covered with wallpaper or partially trimmed with colored textiles.
Recommendation: The English style requires the use of natural materials in decoration, so it is better to choose wallpaper on a natural basis: paper, bamboo or fabric.
Floral motifs in the design, vertical stripes and floral patterns are welcome. The dark finish with variegated colors gives the room a cozy feel. Thanks to this design, the bedroom looks homely and at the same time attracts with elegance.
Dark-colored finishing materials visually reduce the area of the room, but this does not mean that they cannot be used in modest-sized bedrooms.
This decor is suitable for partial wall decoration, for example, for the headboard area, niche or window opening.
The flooring must certainly be wooden. If your budget is modest, you can lay laminate flooring with a believable imitation of real wood grain. In the UK, bedrooms often have tiled or artificial stone floors. But such options are not very attractive to Russians. You can still find tiled floors in living rooms, but bedrooms with such coverings seem unacceptable to most of our compatriots.
If the room is well heated, a ceramic floor can provide a pleasant tactile sensation to your feet.
Design features depending on the size of the room
Depending on the size of the room, there are a number of features when decorating in the English style.
Small bedroom
The interior of the room in the English style consists of natural materials
A small bedroom for the English style is a familiar room. After all, the British did not often have huge living quarters. In difficult climate conditions it was more difficult to warm them up. If you want to create a classic look for an ancient bedchamber, you will have to accept that there will be very little space.
A large bed can take up almost the entire space. In modern conditions, it is still recommended to maintain harmony. You should not place too massive and voluminous interior items. A narrow electric fireplace will simultaneously serve as a small shelf. You can skip the large carpet. Heavy curtains will become an unnecessary accessory; it is better to emphasize the style with decorative curtains on the windows.
The bed should occupy a central place. And most importantly, the condition of symmetry must be observed.
Large bedroom
The carpet in the bedroom should be of muted shades
In the large room there is room for flights of fancy. Large drawings on the walls will not spoil the interior. A high bed can be equipped with a canopy. A large carpet will delimit the space between the sleeping area and the relaxation area. There is enough space to install a luxurious fireplace and two comfortable armchairs.
Types of wallpaper
Each species has its own characteristic features.
Paper
Paper wallpaper has a number of advantages over other types. The canvas material is environmentally friendly with obvious breathability properties, which in turn has a good effect on the microclimate of the room.
Non-woven
Non-woven wallpaper is characterized by wear resistance and durability. The fabric contains two layers: the first is non-woven, and the second can be paper, textile or vinyl. It is the non-woven layer that is responsible for the strength of the coating, and the subsequent layer for aesthetics!
The photo shows a bedroom with wallpaper in a small floral pattern.
Vinyl
Vinyl wallpaper, like non-woven wallpaper, consists of two layers - the top is vinyl (or polyvinyl chloride), and the bottom (adjacent to the wall) is non-woven or paper. Due to the thickness of the canvas, the illusion of volume and depth is created in the room. Taking advantage of this property, manufacturers combine the texture with various textures like wood, fabric, stone, rattan or decorative plaster, which makes the surface no worse than natural materials.
Vinyl fabric is durable, resistant to moisture and mechanical damage. The coating is suitable for use in rooms where frequent wet cleaning is required.
General lighting rules
The English style is characterized by dim, diffused lighting, which instills peace and tranquility in the owner. Lighting fixtures consist of small lamps with lampshades, floor lamps, and bedside sconces. A crystal chandelier is often placed on the ceiling in the center of the room, providing the main light. Its size depends on the size of the bedroom.
Armchairs in the bedroom are placed near the window or fireplace
It is worth remembering the principle of symmetry. If a lighting device is placed in one part of the sleeping room, then on the other side there should be a similar lamp. In a large room there are several different zones - a place to sleep, relax, a dressing table, and so on. Each such area is equipped with additional lighting.
Textiles and accessories
Natural fabric is the main component of the English style, so high-quality material is used in the bedroom. For furniture decoration, it is better to take a silky version with a floral pattern. Decorative pillows and blankets are made in a classic Scottish check. The windows have multi-layer drapery. In the room you are allowed to combine velvet with damask, and linen with chintz.
The number of accessories depends on the desire and taste of the property owners. Classic paintings in beautiful frames are hung on the walls. Porcelain figurines and flowerpots are placed on the shelves.
Important! Don't go overboard with the decor, otherwise your sleeping area will turn into a warehouse for knick-knacks.
Bedroom furniture options
Aristocratic British people have valued expensive antique furniture for a long time. It is believed that in past centuries, interior items were made from higher quality materials according to unique designs. In such a bedroom you can often find rare designs. An antique oak chest of drawers placed by the bed can become the most important accessory in the room.
The bed in the bedroom should have a high headboard
The men's bedroom most often has a calm design. It lacks small details. A bed, bedside tables, perhaps a chest of drawers and a wardrobe - that’s all that is necessary for the life of any man.
Velvet and leather are most often used for upholstery of upholstered furniture in the English style.
A woman's boudoir is characterized by the presence of more furniture. A four-poster bed, a small sofa or a pair of armchairs with a floral print, a dressing table, an ottoman and other furniture accessories will emphasize the luxury and grace characteristic of the female gender.
Bedroom floor
Regular wood or parquet flooring is often used. A carpet with a discreet pattern is laid over it. To increase the durability of the floor, it is varnished.
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Decor elements
Without the use of various decorative elements, the bedroom cannot have an English style. Textiles and other accessories will add the necessary accents.
Curtains and other textiles
The window openings of an English-style bedroom can be decorated with velvet curtains
For a bedroom made in the English style, it is recommended to use high-quality textiles made from natural materials. Large, heavy curtains decorate the windows. A canopy next to the bed is made from similar fabric. A luxurious bedspread and small pillows decorate a huge high bed.
Several options are used as a pattern:
- floral print - large or small inflorescences are repeated in other interior elements;
- oriental pattern - the original ornament is depicted on textile wallpaper or upholstered furniture;
The tartan check, popular all over the world, is a symbol of England.
- Tartan - Scottish check is the national ornament of part of Britain and is often present on various woven interior elements.
Accessories
The British have a positive attitude towards various types of accessories. Photo frames, antique vases, dishes, paintings, classic porcelain figurines, openwork napkins and much more will create real English comfort in the room. Such attributes are mandatory components for women's bedrooms. Men rarely use a large number of accessories, but some of the above are also present in their interior.
Bedroom accessories are preferable in warm colors
It is important that even small decorative elements are harmoniously combined with the overall style of the room. The larger it is, the greater the number of such items that can be placed.
Living plants
Prim Englishmen choose plants to match themselves. They rarely use brightly flowering potted plants in the interior. Preference is given to the strict Zamioculcas with dense leaves, the fashionable two-colored Sansevieria, the cycad with waxy feathery leaves, and the catchy, prim Alocasia.
Flowers will add fresh color to the bedroom
Such plants will not stand out and grow much, while helping to purify the air.
Large plantings are usually used in bedrooms with a colonial style.
Other
The use of stucco and moldings emphasizes the luxury of classic English room design. The same volumetric texture is repeated on the walls, doors, and in the bedside area.
Crystal chandeliers and night lights will add solemnity and airiness to the room.
You may also be interested in material on how to decorate a bedroom in an oriental style:.
Children's and teenagers' bedroom in English style
English style is not always prim and strict. The basics of British interior design in a modern design are suitable for a teenage room arrangement.
A spacious but laconic wardrobe, a forged chandelier reminiscent of lighting from a castle, checkered curtains and an original table will create a modern British interior. Upholstered furniture textiles with a pattern in the form of the national flag will create an English ambiance.
Modern London can be an inspiration when decorating a child's room
Another modern interior design without a hint of luxury and aristocracy presents an original bedroom for a boy. It contains the main features of the English style: the bed is in the center of the room, the obligatory carpet on the floor, symmetry in the design and a chandelier, like in an ancient English castle. The compositional center is a wall with photo wallpaper depicting the famous London Big Ben and a red double-decker bus.
Room decoration is the basis of style
If you decide to create an English style in your bedroom interior with your own hands, then first of all pay increased attention to finishing work. After all, the design of the room directly depends on the cladding.
Ceiling finishing
The ceiling in this case does not require special facing work.
Most often its design is as follows:
- it is painted pure white;
- decorated with stucco or pseudo-stucco (meaning the corresponding friezes);
- equipped with various lighting fixtures - a large, bright chandelier, etc.
Amazing ceiling design in the “royal bedroom”.
Wall decoration
But walls in a room like an English bedroom require a lot of time and labor. (See also the article Wallpaper color for the bedroom: how to combine.)
In particular, the instructions for their design provide for the use of panels or wallpaper:
- imitating brocade;
- having floral patterns;
- decorated with stripes;
- decorated with designs in the style of heraldry.
Bright bedroom with a metal bed: wallpaper matches the style
It is also possible to use rosettes and other small decoration items, which do not necessarily have to be made of ceramics or stucco, but can be made of:
- vinyl;
- polyurethane.
Another example of a successful combination of all elements and surfaces.
Floor finishing
In this case, it is important to choose the right material. It can be either ordinary wood or parquet
Of course, the price of the latter will be higher.
Read also: Bedroom design 12 sq m: ideas and solutions
However, for this reason alone it should not be used. Ordinary boards can also add a special shine to the design of a room.
The floor design is complemented by small carpet runners, on which a heraldic design is applied, but not provocative or conspicuous.
This style dictates the use of natural materials: floors, walls - calm and unattractive shades.
The permissibility of mixing English style with others in the interior
Art Deco style quickly spread throughout Europe
English style is difficult to combine with modern furnishing options. But if you mix the described interior with elements of modernism, you get an art decor style. In this case, the use of shiny metal parts is allowed.
Mixing styles in one room should be harmonious
Eclecticism in the bedroom can lead to interesting solutions. So, by mixing English style with Scandinavian style, you can get a bright, light room in which there is a lot of light and free space.
Style Features
The Georgian era began at the beginning of the 18th century. During this era, the British style had many features of Ancient Greece and Rome. The interiors created were practical, unique and functional. The color scheme of the premises was selected in such a way as to provide the maximum amount of natural light.
The Victorian era began in 1837 and brought with it the Industrial Revolution and its development. England's possessions extended to many colonies, as a result of which the bourgeoisie quickly grew rich. It was then that items that only a few could afford became fashionable. As a result, the interiors became more luxurious and were designed to show the wealth of their owner.
The creator of the modern English style is William Morris, who managed to combine the features of the Victorian and Georgian eras. This interior has its own distinctive features.
It should be noted that the Georgian style is more restrained than the Victorian. It involves the use of fewer decor and pieces of furniture, as well as a single-color finish. In such interiors, the walls are often decorated in red or burgundy colors, and the textiles are done in cream color.
Any interior decorated in Victorian style will certainly include Georgian features. Although English style is characterized by glamor and flamboyance, it still has a classic touch and grandeur. Eclecticism is allowed only within the limits of what is permitted. Luxury should be as discreet as possible, the fabrics used should be expensive. As for furniture, it is chosen in such a way as to last for decades.
